Whether you're pro or anti the Game of Thrones script for the final season - it's safe to say it's been a rocky ride. As the series hurtles towards it's closing episode (and we all pray that it's better than the last two), we can't decide whether to simply be happy by the quality of memes that have been produced or confused by conflictingly two-dimensional female characterarcs (like warrior-queen Brienne dissolving into tears over Jaime Lannister and Daenerys breaker-of-chains incinerating King's Landing with very little explanation or supporting narrative).
But there is one thing that fans are getting very excited about in this weeks episode - and that's the mini Line of Duty crossover that it blessed us with. Laura Elphinstone - who you might recognise as the actress who portrays Detective Inspector Michelle Brandyce in theBBC police thriller - made an appearance in the penultimate episode of the show, as part of a critical scene with Arya Stark.
In case you needed a reminder (no judgement, a lot went down and a lot of it was hard to see in the rubble and the chaos of improbable character moments), here's what happened. Beware - serious spoilers lie ahead.
To recap - we've reached the moment of a critical confrontation between Daenerys and Cersei Lannister. Following the Battle of Winterfell and defeat of the army of the dead, Daenerys' and Jon Snow's troops successfully storm Kings Landing and force a surrender of Cersei's army. However in the lead up to the battle, we've seen an onslaught to the power dynamics of Daenerys' character and an assault on her claim to the Iron throne as the discovery of Jon's status as a Targaryen threatens to usurp her (not to mention, her closest allies - Missandei and Ser Jorah were murdered before her eyes).
In episode 5, Daenerys' descent into a mad-king rage marks a pivotal moment of the series as she rides above the streets of King's Landing, destroying the city and burning every man, woman and child despite the surrender. As this goes down (and boy, does it go down) Arya Stark makes her way through the wreckage, risking alternatively being burned or trampled by panicked crowds of civilians. Amid the chaos, Laura's character enters the narrative as her and her small child help to rescue Arya by pulling her to safety in a sheltered area beneath the streets.
In an attempt to save their lives, Arya persuades the two to leave the shelter - however while Arya survives (thankfully - while we may have to wave goodbye to Cersei, The Hound, Euron Greyjoy and Jaime Lannister in this episode we're not quite ready to let go of Maisie Williams), Laura and her character's daughter are caught in the blazes.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo about the experience of working on Game of Thrones, Laura Elphinstone said 'I loved filming Game of Thrones, and I've worked in some amazing theatres, but it's also been a real joy to do some work on screen – this is so big it's like a film set.'
We don't blame her - because whatever our feelings about how the characters have been developed and written in this season (looking at you: some of the more petty female stereotypes) there's no denying that there have been some spectacularly cinematic battles that are - lets face it - an actors dream to work on. Let's hope we'll get to see more crossovers to cheer ourselves up as we reach the final episode of the series. And if someone could explain more about the Night King and the spiral and cover a few gaping plot holes we've encountered so far, you know...that would be good too.
In the meantime, while Laura Elphinstone may have only played a brief Cameo in GoT I'm just going to leave some of her best work right here....
Game Of Thrones Dearly Departed Men - Grazia
1 of 15Robb Stark
One of the shows greatest losses in both character and eye candy, Robb Stark – played by The Bodyguard's Richard Madden - was killed by Roose Bolton in season three. We're still mourning.
2 of 15Khal Drogo
One of the most emotionally conflicting deaths on Game of Thrones, Khal Drogo – portrayed by Jason Momoa - may have begun as one of our most hated characters, but his development in Daenerys true love left us hoping for a happy ending. Smothered by Daenerys to end his suffering, the eye candy Khal Drogo brought to our screens is something we still long for to this day.
3 of 15Oberyn Martell
Killed in battle with The Mountain, Oberyn's impeccable sense of style landed him in our hearts before swiftly taking him off our screens. Portrayed by Pedro Pascal, he still sports some unusual tastes for fashion in real life.
4 of 15Jon Snow
The death that almost had us boycott the entire show, Jon Snow – portrayed by Kit Harrington - was killed by the black brothers before being resurrected in season six. Honestly, if we couldn't see Jon Snow on our screens every week we'd probably cancel our TV license and call it a day.
5 of 15Dickon Tarly
Dickon – played by Tom Hopper - may have got what he deserved when he refused to bend the knee to Daenerys, whom has her dragon burn him alive in response, but as viewers we truly did not deserve to lose his excellence.
6 of 15Eddark Stark
Nothing says fit like Lord Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. Played by Sean Bean, while Ned's title may have given him sex appeal, it also put him in the firing line for an untimely death. Executed by Ilyn Payne on the command of Joffrey Baratheon, Ned's heroism is still truly missed.
7 of 15Trystane Martell
Trystane – played by Toby Sebastian - may have epitomized pretty boy, but his looks were taken from us abruptly in season five at the hands of Obara Sand.
8 of 15Stannis Baratheon
Killed by Brienne of Tarth in season five, Stannis – played by Stephen Dillane- won us over with his steeley looks and silver beard.
9 of 15Hizdahr Zo Loraq
The sons of Harpy continued to take away our most beautiful characters for the whole of season 5, with Hizdahr – played by Joel Fry - taken far too soon.
10 of 15Roose Bolton
Lost at the start of season six, Roose – played by Michael McElhatton -was killed by Ramsay Bolton. He may have raised an abhorrent excuse for a human – or TV character – but he can't be denied as one of GoT's fittest losses.
11 of 15Tywin Lannister
Played by Charles Dance, Tywin was the ultimate silver fox on GoT. That being said, his death was long-awaited - is there one male character on Game Of Thrones that you haven't wanted to die at one point? – and came at the hands of Tyrion Lannister.
12 of 15Viserys Targaryen
Admittedly a welcome death for a truly horrific character, Viserys – played by Harry Lloyd - was killed by Khal Drogo in series one. The only thing we miss about him is the way his blonde mop of hair framed his chiseled cheekbones.
13 of 15Renly Baratheon
While his role, and death, may be quite forgettable in the grand scheme of major deaths, Renly Baratheon's beard is one we will forever remember. While Gethin Anthony may not keep it as full in real life, at least we don't have to see the ridiculous crown he sported in character on the red carpet.
14 of 15Ser Jorah
Ser Jorah - played by Iain Glen - died in the Great War, aka the best episode of TV at all time. As is typical for his character, he was protecting Dany.
15 of 15Theon Greyjoy
Played by Alfie Allen, Theon Greyjoy had quite the character redemption, especially in his death. Protecting Brann in the Great War, he died attempting to kill the Night King.