Reunions in the North echoed those in King’s Landing as Dany went back to her roots in Game of Thrones 6×04.
Though the episode is titled “Book of the Stranger,” Game of Thrones 6×04 is not about true strangers. Instead, across nearly every plotline, the episode dissolves the distance between those who have been made strangers by circumstance. Families reunite, while new allies and old enemies find themselves brought together by fate, luck, and the pressure of dangerous necessity.
By far the most affirming moment of Game of Thrones 6×04 (and I might place a bet on the entire season) is Sansa and Jon’s reunion at Castle Black. Theoretically, this reunion should not have been surprising; Sansa’s path has been leading her to the Wall for three episodes. But against the backdrop of torment and chase, Sansa’s endured horrors, and Jon’s last act as Lord Commander, it seems almost miraculous that these two least-loving Stark siblings would collide at Castle Black.
Of course, Sansa urges Jon to pursue another kind of reunion — to cleanse Winterfell of the Bolton infection, and reestablish the Stark family’s claim to the North. Jon, alienated from what we might call “true north” by his recent traumas, resists Sansa’s insistence that the Starks reclaim their birthright.
But luckily, Ramsay Bolton is always happy to make up for any lagging inspiration; upon murdering Osha (fair thee well, Tonks) he sends a letter to Jon demanding the return of Sansa… and revealing that Rickon is in his clutches.
“Come and see,” Ramsay taunts, and Jon is persuaded to do just that. With the Bastard of Bolton breathing evilly to the south, plans for the Battle of the North begin.
Plans, I should note, that are destined for impact with two other significant reunions. Brienne boldly informs Davos that she was the agent of Stannis’ death, distracting Davos from his long overdue questioning of Melisandre over the small issue of Princess Shireen.
And martial hopes at Castle Black also unknowingly await whatever devious magic Littlefinger has up his sleeve. Elsewhere in Game of Thrones 6×04, Baelish reunites with Robin Arryn in the Vale and neatly pins the blame for Sansa’s horrific marriage on Lord Royce. Perhaps the addition of the Vale knights to Sansa’s cause will be a simple matter of addition, but Littlefinger has a disastrous gift for multiplication; my suspicions remain healthily aroused.
Another reunion of siblings unfolds in King’s Landing, though this one is not exactly as organic as Sansa and Jon’s. The High Sparrow orchestrates the reunion of Margaery and Loras Tyrell, though not before plying Margaery with a pious story — and a warning.
He tells her about the start of his spiritual journey, framing his revelation as a union with the truth. Once an ambitious shoemaker, the High Sparrow found himself awake among slaked and naked friends following a night of physical gluttony. All his wealth and all his pleasure, the Sparrow realized, would lead to nothing — no satisfaction, no revelation. Instead, “the beggars and the poor… were closer to the truth than I would ever be.”
It is with these words echoing in her ears that Margaery is brought to Loras, where she finds that the profound bond of pride they once shared has dissolved under the Faith’s torture. Loras, in his own unwilling way, has adopted the creed of the High Sparrow; not in faith, but in the rejection of clever plots and victories of intrigue. When Margaery speaks of winning the High Sparrow’s games, Loras looks at her like she is, in fact, a stranger.
“I just want it to end,” he repeats. Loras weeps in his sister’s arms, leaving Margaery to wonder if she may have finally been beaten at her own game.
But another union of strange bedfellows is in play across the city, one that may take some of the pressure off Margaery’s shoulders. (Or will end in death and madness. This is Game of Thrones, so the odds are about 50-50.) Having pried the news of Margaery’s intended Walk of Atonement out of Tommen, Cersei and Jaime join forces (or appear to) with Kevan and Olenna Tyrell. Their plan, which is laid out entirely too clearly for comfort, will launch the Tyrell forces against the High Sparrow, kill him and his men, and free Margaery, Loras, and King’s Landing from the iron grip of religious oppression.
What could go wrong?
That, of course, remains to be seen — but it’s a strong question to ask at this point in “Book of the Stranger,” at the grim reunion of Yara and Theon at Pyke.
In a dark contrast to Jon and Sansa’s warm embrace, Yara is perplexed and infuriated that her brother has returned after he rejected her attempted rescue. But in Theon’s defense, he is more immediately supportive of his sister than Jon; his intention is not to claim the throne for himself, but to support his sister in her revolutionary claim.
Say it with me: What could possibly go wrong?
Across the Narrow Sea, Tyrion and his motley crew of leaders are dealing with the same question. Tyrion arranges a reunification of sorts among the Masters of Astapor and Yunkai, granting the slavers a seven-year grace period in which to phase out slavery — in exchange for ceasing all activities of the Sons of the Harpy.
Much to the anguish of Meereen’s former slaves, Tyrion’s peace-sowing proceeds suspiciously well (even though he has absolutely no leverage to use against the Masters.) But Missandei and Grey Worm warn Tyrion that the Masters are not to be used; more than likely, Tyrion will be used in their place.
Finally Daenerys reunites with Ser Jorah and the increasingly distasteful Daario Noharis within Vaes Dothrak. But Dany, who has forged something of a sympathetic bond with the women of the Dosh Khaleen, refuses to play along with the “run and hope for the best” plan hatched by her two suitors.
Instead, she chooses to face the council of Great Khals, who gather together to decide her fate. Dany listens to their deliberations for a while, and then offers her own opinion — she will lead the Dothraki. In the face of their threats of rape and dehumanization, Dany calls back to her truest identity: Mother of Dragons, the Unburnt.
She spills over the braziers that light the council (which catch absurdly quickly, it must be said) and watches calmly as the Great Khals die in the flames. Dany emerges from the conflagration naked, to face a united and undominated sea of Dothraki, who kneel to do her homage… not a stranger in sight.