First things first: Jon Snow is now Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch! I can’t describe how much I loved this entire storyline: Sam nominating Jon with that fantastic speech, Jon’s humbleness through it all, Maester Aemon casting the tie-breaker vote – everything about this storyline was five seasons in the making and it was glorious.
Arya’s storyline on the other hand hits a bit of a standstill. She arrives at Braavos (which is gorgeously realized) but is unable to enter The House of Black and White. A mysterious man rejects her entry, only to reveal himself as Jaqen days later where he returns her coin (which she threw into the bottom of the sea). It’s not the most riveting of storylines, but it does produce one hilarious moment: Arya excitedly killing a pigeon (which I’m assuming was going to be her lunch) and then later standing up to a bunch of bullies. Fun fact: Arya was last seen hunting pigeons in season one, although she was nowhere near as adept as she is today.
And then there’s Brienne. First she was rejected by Arya, and now it’s Sansa who refuses to go with her after all the trauma she’s endured. It’s a frustrating development, but it makes perfect sense in the grand scheme of things. The more impressive thing is that Brienne is now more dedicated than ever to saving Sansa even after Littlefinger sent all his goons after her. Sometimes it really does feel like Brienne is the hero of the entire piece.
As for Dany, all hell breaks loose after she publicly executes Mossador for killing a Son of the Harpy. I’m not too invested in the storyline, but the masterful editing makes that final sequence all the more nail-biting and tense. Even more compelling is the end scene with Drogon returning, albeit briefly, and flying away yet again before Dany can touch him. Uh oh!
Bits & Beheadings
– Seriously Braavos is stunning. Check out that cinematography!
– Heartbreaking sequence with Arya under the rain through the night repeating the four people left on her list. I often wonder if Maisie Williams is sick of repeating the same dialogue year after year.
– The fact that Podrick throws a rock at his attacker. Ha!
– Gruesome shot of Brienne stabbing a guard through the neck.
– I liked Indira Varma as Ellaria last season, but something about her scene with Oberyn’s brother Doran rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it felt like she was sort of overacting?
– Cersei goes all out on Jaime this week: she attacks him for never being a father (how could he?) and then mocks his hand once more. On the bright side, this sends Jaime “Fucking” Lannister to recruit Bronn on a mission to bring Myrcella back from Dorne. Suffice to say, I love Bronn, and I can’t wait to see where this storyline goes.
– How hysterical is Lollys, Bronn’s bride-to-be?
– Very insightful scene with Ser Barristan confirming to Dany that her father was indeed very “mad”. I do hope we’ll get flashbacks of the Mad King eventually.
– It’s always fun when Varys and Tyrion bond over their shared deformities (a eunuch and a dwarf respectively).
– Cersei’s hilarious reaction to the wrong dwarves being killed: “Mistakes are made”. I died!
– Although he’ll probably refuse, Stannis approached Jon with the offer to legitimize him as Jon Stark. Wow!
– What is Qyburn going to do with dwarf heads exactly?
– What is the most insulting thing you can do to Cersei? Label her as the “Queen Mother” and nothing more, which is exactly what Uncle Kevan did. I did love her making Qyburn Master of Whispers though and reshuffling the council with her “sycophants”.
– Heartbreaking moment with Gilly revealing to Shireen that her sisters died from Greyscale. I love that the latter is teaching her how to read (just like she did with Ser Davos).
– The fact that Sam revealed that Slynt hid with Gilly during the assault was oh so satisfying!
– Were people actually hissing at Dany at the end there? Uber creepy.
Kings & Quips
Arya: I’ve crossed the narrow sea. I have nowhere else to go.
Jaqen: You have everywhere else to go.
Sansa: (about ale) Why do men love it so much?
Littlefinger: It gives some men courage.
Varys: Cersei has offered a lordship to the man who brings her your head.
Tyrion: She ought to offer her cunt.
Varys: People follow leaders and they will never follow us. They find us repulsive.
Tyrion: I find us repulsive.
Varys: And we find them repulsive, which is why we surround ourselves with large comfortable boxes to keep them away. And yet no matter what we do, people like you and me are never really satisfied inside the box.
Mossador: You are the law.
Daenerys: The law is the law.
Conclusion
Not as outstanding as previous hours, but still a solid episode.
Nad Rating
B
I really remember that speech between Varys and Tyrion about “being repulsive”. It suck with me for some reason and I love it.
And you keep reminding me how badass and evil Cersei is! Man you're making me miss this show which I never really loved so much!