Episode title: The Broken Man
Director: Mark Mylod
Written by: Bryan Cogman
Summary: Jon, Sansa, and Davos secure the allegiance of the Wildlings, and House Mormont. However, they are unable to secure the allegiance of House Glover, with Lord Robett Glover pointing out how Robb Stark failed to protect his home from the Ironborn. Jon is adamant that they attack Winterfell as soon as possible, but Sansa disagrees, insisting that they try and recruit more houses. When Jon refuses to change his mind, Sansa begins writing a letter to be sent by raven.
The High Sparrow chides Margaery that she needs to provide Tommen Baratheon with an heir, and that she should try to convert her grandmother Olenna to the Faith. Margaery meets with Olenna, and discreetly slips her a piece of paper with the sigil of House Tyrell drawn on it, indicating that she is still loyal to her family, upon which Olenna agrees to leave. Cersei then confronts Olenna, and tries to convince her to stay and fight the Sparrows. Olenna points out that they have already lost and blames the Sparrows’ rise to power on Cersei’s lack of foresight.
Theon and Yara take the Iron Fleet to Volantis to take on supplies. Yara tries to encourage Theon to regain his former identity and confidence, as she will need his assistance in retaking the Iron Islands. Yara then reveals to Theon that she plans to take the Iron Fleet to Meereen and forge an alliance with Dany before Euron reaches her.
Arya successfully secures passage back to Westeros by bribing a Westerosi trader. However, she is subsequently attacked on a nearby bridge and repeatedly stabbed in the abdomen by the Waif, in the guise of an elderly woman. Arya pushes the Waif away, and barely escapes by jumping off the bridge and swimming away underwater. After surfacing, she is then left stumbling through the streets, critically wounded.
Jaime and Bronn lead the Lannister army to Riverrun, where the Freys attempt to coerce the Blackfish into surrendering the castle by threatening to execute Edmure Tully. The Blackfish calls their bluff. Jaime takes charge of the siege and attempts to parley with the Blackfish. The Blackfish is not intimidated by Jaime’s threats and dares him to try and seize the castle, declaring that the Tullys have enough provisions stockpiled to outlast a siege.
The Hound has survived his wounds, and is now living among a small band of villagers. Their leader, Ray, talks with Sandor, and recounts how he found Sandor on the verge of death and nursed him back to health. At a gathering, a trio of men from the Brotherhood Without Banners arrives and attempts to extort the villagers, but upon finding out that they have no worthwhile possessions, they leave. Sandor warns Ray that the Brotherhood will return, but Ray refuses to prepare for a confrontation with them. After Sandor goes out to the forest to gather some wood, he returns to find the villagers slaughtered and Ray hanged. Enraged, Sandor picks up an axe and marches off.
My take: This one had a cold opening so Rory McCann’s return as The Hound would be a surprise. Of course the title of the episode gave us a strong hint as to his return. Ian McShane is inspired casting, and he is a great foil to Jonathan Pryce’s High Sparrow, who echo each other’s works in back to back scenes. Lady Mormont is my favorite character.
Changes from the books: Septon Ray is an a composite character. In the books, Septon Meribald does not make a public speech, but tells Brienne about the horrors of war and broken men. This episode confirms the popular fan theory that in the novels, Sandor “the Hound” Clegane survived the wounds from his duel with Polliver and the Tickler and took up residence at Quiet Isle. Brienne notices there a limping large gravedigger, whom many readers believe to be the Hound. The Glovers did not liberate Deepwood Motte – Stannis did, and without the help of the Boltons. Jaime takes Ilyn Payne and his friend Addam Marbrand to Riverrun, not Bronn.
Nudity: The prostitutes in Volantis.
Locations on the Map: King’s Landing, Riverrun, Winterfell, The Wall, Braavos, Meereen
Death Count: Ray, hanged by the rogue Brotherhood. The villagers, slaughtered by the Brotherhood.
Quotes: Tormund Giantsbane: [points at Jon] The crows killed him because he spoke for the free folk when no other southerners would. He died for us. If we are not willing to do the same for him, we’re cowards. And if that’s what we are, we deserve to be the last of the free folk
Episode title: No One
Director: Mark Mylod
Written by: David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
Summary: Sandor Clegane tracks down some of the Brotherhood Without Banners men and brutally kills them. He then comes across Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr, who try to recruit Sandor into the Brotherhood, explaining that they intend to head north to fight the White Walkers and need his strength.
Brienne and Podrick arrive at Riverrun, where they reunite with Jaime and Bronn. Brienne proposes that if she can convince the Blackfish to surrender the castle, then Jaime will allow him and the Tully army safe passage to the North. The Blackfish refuses to abandon Riverrun, despite being sympathetic to Sansa’s plight. Jaime talks with Edmure Tully, and sends Edmure to parley with the Blackfish. The Tully soldiers allow Edmure entry into the castle. Edmure then orders his men to surrender Riverrun, and also orders the Blackfish’s capture. The Blackfish helps Brienne and Podrick escape, but remains to fight to the end. Jaime is informed about the death of the Blackfish, and sees Brienne and Pod escaping on the river. Both Jaime and Brienne mournfully wave each other farewell.
Varys leaves for Westeros on a secret mission to find more allies and ships. A fleet that was sent by the masters arrives to attack Meereen. Dany returns to the city, arriving at the top of the Great Pyramid with Drogon. The Faith Militant arrive to take Cersei Lannister to see the High Sparrow. Cersei refuses to go with them and when one of the Faith Militant attacks, he is brutally killed by Gregor Clegane. Tommen announces the date that Cersei and Loras’ trials will be held, and he has decided to end the practice of trial by combat as a means of resolving conflicts. Qyburn then reports to Cersei about the “rumor” that she ordered him to investigate, and he remarks that it is “more, much more”.
Lady Crane finds a wounded Arya Stark, and helps stitch her wounds. As Arya recovers, The Waif arrives and kills Lady Crane. Arya flees through the streets of Braavos, but during the chase, Arya’s wounds reopen and she limps back to her hideout with the Waif in close pursuit. As the Waif closes in, Arya uses Needle to cut a candle, plunging the room into total darkness, where, having been trained while blinded for several weeks, Arya gains the upper hand. Jaqen H’ghar finds a bloodtrail and follows it to the Hall of Faces, where he finds the Waif’s face. Arya then holds Jaqen at sword point. Jaqen congratulates Arya by telling her that she is finally No One. However, she rejects the title, asserting her identity as Arya Stark before turning and leaving, announcing that she is “going home.”
My take: Other than the Waif fight, I feel this is kind of a placeholder episode. I’m disappointed that if the Blackfish is killed off that we don’t see it, just hear about it. It’s just another tied up loose end in a season full of them.
Changes from the books: The Blackfish escapes from Riverrun, with Edmure’s help. Jaime conducts a search but he is not found. His current whereabouts are unknown. Beric is no longer the leader of the Brotherhood. He was replaced by Lady Stoneheart, the reanimated Catelyn Stark, whom he gave his life for. Brotherhood without Banners kills people who have any connection to the Freys or Lannisters. None of them kill people for no reason. Loras is not imprisoned. Cersei sent him to resolve the siege of Dragonstone, and he was fatally injured.
Nudity: None
Locations on the Map: King’s Landing, Riverrun, Winterfell, The Wall, Braavos, Meereen
Death Count: Members of the Brotherhood by the Hound, and by Beric and Thoros. The Blackfish, killed in battle. One of the Faith Militant by the Mountain. Lady Crane by the Waif. The Waif by Arya
Quotes: Arya Stark: A girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell and I’m going home