Episode title: Eastwatch

Director: Matt Shakman

Written by: Dave Hill

Summary: Bronn pulls Jaime ashore, across the Blackwater Rush from the battle. Dany gives the surviving soldiers a choice between fealty to her, or death. Randyll Tarly resists and his son Dickon stands with him, even though Randyll wants him to save himself. Dany puts them to death with Drogon’s fire. The remaining prisoners bend the knee.

Bran locates the Night King’s army beyond the Wall and requests that ravens be sent throughout the Seven Kingdoms to warn of the threat. Littlefinger allows Arya to watch him hide the raven scroll Cersei forced Sansa to write after King Robert died, asking Robb to swear fealty to King Joffrey; Arya obtains and reads it. Archmaester Ebrose receives Bran’s raven and decides the matter needs further study. Sam steals documents from the library and leaves Oldtown with Gilly and Little Sam.

Dany returns and Drogon allows Jon to pet him. Jorah has returned and Dany welcomes him. Jon receives Bran’s warning, and decides to head beyond the Wall to fight the dead. Tyrion proposes capturing a wight north of the Wall and bringing it to King’s Landing, to show Cersei the danger and gain her support. Jon and Jorah volunteer for the mission.

Jaime returns to Cersei and reveals that Olenna Tyrell poisoned Joffrey. Tyrion and Davos sneak into King’s Landing. Bronn leads Jaime to Tyrion, who requests an audience with Cersei once Jon can prove that the army of the dead exists. Jaime conveys Tyrion’s message. Cersei tells Jaime that she is pregnant and will publicly acknowledge him as the father. Davos locates Gendry, who eagerly leaves King’s Landing with him. Tyrion and Davos return from King’s Landing with Gendry. Davos advises him to conceal his identity and become a smith at Winterfell; Gendry instead introduces himself openly to Jon and joins his excursion.

Jon, Davos, Gendry and Jorah meet with Tormund at the Night Watch fortress Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, where the Brotherhood Without Banners and the Hound are imprisoned. They acknowledge that they are now fighting against a common enemy. Davos remains at Eastwatch and all the others head north.

My take: The characters in this story have had some really dumb ideas, but this one really takes the cake. Speaking of dumb, the award for most futile gesture goes to Dickon. Does this mean Sam is head of House Tarly?

Changes from the books: Cersei has long deduced that the Tyrells were involved in Joffrey’s murder and their motive. Gendry is still with the Brotherhood. Jorah has not returned yet to Daenerys. There is no mentioning that Rhaegar divorced his first wife Elia and married Lyanna Stark. Jaime and Bronn never interact.

Nudity: No time!

Locations on the Map: King’s Landing, Dragonstone, Winterfell, The Wall, Eastwatch, Oldtown

Death Count: Randel Tarly and Dum Dum Dickon, flame-broiled into Whoppers. A few gold cloaks who meet the business end of Gendry’s hammer

Quotes: Davos Seaworth: Thought you might still be rowing.