Games of Thrones tonight featured an exploration of honor and truth. What is the cost of telling the truth and hearing the truth? At the same time, honor and misguided honor are both virtues that aren’t quite dead yet.
The Lord Commander sets off
Jon Snow embarks on what Ser Alliser Thorne considers to be an ill-advised suicide mission. Jon, accompanied by Dolorous Edd, Tormund Giantsbane, and a few others, is going to approach the remaining free Wildlings, and offer them a place at the Wall for winter. If the Wildlings accept his terms remains to be seen. Here’s to hoping Jon doesn’t need to use that dragon-glass dagger that Sam gave him.
Down and out in Dorne
Jamie receives a rude awakening when Myrcella lets him know that she has no intention of returning to Kings Landing with him. She did what she was told, left all that she knew, and came to Dorne. She is now in love with Tristane, and done with being her family’s pawn. She points out to Jamie that none of her family have seen her in years, and they don’t know who she is. It’s a symbolic dagger that strikes the heart of her father, Jamie.
Meanwhile, Bronn is crooning away in a Dornish cell across from the Sand Snakes. Tyene takes a fancy to Bronn, but Nym and Obara don’t care. At first Bronn insults Tyene, but is attracted as she seduces him. In actuality, she’s toying with him because Tyene’s dagger that had cut Bronn was laced with poison. In the end, Tyene provides the antidote. The question is, why? Does she expect Bronn to help them?
Dante’s 10th circle from hell, A.K.A. Winterfell
Theon brings food to a crying and bruised Sansa who we learn has been locked up for days in her bedchamber. The only person she sees is Ramsey at night, and he is obviously physically abusive to her. She begs for Theon’s help. He refuses, stating that Ramsey will punish them both. When Sansa tries to tell him that her life can’t get any worse, Theon, who still refuses to acknowledge his real name, replies, “It could always be worse.”
Sansa tries to get through to Theon reminding him that he is the last surviving son of Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands. Sansa thrusts a candle into Theon’s hands, and asks him to light it as the signal candle in the north tower. Theon simply isn’t strong enough. He delivers Sansa’s request straight to Ramsey.
The next day, Sansa walks about the castle with Ramsey. She picks up a metal pick and secretly places it in her cloak. As they continue their walk, Ramsey reveals that Stannis is attempting to conquer the castle, but that Ramsey believes he’ll defeat Stannis, and eventually become the King of the North. Sansa points out that Ramsey’s father is expecting another child, and a legitimate child will always take the place of a bastard, recognized or not. Realizing that the bastard comment bothers Ramsey, Sansa further states that Ramsey’s recognition is dubious at best having been granted by another bastard, Tommen.
Angered, but holding his temper in check, Ramsey informs Sansa that even bastards can rise to power. He breaks the news to her that her half-brother, Jon Snow, is now Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Ramsey further reveals that he flayed the old women who had offered Sansa help. He tells Sansa, “Hold onto your candles. The nights are so long now.” Sansa is keenly aware that Theon betrayed her. The only person she can rely on is herself.
Sam the Slayer takes a stand
Sam and Gilly have been caring for an ailing Maester Aemon. In one of his more lucid moments before he dies, he cryptically tells Gilly, “Get him (her baby) South Gillyflower before it’s too late.” After Sam leads the final prayers for Maester Aemon, “He was the Blood of the Dragon but now his fire has gone out, and now his watch is ended.” Alliser Thorne reminds Sam that he has few friends left now that Jon and Edd are gone.
Later on, two members of the watch attempt to sexually assault Gilly. Sam steps in to stop them, and continues to fight them even though he is outnumbered and horrifically beaten. Only the arrival of Ghost causes the attackers to flee. As she nurses him in bed, Gilly tells Sam not to ever put himself at risk like that ever again. She doesn’t care about her safety, she just cares about her child. Sam assures her that he cares for them both, and he will protect them both. After hearing Sam’s declaration, Gilly climbs on top of Sam and we have the most modest sex scene we’ve had in all five seasons. Sam is no longer the only adult virgin at the Wall. Oh my indeed, Sam, oh my.
Stannis on the march
Stannis’ army is on the march to Winterfell. Davros brings the bad news that not only did 40 horses die in the night, but their Stormcrow sellswords have left. Davos advises a retreat to Winterfell, but Stannis is having none of it. With winter possibly lasting years, he can’t afford to be frozen in at the Wall. He will march to Winterfell whatever the cost, or so he thinks. When Melissandre suggests that they perform a blood sacrifice of Stannis’ daughter Shireen, Stannis angrily refuses and throws Melissandre out. It’s the only time we’ve seen Melissandre look unnerved.
Meanwhile on that other continent
Danaerys is happy to have Dario in her bed even though she is about to enter a political marriage. She doesn’t see herself giving Dario up. A damper is put on their afterglow when Dario tells her that she is a princess who can’t do what she wants. This ironically makes her the only non-free woman in Mereen. Dario provides more depressing advice. He suggests that Dany gather and slaughter all the Lords of Mereen on her wedding day, telling her, “All rulers are either butchers or meat.” Dario knows Dany will not be safe, but Dany isn’t willing to admit it yet.
Tyrion manages using his wits to get sold to a fighting master along with Jorah. Unexpectedly, Danearys is on hand to witness the boughts that their fighting master is having at a local arena. Jorah throws himself into the melee, takes out a litany of combattants half his age, and emerges the victor. He unmasks himself hoping for forgiveness which Dany is disinclined to give. Tyrion runs out and joins Jorah as Jorah desperately pleads, “I have brought you a gift.” Dragon, meet lion. It’s not from the books (nor is most of the episode, but this is the standout change), but this diversion from canon is going to be interesting.
A powerful little birdie
The Queen of Thornes attempts to alternately negotiate and threaten the High Sparrow calling him a fraud. Neither works. He’s a zealot who can’t be bribed and he wants justice. This means Margaery and Loras need to pay for their crimes. Her next stop is to meet Littlefinger. Surely these two will think of something being the smartest people left in Kings Landing now that Varys is gone.
Cersei also meets the High Sparrow after she visits Margaery in her cell to taunt her. In a case of supreme irony, Cersei is locked up for essentially the same charges of indecency as Loras is, only presumably she’ll also have to face charges of murder and possibly incest. Are her sins worse than those of Margaery and Loras in the eyes of The Faith? Someone find Ser Pounce. Tommen is going to need something to hug.