WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS FOR GAME OF THRONES SEASON 7-EPISODE 4.
A girl comes home, another Stark arrived in Winterfell
The homecoming we'd all been waiting for! just as the episode 4 trailer suggested, Arya finally got home, rather uneventfully I might add, for some reason I didn't think it'd be that easy, the words of The Hound reverberating in my head 'You're scared cause you're almost there and you're scared you wont make it' something he said to Arya on her way to the Twins for the Red wedding back in Season 3, a trend which continued when they were turned back at the gates of the Vale in Season 4, safety just seemed out of reach for Arya Stark, but who said everything in life had to be hard eh? It was a pivotal moment for House Stark as the three (3) last true-born children of Ned Stark were in their ancestral home again (The first time since Season 1, Episode 1), although it didn't quite pan out to reach the emotional crescendo I expected, Arya's meeting with Sansa first and then Bran, felt quite underwhelming to be honest (more for Sansa than Bran) not even the solemn House Stark theme was played to tear jerk us. The Stark children have all tread different, but dark paths to get back home, and although Sansa and Arya's relationship was never a candidate for sisters of the year, it felt quite odd to see how it played out, after all they both thought the other was dead and should have been quite excited to see the other. Bran's meeting with Arya went far better than his with Sansa, being way less creepy and him even gifting her with the Valyrian dagger that was to be his demise, but just as Sansa pointed out, lets hope Arya and Jon's Reunion tops that of Jon and Sansa, they were after all the closest siblings. It would also be keen to point out how horribly guarded Winterfell currently is, for a castle that has been razed, repaired and laid siege to, the security is quite not what it should. If that was my Castle I'd stage a garrison every 10 fucking yards!
Arya I, First of her name, The Bad Ass of Winterfell...
Another highlight of the episode and a little moment of fan service was when we got to see how well trained Arya had become when she sparred with Big Brienne. Up till now we hadn't really seen how capable (not to mention graceful) she was with Needle, the closest glimpses we got in the series thus far being when she sliced off a pigeons head back in Braavos (Season 5) and when she sliced the candle to cover the room in darkness when she fought the Waif. (Season 6). She proved to be almost a match for the gargantuan Brienne while doing so with panache, girl be looking like some kinda Ninja assassin! Syrio Forel would be damn proud. You'd think Sansa would be just as awed and happy that her sister can kick butt, however she appeared to sulk and give that stupid face that reminded us why we hated her so much in Season one, much to Littlefinger's hidden delight. Speaking of Littlefinger...
What is he really up to?
it seems the show is moving faster than Petyr Baelish can think, he seems left out now that there are much bigger problems to be concerned with, but with his obsession of Sansa and his inclination for plotting and scheming, the self proclaimed promoter of chaos can't be counted out just yet, what is his real motive for gifting Brann with his Valryian dagger, might he be planning to sow a seed of discord among the Starks?
In case you missed it, during their scene Bran abruptly cuts Baelish saying 'Chaos is a Ladder', mirroring Littelfinger's own very words to Varys in Season 3, episode 6 where he told the Eunuch; "Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again, The fall breaks them, and some are given a chance to climb, but they refuse, they cling to the realm or the gods or love. Illusions, Only the ladder is real, The climb is all there is." my best quote of the series thus far.
Jon is getting his Dragon ass...I mean Dragon glass
Contrary to the subheading, I'm one of the few who doesn't want to see Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen hook up, it just seems super forced and quite unimaginative if the producers were to go in that direction in my opinion. Episode four (4) gave us a little hint of what they may be doing with these characters as the show progresses, a 'chemistry' is beginning to build between the two, after Jon shows Daenerys the cave paintings of the Children of the Woods and reiterates that they must fight the Walkers together, she motions towards him almost seductively, attempting to sway his mind about bending the knee, also on the beach Daenerys asks for Jon's opinion over Tyrion (more on him later), Varys and Missandei, and then there's the part where Davos tells Jon 'I've noticed you staring at a good heart' Its annoying that we're being force-fed this probable romance. I may be wrong but, it would be hard to deny the signs.
His reunion with Theon on the shores of Dragonstone was quite more civil than expected, I thought he'd at least reintroduce his fists to Theon's face, you know, get a few good shots in before he'd be held back, Theon might be a changed man now but he did betray Robb Stark, a painful betrayal which played a significant role in the unfortunate events leading to Jon's predecessor's death.
His reunion with Theon on the shores of Dragonstone was quite more civil than expected, I thought he'd at least reintroduce his fists to Theon's face, you know, get a few good shots in before he'd be held back, Theon might be a changed man now but he did betray Robb Stark, a painful betrayal which played a significant role in the unfortunate events leading to Jon's predecessor's death.
Tyrion, An Inside man?
As expected, following the fiasco which Tyrion's strategy to take Westeros has become, the news of the stranded Unsullied army and Euron's attack on what was left of the Greyjoy fleet didn't go so well with Daenerys, with her allies gone, she is losing the war and doesn't like it very much, even going as far as accusing Tyrion of internal sabotage when she corrects him 'My enemies...or your family? perhaps you don't want to hurt them' and further undermines him when she discards his advice and asks for King Jon's opinion. Dany's tirade on her hand was unexpected and perhaps uncalled for, but it certainly raises the question, is Tyrion prepared to see Jamie and Cersei die while fighting against Daenerys? A dilemma for the ages; He is certainly not a cruel or sadistic man and clearly still loves his brother (Cersei probably a lot less). Jamie had always stood up for him when no one else did, and Tyrion even owes him his life after Jamie freed him from the Dungeons of Kings Landing to avoid certain death. A glimpse of this brotherly love is shown at the later battle when Tyrion murmurs to Jamie under his breath to flee. Tyrion's inevitable reunion with his family member(s) would certainly be one to watch, and it may happen soon, assuming Jamie is taken prisoner, will Tyrion repay a similar debt?
As expected, following the fiasco which Tyrion's strategy to take Westeros has become, the news of the stranded Unsullied army and Euron's attack on what was left of the Greyjoy fleet didn't go so well with Daenerys, with her allies gone, she is losing the war and doesn't like it very much, even going as far as accusing Tyrion of internal sabotage when she corrects him 'My enemies...or your family? perhaps you don't want to hurt them' and further undermines him when she discards his advice and asks for King Jon's opinion. Dany's tirade on her hand was unexpected and perhaps uncalled for, but it certainly raises the question, is Tyrion prepared to see Jamie and Cersei die while fighting against Daenerys? A dilemma for the ages; He is certainly not a cruel or sadistic man and clearly still loves his brother (Cersei probably a lot less). Jamie had always stood up for him when no one else did, and Tyrion even owes him his life after Jamie freed him from the Dungeons of Kings Landing to avoid certain death. A glimpse of this brotherly love is shown at the later battle when Tyrion murmurs to Jamie under his breath to flee. Tyrion's inevitable reunion with his family member(s) would certainly be one to watch, and it may happen soon, assuming Jamie is taken prisoner, will Tyrion repay a similar debt?
Meera Reed departs from Winterfell
After spending 5 grueling seasons at Bran's side, Meera Reed left Winterfell for Greywater Watch; her home, telling Bran that he was safe now and she had to be with her family when the Walkers come, but the concept of a sentimental farewell was lost on the Greenseer, telling her a casual 'goodbye' to Meera's disappointment, 'you died in that cave' she said before taking her leave. This Three Eyed Raven business is as stoic as it is depressing.
The Spoils of War...and a Dragon
The highlight of Episode 4 was without a doubt the awesome battle which took place in the last 15 minutes, as The Lannister Army is ambushed by Dany's Doththraki and....wait for it....Drogon!!! Daenerys has pretty much been restrained from using her Dragons to attack King's Landing and win the war in one powerful strike much to her chagrin, however nobody said she couldn't use them on Lannister armies on an open field, and that's just what she did. The weary Lannister army marching back to Kings Landing after their victory at Highgarden are caught unawares by the Dothraki horde and Dany riding Drogon. Its anything but a fair fight as Drogon gloriously incinerates the Lannister armies with dragon fire akin to spraying bugs with bug spray, while the battle-skilled Dothraki routed whatever brave or foolish soldiers were left standing. The Lannisters will however find solace in the knowledge that their dragon spears are at least effective, after Bronn was able to injure the Dragon after shooting its arm? wing? not sure about the anatomy of Dragons, but you know what I mean. Jamie Lannister attempts to drive a spear through Daenerys while she tries to yank the spear out of Drogon when he is grounded, however he is only saved from certain death (by Bronn? just die already!) after this foolhardy move lands him right in front of Drogon's line of fire, the episode ends as we watch Jamie sink to the bottom of the river, with all that Armour and his golden hand weighing him down he'll certainly be needing some help. My bet is he'll be taken prisoner by the Dothraki, won't that lead to a very interesting position for Daenerys and Tyrion?
On the plus side for the Lannisters though, Randall Tarly specifically states to Jamie and Bronn right before the battle, that the confiscated loot from Highgarden had passed the gates to Kings Landing. It's safe to assume that the Lannisters will be repaying their debts.
After spending 5 grueling seasons at Bran's side, Meera Reed left Winterfell for Greywater Watch; her home, telling Bran that he was safe now and she had to be with her family when the Walkers come, but the concept of a sentimental farewell was lost on the Greenseer, telling her a casual 'goodbye' to Meera's disappointment, 'you died in that cave' she said before taking her leave. This Three Eyed Raven business is as stoic as it is depressing.
The Spoils of War...and a Dragon
The highlight of Episode 4 was without a doubt the awesome battle which took place in the last 15 minutes, as The Lannister Army is ambushed by Dany's Doththraki and....wait for it....Drogon!!! Daenerys has pretty much been restrained from using her Dragons to attack King's Landing and win the war in one powerful strike much to her chagrin, however nobody said she couldn't use them on Lannister armies on an open field, and that's just what she did. The weary Lannister army marching back to Kings Landing after their victory at Highgarden are caught unawares by the Dothraki horde and Dany riding Drogon. Its anything but a fair fight as Drogon gloriously incinerates the Lannister armies with dragon fire akin to spraying bugs with bug spray, while the battle-skilled Dothraki routed whatever brave or foolish soldiers were left standing. The Lannisters will however find solace in the knowledge that their dragon spears are at least effective, after Bronn was able to injure the Dragon after shooting its arm? wing? not sure about the anatomy of Dragons, but you know what I mean. Jamie Lannister attempts to drive a spear through Daenerys while she tries to yank the spear out of Drogon when he is grounded, however he is only saved from certain death (by Bronn? just die already!) after this foolhardy move lands him right in front of Drogon's line of fire, the episode ends as we watch Jamie sink to the bottom of the river, with all that Armour and his golden hand weighing him down he'll certainly be needing some help. My bet is he'll be taken prisoner by the Dothraki, won't that lead to a very interesting position for Daenerys and Tyrion?
On the plus side for the Lannisters though, Randall Tarly specifically states to Jamie and Bronn right before the battle, that the confiscated loot from Highgarden had passed the gates to Kings Landing. It's safe to assume that the Lannisters will be repaying their debts.
Episode round up: Dracarys!
With a pacy setting this season, every episode so far just seems to outdo the one before it; to the viewers delight, lets hope the trend continues. Arya is back home and Littlefinger will know that He's fast becoming outnumbered by Wolves at Winterfell, but he is a master schemer so it would be interesting to see his next steps. Cersei will get her gold to pay the iron bank despite Daenerys' late intervention, however the Targaryen does score a win, for hitting the Lannister Army hard while proving the existence of her Dragons and the power that she yields, a fierce and aggressive move by the Mother of Dragons although I can't understand how Daenerys rides her Dragons unprotected, It would be wise for her to invest in some Armour for herself and her children, since its evident now more than ever that 'it only takes one arrow'. it looks like she'll be doing quite more of that in Episode 5 - Eastwatch, also the White Walkers have seemingly arrived at Eastwatch; one of the castles along The Wall.
With a pacy setting this season, every episode so far just seems to outdo the one before it; to the viewers delight, lets hope the trend continues. Arya is back home and Littlefinger will know that He's fast becoming outnumbered by Wolves at Winterfell, but he is a master schemer so it would be interesting to see his next steps. Cersei will get her gold to pay the iron bank despite Daenerys' late intervention, however the Targaryen does score a win, for hitting the Lannister Army hard while proving the existence of her Dragons and the power that she yields, a fierce and aggressive move by the Mother of Dragons although I can't understand how Daenerys rides her Dragons unprotected, It would be wise for her to invest in some Armour for herself and her children, since its evident now more than ever that 'it only takes one arrow'. it looks like she'll be doing quite more of that in Episode 5 - Eastwatch, also the White Walkers have seemingly arrived at Eastwatch; one of the castles along The Wall.
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