- Dig into the Fist of the First Men (though not literally like Ghost!) in terms of both its surface strengths and deeper weaknesses as a fortress

- Watch with exasperation as Watch leadership descends into mission creep and the last war's strategies

- Introduce Qhorin Halfhand, a peerless badass with a heart gray as his cloak, here to educate Jon in discipline, self-sacrifice, and knowing thine enemy

- Take note of how many plot threads are being set up in these chapters, from the Night's Watch mutiny to the wight attack on the Fist to the Horn of Winter

- Furiously debate who buried the dragonglass and horn at the Fist: Benjen or Coldhands?

Next week: we return to Winterfell, where Jojen Reed urges Bran to open his third eye. Ser Rodrik also returns to the castle, bringing with him a prisoner who goes by Reek...for now, anyway.