Blood of My Blood
Directed by Jack Bender
Written by Bryan Cogman
Bran
Now Hodor-less, Bran is now being dragged by an exhausted Meera, though he is unaware of this fact as he’s darting through key moments of time, visions smashing into each other from his father’s beheading to the Mad King demanding that they, “Burn them all”. It’s only when Meera cannot drag the barely conscious Bran any further does he finally awaken – due to the Night King arriving in a vision – to which Bran informs his only companion that, “They’ve found us!” With this a band of undead descend on them both. It’s here when all hope is lost does a masked stranger on horseback appear, and rapidly makes short work of the attackers. Grabbing both Bran and Meera he pulls them both up to his horses and then gallops away.
Later as they sit around a campfire, the stranger drains the blood from a freshly caught rabbit and hands it to Bran to drink. It’s revealed that this stranger is actually Uncle Benjen Stark [check out Tony Blacks article on this Coldhanded saviour], who was mortally injured by the white walkers, but then rescued by the Children of the Forest, who placed within him a piece of Dragonglass which saved him from death. He too is aware of Three-Eyed Raven and the powers that Bran now carries.
Arya
As Arya catches up on the gossip of Westros by watching more of the travelling play at Bravos, she observes Bianca – whispering the lines of Lady Crane – who she believes has requested the murder. She proceeds to drop the poison into Lady Crane’s drink, but as she departs both Arya and the intended victim meet and they spend a few moments discussing what Arya would have done differently at the death of a loved one. After this conversation Arya appears to leave; however seconds later as Lady Crane goes to sip her drink Arya knocks it from her hand highlighting the person who wants her dead.
Unbeknownst to Arya in the corner of the room – sweeping the floor – is the girl from the temple who has dealt many a blow to Arya in the past. She then slithers back to Jaqen to tell him of the failure, to which he gives her permission to kill Arya. However Arya is already prepared and has removed Needle from its resting place.
Sam
Sam, Gilly and Baby Sam all arrive at the rather grand looking House Tarly. As he enters the grounds, both his mother and sister great all three guests with respect and warmth, yet both his father and brother are nowhere to be seen; it appears his father has chosen this moment to go out hunting.
With Gilly washed and properly dressed, eventually the entire family are sat around the table here Sam’s father beings to humiliate him in front of Gilly and his family. However, when Gilly begins to defend him by bringing up the numerous foes he has slain and how she was rescued, she lets slip that she is from beyond the Wall, and therefore a Wildling – one of the foes Sam was sent forth to slay by his father. This outrages his father declaring he’ll never get the family sword “Heartsbane” (made of Valyrian steel) which has been passed to the firstborn son for 500 years; with this his wife takes Gilly and his daughters away, disgusted at her husband. After his vicious rant he tells Sam his Wilding can work in the kitchens and his bastard son can stay here, but Sam can never return to this house again.
Later as Sam speaks to Gilly about what’s occurred, he says his goodbyes and makes for the door. Seconds later however the doors to Gilly’s room swing open and Sam tells her that all three are leaving, and as they do Sam grabs Heartsbane. When Gilly asks if his father will come for it, Sam replies with, “He can bloody well try!”.
King’s Landing
The High Sparrow has granted a King Tommen a very rare moment to visit Queen Margaery, though now she is no longer in a cell, no longer filthy and does not complain of harsh treatment. She speaks to Tommen of the moments she spent appearing to be a Queen of the People, but in truth she wasn’t. She talks of Sin, the Gods and speaks with respect for the High Sparrow.
As the time comes for Margaery’s walk of atonement, Jamie meets the army of the House Tyrell to escort them up towards the High Sparrow. As the House Tyrell demand that their children be returned, the High Sparrow in turn tells them no blood would be spilt today; Tommen then walks out flanked by guards in new armour bearing the crowning surrounded by the seven-pointed star; the High Sparrow announces a new holy alliance between the crown and the faith.
Shortly after this Jamie is stripped of his Lord Commander role and instantly dispatched to march on Riverrun, as the Blackfish has taken it from Lord Walder Frey, who we also discover still has in his possession Edmure Tully from the Red Wedding massacre.
Daenerys
After a questioning Daario on the journey time and boats need and other such Human Resource ins and outs, Daario gently mocks Princess Stampyfeet about being good at conquering and not being so good at leading, in truth a throne really isn’t for her. Noticing a change in the wind, she tells both him and the other few thousand riders to wait and they do. After an unspecified amount of time, but it’s clear they’ve become bored Darrio, tells a rider he’s going to look for her, though as he does the shadow of Drogo falls across them all. She and the Drogo then land and Daenerys gives a speech that puts all qualms about her ability to lead to rest once and for all.
RATING: 8/10
SEXINESS TALLY (Due to never seeing Hodor again):
Nothing (Must try harder)
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