Under the screaming headline "DAME Of Thrones," a series of photos featuring the "Game Of Thrones" women cropped up on Entertainment Weekly a month ago. Were the ladies of Westeros (and beyond) slated for bigger, bolder roles in Season 6? After Sunday's premiere, me nem nesa -- it is known.

"Game of Thrones " has always featured strong women: Catelyn Stark guided her son on the battlefield, Cersei Lannister craftily ended her husband, the former king, and Daenerys Targaryen melted slave masters with a single utterance. In the oft-quoted words of author George R.R. Martin, his series is packed with well-rounded female characters because, you know, women are people, too .

But this season's opener saw daring, rebellion, violence and bloodshed like we've never seen from its female faces.

Let's take a moment to appreciate them, starting with ...

Brienne of Tarth