This episode opens shortly after the previous one ended; Meera is dragging Bran through the snow and the White Walkers are approaching fast; suddenly an unidentified rider rescues them. It later becomes apparent that it is Bran's uncle Benjen Stark; it was assumed that he died long ago but he survived north of the wall and during that time learnt more about the White Walkers. Meanwhile Sam and Gilly arrive at his home; at first they are made to feel welcome but when his father returns the atmosphere turns frosty
then gets even colder when he learns that Gilly is a Wildling. In King's Landing Jaime and the Tyrell forces move to rescue Queen Margaery but are thwarted when it emerges that King Tommen and Margaery are now siding with High Sparrow. Elsewhere Walder Frey is determined to retake lands lost to 'Blackfish' Tully. Across the Narrow Sea Arya chooses not to kill the actress she was instructed to kill; something that will put her life in danger in the not too distant future. As Daenerys and her Dothraki march to Meereen she is reunited with one of her dragons and gives a stirring speech to her followers.
There may not be lots of action in this episode but that doesn't mean it is boring. The opening provides the episode's main action as well a serving to introduce a character we assumed was dead. The scenes at Sam's family home were suitably tense without any real sense of danger; Hannah Murray and John Bradley put in fine performances as Gilly and Sam. The events in King's Landing were intriguing and served to shake things up nicely as the balance of power shifted very suddenly. Arya's scenes were really good; they also mean that her character's development is going to change direction as she deliberately disobeys her instructions. Maisie Williams did a great job playing the role in a way that meant that her move was neither too obvious nor too surprising. We have seen Daenerys give plenty of stirring speeches to various followers over the years but they are still a great way to end an episode; especially when she is sat astride a massive dragon. Overall I really enjoyed this episode and look forward to seeing how things develop.
There may not be lots of action in this episode but that doesn't mean it is boring. The opening provides the episode's main action as well a serving to introduce a character we assumed was dead. The scenes at Sam's family home were suitably tense without any real sense of danger; Hannah Murray and John Bradley put in fine performances as Gilly and Sam. The events in King's Landing were intriguing and served to shake things up nicely as the balance of power shifted very suddenly. Arya's scenes were really good; they also mean that her character's development is going to change direction as she deliberately disobeys her instructions. Maisie Williams did a great job playing the role in a way that meant that her move was neither too obvious nor too surprising. We have seen Daenerys give plenty of stirring speeches to various followers over the years but they are still a great way to end an episode; especially when she is sat astride a massive dragon. Overall I really enjoyed this episode and look forward to seeing how things develop.