The 5th episode in season 7 is much of what we expected, less battle and excitement than last week's train loot, but a lot of information. I think we can all agree that more people were talking about that episode than they will about this one, but they did give us a lot in this one and we need to look at the bigger picture. Let's review:
The first thing we see is the burning fields from the battle in the distance and the lake. Bron's head pops out of the water, he is gasping for air, and pulls Jamie up with him, who also begins gasping and choking. They crawl up onto the beach and Jamie finally says, after they get some air in their lungs, that Bron could have killed him.
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I think this was meant to be humorous. Bron ignores him and wants to know what the hell he was doing back there. Jamie tells him he was trying to end the war by killing Dany. Bron points out there was a dragon between him and her. He doesn't get an answer and he says that he still hasn't been paid and the only thing that is allowed to kill Jamie is him, until he receives payment. They are looking over at the field of fire and ashes in front of them and Jamie says with a fearful look in his eye, "That was only one of them, she has two more". Bron tells him that he did not sign on for dragons and that this is where their partnership ends. Jamie says he must tell Cersei about all that has happened and Bron tells him he will be better off jumping back into the river. I really like Bron. I was more excited to see him than Jamie since I had already suspected Jamie was not going to die like that. So it was great to see Bron still alive, but not surprising that he saved Jamie's life, yet again. I like Jamie too, but I think that if Jamie were to die, it would be more toward the end of the series.
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Tyrion is walking through the field of ashes, looking at flaming debris and wreckage. He sees a burned Lannister shield covered in ash. He sees a half charred wagon with a tattered Lannister banner still blowing in the wind. Dothraki are nearby, looting items off of dead soldiers. He sees the prisoners of war being led to the hillside where Dany and Drogon are.
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Drogon screeches as she approaches them to address them, as if he is announcing her. She tells them she knows what Cersei has told them about her and that she is there to free them of people like her. She basically gives them an ultimatum; Bend the knee and fight for her, or refuse and die. A handful of soldiers kneel instantly, and when the rest don't, Drogon looks as if he is about to approach, let's out a screech, and most of the still standing soldiers instantly kneel. Randyll and Dickon Tarly are still standing with about 7-10 other men.
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Dany asks Randyll to step forward and he does so. She asks him if he refuses to kneel and he says he already has a queen. Tyrion interjects and says that until recently he had another queen who's house was recently wiped out by the queen he is following, so therefore it shouldn't be a problem to switch again. Randyll hits Tyrion below belt and states that at least Cersei was born in Westeros, and Tyrion on the other hand, murdered his own father and chooses to follow a foreign invader with an army of savages at her back. Dany tells Randyll that she can respect that he wants to choose his honor over his life. Tyrion tries to save Randyll by asking if he can maybe join the Nights Watch. Randyll refuses and says that she cannot send him to the wall because she is not his queen. Dany looks over to the Dothraki men who come to get Randyll. Dickon steps forward as they are leading him away and says that she will have to kill him too. Dany asks him who he is and Randyll answers for him and says he is a stupid boy. Dickon tells Dany who he is. Tyrion says that he is the future of his house and to bend the knee. Randyll looks on and nods his head. Dickon says he will not and Randyll looks almost crushed, but like he understands. Tyrion asks Dany quietly to send them to a dark cellar, and maybe that will change their minds and she refuses. He knows there is nothing else he can do at this point and looks defeated. She walks before them and rattles off the "I sentence you to death" speech and Randyll grabs Dickon's arm. Dany then says in a more quiet tone, "Dracarys". Drogon lights them up and they burn up in front of everyone. The remaining soldiers kneel, then Dany walks away, pleased with herself.
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Jamie is walking with purpose through the Red Keep. He goes into Cersei's chambers and she asks him how many men they lost before he has a chance to say anything. He says they haven't finished counting yet. Cersei says she will buy an army with the backing of the Iron Bank and Tyrell gold by paying mercenaries to fight for her. He says that no one will be able to beat the Dothraki in battle. He states that her dragon burned a thousand wagons and that Qyburn's scorpion shot bolts as big as she is that didn't even phase it. Then reminds her that that was only one dragon, and that Dany has three. He tells her this is not a war they can win. Cersei asks him what he thinks she should do, and sarcastically suggests they should ask their brother, the one who murdered their father and son. This is where Jamie sees his opportunity to tell her what old Lady Olenna told him before she died.
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Jamie defends Tyrion and says he did not kill him. Cersei says it still amazes her that he thinks that he is innocent and starts pointing out the crossbow. Jamie says he was not talking about their father. He tells her Lady Olenna confessed to killing Joffrey and Cersei asks if it was before or after she was poisoned and he confirms it was after. She sarcastically asks him if he believed her in that state and he tells her that it is true and points out all of the reasons why Lady Olenna would benefit from Joffrey's death. He says that if she were Lady Olenna, would you rather see marry your grand daughter, Joffrey or Tommen? Who would easier be controlled, Joffrey or Tommen, and therefore making to easier to control the throne? Cersei has to sit down for a moment because it hits her. I think at this point she may even be feeling pretty bad that she did not see that for herself. She is mad and says that she should not have listened to him and that she should have died screaming. Jamie points out that everyone else in their family did and that they are all gone now. She says she knows her choices, fight and die, or submit and die, and that any soldier should know his.
Dany is returning to Dragonstone and Jon is standing on a cliff as she and Drogon fly over head. Drogon lands, not far from where he is standing. The dragon approaches Jon very quickly, and roars in his face. He creeps his head closer to Jon and smells him. He recognizes him. Dany is looking down on this scene like what is going on down there?
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Jon takes off one of his gloves so he can touch him. Drogon allows Jon to touch and rub on his face. Drogon closes his eyes tight as if he is happy for the affection, or that he is happy that Jon is there rubbing on him, like he missed him almost. Very sweet moment. Dany is still looking down at this scene, very confused that Drogon is being so affectionate with Jon. He let's Dany down and then hops into flight with his brothers.
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Dany says to Jon, "They're beautiful, aren't they?" Jon admits that beautiful is not the word that he would use to describe them and she looks somewhat offended and he says yes, they are gorgeous beasts. She defends and says they are not beasts. She says that no matter how big and scary, they are her children. Jon says that she was not gone long and she agrees. He asks for the results and she tells him that now she has fewer enemies today than she had yesterday. Jon doesn't know how he feels about that. She asks him how many people his men killed when taking back Winterfell from the Bolton's. He says thousands. She points out that they are both wanting to help people and that they can only do that from a position of strength. She inquires about his men stabbing him in the heart, and what did Sir Davos mean by that? He tells her that Sir Davos got carried away. She asked if it was a figure of speech? At this moment, a few Dothraki guards approach.
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They tell Dany that this man says he knows her and steps aside. We see Sir Jorah standing behind him. She tells them he is her friend. Jorah kneels before her. She introduces him to Jon and Jon tells him he served for his father and that he was a good man. Dany tells him he looks well and asks if he is cured. Jorah tells her yes and he is back to serve her if she will allow him. She tells him it will be an honor, then gives him a hug.
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A bunch of ravens are in a tree and some of their eyes go white like they are warging. They take off from Winterfell. Then we see Bran who is warging also.
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He is obviously warging into the ravens, or one of them, and they are flying North. They fly over the wall and keep going, until they finally swoop over the marching army of the dead.
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They keep flying until they locate the Night's King, who looks up at them, and they scatter everywhere as if his stare made it happen. Bran's warging is also ended here as he comes to, says to the maester that is standing there to send some ravens.
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Back at the Citadel, the archmaesters are sitting in a meeting discussing Bran's message. Sam is there, bringing in his latest updated books and scrolls that he has copied. He stops them when he hears them talk of a cripple boy and his prophecies. They mention the magical help of a raven with 3 eyes. Sam turns and says he knows Bran Stark from the Wall years ago. He says he watched him go North of the Wall and if the cripple boy has survived above the Wall this long, they should listen to him. He said if they send word and say the threat is real, then people will listen. He also asks that they have people look through books and scrolls for anything about the long night. The archmaetser tells him that it could be a ploy from the dragon queen and Sam states that the threat is real and he has seen it. He appeases Sam by telling him he will send a raven back to the maester at Winterfell to seek clarification.
Sam is not happy about being brushed off and leaves as the maesters are laughing about the story of the drowned god and Aegon the Conqueror, comparing the unlikely story of the marching dead to it. After Sam exits, one of the maesters asks if Sam is the boy who's father and brother were just slaughtered and he confirms and tells him that he hasn't had the heart to tell him yet and that he is a good lad.
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Tyrion and Varys are sitting in the throne room at Dragonstone. Tyrion is drinking wine and they are talking about working for rulers and the struggle that comes with it. Varys even starts drinking as he tells Tyrion how he got through it while working for her father. He said he would just tell himself that it wasn't him giving the order to do the killing, it was just him who found the person. Tyrion says that she is nothing like her father.
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Varys implores Tyrion to try to get Daenerys to listen to him. Tyrion notices a small scroll from a Raven in his hand and asks who it is for and Varys confirms that it is for Jon Snow. Tyrion asks him if he has read it and Varys says it has an unbroken seal for the King of the North. Tyrion takes a drink and asks what it says. Varys says it is nothing good.
Pan to Jon reading said scroll from Bran. He seems irritated as he says that he thought Bran and Arya were dead. Dany says she is happy for him. He says that Bran says he saw the army of the dead marching toward Eastwatch. He says that he needs to return home and Dany reminds him he said he doesn't have enough men. He says he will fight them anyway, unless she has changed her mind and wants to help him. She says she can't, because the minute she leaves to help him, Cersei will move in.
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Tyrion interrupts. He says that Cersei believes all of this about white walkers is just a fairy tale that wet nurses tell to frighten children. If they were to bring her one as proof, they may be able to work out an armistice of sorts. Varys wants to know how they will get Cersei to meet with them without killing them?
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Tyrion says he may be able to arrange it through Jamie. Dany wants to know how they will get into Kings Landing and everyone turns their attention to Davos. He says he can smuggle them into Kings Landing, but warns if they get caught, he isn't a fighter.
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Dany asks how they will get one of the dead men to bring back. Jorah speaks up and volunteers to go and bring one back. Jon says the free folk will help them. Davos says they will not follow Sir Jorah and Jon states that they won't have to. Davos says he can't go on raids beyond the wall anymore, he is no longer in the Night's Watch. Jon states he is the only one among them that have fought one. Dany says she hasn't given him permission to leave yet. He replies that with her respect, he doesn't need permission, and that he is a king. He asks her to trust a stranger, just as he trusted she wouldn't kill him when he arrived at Dragonstone. He says it is their best chance. She gives him the "I'm going to sleep with you at some point and gross out 70% of the folks watching" type of look.
Sansa is holding a meeting at Winterfell. She is listening to their complaints about Jon as Arya watches. Sansa sees Arya and defends Jon. They all say that they came to help because they back Sansa.
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Sansa and Arya are walking back toward Sansa's chambers. Sansa says she knew this would happen if Jon left. She says he cannot expect these men to just sit here and wait for him to return like Ghost. Yay!! At least he has been acknowledged this season. Hopefully we will get to see him.
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Sansa and Arya end up in Sansa's room and Arya states that this was their mother and father's room. She replies with an, "And?" Arya says nothing. Sansa tells her to say what she means. Arya tells her that she always used to like nice things because it made her feel better than everyone else. She says that she let those men insult Jon as she just sat there. Sansa defended herself and says she is doing her job as Lady of Winterfell.
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She says she cannot offend these men or Jon will lose his entire army. She makes a smart remark and says it may not be as satisfying as cutting off people's heads, but they need to all work together. She accuses her of thinking if Jon doesn't come back, she will need the other house's support. Sansa asks her how she can even think such a horrible thing? Arya tells her that she is thinking it right now and that the thought won't go away. Sansa says she has work to do and Arya addresses her as My Lady and exits.
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Davos and Tyrion come up to the shores of Kings Landing. Tyrion says the last time he was here, he killed his father with a crossbow. Davos says that the last time he was, Tyrion killed his son with wildfire. Davos tells Tyrion why he chose this location to sneak in. Davos says he has his business in Fleabottom. Tyrion is concerned about leaving the boat and Davos says to hurry.
Bron and Jamie are walking through the crypt at the Red Keep. Bron has led him down here under the false pretense that they will be sparring. They come around a corner and there stands Tyrion. Jamie looks shocked, but sad/angry. He explains why he killed their father. Jamie asks him what he wants. Tyrion tells him that Dany will win this war and that Jamie has to realize it with all his experience. He says Dany is not her father and is reasonable, then mentions that Dany is willing to negotiate terms of an armistice.
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Head to Fleabottom. There are weapon and armor makers everywhere. We see a guy making a sword from behind, and we know it is Gendry. He is happy to see Davos and vice versa. They catch up quickly. Then Davos says that bad things are coming. Gendry says that Davos came to get him and Davos tries to explain why, but Gendry says "I'm ready, let's go".
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Davos tries to explain again and Gendry says he is tired of making weapons for the very people that killed his father and tried to kill him. He says that he always knew there would be a time to leave and he would know it when it happened, and it is this moment. Davos, looking around, tells him he may want to grab one of those swords. Gendry says he doesn't know much about swinging swords, but he knows this, and shows him a war hammer. It is like Robert Baratheon's! He turns and walks out and Davos follows him.
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Davos and Gendry are walking toward the dingy. Davos is telling him to keep his father's name to himself, they don't need any complications. Gendry puts the war hammer in the boat and it has the Baratheon stag on it. Very nice.
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Gendry asks who he should say he is then? Two kings guard approach and asks why they are over here and not over at the docks with their boat. Davos makes up excuses and pays them off. He over pays them begrudgingly, then they ask what is in the boat? He covers the war hammer and shows them some fermented crab and tells them a story of them being quite an aphrodisiac. He let's them have a bite and they make horrible faces at the taste. They begin wander off.
Tyrion is approaching and tries to pass the guards without being much noticed. Davos tries to divert their attention and tells them to go to the nearest brothel at once. They aren't having it. They ask Tyrion about the scar on his face and state that they were looking for a dwarf with his description, pointing out his scar, not to long ago. He says it was a fish hook and blames Gendry. Davos tries to wave his bag of coins at them in anattempt to bribe him as Gendry comes up from behind with is war hammer and crushes the skull, then face, of the two guards. Davos introduces Gendry to Tyrion and Tyrion says, "He'll do." They push the boat into the water and head off.
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Jamie comes into Cersei's chambers and Qyburn is there with her, as if he just examined her. He exits. Jamie wants to know why he is there and Cersei says he is the hand of the queen and why is he there? Jamie informs her that he met with Tyrion. She glares at him and wants to know what their brother had to say. He explains that Tyrion said that Dany wants to meet to discuss an armistice. Cersei is suspicious and wants to know why now when she is winning? Jamie explains the army of the dead. Cersei just looks with a look of "I can't believe this" and gives a little laugh before asking if Jamie will punish Sir Bronn for betraying him. Jamie wants to know why she would let them meeting happen if she already knew about it before he went.
She explains that accommodating the dragon queen right now will be in their best interest. She basically explains that they will fight like their father, from the inside out. She says they need to be clever because Dany has the numbers and dragons. Then she says it doesn't matter what or who stands in their way, they will fight for their house and defeat it. She puts her hands on her stomach and says, "For this". Jamie understands immediately that Cersei is pregnant!! Jamie is happy and shocked and wants to know who she will tell is the father and she tells him that she will say it is him. He says people won't like that.
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She asks him to repeat what their father used to tell them. Jamie replies, "The lion doesn't consume himself with the opinions of the sheep". He pulls Cersei in and kisses her. She tells him to never betray her again. He looks surprised but still holds on to her. There is truly nothing good about her. Wow. And now she is pregnant? Maybe this will be how Ceresei dies, in childbirth. I am wondering, if that does happen, if it will point to her and Jamie having Targaryen blood and not Lannister blood at all. It is a possibilty, you have to admit. How can Jamie have betrayed Cersei when he didn't even know that he was going to meet Tyrion? Oh wait, Cersei made it make sense to herself.... I am going to feel so good when she finally gets the axe, even better than Joffrey. Hell, if and when they kill Littlefinger, it will be better than Joffrey and him combined!
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Davos and Gendry are walking toward the cave at Dragonstone, where Jon is. Davos is telling Gendry not to tell Jon who he is so it will take the pressure off of him, harboring a king's bastard son and all. He says to say is name is Clovis and to say he is there to pay his respects. They approach Jon, and Davos tries to introduce him as Clovis. Gendry interrupts him and says he is Gendry, and he is Robert Baratheon's bastard son. Jon looks wide eyed at Davos and Gendry. Gendry says that their father's trusted each other, why shouldn't they?
Jon tells him of the time he saw Gendry's father and Gendry of Jon's. Then a cute little present from season one..... Jon pokes fun at Gendry and says, "You're a lot leaner", and Gendry says, "And your a lot shorter". Very nice. They both smile at each other and Jon says that he grew up on stories about them. Gendry says he heard about them fighting together, and won. Gendry says that Davos explained where they are going and asks Jon if he can go too. Davos says he isn't a soldier and Gendry says he is a fighter. Davos says he can handle himself and Jon says they could use the help. Gendry says he cannot out wait the storm if what they say is true about the North. He says he needs to help fight. Then Davos has us in stiches by saying, "Yeah, nobody mind me, all I've ever done is live to ripe old age". He is so funny!!
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The crew headed North is getting their boats ready. Jorah is assisting and Tyrion tells him that he actually missed him while he was away. He gives him the coin that the slavers gave them to free them so long ago. He asks Jorah if he remembers and he says he does and recounts his memory of it. Tyrion asks him to take it with him, but to bring it back because the queen needs him. Dany approaches and says a very sweet goodbye to Sir Jorah, who kisses her hands as she is holding his.
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Jon comes up to say goodbye. He says if he doesn't return, at least she won't have to deal with him. She says she has grown used to him. He says he wishes her luck in all the future wars to come. She nods at him. They push off and Jorah looks back at her and she looks at him. I don't know why they made this goodbye between them so final, unless that is what in fact is going to happen. I hope he doesn't get killed right away, especially after coming back from greyscale. Tyrion did give him the coin and asked him to bring it back, so maybe that is a good sign of his return. They just made it seem way too sad.
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Sam, Gilly, and baby Sam are in their chambers at the Citadel. She is rattling off what seems like useless information from the things she has read. He is trying to write. She says that a High Septon Maynard recorded everything. She said he even recorded all his own bowel movements. Then she says the magic words!! She asks Sam what the word annulment means. You know what that means. Sam explains the meaning. She says that it says that Septon Maynard issued an annulment for a prince "Ragger" and remarried him to someone else at the same time in a secret ceremony in Dorne.
There you have it folks! Jon Snow is not a bastard. It felt just as good getting this confirmation from this episode as it was seeing those Dothraki do horse stunt tricks and Dany on her dragon last week, just in a different way. Gilly tries to ask Sam about the tradition but he interrupts her and goes on a tangent about recording much about nothing, especially referring to bowel movements while they should all be researching how to defeat the white walkers. He pinpoints a number of how many shits Septon Maynard took, and Gilly corrects him to say that is how many steps the man took. I think this is important. It is showing that Gilly has a good memory and she remembers pretty much everything she is getting her hands on. I think she will be the one to recall this information at the exact right moment, or she will for defeating the Night's King. Either way, her memory is important. They addressed it too many times in one short sitting.
Anyway, Sam takes the book she is reading and puts it in front of little Sam. Then they show Sam walking through the Citadel library, grabbing various books he thinks will be important, as well as some scrolls. He turns around and looks at the large chandelier in the center of the library, just as he did when he arrived, but this time in the dark. That was pretty cool because he went there with hope and now he is leaving with disappointment. He then gets into a wagon with Gilly, little Sam, and the bag of books and scrolls in tow.
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Arya is following Littlefinger. She follows him and sees him finally end up in his chambers. She waits for him to come out, picks the lock to his room and enters. She looks around and finds the little scroll she just saw him paying for. She finds it in the mattress. She reads it and exits. Littlefinger has been there the whole time in the shadows. I didn't think that she would be so easily fooled by him. He has been good at tricking people much longer than she has, I suppose. The note was also the very same one Sansa had sent by force of Cersei to Winterfell when Ned was being taken as a traitor. Littlefinger knows this will cause distrust between the sisters.
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Jon and crew arrive to Eastwatch. They meet with Tormund who is saying this idea is crazy and asks Davos why he didn't try to talk him out of this. He asks how many queens there are and Jon replies two. Tormund asks if they need to convince the one with the dragons or the one that f**** her brother. Jon replies with, "Both". Hehe. Then he asks how many men they brought and they look around the table. Jon says not enough. Tormund asks about the "big woman", referring to Brienne. Double hehe. Jorah asks Tormund if some of his men could help. Davos says he cannot go because he is a liability. Tormund agrees and asks Jon if he really wants to go back out there. Jon says yes. Tormund states, "You're not the only ones".
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Tormund is leading Jon and crew through the prison cells at Eastwatch. They finally come to where they are holding The Hound, Lord Beric, and Thoros of Myr. They begin talking, Jon remembering The Hound from Winterfell. Tormund tells Jon where the scouts found them and Beric tells them why they were headed to Eastwatch. Gendry interrupts them and says not to trust them, that they are the Brotherhood and they sold him to die to a Red Witch. Thoros recalls Sir Jorah Mormont and Tormund recalls and says that a Mormont hunted them. Jorah says that he was his father and that he recalls his people returned the favor. Beric states that they are all here at the same time and Davos they are there for different reasons. Beric says it doesn't matter what the reasons are, there is a greater purpose at work. He says they serve it together. He continues on and The Hound interrupts him and tells him to shut his hole, then asks the crew outside the cell if they are coming with them or not. Jon let's them out of the cell.
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The big gate opens to the North and the crew is all dressed in wildling gear. Very interesting to see, especially characters like Jorah and The Hound. They walk out into the snowy storm ahead. The episode ends.
This was a really good episode. Again, it will not receive the acclaim last week's "The Spoils of War" had, but it did have some of the best set ups as well as one of the best confirmations fans have been waiting for. I was really hoping to see the Rhaegar reveal as opposed to hearing Gilly read it, but I think this will at least put the mystery to rest. I personally like how they are making all of the references to season one in this season. Let me know what you think! Don't forget to share with your GoT water cooler buddies. Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Gina Murrell
Mother of Reviews, Queen of Theories
The first thing we see is the burning fields from the battle in the distance and the lake. Bron's head pops out of the water, he is gasping for air, and pulls Jamie up with him, who also begins gasping and choking. They crawl up onto the beach and Jamie finally says, after they get some air in their lungs, that Bron could have killed him.
I think this was meant to be humorous. Bron ignores him and wants to know what the hell he was doing back there. Jamie tells him he was trying to end the war by killing Dany. Bron points out there was a dragon between him and her. He doesn't get an answer and he says that he still hasn't been paid and the only thing that is allowed to kill Jamie is him, until he receives payment. They are looking over at the field of fire and ashes in front of them and Jamie says with a fearful look in his eye, "That was only one of them, she has two more". Bron tells him that he did not sign on for dragons and that this is where their partnership ends. Jamie says he must tell Cersei about all that has happened and Bron tells him he will be better off jumping back into the river. I really like Bron. I was more excited to see him than Jamie since I had already suspected Jamie was not going to die like that. So it was great to see Bron still alive, but not surprising that he saved Jamie's life, yet again. I like Jamie too, but I think that if Jamie were to die, it would be more toward the end of the series.
Tyrion is walking through the field of ashes, looking at flaming debris and wreckage. He sees a burned Lannister shield covered in ash. He sees a half charred wagon with a tattered Lannister banner still blowing in the wind. Dothraki are nearby, looting items off of dead soldiers. He sees the prisoners of war being led to the hillside where Dany and Drogon are.
Drogon screeches as she approaches them to address them, as if he is announcing her. She tells them she knows what Cersei has told them about her and that she is there to free them of people like her. She basically gives them an ultimatum; Bend the knee and fight for her, or refuse and die. A handful of soldiers kneel instantly, and when the rest don't, Drogon looks as if he is about to approach, let's out a screech, and most of the still standing soldiers instantly kneel. Randyll and Dickon Tarly are still standing with about 7-10 other men.
Dany asks Randyll to step forward and he does so. She asks him if he refuses to kneel and he says he already has a queen. Tyrion interjects and says that until recently he had another queen who's house was recently wiped out by the queen he is following, so therefore it shouldn't be a problem to switch again. Randyll hits Tyrion below belt and states that at least Cersei was born in Westeros, and Tyrion on the other hand, murdered his own father and chooses to follow a foreign invader with an army of savages at her back. Dany tells Randyll that she can respect that he wants to choose his honor over his life. Tyrion tries to save Randyll by asking if he can maybe join the Nights Watch. Randyll refuses and says that she cannot send him to the wall because she is not his queen. Dany looks over to the Dothraki men who come to get Randyll. Dickon steps forward as they are leading him away and says that she will have to kill him too. Dany asks him who he is and Randyll answers for him and says he is a stupid boy. Dickon tells Dany who he is. Tyrion says that he is the future of his house and to bend the knee. Randyll looks on and nods his head. Dickon says he will not and Randyll looks almost crushed, but like he understands. Tyrion asks Dany quietly to send them to a dark cellar, and maybe that will change their minds and she refuses. He knows there is nothing else he can do at this point and looks defeated. She walks before them and rattles off the "I sentence you to death" speech and Randyll grabs Dickon's arm. Dany then says in a more quiet tone, "Dracarys". Drogon lights them up and they burn up in front of everyone. The remaining soldiers kneel, then Dany walks away, pleased with herself.
Jamie is walking with purpose through the Red Keep. He goes into Cersei's chambers and she asks him how many men they lost before he has a chance to say anything. He says they haven't finished counting yet. Cersei says she will buy an army with the backing of the Iron Bank and Tyrell gold by paying mercenaries to fight for her. He says that no one will be able to beat the Dothraki in battle. He states that her dragon burned a thousand wagons and that Qyburn's scorpion shot bolts as big as she is that didn't even phase it. Then reminds her that that was only one dragon, and that Dany has three. He tells her this is not a war they can win. Cersei asks him what he thinks she should do, and sarcastically suggests they should ask their brother, the one who murdered their father and son. This is where Jamie sees his opportunity to tell her what old Lady Olenna told him before she died.
Jamie defends Tyrion and says he did not kill him. Cersei says it still amazes her that he thinks that he is innocent and starts pointing out the crossbow. Jamie says he was not talking about their father. He tells her Lady Olenna confessed to killing Joffrey and Cersei asks if it was before or after she was poisoned and he confirms it was after. She sarcastically asks him if he believed her in that state and he tells her that it is true and points out all of the reasons why Lady Olenna would benefit from Joffrey's death. He says that if she were Lady Olenna, would you rather see marry your grand daughter, Joffrey or Tommen? Who would easier be controlled, Joffrey or Tommen, and therefore making to easier to control the throne? Cersei has to sit down for a moment because it hits her. I think at this point she may even be feeling pretty bad that she did not see that for herself. She is mad and says that she should not have listened to him and that she should have died screaming. Jamie points out that everyone else in their family did and that they are all gone now. She says she knows her choices, fight and die, or submit and die, and that any soldier should know his.
Dany is returning to Dragonstone and Jon is standing on a cliff as she and Drogon fly over head. Drogon lands, not far from where he is standing. The dragon approaches Jon very quickly, and roars in his face. He creeps his head closer to Jon and smells him. He recognizes him. Dany is looking down on this scene like what is going on down there?
Jon takes off one of his gloves so he can touch him. Drogon allows Jon to touch and rub on his face. Drogon closes his eyes tight as if he is happy for the affection, or that he is happy that Jon is there rubbing on him, like he missed him almost. Very sweet moment. Dany is still looking down at this scene, very confused that Drogon is being so affectionate with Jon. He let's Dany down and then hops into flight with his brothers.
Dany says to Jon, "They're beautiful, aren't they?" Jon admits that beautiful is not the word that he would use to describe them and she looks somewhat offended and he says yes, they are gorgeous beasts. She defends and says they are not beasts. She says that no matter how big and scary, they are her children. Jon says that she was not gone long and she agrees. He asks for the results and she tells him that now she has fewer enemies today than she had yesterday. Jon doesn't know how he feels about that. She asks him how many people his men killed when taking back Winterfell from the Bolton's. He says thousands. She points out that they are both wanting to help people and that they can only do that from a position of strength. She inquires about his men stabbing him in the heart, and what did Sir Davos mean by that? He tells her that Sir Davos got carried away. She asked if it was a figure of speech? At this moment, a few Dothraki guards approach.
They tell Dany that this man says he knows her and steps aside. We see Sir Jorah standing behind him. She tells them he is her friend. Jorah kneels before her. She introduces him to Jon and Jon tells him he served for his father and that he was a good man. Dany tells him he looks well and asks if he is cured. Jorah tells her yes and he is back to serve her if she will allow him. She tells him it will be an honor, then gives him a hug.
A bunch of ravens are in a tree and some of their eyes go white like they are warging. They take off from Winterfell. Then we see Bran who is warging also.
He is obviously warging into the ravens, or one of them, and they are flying North. They fly over the wall and keep going, until they finally swoop over the marching army of the dead.
They keep flying until they locate the Night's King, who looks up at them, and they scatter everywhere as if his stare made it happen. Bran's warging is also ended here as he comes to, says to the maester that is standing there to send some ravens.
Back at the Citadel, the archmaesters are sitting in a meeting discussing Bran's message. Sam is there, bringing in his latest updated books and scrolls that he has copied. He stops them when he hears them talk of a cripple boy and his prophecies. They mention the magical help of a raven with 3 eyes. Sam turns and says he knows Bran Stark from the Wall years ago. He says he watched him go North of the Wall and if the cripple boy has survived above the Wall this long, they should listen to him. He said if they send word and say the threat is real, then people will listen. He also asks that they have people look through books and scrolls for anything about the long night. The archmaetser tells him that it could be a ploy from the dragon queen and Sam states that the threat is real and he has seen it. He appeases Sam by telling him he will send a raven back to the maester at Winterfell to seek clarification.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
Tyrion and Varys are sitting in the throne room at Dragonstone. Tyrion is drinking wine and they are talking about working for rulers and the struggle that comes with it. Varys even starts drinking as he tells Tyrion how he got through it while working for her father. He said he would just tell himself that it wasn't him giving the order to do the killing, it was just him who found the person. Tyrion says that she is nothing like her father.
Varys implores Tyrion to try to get Daenerys to listen to him. Tyrion notices a small scroll from a Raven in his hand and asks who it is for and Varys confirms that it is for Jon Snow. Tyrion asks him if he has read it and Varys says it has an unbroken seal for the King of the North. Tyrion takes a drink and asks what it says. Varys says it is nothing good.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
Pan to Jon reading said scroll from Bran. He seems irritated as he says that he thought Bran and Arya were dead. Dany says she is happy for him. He says that Bran says he saw the army of the dead marching toward Eastwatch. He says that he needs to return home and Dany reminds him he said he doesn't have enough men. He says he will fight them anyway, unless she has changed her mind and wants to help him. She says she can't, because the minute she leaves to help him, Cersei will move in.
Tyrion interrupts. He says that Cersei believes all of this about white walkers is just a fairy tale that wet nurses tell to frighten children. If they were to bring her one as proof, they may be able to work out an armistice of sorts. Varys wants to know how they will get Cersei to meet with them without killing them?
Tyrion says he may be able to arrange it through Jamie. Dany wants to know how they will get into Kings Landing and everyone turns their attention to Davos. He says he can smuggle them into Kings Landing, but warns if they get caught, he isn't a fighter.
Dany asks how they will get one of the dead men to bring back. Jorah speaks up and volunteers to go and bring one back. Jon says the free folk will help them. Davos says they will not follow Sir Jorah and Jon states that they won't have to. Davos says he can't go on raids beyond the wall anymore, he is no longer in the Night's Watch. Jon states he is the only one among them that have fought one. Dany says she hasn't given him permission to leave yet. He replies that with her respect, he doesn't need permission, and that he is a king. He asks her to trust a stranger, just as he trusted she wouldn't kill him when he arrived at Dragonstone. He says it is their best chance. She gives him the "I'm going to sleep with you at some point and gross out 70% of the folks watching" type of look.
Sansa is holding a meeting at Winterfell. She is listening to their complaints about Jon as Arya watches. Sansa sees Arya and defends Jon. They all say that they came to help because they back Sansa.
Sansa and Arya are walking back toward Sansa's chambers. Sansa says she knew this would happen if Jon left. She says he cannot expect these men to just sit here and wait for him to return like Ghost. Yay!! At least he has been acknowledged this season. Hopefully we will get to see him.
Sansa and Arya end up in Sansa's room and Arya states that this was their mother and father's room. She replies with an, "And?" Arya says nothing. Sansa tells her to say what she means. Arya tells her that she always used to like nice things because it made her feel better than everyone else. She says that she let those men insult Jon as she just sat there. Sansa defended herself and says she is doing her job as Lady of Winterfell.
She says she cannot offend these men or Jon will lose his entire army. She makes a smart remark and says it may not be as satisfying as cutting off people's heads, but they need to all work together. She accuses her of thinking if Jon doesn't come back, she will need the other house's support. Sansa asks her how she can even think such a horrible thing? Arya tells her that she is thinking it right now and that the thought won't go away. Sansa says she has work to do and Arya addresses her as My Lady and exits.
Davos and Tyrion come up to the shores of Kings Landing. Tyrion says the last time he was here, he killed his father with a crossbow. Davos says that the last time he was, Tyrion killed his son with wildfire. Davos tells Tyrion why he chose this location to sneak in. Davos says he has his business in Fleabottom. Tyrion is concerned about leaving the boat and Davos says to hurry.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
Bron and Jamie are walking through the crypt at the Red Keep. Bron has led him down here under the false pretense that they will be sparring. They come around a corner and there stands Tyrion. Jamie looks shocked, but sad/angry. He explains why he killed their father. Jamie asks him what he wants. Tyrion tells him that Dany will win this war and that Jamie has to realize it with all his experience. He says Dany is not her father and is reasonable, then mentions that Dany is willing to negotiate terms of an armistice.
Head to Fleabottom. There are weapon and armor makers everywhere. We see a guy making a sword from behind, and we know it is Gendry. He is happy to see Davos and vice versa. They catch up quickly. Then Davos says that bad things are coming. Gendry says that Davos came to get him and Davos tries to explain why, but Gendry says "I'm ready, let's go".
Davos tries to explain again and Gendry says he is tired of making weapons for the very people that killed his father and tried to kill him. He says that he always knew there would be a time to leave and he would know it when it happened, and it is this moment. Davos, looking around, tells him he may want to grab one of those swords. Gendry says he doesn't know much about swinging swords, but he knows this, and shows him a war hammer. It is like Robert Baratheon's! He turns and walks out and Davos follows him.
Davos and Gendry are walking toward the dingy. Davos is telling him to keep his father's name to himself, they don't need any complications. Gendry puts the war hammer in the boat and it has the Baratheon stag on it. Very nice.
Gendry asks who he should say he is then? Two kings guard approach and asks why they are over here and not over at the docks with their boat. Davos makes up excuses and pays them off. He over pays them begrudgingly, then they ask what is in the boat? He covers the war hammer and shows them some fermented crab and tells them a story of them being quite an aphrodisiac. He let's them have a bite and they make horrible faces at the taste. They begin wander off.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
Tyrion is approaching and tries to pass the guards without being much noticed. Davos tries to divert their attention and tells them to go to the nearest brothel at once. They aren't having it. They ask Tyrion about the scar on his face and state that they were looking for a dwarf with his description, pointing out his scar, not to long ago. He says it was a fish hook and blames Gendry. Davos tries to wave his bag of coins at them in anattempt to bribe him as Gendry comes up from behind with is war hammer and crushes the skull, then face, of the two guards. Davos introduces Gendry to Tyrion and Tyrion says, "He'll do." They push the boat into the water and head off.
Jamie comes into Cersei's chambers and Qyburn is there with her, as if he just examined her. He exits. Jamie wants to know why he is there and Cersei says he is the hand of the queen and why is he there? Jamie informs her that he met with Tyrion. She glares at him and wants to know what their brother had to say. He explains that Tyrion said that Dany wants to meet to discuss an armistice. Cersei is suspicious and wants to know why now when she is winning? Jamie explains the army of the dead. Cersei just looks with a look of "I can't believe this" and gives a little laugh before asking if Jamie will punish Sir Bronn for betraying him. Jamie wants to know why she would let them meeting happen if she already knew about it before he went.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
She explains that accommodating the dragon queen right now will be in their best interest. She basically explains that they will fight like their father, from the inside out. She says they need to be clever because Dany has the numbers and dragons. Then she says it doesn't matter what or who stands in their way, they will fight for their house and defeat it. She puts her hands on her stomach and says, "For this". Jamie understands immediately that Cersei is pregnant!! Jamie is happy and shocked and wants to know who she will tell is the father and she tells him that she will say it is him. He says people won't like that.
She asks him to repeat what their father used to tell them. Jamie replies, "The lion doesn't consume himself with the opinions of the sheep". He pulls Cersei in and kisses her. She tells him to never betray her again. He looks surprised but still holds on to her. There is truly nothing good about her. Wow. And now she is pregnant? Maybe this will be how Ceresei dies, in childbirth. I am wondering, if that does happen, if it will point to her and Jamie having Targaryen blood and not Lannister blood at all. It is a possibilty, you have to admit. How can Jamie have betrayed Cersei when he didn't even know that he was going to meet Tyrion? Oh wait, Cersei made it make sense to herself.... I am going to feel so good when she finally gets the axe, even better than Joffrey. Hell, if and when they kill Littlefinger, it will be better than Joffrey and him combined!
Davos and Gendry are walking toward the cave at Dragonstone, where Jon is. Davos is telling Gendry not to tell Jon who he is so it will take the pressure off of him, harboring a king's bastard son and all. He says to say is name is Clovis and to say he is there to pay his respects. They approach Jon, and Davos tries to introduce him as Clovis. Gendry interrupts him and says he is Gendry, and he is Robert Baratheon's bastard son. Jon looks wide eyed at Davos and Gendry. Gendry says that their father's trusted each other, why shouldn't they?
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
Jon tells him of the time he saw Gendry's father and Gendry of Jon's. Then a cute little present from season one..... Jon pokes fun at Gendry and says, "You're a lot leaner", and Gendry says, "And your a lot shorter". Very nice. They both smile at each other and Jon says that he grew up on stories about them. Gendry says he heard about them fighting together, and won. Gendry says that Davos explained where they are going and asks Jon if he can go too. Davos says he isn't a soldier and Gendry says he is a fighter. Davos says he can handle himself and Jon says they could use the help. Gendry says he cannot out wait the storm if what they say is true about the North. He says he needs to help fight. Then Davos has us in stiches by saying, "Yeah, nobody mind me, all I've ever done is live to ripe old age". He is so funny!!
The crew headed North is getting their boats ready. Jorah is assisting and Tyrion tells him that he actually missed him while he was away. He gives him the coin that the slavers gave them to free them so long ago. He asks Jorah if he remembers and he says he does and recounts his memory of it. Tyrion asks him to take it with him, but to bring it back because the queen needs him. Dany approaches and says a very sweet goodbye to Sir Jorah, who kisses her hands as she is holding his.
Jon comes up to say goodbye. He says if he doesn't return, at least she won't have to deal with him. She says she has grown used to him. He says he wishes her luck in all the future wars to come. She nods at him. They push off and Jorah looks back at her and she looks at him. I don't know why they made this goodbye between them so final, unless that is what in fact is going to happen. I hope he doesn't get killed right away, especially after coming back from greyscale. Tyrion did give him the coin and asked him to bring it back, so maybe that is a good sign of his return. They just made it seem way too sad.
Sam, Gilly, and baby Sam are in their chambers at the Citadel. She is rattling off what seems like useless information from the things she has read. He is trying to write. She says that a High Septon Maynard recorded everything. She said he even recorded all his own bowel movements. Then she says the magic words!! She asks Sam what the word annulment means. You know what that means. Sam explains the meaning. She says that it says that Septon Maynard issued an annulment for a prince "Ragger" and remarried him to someone else at the same time in a secret ceremony in Dorne.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
There you have it folks! Jon Snow is not a bastard. It felt just as good getting this confirmation from this episode as it was seeing those Dothraki do horse stunt tricks and Dany on her dragon last week, just in a different way. Gilly tries to ask Sam about the tradition but he interrupts her and goes on a tangent about recording much about nothing, especially referring to bowel movements while they should all be researching how to defeat the white walkers. He pinpoints a number of how many shits Septon Maynard took, and Gilly corrects him to say that is how many steps the man took. I think this is important. It is showing that Gilly has a good memory and she remembers pretty much everything she is getting her hands on. I think she will be the one to recall this information at the exact right moment, or she will for defeating the Night's King. Either way, her memory is important. They addressed it too many times in one short sitting.
*Photos Courtesy Of: HBO
Arya is following Littlefinger. She follows him and sees him finally end up in his chambers. She waits for him to come out, picks the lock to his room and enters. She looks around and finds the little scroll she just saw him paying for. She finds it in the mattress. She reads it and exits. Littlefinger has been there the whole time in the shadows. I didn't think that she would be so easily fooled by him. He has been good at tricking people much longer than she has, I suppose. The note was also the very same one Sansa had sent by force of Cersei to Winterfell when Ned was being taken as a traitor. Littlefinger knows this will cause distrust between the sisters.
Jon and crew arrive to Eastwatch. They meet with Tormund who is saying this idea is crazy and asks Davos why he didn't try to talk him out of this. He asks how many queens there are and Jon replies two. Tormund asks if they need to convince the one with the dragons or the one that f**** her brother. Jon replies with, "Both". Hehe. Then he asks how many men they brought and they look around the table. Jon says not enough. Tormund asks about the "big woman", referring to Brienne. Double hehe. Jorah asks Tormund if some of his men could help. Davos says he cannot go because he is a liability. Tormund agrees and asks Jon if he really wants to go back out there. Jon says yes. Tormund states, "You're not the only ones".
Tormund is leading Jon and crew through the prison cells at Eastwatch. They finally come to where they are holding The Hound, Lord Beric, and Thoros of Myr. They begin talking, Jon remembering The Hound from Winterfell. Tormund tells Jon where the scouts found them and Beric tells them why they were headed to Eastwatch. Gendry interrupts them and says not to trust them, that they are the Brotherhood and they sold him to die to a Red Witch. Thoros recalls Sir Jorah Mormont and Tormund recalls and says that a Mormont hunted them. Jorah says that he was his father and that he recalls his people returned the favor. Beric states that they are all here at the same time and Davos they are there for different reasons. Beric says it doesn't matter what the reasons are, there is a greater purpose at work. He says they serve it together. He continues on and The Hound interrupts him and tells him to shut his hole, then asks the crew outside the cell if they are coming with them or not. Jon let's them out of the cell.
The big gate opens to the North and the crew is all dressed in wildling gear. Very interesting to see, especially characters like Jorah and The Hound. They walk out into the snowy storm ahead. The episode ends.
XOXO
Gina Murrell
Mother of Reviews, Queen of Theories
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