Season 5 is still young, so bits and pieces of these plots from the books may happen- someone will need to deal with the chaos of the Riverlands, because the Freys really have no idea what they're doing, which should be apparent any episode now. Since Kevan Lannister, now presumably Lord of Casterly Rock, is returning home, maybe the task will fall to him. We saw him stand up to Cersei at the Small Council meeting- but will she finagle a way to keep him in King's Landing, or find a way to get Tommen to actually command Kevan? And will the show ever feature Gemma Lannister, Tywin and Kevan's sister? She was a character made for HBO.
The show, like the books, is also showing numerous places in Essos, the "mainland" separated from Westeros by the Narrow Sea. Essos is the land of Braavos, Pentos, Lyr, Volantis, Vaes Dothrak and Mereen, We used to see it only for Danaerys' part in our story. Now, Stannis has visited, and Varys, Tyrion and Arya will be there indefinitely. That's four major characters there now. Essos is supposed to be Westeros' opposite, to demonstrate how much stranger the rest of the world is from the "noble" land of Westeros. With every episode, the strangeness of Essos fades until it becomes a place that a fugitive of Westeros can come, and live outside the treachery of King's Landing. Arya plans on learning what she needs to exact revenge back in Westeros. Danaerys is learning to be a queen so she can sit confidently on the Iron Throne. Essos has become a place to prepare for eventual victory back home.
We're also going to see more of Dorne, and got only a slight taste last night. It's our first topic, as the plotline involved unites Dorne and King's Landing. Dorne is the southernmost region of Westeros. Famous for red wine, mountain passes and deserts, it's a hard land with warriors who never lost to the Targaryens. Their leader is a Prince- the only Prince allowed outside of the Royal Family, since the Martells joined Westeros by treaty and marriage. All the other major lords were once kings conquered by the Targaryens and their dragons. The current Prince, Doran, suffers from gout, which plagued mostly well-to-do men in the 1700s here, and has been mostly wiped out by better diet. Doran, in one brief scene, comes off as a grieving man, and a just one. His body guard is Areo Hotah, from the city of Norvos in Essos. He doesn't like to brag, but you're not getting past his pike without Doran's permission.
Not even you, Ellaria
Ellaria Sand, Prince Oberyn's long-time lover and mother to four of his children, will not accept Oberyn's horrible death by the Mountain in Tyrion's trial by combat. Doran points out that trial by combat is a lawful way to die, leaving him with no cause for war against Lannisters or King's Landing. Ellaria either thinks Oberyn's participation was a Lannister trick or doesn't care; she's demanding that Myrcella, daughter of Cersei Lannister, pay in fingers. Doran doesn't look horrified, but he stands firm that justice doesn't come from hurting girls.
Dorne is a rough country, but it's one that respects women; they are included in inheritance, equal among their brothers, and women have more freedom. Notably, the freedom to learn how to fight. So, when Doran won't give her Myrcella, or a war over Oberyn, she reminds Doran that Oberyn's daughters will avenge their father, and whip up support for revenge. These daughters are known as The Sand Snakes, as they are all illegitimate daughters of Oberyn Martell, and all dangerous in their own ways. Maybe a Sand Snake was the anonymous gifter of a beautiful carved snake for Cersei, from which dangles a unique pendant on a chain.
Stop saying I look just like the snake!
Cersei is repulsed by the snake and pendant, and not just because the snake is ugly and looks ready to strike; the pendant belongs to Myrcella, and Cersei considers it a sign that the Martells of Dorne mean to take revenge out on Myrcella for Oberyn's death. Doran means to do just the opposite: mourn his brother, and let Myrcella breathe his air in blissful pink gauze strolling through his water gardens. Doran is an honorable man but that doesn't mean he doesn't want justice for his murdered sister just as much as Oberyn did.
Cersei is happily convinced otherwise. Based on her past with prophecies coming true, every possible threat against her own children must be dealt with. Myrcella was promised to Doran's son in marriage by Tyrion. Behind Dorne's spears, far from King's Landing, Myrcella really is as safe as a Princess of Westeros could be. Cersei is convinced that only she can keep her children safe. And she makes it perfectly clear to Jaime that they're the only people who matter to her anymore. Even he is now pond scum in her eyes. He was unable to protect Joffrey; he inadvertently got their father murdered. To Cersei, Jaime is practically a Stark now. So, Jaime decides to do something bold; he'll go to Dorne, somehow break Myrcella's betrothal, and bring her home to Cersei.
It's an interesting plan, not covered in the books, which means it will be full of surprises for us all. The biggest surprise could be how he'll deal if he has to fight with only one hand. Jaime's not worried about that; in fact, he knows just the guy for a bit of travel in a land known for it's wine and fighting.
A man with a plan
Good ol' Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, engaged to one Lady Lollis Stokeworth, knows he's got nothing to complain about. His wife is an idiot, and probably won't be much fun in bed. But she's not horrible to look at, and is easily distracted with wedding plans. She's also wonderfully easy to manipulate into wanting to see her sister dead, which Bronn is already hinting at. Before you can say "wildfire", Lollis will come to see her sister needed to die once Bronn kills her.
His plan is coming along until Jaime comes along. Jaime looks like he's cosplaying Marvel's Daredevil, but it's the scroll he's carrying that's more important. Somehow, he's finagled a new fiancee for Lollis, and a new job for Bronn. Make it back to King's Landing with Jaime and Myrcella and all their fingers, and Bronn gets a better, richer wife and a better castle. Oh, and did Jaime mention they're going someplace famous for women and wine? Lollis who?
Way on the other end of Westeros, the characters all huddle indoors while weak sunlight falls into old rooms of wood and stone. Castle Black is preparing to vote for the Night's Watch's new Lord Commander, to replace Jeor Mormont, killed by his own men at Craster's Keep. Stannis isn't as impressed with old Lord Mormont, as the current holder of Bear Island, Jeor's sister Maege Mormont, has sent Stannis a note basically "Fuck you, you're not a Stark" to Stannis' demand for recognition as king. Bear Island has the distinction of being extremely difficult for anyone to take, a result of past invasions by Greyjoy ships. So, good luck getting them to bend the knee, Stannis.
No more quick deaths, Jon
Stannis is also pissy that Mance Rayder didn't burn in agony as per his command. Ser Davos holds up is own half-fingers as a warning of what Jon can expect for displeasing Stannis. Jon simply stands firm, practically daring Stannis to try to have any bit of him cut off. However, instead of punishment, Stannis has a deal. It's a strange deal for Stannis to make; he's always admired honor and keeping oaths, so for him to offer Jon the Stark name and Winterfell if he deserts the Night's Watch is not in keeping with his values. But, he values the Iron Throne more. And with a Stark in Winterfell, placed there by him, the North could be his. As Roose Bolton pointed out last season, the North is about half of all Westeros. Stannis will happily give Jon justice for Robb's murder two seasons ago, too. No Boltons, the noble name he's always secretly wanted, and Winterfell? Sam thinks he's crazy to turn it down. But, Jon holds firm. He got a taste of breaking his oaths, even if it was to eventually save the Night's Watch. He chose the Night's Watch because they were willing to take a bastard and make him an equal. If a Brother doesn't like you, he lets you know. Better that than dealing with King Stannis Baratheon, and the treachery of the other noble houses.
Sam, despite wanting Jon to take the deal, must be relieved when Jon confirms he'll be staying a Brother. Sam spends the day in the library, reading up on past Lord Commanders of the Night's Watch, trying to glean something we can't see yet, while Shireen Baratheon works on her second student, Gilly. Gilly's having trouble with the letter 'S', but Shireen is patient and optimistic. These three together, the bookish two with Gilly who just hopes to stay somewhere warm and safe, actually get along well. Gilly doesn't know much about history, but Gilly gets Shireen's and Sam's attention when it turns out that she knows how Grayscale, a disease Shireen recovered from, usually ends. It seems to be a combination of leprosy and rabies. Victims become horribly mutilated, and lose all control over themselves. Shireen and Sam listen in morbid, rapt, attention. The fun is ruined when Selyse appears, sending Sam and Gilly scurrying. She scolds Shireen for any contact with a wildling, but Shireen looks like she'd rather know Gilly than her own mother. Selyse's insistence that Shireen's reading really hasn't taught her anything comes off as resentment that her daughter is already more intelligent than she is.
Mom, I've watched you burn people alive. Just sayin'.
Jon and Sam appear together in the main hall for the Night's Watch's Election. This might just be Westeros' only democratic institution. No one votes anywhere else. But the Brothers are equals, and equals will only be commanded by one they choose. Maester Aemon, the former Targaryen, is head of the elections and calls for nominees. It takes Janos Slynt less than a moment to stand and talk up Ser Alliser Thorne. Thorne's a dick, but he's an honest dick and a brave man. He's not very bright, and he tends to think pretty narrowly, but he's a great fighter and trained just about every other brother. Jon and Sam don't look enthused at voting, until long-time Brother Dennis Mallister is nominated. His main qualification is surviving ten Castle Black winters, and that he's not Alliser Thorne. That's enough for Jon. But, not enough for Sam, who stops Aemon from calling for votes just in time to nominate Jon.
Sam's speech isn't long or flowery, but it hits all of Jon's good points, despite Jon thinking it's a terrible idea to nominate him. Jon's best chance now is in keeping his head down and hoping the Free Folk question is solved quickly without him being involved anymore. But, Sam Tarly has other plans. Sam points out that Thorne's a great fighter, but he was injured during the battle and Jon stepped in to take his place. He points out that Jon gave them information from his time among the wildlings, and knew how to defeat them. He points out that Jon was handpicked by Jeor Momont to be his steward. And he verbally pwns Janos Slynt for his cowardice during the battle. I'd feel sorry for Janos, but he's in a puddle of his own making.
Alliser Thorne's speech isn't so much for his own benefit, but simply to denigrate Jon. If you're main qualification is that you don't like wildlings at all, I guess going negative is all you can do. He plays the Brothers' dislike of wildlings against Jon, reminding them that Jon took a wildling to bed and was buddy buddy with Mance Rayder. Would Jon really have killed Mance? We know he tried. But Alliser thinks someone who respects the wildlings won't be able to kill them. Which, we all know isn't true. But the Brothers might not.
Alliser Thorne's bluster may result in a few votes for himself, but they don't get him enough votes to win against Jon; the two are tied, with equal stacks of tokens in front of Maester Aemon, who's probably been counting them by sound. Or not. When informed it's a tie, he reaches out, feeling for which ones are Jon's and quickly slips his still-unused token on Jon's stack. It's a victory by one vote, over one of the most vindictive people North of Winterfell. Good luck, Jon. Aemon's pulling for you.
Jon's sisters are slowly making their own progress. Sansa is interrogating Littlefinger, who appears to have newly engaged himself to someone after recently widowing himself. Does she worry about her safety if Littlefinger takes a new wife? Is the marriage proposal really for himself? Or, maybe little Robert? We won't know, because they're interrupted by Brienne of Tarth, who hadn't even wanted to stop at the inn. It was Podrick who thought it looked good on Yelp. He discovers Sansa with Littlefinger by accident, while checking out the waitress. But it's a way to get back in Brienne's favor, after her disappointing attempt to "rescue" Arya.
Wait, so we found Sansa by fucking accident?????
Brienne's attempt to "rescue" Sansa goes about as well, and Littlefinger's attempt to kill her really falls far short of what the Hound could do. After sending Pod to steal extra horses so they can whisk Sansa Stark away, Brienne proudly announces Sansa's real name loudly enough for the inn's other customers to hear. Littlefinger and Sansa don't quiver in fear at their discovery. Instead, Littlefinger presents Brienne to Sansa as the last person she'd want protecting her. And, Sansa already agrees. Brienne knelt to Joffrey. However required it was to do, it still counts against her. Sansa simply won't trust someone who isn't scheming to bring down the Lannisters. While Littlefinger is all confidence, Sansa's voice is small but firm. She wants Brienne to go; Littlefinger wants Brienne to "travel" with them. Brienne sees right through Littlefinger's invite; he wants to kill her with no witnesses around. So, Brienne flees the inn as soon as Pod can get her horse free, freeing Littlefinger's horses to delay his own men's chase of her and Pod.
The horse chase goes as expected. Brienne deals easily with her pursuers, but Pod gets lost, then gets thrown, then gets caught. Brienne has to save Pod at the last minute, handily decapitating their enemy, and telling Pod to find his horse, because Sansa's heading east with Littlefinger and they're following.
It's here that Pod, diplomatically, suggests that maybe their quest has been fulfilled. They found both girls, within days of each other. Neither had any use for protection, or trust in oaths made. Notice, that Brienne doesn't reveal to Sansa that Arya is alive and nearby; did she forget? Did she not want to bring up her past failure? Is she unwilling to let Littlefinger know this information? But, should she get Sansa alone, would Sansa agree to follow Brienne and search for her sister? One thing Brienne knows- Sansa is with Littlefinger, which is not the same as being safe. Even Pod agrees that they can't consider their duty done until, at least, Sansa is away from him. East on the Road it is.
Arya's journey finally ends. Between traveling the Kingsroad for the Wall, then to Harrenhal, then to Walder Frey's, then to the Vale, and now to Braavos, Arya has almost always been traveling. She's been in the same outfit for about three seasons now. She's been disguised as a boy, captured three times, and lost her family and friends. The ship she's traveling in is the first place where's she's treated with anything that resembles courtesy. In fact, she's treated as an honored guest. The captain himself introduces her to the Titan, who guards the city and can be used to defend the entrance to the bay. It's a massive structure that we've seen before, but Arya hasn't. At first, her hand goes to her neck in some protective gesture, a reaction to the horn blowing as they arrive.
Arya quickly realizes that she's in a place untouched by war. The docks are busy, and the captain rows her in peace through canals until reaching her destination. It's a square building, in stone, except for the paneled wood doors. One door is painted black; the other white. It's very old, and pretty isolated, surrounded by water on three sides. Steps from the water lead only to the doors. The captain wishes her well, responding to her thanks with the reassurance that Braavosi men are required to do this.
It takes a while for anyone to answer her knock. And the guy at the door is a complete let-down. Arya thinks she's going to see Jaqen H'ghar, last seen at the end of Season 2. Instead, an elderly man who looks like he really hates answering the door emerges. There's nothing and no one for Arya inside. Arya doesn't even know what to ask for- Jaqen or just shelter? No matter what she's come looking for from the House of Black and White, the man at the door insists it's not inside. He sends her away, telling her there's a whole world out there that might care more for her than he does.
Arya is stunned by this anti-climax. The end of her long trip turned out to not want her. Either to wait them out, or just because she has nowhere to go, she makes the steps in front of the doors her home for about a day and a half. Through night, through rain, through sun, she finds a spot on the steps, fiddles with her coin, and runs through her list, which is dwindling all the time now: Cersei, The Mountain, Tywin Lannister. Meryn Trant. And, we know she can take Tywin's name off. Finally tired, or maybe finally realizing they won't let her in, she decides to throw the coin away in the canal, angry that the long trip was for nothing.
Or was it? Braavos isn't home, but there's no war, no one's looking for her, and there are pigeons to behead for food. With Needle, she'll never need to go hungry. Until some local boys decide to try for her pigeon and Needle. She's completely unafraid. Instead, she warns them that her pigeon can't be eaten by dead men. They're unimpressed, until a figure in a familiar robe appears in the distance, and they scatter quickly, not even bothering to fight.
It's the old man, reappearing and with Arya's coin. He tosses it back to her, and she realizes that he's transformed back into.. Jaqen H'ghar. One of his old tricks.
What do you think of my robe? Makes me look like Jesus, right?
Jaqen looks neither happy or angry she's there. He invited her, after all. His secret of disguise? Become no one. Just like Arya will need to do, should she choose to cross inside the black door that Jaqen now holds open. Arya slowly enters, Jaqen watching her as she does.
Our two queens struggle. Cersei barely holds the Small Council together, appearing with Qyburn, the disgraced former Maester, and declaring that King Tommen will not appear at these. She'll be dispensing Tommen's instructions. Essentially, she'll be ruling in his place. She turns down the position of the King's Hand, due to being a woman, but won't name anyone else to the position. So, she won't actually take the job, but she'll do it without having to be officially appointed.
Without Varys, she needs a new Master of Whispers, and she's brought Qyburn to the Small Council to give him the job. He doesn't even speak during the meeting, but the others do. Pycelle is dead-set against giving the Qyburn anything, much less a position he's not qualified for. Cersei says that she can trust him. Which, implies that she can't trust any of them. She tosses Tyrell the post of Master of Coin, last held by Tyrion. And, she tries to give her uncle Kevan the post of Master of War. She obviously wants him there as a second Lannister, thinking his family loyalty will help her authority.
Tyrell and Qyburn are happy with whatever Cersei wants to do; Pycelle weakly objects to naming Qyburn anything, but simmers down because he won't risk angering Cersei. It's only Kevan Lannister who is willing to call Cersei on her bullshit. He won't take any job that doesn't come directly from Tommen, who he insists should be at his own Small Council meetings. If he's needed to serve the crown, he will. But, he won't serve Cersei, or help her take authority that is rightfully Tommen's. He won't be a part of her schemes, or lend her credibility she hasn't earned.
The other obstacle Cersei has is that she hasn't found Tyrion yet. With a lordship and all the wealth that it entails at stake, it's pretty much open season on dirty blond dwarves. Cersei is disappointed, but lets the mistakes pass, so that all will continue the search. And, besides, Qyburn has some secret use for each and every dwarf head. So, it's more like a draw.
The search for dwarves extends to Essos, where Varys has arranged for himself and Tyrion to travel together. First, to Volantis, a city in the center/south of Essos. From Volantis, is finally the road to Slaver's Bay and Mereen, and Danaerys Targaryen, who probably has no idea they're coming, and no love for those who served the Lannisters and Baratheons. The two, trapped together for a long trip requiring they stay concealed in swaying box, literally have nothing to do except debate each other. Despite the long, tiring trip, who wouldn't love every minute in that box watching these two try to get each other's goat over each mile?
The two debate whether talking about futility has any point; they also debate whether either of them could ever inspire others to follow them. They agree that they'd never make it as open rulers; Varys has a personality that repels, and Tyrion is a drunken dwarf. They agree that they belong in a box that shields them from the people and the people from them.
The end of their journey better come soon. Danaerys needs them. Daario's found the Son of the Harpy that killed White Rat, among the alleys of Mereen, hiding in a wall. He reminds Grey Worm that fear helps you get inside the mind of someone hiding; and not wearing a uniform makes information easier to obtain. Danaerys' own council can't decide what to do; no one knows why a poor, but free man, would join a group to return to the old status quo. Mossador, a former slave and one of the first to join Danaerys' takeover, argues to just kill him outright.
Mossador is very certain of himself since earning his freedom. A lifetime of watching the Masters of Mereen taught him to show them no mercy, because he's convinced they show none. Hizdahr zo Loraq, the wellborn son of the aristocracy, looks like he'd contradict Mossador if Dany would let him; instead, she dismisses her council, letting Barristan Selmy stay so he can warn her not to turn into her father. Aerys II loved executing anyone he could find; Danaerys Targaryen needs to establish that she's not like him by holding a fair trial for her prisoner.
Which enrages Mossador. He gains access to Son of the Harpy, who has nothing but insults for Mossador and all the other former slaves. He mocks their love of Danaerys, and promises nothing good in their futures. Mossador does what he never dared before; the Son of the Harpy is left to bleed against a wall, blood oozing from his mask, and Kill the Masters graffiti behind him.
Danaerys has Mossador in chains and kneeling before her throne the same day, demanding to know why he broke her laws. Doesn't he have any faith in justice? No he doesn't. If Danaerys doesn't show herself just as brutal as the old Masters, they'll take the city back, and Danaerys' version of justice will never have any chance. Mossador also doesn't seem to understand the whole concept of justice. Danaerys doesn't decide criminals' fate; a trial must do that. Mossador thinks justice is when a ruler kills anyone in the ruler's way. Dany can't seem to get through to Mossador that justice is carrying out a verdict by trial. Her walk to Mossador's execution isn't a happy one.
Maybe we shouldn't execute a former slave surrounded by former slaves. Just sayin'.
Danaerys stoically reads out Mossador's crime, which he's already confessed to, meaning she doesn't have to try him. The former slaves call out to her as Mhysa, Mother, extending their hands to her, asking next for Mercy for their Brother. But, justice also means executing someone you actually had high hopes for. Everyone's going to have to learn that while vengeance is more immediately satisfying, only justice can create a society in which they can all live.
The scene is the opposite of Ned Stark's beheading. The crowd chants for the guilty to live; the queen really doesn't want to kill the guy; Daario doesn't wear a hood to do the deed. And, unlike Ned's beheading, the monarch doesn't stay and enjoy it; Danaerys has to flee almost as soon as the crowd starts hissing. She's more in danger of getting hurt while the old Masters and the former Slaves go at each other, barely held back by the Unsullied. A select group gets to use their shields to to cover Danaerys, and her Council as they flee back into the pyramid.
The day is a bust. The execution didn't resolve anything. Instead it's going to be open fighting between slaves angry about the past and masters angry about the future. With the Unsullied between them. The council meets up later that night, but Dany dismisses them when no solution to the city's great divisions comes up. Once alone, a shuffling from her quarters worries her enough that she checks it out. Alone. Seriously. This is the first rule of horror movies- don't check out strange noises alone. Especially not if your a pretty girl.
Though, once you hear the sound that's between a rumble and a purr, you know it's Drogon, come to hang out above Dany's private balcony. While the city struggles below, Dany sees the dragon named after the Khal she loved and lost. And, unlike Viserion and Rhaegal, Drogon doesn't seem mad at her. I guess being able to fly around as he wants has him in a good mood.
And, yes:
Though, once you hear the sound that's between a rumble and a purr, you know it's Drogon, come to hang out above Dany's private balcony. While the city struggles below, Dany sees the dragon named after the Khal she loved and lost. And, unlike Viserion and Rhaegal, Drogon doesn't seem mad at her. I guess being able to fly around as he wants has him in a good mood.
Hi Mom, can I do some laundry here?
And, yes:
This is set up to look like
This
Drogon, like King Kong, needs some patience for his leading lady. Kong allows himself to be reunited with his love. Drogon, though, after some skittishness, just can't reconnect. He's a free creature- he needs to spread his wings, lift off, and soar over the city and its surrounding countryside. He needs everywhere else to go. Dany can only watch him leave for who knows where. Is she wondering how she could ever have locked up her children?
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