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A 'Game of Thrones' character made a dramatic re-entry to the series — and fans are upset

game of thrones ramsay
HBO

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six.

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The third installment of "Game of Thrones" season six came with an iconic vision scene from Bran, a big moment for Jon Snow, and more drama with the Faith Militant and King Tommen. But the big shocker came from the reappearance of Rickon Stark — the youngest Stark child who hasn't been seen since season three. 

Rickon Stark surprised Game of Thrones
We're surprised too, Rickon. HBO

Rickon was given over to Ramsay Bolton by Smalljon Umber, along with Osha (the wildling he was traveling with). Adding another level of upset — the Umbers killed his direwolf, Shaggydog. 

Many fans were not happy about the turn of events.

So how is this possible, and why are fans upset?

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Rickon's journey

Ramsay Bolton is now the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North after murdering his father, stepmother, and baby brother last episode. In Sunday's episode, he met with a man named Smalljon Umber. The Umbers are another Northern house, and were bannermen to the Starks. 

We last saw Rickon when he was traveling with older brother Bran, the wildling Osha, plus Hodor, Meera, and Jojen. When Bran decided he had to go north of the Wall, and realized it would be too dangerous for Rickon, the two parted ways.

Bran Rickon Jojen Meera Osha Game of Thrones
Bran, Rickon, and the gang all together for the last time. HBO

"You and Osha and Shaggydog head for the Last Hearth," Bran told Rickon. "The Umbers are our bannermen — they'll protect you."

Osha assured Bran she would be able to find the the castle where the Umbers live, and then her and Rickon left that same night. 

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Since then, Rickon has only been briefly mentioned in passing, like when Sansa forced Theon to tell her the truth about her two brothers (that they were alive and unharmed by him). But now, he's back and in the hands of Ramsay Bolton, thanks to the Umbers.

A brief Umber history

This betrayal from the Umbers is upsetting to fans for a number of reasons. Smalljon Umber is the son of Greatjon Umber, a fierce leader who was incredibly loyal to Robb Stark. 

Viewers were introduced to Greatjon in season one, when Robb called his bannermen to Winterfell in preparation for marching south against the Lannisters. At first, Greatjon was skeptical of Robb's ability to lead, given that Robb was so young. This scene encapsulates everything fans used to loved about the Umbers.

Greatjon Umber Game of Thrones
The Greatjon Umber in season one. HBO

They had an argument during a feast over Robb's choice to let another lord named Glover lead the vanguard in the army. "The bloody Wall will melt before an Umber marches behind a Glover," Greatjon told Robb. "I will lead the van, or I will take my men and march them home."

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"You are welcome to do so, Lord Umber," Robb calmly replied. "And when I am done with the Lannisters, I will march back north, root you out of your keep, and hang you for an oathbreaker."

"Oathbreaker is it?!" Greatjon yelled. "I’ll not sit here and swallow insults from a boy so green he pisses grass!" Then he drew his sword, and Robb's direwolf Greywind attacked and chewed off two of Greatjon's fingers.

"My lord father taught me it was death to bare steel against your liege lord," Robb said. "Doubtless, the Greatjon only meant to cut my meat for me."

Greatjon stood up, clutching his bloodied hand. "Your meat … is bloody tough," he replied. And then he began laughing wildly, and the men around joined in. From then on, Greatjon was one of Robb's top advisors and protectors. 

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Greatjon Umber fingers Game of Thrones
Greywind ate two of his fingers, and he was still loyal to Robb Stark. HBO

Greatjon was the first of Robb's men to name him "King in the North," rallying behind the Starks after Ned was executed. He fought by his side throughout the war, but was not present at the Red Wedding. In the books, Greatjon is there but survives and is taken prisoner. His son, Smalljon, is killed at the Red Wedding in the books. Smalljon dies protecting Robb until the last possible second. 

So now, in the show, we have a living Smalljon who is betraying the Starks and handing over Rickon Stark to Ramsay Bolton. Smalljon also said his father, Greatjon, was dead — though he didn't mention how he died.

This change is frustrating for longtime fans of the series, especially book readers. 

Oathbreaker

The title of Sunday's episode, "Oathbreaker," ties into the Umbers' new storyline. As noted earlier, the first time viewers met Greatjon was when he had a heated discussion with Robb Stark about oathbreaking. Now, his son Smalljon is the oathbreaker. 

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Smalljon Umber Game of Thrones
Smalljon Umber refused to kneel before Ramsay Bolton, but gave him Rickon instead. HBO

Yes, Ramsay Bolton is now Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, which means the northern houses are technically obligated to swear fealty to him. But Ramsay only holds that title because his father betrayed Robb Stark. The Starks have ruled over Winterfell and the North for centuries, and their bannermen have a deep-rooted history of fierce loyalty to the name Stark. 

Smalljon's decision not only to side with the Boltons (instead of joining with other houses to rebel) but give him Rickon Stark feels like an enormous betrayal of his family's past choices. Smalljon's reason given for the betrayal was Jon Snow's choice to let the wildlings through the wall, but that feels like a thin argument. At least, based on the Smalljon we know in the books. Clearly the showrunners have made a major change to his character.

This new Stark plotline also brings up issues similar to the showrunner's decision to marry Sansa to Ramsay. Both are events not present in the books, and both choices serve to give the sadistic Ramsay Bolton a leg-up while the Starks come out worse for wear.

Rickon's fate in the books is a complete mystery. Bran didn't send him to the Umbers, but instead went off to an unknown location with Osha. Hints were given in the last book that he was on an island called Skagos. 

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Rickon Stark and Smalljon Game of Thrones
Rickon has grown up a lot since we saw him last. HBO

In the books, Davos Seaworth meets with a Stark loyalist named Lord Wyman Manderly. In this meeting, we learn that Manderly and some other northern lords are conspiring against the Boltons. They want to find Rickon, who is technically heir to Winterfell and their liege lord, and re-instate the Starks as the ruling family of the North. 

Manderly sends Davos to find Rickon, and that was last we heard of either Davos or the young Stark boy. 

Instead of this epic plot among northern lords, known as the Grand Northern Conspiracy, so far we've only been given a betrayal of monstrous proportions. The Umbers, who were once behind Robb Stark being King in the North, just handed an innocent child to the most psychopathic man in Westeros. Unless Smalljon has a trick up his sleeve, this is a disappointing adaptation.

Unless ...

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Is Smalljon conning Ramsay?

Many fans are so upset by the change that they're turning to an alternative explanation: Smalljon is lying to Ramsay about his loyalties. 

"I bet they will make it a double agent thing in the end, because Umber turning to the Boltons instead of Starks does not make ANY sense," Redditor Mortress_ wrote in a discussion thread. 

The death of Shaggydog (whose bloody head was placed on a table for Ramsay to see is a contentious point here. Could Smalljon have actually found another wolf that big?

"I still suspect that the Umber's delivery of Rickon is a ploy, and they'll be the new [conspiracy]," another person chimed in. "That might not be Shaggydog. No, I'm not in denial."

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Shaggydog dead Game of Thrones
HBO

"I think Ramsay is being set up for a massive 'fuck you' by the Umbers," a third Redditor said. "Roose has been constantly telling him that the Starks are loved in the north and they are just feared by them ... It makes no sense bring Rickon back just for him to die. That to me, seems like awful writing."

Aside from the hope that Smalljon is actually part of the Grand Northern Conspiracy, the only ray of sunshine left is Jon Snow. He ended the episode with a mic-drop statement about leaving the Night's Watch. If his days at Castle Black are over, it's safe to assume he'll ride south when he hears about Rickon. Perhaps Sansa will reach Castle Black first, and the two will pair up and rally the rest of the northern houses. 

We know a major battle between Ramsay Bolton and Jon Snow is being set up — perhaps Rickon is the catalyst. In the meantime, fans will hope for Rickon's safety among Ramsay's sadistic and unpredictable presence. 

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