Game of Thrones season 6, episode 8 featured characters re-evaluating who they think they are, and what their destiny should be.
The Hound’s revenge
After years of being the merciless member of the Kingsguard, can the Hound really have changed? Apparently, the answer is yes. He tracks down most of the rogue men from the Brotherhood Without Banners, and he slaughters them before seeking their final members. When he catches up to the last one, he discovers that Lord Berric and Thorros of Myr are about to execute him and others for the exact same reason.
The Hound of old would have cut down every man where he stood if they tried to deny him his “prize.” This new Hound is downright warm and fuzzy, and he accepts Lord Berric’s terms. The Hound kills his requisite two men, gets a pair of boots, and then blithely inquires about dinner.
Can it be long before the Hound rallies the Brotherhood Without Banners to support Sansa Stark? Inquiring minds want to know.
Tyrion gambles
Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. Varys is off on a secret mission, but before he goes he expresses some concern about the pact Tyrion has made with the priestesses of the Red God. The cards are still in play on this one. The hand isn’t over yet. Hopefully it ends better than Cersei’s gamble with the Faith Militant.
Next, Tyrion plays the fun uncle who lets the kids do things they shouldn’t while mom is away. After a stint of trying to loosen up those two lovebirds, Missandi and Grey Worm, with their first batch of wine, things come to an end quickly as battleships of the ousted masters enter the city. Tyrion has clearly overplayed his hand of negotiation with the masters.
Just as things start to get really bad, the pitter patter of little feet on the roof aren’t reindeer. Dany and her dragons are back.
The sparrows arrive
Cersei has placed all her faith in the might of the resurrected Ser Gregor. The woman who has made a career of underestimating her enemies, and overestimating her position does it again. While Cersei wins the battle with Lancel, she loses the war when Tommen gets manipulated into outlawing trial by combat. Ser Gregor is next to useless. Cersei and the unrepentant Loras will meet justice by a trial of seven septons.
Can the little birds now working for Pycelle help? Considering the zealots still are in charge, the answer is doubtful. Only if Tommen is no longer king will this end. Will Cersei kill her own son to get what she wants?
Meanwhile at Riverrun
Brienne arrives at Riverrun and begs Jamie to let her reason with the Blackfish. If he bloodlessly hands over the castle, Jamie will allow the Blackfish to ride north to Sansa’s aide. Jamie gives his word to the warrior who he clearly respects. Alas, the Blackfish’s pride runs too deep, and Brienne fails.
Jamie instead uses the weak-willed Edmure Tully to achieve his ends. Edmure ends up demanding entrance to Riverrun, and then promptly turning the castle over to the Lannister forces like the coward Catelyn always said he was. Jamie seems truly disappointed when he learns that the Blackfish died rather than be captured. It would seem that Jamie considered the Blackfish a worthy foe.
There is a bittersweet moment when Jamie sees Brienne and Pod escaping the castle. The former adversaries and now…what to call them…friends, compadres, brothers in arms…wave an acknowledgement. Each has done their duty. Each has taken a path they consider to be honorable. What murky path will each of them now go down? Will these two eventually meet in combat, and if so, who will be the victor?
The play’s the thing
Arya seeks refuge with Lady Crane, the actress whose life she spared. Lady Crane nurses her back to health and encourages Arya to join their troupe as they next move on to Pentos. Arya seems to consider it a bit, though she doubts she could learn all the lines. She still seems to want to run, as she muses about, “What’s west of Westeros?”
Alas, there will be no more installments of the play, which is now up to blaming Tyrion and Sansa for Joffrey’s murder, because Lady Crane finally meets her end. The many faced god has been satisfied, but he still needs another name, and Arya is pursued by the waif.
After en epic chase in which Arya employs every skill she learned at the hands of her brothers, Syrio, the Hound, and as Cat of the Canals, she finally turns the tables. She waits and makes her pursuer come to her. Armed with a needle, Arya flicks out the candlelight. The former blind girl has the advantage in the dark. The god of the Faceless Men is satisfied with another life, only it isn’t Arya’s. It’s no matter, for all debts are paid as the god apparently isn’t name specific picky.
Jaqen H’ghar finds the victorious Arya, and like a proud parent or teacher states, “Finally a girl is no one.” Only, Arya is having none of it. She’s tired of running. With a confidence not seen in a long time, Arya states, “A girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell, and I am going home!” We all wonder as we see Jaqen H’ghar’s enigmatic smile if that perhaps wasn’t the real point of Arya’s training all along.