The Broken Man
Directed by Mark Mylod
Written by Bryan Cogman
King’s Landing
Margaery is reading from the Book of the Mother when the High Sparrow interrupts; she brings up how she felt towards the poor to the High Sparrow. After this conversation he brings it to a personal matter – it appears since her freedom both she and Tommen haven’t even attempted to make a Royal Baby, to which the High Sparrow insists this is very much needed to continue on with the cause. He then raises the problem about her Grandmother and the sin she carries.
Seeking an audience with Olenna Tyrell, Queen Margarey plays her role perfectly as the High Sparrow’s many eyes watch on. The Queen tells of the sin her brother Loras has committed and numerous other issues to fulfil the role expected of her, however as she tells her Grandmother to leave King’s Landing she secretly places something into her hand and Olenna departs. Outside of the room it’s revealed that this hidden note contains a picture of a rose, the sigil of the House Tyrell. It appears Margarey may be playing a long con.
Later we find Olenna writing a note, though we do not see who to. As Cersei arrives the fierce matriarch of the Tyrell house viciously rubs salt into the gaping wound which the Lannister has brought upon herself. However, she is still kind enough to give her the advice to leave King’s Landing whilst she can.
Jon, Sansa and Ser Davos
It’s a bitter, cold time in Westeros especially when it comes to getting the stuck wheels of diplomacy spinning. First Jon has to get the Wildlings to fight for their cause, then face the utterly “put you in your place!” 10 year old Lady Lyanna Mormont. Let’s face it Lady Lyanna Mormont in truth wouldn’t need three dragons to take anything over! Then when that grilling was finally over and they’ve receive sixty-two troops from Bear Island they arrive at House Glover to meet Robertt Glover, who – thanks to the mess Robb left – has severed all ties with the Starks.
It’s in the final scenes we see Sansa penning a note, though where the note is bound for we do not know, but there is a high likelihood it will be going to a person who makes hidden cogs turn.
Riverrun
As Jaime Lannister, Bronn and 8,000 troops march in through House Frey’s poor siege force currently surrounding House Tully in Riverrun, Jamie has just watched a feeble threat not followed through involving Lord Edmure. After a short, sharp shock is delivered to one of Frey’s men in how to address Lord Lannister correctly, Lord Edmure is taken to be washed and fed, as requested by Jaime. After examining the situation Jaime asks Bronn to request a parley with Blackfish.
Both Jaime and Blackfish meet on the drawbridge to the castle, with Blackfish striding out and into the open, calling Jaime “Kingslayer”. Both men discuss the situation however it soon becomes apparent that Blackfish has no intention of leaving these grounds and informs Jaime that he has supplies for two years within the walls. When his nephew, Lord Edmure, is brought up as a bargaining tool he responds with, “My nephew’s marked for death now no matter what. Hang him and be done with it.”
Theon and Yara
With Yara mooring the crew up at a brothel to let off a bit of steam, she begins to deal with her broken brother, Theon, who is edgy in this house of sex. She speaks of justice, for which he proclaims he should be killed in Winterfell if justice is needed. Quickly turning this to revenge, she forces him to drink the ale and builds his courage and it appears a spark seems to ignite within him. The old Theon may be awakening once more – the one that should have fought beside Robb and Jon instead of in front of them, or behind them with a knife.
Arya
As Arya buys both safe and comfortable passage to Westeros, she takes one last look at Bravos as an old woman walks behind her and calls to her, “Sweet girl.” As she turns to look a dagger is drawn and plunged repeatedly into Ayra’s stomach, and the old woman removes a mask to reveal the girl from the temple. Ayra quickly throws herself over the bridge, however as she later emerges from the canal, she is bleeding profusely from her stomach.
The Hound
Rumours of Sandor Clegane’s death at the end of Season Four seem to be greatly exaggerated, and it just goes to show that if you don’t see somebody die in Game of Thrones you shouldn’t really count them out *cough* Stannis Baratheon *cough*. Our once fallen anti-hero – left for dead by Arya Stark – has been rescued by Brother Ray (Ian McShane) and nursed back to health. Here, in a complete change of character, the Hound is repaying Brother Ray by helping construct a new building for him and his flock. It’s during a meal as truths and stories are told of old, both nerves are struck and memories awoken in our scarred protagonist, who seems to hear the real words being spoken by the old soldier Brother Ray; however this is interrupted by riders from the Brotherhood Without Banners. It’s after this meeting Sandor takes to chopping logs, angry that Brother Ray didn’t part with goods to protect his people, and it’s the old mans words that echo in the Hounds head as he heads deeper into the forest, “Violence is a disease, you don’t cure a disease by spreading it to more people.”
Later in the evening as Sandor is cutting firewood he hears faint screams coming from the camp, as he runs towards the skeletal frame of the building the men, women and children have all been slain and left dead on the floor around him; hanging by his neck from the top of the unfinished building is Brother Ray. With this the Hound picks up the axe and strides forward.
A truly fantastic episode of Game of Thrones this week. It was excellent seeing the heap of mess that Robb Stark left after his moment of lust and love got the better of him, seeing the North still reeling and to hear the Stark name no longer be held in such a high status as what it once. Along with this we had stand out moments with Brother Ray and the Hound, Jaime and Blackfish and of course we cannot shy away from Lady Lyanna Mormont; Sansa and Jon better watch out as here is the true Queen of the North.
RATING: 9/10
SEXINESS TALLY (Due to never seeing Hodor again):
A brothel full of boobs, and some bums too.
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