Mother's Mercy

"Mother's Mercy" is the tenth and final episode of the fifth season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 50th overall. The fifth season finale, the episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and directed by David Nutter. It first aired on June 14, 2015.

The episode's plot primarily follows Stannis Baratheon's attack on Winterfell, which ends in Stannis's defeat and eventual death, and Cersei Lannister's walk of atonement in King's Landing, which the High Sparrow demands she complete before her trial. Minor plotlines include Jaime Lannister and Myrcella leaving Dorne, Daenerys Targaryen being captured by the Dothraki, and Jon Snow being betrayed and seemingly murdered at the Wall. The episode achieved a viewership of 8.11 million during its initial airing in the United States, setting a new viewership record for the show.

"Mother's Mercy" garnered critical acclaim, with critics lauding Lena Headey's performance, David Nutter's direction, and Benioff and Weiss's teleplay. Particular praise was directed to Cersei Lannister's walk of atonement, which involved a body double and the use of CGI, as well as the ambiguous fate of Jon Snow, which was highly discussed by critics and viewers. At the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, the episode won the awards for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.

This episode marks the final appearance for Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Tara Fitzgerald (Selyse Baratheon), and Ian Beattie (Ser Meryn Trant).