With two coups on either end of Westeros, our hosts examine whether Alliser Thorne or Ellaria Sand will be able to wield power now they’ve grabbed it

The first episode of Game of Thrones, season six, was a significant one for many women in Westeros. This week, we take a look at how female characters are wresting control. “From Brienne’s physical strength, to Sansa’s resilience, to Dany’s defiance, to the Sand Snake’s ferocity, to Cersei’s revenge, to Melisandre’s guile, to Arya’s training,” says Spencer Ackerman, “this seems to be an episode concerned overwhelmingly with powerful women and how women wield power.”

Ackerman and Laura Hudson further discuss the two major coups on either side of Westeros, and offer advice on which to emulate if you plan on seizing power.

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