Game of Thrones delivered one of its best episodes last night. It brought together characters new and old, setting the stage for the major battle in the next episode. It was a solemn reminder of how much we love these characters and how crushing it will be to lose any of them before we undoubtedly lose many of them. Before we get into the week’s bests, a quick recap is in order.
Jaime Lannister is facing judgment, with Daenerys Targaryen and Sansa Stark nearly agreeing that his crimes against their families are too much to allow him to live and fight with them. Brienne of Tarth intervenes on his behalf, swaying Sansa, while a distracted Jon Snow simply vouches for the need to use every man they can get. Dany reluctantly allows Jaime to live before lambasting Tyrion Lannister for the mistakes he has made as her hand. Meanwhile at the forge, Arya Stark convinces Gendry to expedite her weapon for the coming battle.
Jaime confronts Bran Stark to apologize for throwing him from the window, but Bran seems cool with the situation considering what the incident gave him. Jaime then catches up with his brother, who sees the irony of two Lannisters preparing to die in Winterfell. Jaime then continues his reunion tour with Brienne, who will be commanding the right flank in the battle. She accepts Jaime’s offer to fight under her command, as Podrick Payne beats the crap out of some poor soldier in the background.
Back inside, Jorah Mormont councils Dany to continue trusting Tyrion and allow him to recover from his mistakes and suggests she also make peace with Sansa. The discussion goes well until Sansa begins to ask the real questions about what happens to the North after the defeat Cersei. Just then, Theon Greyjoy arrives at Winterfell and Sansa accepts his offer to fight for Winterfell and earn his redemption. Outside, Davos is helping to feed and direct the soldiers, while Gilly is directing the women and children to the crypts. Dolorous Edd, Beric Dondarrion, and Tormund Giantsbane arrive in the courtyard to warn Jon of what happened at the Last Hearth and that the only have until the sun rises tomorrow to finish preparing.
Jon gathers almost every named character for his war council, where Bran finally reveals the motivations of the Night King. His original mission from the Children of the Forest was to protect them from men, but his purpose bent so far out of shape that he now seeks to completely wipe men out of existence. He is hunting for Bran because Bran, as the Three-Eyed Raven, now serves as the world of men’s memory. Without Bran, the stories and histories of humanity will be forgotten and the endless night will begin. It is decided that Theon and the Ironborn will protect Bran in the godswood, while Brienne leads the right flank and the Stark soldiers fight on the left flank. The Dothraki and Unsullied will take up the middle, while Jon, Dany, and the dragons stay close enough to protect Bran, but far enough away that the Night King will still go for him. Jon dismisses the council and Tyrion gets his chance to hear about Bran’s journey.
Grey Worm, in a scene that almost certainly confirms he is a goner, discusses the future with Missandei. When the war is over and Dany has her throne, Grey Worm and Missandei plan to go to her home of Naath to see the beaches and take a vacation from the war. I am sure this is a thing that will definitely be happening. Up on the walls of Winterfell, Jon, Sam, and Ghost are joined by Edd to reminisce about their time with the Night’s Watch. It’s been a long journey for all of them and it has led them here. Sam also broaches the topic of his parentage with Jon, who has not yet told Daenerys. Inside, Tyrion and Jaime are drinking and considering what their father would have thought of his two sons fighting for the Starks. They are joined by Brienne and Pod, Davos, and Tormund for one last fireside chat before the war.
The Hound and Arya do the same, later joined by Beric. Arya and the Hound have been through a lot together and changed in their time apart. Arya eventually heads off to archery practice, where she is met by Gendry who delivers her weapon. The houses of Stark and Baratheon are finally joined when the two take an opportunity to sleep together before, as they both expect, they die.
Back in the hall, Tyrion begins to consider the battles their little group has fought together. After Tyrion accidentally calls Brienne a “ser”, Jaime decides that she has earned the title. He allows her to finally achieve her dream of being knighted, making her perhaps the first anointed female knight in history. Sam also bestows his family sword, Heartsbane, on Ser Jorah, who will certainly need it in the coming battle.
The episode concludes with Podrick singing a beautiful rendition of “Jenny of Oldstones”, as we see a montage of all our beloved characters on the eve of their likely death. Finally, Jon reveals the truth to Daenerys in front of Lyanna Stark’s grave. Her first reaction is understandable, as Jon’s proof are the word of his brother and her best friend. She jumps immediately to the fact that Jon has a claim to the throne and becomes instantly cold towards Jon. Unfortunately, the timing is terrible. The horn sounds as the dead approach Winterfell and the final battle preparations begin.
Best Character
It looked like it was going to be another crushing week for Tyrion after Daenerys shamed him for the mistakes he has made, but being back with his brother turned it all in the right direction. Tyrion was willing to fight in the battle and die a hero, but Dany convinced him to stay safe in the crypts because of how much she values his mind. Tyrion was also the “organizer” of the little gathering in Winterfell’s hall and prompted Jaime’s knighting of Brienne. He had a bunch of great moments in the episode, like pondering what he may do as a member of the army of the dead and filling Pod’s wine cup to the top. Tyrion was very reminiscent in the episode, not unlike the rest of the characters, but his musings somehow felt different. They have all taken a different journey to where they are now, with Tyrion’s perhaps being the most expansive. Remembering the good old days is one of the few things its easy to do before a battle that will bring near certain death and Tyrion did it the best.
Best Actor
With the rest of the cast getting their reunions last week, Jaime was all over this week’s episode and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau knocked it out of the park. His defensiveness over his actions in his trial was outstanding, while the quieter apology to Bran in the godswood as just as great. His scenes with Peter Dinklage was outstanding as always and Jaime’s knighting of Brienne will go down as one of the show’s best scenes. The key to Coster-Waldau’s performance was that Jaime is barely Jaime Lannister anymore. He knows he can’t really fight and coming to Winterfell alone makes him barely more than a soldier in their army. Jaime is a changed man and it shows in all of his interactions. He has grown more honorable and his focus has shifted from loyalty to his house to loyalty to humanity. Coster-Waldau plays Jaime now without any of the pomposity or arrogance he had the first time he came to Winterfell.
Best Actress
Gwendoline Christie made us all fall in love with Brienne of Tarth years ago and most viewers probably had a similar smile on their face to Brienne’s when she was knighted. It was a genuine smile, perhaps the first that Christie has been able to display on the show. Brienne has had it tough, but managed to stay serious and honorable and continue to fight through all the troubles to keep her oaths. That is the epitome of a true knight and Brienne finally achieving her dream was an incredible moment. She has achieved everything she ever wanted to and Christie’s emotive acting made us all feel proud. An underrated and more subtle display was when the topic of knighting was broached and it felt like Brienne and Pod had an entire conversation without speaking to each other. The pride and admiration they have developed for each other was clear and now Brienne has the power to give Podrick his knighthood as well. If they both live to see another sunrise.
Best Scenes
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
As mentioned previously, this scene will go down as one of the show’s greatest. The earnest desire from Jaime to give Brienne her dream is beautiful, as is Tyrion and Tormund’s enthusiasm as the result. Podrick’s encouragement is heartwarming and Brienne’s reaction makes us feel what she is feeling. It’s the most beautiful moment in an episode filled with beautiful moments in an attempt to make us forget the impending doom. If Brienne dies in the next episode, at least she will die as true a knight as there has ever been. Long live Ser Brienne of Tarth, a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Jenny of Oldstones
Accompanied by a beautiful song, this montage serves as a reminder of how beloved all of these characters are. Podrick’s voice is great and the song itself is a haunting reminder of how much we have already lost. Next week may be a miserable bloodbath in which all hope is lost, but at least we get a moment or two here to enjoy our remaining time with our friends from the Seven Kingdoms. The song itself is about Jenny of Oldstones, a woman who was married to Duncan Targaryen (known as the Prince of Dragonflies). Jenny’s song is about her dancing with the ghosts of her past, which is what the show’s audience will be feeling in about a week’s time.
Jon’s War Council
Perhaps the biggest ensemble scene in the show, Jon’s war council brought together characters we never thought we would see working together. The desperate attempts to cobble together a plan to take out the Night King are uncomfortably flimsy, but Bran clearing things up helps us feel a bit better about it. Finally revealing the motivation of the Night King feels like a weight taken off everyone’s shoulders. Knowing what he wants and how to attempt to protect it is a better feeling than going in blind just trying to get at the Night King. Theon’s redemption arc hits what is probably its final climax, as he will be protecting Bran in the godswood. Jon’s resolution to keep the dragons out of the field and close on hand to protect Bran feels like a mistake, but I would be surprised if Jon rode a dragon during the battle anyway. He is a boots on the ground type and always has been, so the flying will probably be left to Daenerys. The new rift between them should make it easy enough to separate for the battle, but this lingering thought has been in my mind: Dany knows that Jon’s only proof is Sam and Bran. If Bran is left protected only by a few Ironborn…maybe she takes an opportunity to kill him and blame it on the White Walkers.
Best Quotes
“Samwell Tarly. Slayer of White Walkers. Lover of ladies. As if we needed any more reason to know the world is ending.” – Dolorous Edd
“The perils of self-betterment.” – Tyrion Lannister
“What about the North? It was taken from us and we took it back and we said we’d never bow to anyone else again. What about the North?” – Sansa Stark
And Now Their Watch Is Ended…
Nobody died this week. Which means everyone will next week. I am not ready.
A Storm of Sports 