Game of Thrones series two finale to be an extended episode

And if Tyrion lives to see the morning (and I don’t think there’s too much doubt of that) surely he's just made himself ten times more powerful.

A daring and successful tactical manoeuvre that wiped out half of Stannis Baratheon's invading fleet in one fell swoop will have increased his stock with the ruling classes of King’s Landing (Joffrey aside). And he also looks likely to have made himself the people’s favourite by leading his soldiers into battle following a rousing speech - and earning himself the chants of “Half-man! Half-man!”

Meanwhile, Tyrion's father, Tywin Lannister, who rode in late to ensure victory against Stannis, will surely be impressed by his son for both those reasons.

It’s been a fantastic series so far but at ten episodes it feels too short. Perhaps we should consider that, like Tyrion, good things come in small packages - or perhaps we should be grateful for the news that next Monday’s finale, Valar Morghulis, will run an extra ten minutes in order to squeeze in everything this season has left to offer.

And then, of course, it’s the long wait until series three…