Note:for the episode follow!

And you thought last episode's wedding was awkward...Man.Just, man.Still shaking.If you're a fan of HBO's Game of Thrones who hasn't read the books, you've made it. You've made it through the scene. And if you've somehow managed to make it through pure, without anyone on comment boards or social media knowingly or unknowingly spoiling it for you over the past three years, congratu-freakin-lations! We only wanted you to experience the shock and trauma that we all felt after reading the "Red Wedding" scene in A Storm of Swords. Just an exquisitely awful event that managed to out-do the unpredictable and horrifying death of Ned Stark back in Season 1.And one of the things this episode, "The Rains of Castamere," did to throw you off the scent of the oncoming bleakness was to actually lighten the mood a bit. With the reveal that Roslin Frey was actually beautiful, and Walder giving a look to Robb in the crowd, as if to say "See, you could have had that." And then Blackfish awkwardly turning from the remaining Frey girls, who were smiling their homely smiles at him. I'm sure many tears were shed throughout this magnificent, game-changing episode, but for me, I was just tense. Just tense and cold the whole time. And it's a scene so powerful that, all in all, it really can't be done wrong - but I'm still so glad it was done right.From Robb watching his wife and unborn child die, to Cat watching Robb die, to Cat then, in a final act of futile defiance, slitting the neck of Walder's wife before meeting her own end, this was just a domino trail of agony. On a show that features unrelentingly cruel things, the ugly and dark-hearted Walder Frey has now risen up the ranks to be this show's top monster. With help, of course, from the Lannisters and the turncoat Lord Bolton, who revealed to Robb, during the Young Wolf's death, the true architects of the scheme.Lord Tywin didn't even have to send an army after Robb, or protect his castle in the west. He simply had to gain enough power to turn all other avenues against Robb and then have others do his dirty, foul work. Yes, I fear even those who've read the books and knew this was coming could never be fully prepared to see it all transpire on screen. It just leaves you shaking. Especially the silence that accompanied the end credits. With the actual "Rains of Castamere" song, which has been used to close out a couple episodes before, only being used as the musical cue from the band to signal the attack. And the cue for Cat to take notice that something was awry.In this really big and emotional episode, what really wound up getting to me, tears-wise, was when The Hound knocked out Arya and dragged her away from the slaughter. It was thuggish and brutal, and yet you still got the sense that he's safest person for her to be with. And that he cares for her, despite now not having anyone to trade her to for gold. And Arya, already having been mocked by The Hound for being overcome with fear due to being so close to getting home, now has watched, in person, her hopes ripped to shreds right in front of her. And while being so courageous too; she was actively running in to help. We can only assume that Arya will be in a really dark place now. And this is a girl who already threatened The Hound with "Someday I'm going to put a sword through your eye and out the back of your skull." But Arya being carried away from the carnage, having been so close to her mother and brother, was the absolute definition of heartbreaking.Moving from wolf to wolf here (and it's hard to imagine that other great things also happened in this awesome episode): Grey Wind might be dead, but Summer is alive and well, and ripping out Wildling throats while under the control of Bran! Actually, this chapter moved a lot of characters closer together than they've ever been. So, so close, but yet so far. Just as Arya was within reach of being reunited with her loved ones, Bran was hiding in the windmill, right above Jon and Ygritte. And while the two of them didn't get to meet face to face, Bran did see Jon through the eyes of Summer. So at least, for those seeking small forms of solace, Bran knows that another member of his family is alive and knows where he is.There was also the running theme of the Stark nobility connecting the two stories; with Arya not letting The Hound kill the old man on the road and Jon Snow speaking out against the Wildlings icing the elderly horse breeder. Yes, even though the Starks have all been scattered, their honor and mercy have prevailed. Of course, The Hound reminded Arya that her kindness will get her killed and perhaps the unjust death of her brother and mother will help solidify that advice.The scene with Bran saving Jon through "warg"ing was also excellent, with many elements finally all coming together. Even Orell managed to throw the last bit of his consciousness into his eagle before he died from Jon's blade. And now Bran will head north of The Wall with the Reeds and Hodor while Osha takes Rickon (who was actually given some emotions to play) off to live with the Umbers. It's clear that Bran, who's able to enter the minds of human beings, is unlike anything Jojen could have anticipated.Feeling more apart from the stories in Westeros than ever, thanks to the gravity of the episode, Dany's story had a ton of action and bloodshed as well, with Jorah finally getting to show off more of his skills, holding his own next to Grey Worm and Loverboy McMercenery as the three of them entered Yunkai through the back gate and, essentially, won the entire city for her in one night. What was most evident here though was the little bits of squabbling between Jorah and Barristan (still) and Jorah's jealously over the way that Dany looks at Daario. Sometimes it's easy to forget how young Dany is, but in the scenes with Daario, it really comes out. Especially at the end when she doesn't seem to be relieved that Jorah is alive, but swoons at the sight of the still-standing Daario. Meanwhile, Barristan didn't seem concerned about any of the other three guys at all.Game of Thrones will never be short on big moments, but the tradition of the ninth episode knockout punch has remained fantastically intact in Season 3. "The Rains of Castamere" was downright brutal, whether you've read the books or not. Because seeing it actuality happen, seeing Robb take all those arrows and seeing Cat's neck get cut, will just rock you to the core no matter what you're individually anticipating. Plus, Robb's wife was changed up a bit for the show anyhow, and her addition to the wedding party, plus the reveal of her pregnancy, wound up being a bit of extra tragedy sprinkled on top of the misery.

You can also visit our Game of Thrones wiki . While you’re there, feel free to contribute key differences you see between the TV and book version of the lore. If you comment on this article, please be mindful of others who haven’t read ahead and stick to discussion of what’s been aired. Thanks!Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and on IGN at mattfowler