The message comes courtesy of Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) in an extension of scenes from season 6’s fifth episode, The Door, where she watches a Braavos theater troupe retell parts of recent Westerosi history. As she stands in the audience and laughs at Joffrey Baratheon being slapped around, a woman near her says, “Violence and profanity. How original.”
“Why don’t you just leave, then?” Arya asks her as she turns around.
The woman doesn’t respond, but she and her companion continue to watch the play progress with distaste. By the time skin starts being revealed, they’ve had enough. One describes it as “utterly gratuitous,” and the other complains that it is “disgusting and unacceptable.” Finally, as Arya suggested, they leave.
Since the same complaints have been directed at Game of Thrones itself, Arya’s message seems like a not-so-subtle answer to its critics: If you don’t like it, don’t watch. Ironically, though, as the play continues and Arya sees how her father and sister are portrayed, she doesn’t seem any more thrilled about the content than the two women. Still, she sticks it out till the end.
The deleted and extended scenes offer more interesting tidbits, including the aftermath of Jon Snow’s death and Mace Tyrell being scolded by his mother. Look for Arya’s dust-up with her fellow spectators at around the 5:55-mark and the women complaining a last time and walking out around 9:35.
Game of Thrones is slated to return for season 7 next summer.
