In King's Landing, the Iron Bank representative, Tycho, is meeting with Cersei. He is both pleased and a little irritated that Cersei intends to pay the debt back in full in one payment. The Iron Bank likes interest payments because that's where the profit is. Still they want their money back. They will be be pleased to work with Cersei on all sorts of future projects just as soon as they have their money back. Cersei has sent Qyburn to inquire about hiring the Golden Company, a famous mercenary group with former links to Westeros.
Brienne and Podrick watch the Stark sibling reunion as does Littlefinger. Podrick says that Lady Stark (Catelyn) would be proud. Brienne is self-effacing (correctly) and points out that she had nothing to do with it. Littlefinger is inscrutable.
Later on Davos and Jon are discussing things. More precisely an amused Davos is telling Jon that he's noticed Jon giving Daenerys the once over. Davos says that nobody has time for that sort of thing right this minute. Jon says no need to worry about that. He has more important things on his mind than THAT. They happen upon Missandei who is intrigued by Jon's bastard status and last name. Missandei says that she serves Daenerys by choice and could leave any time she wanted, something of which Jon and Davos are skeptical. Theon reaches Dragonstone in his ship or more precisely in his longboat. Theon explains that he came back to get help from Daenerys. There is a long staredown between the foster brothers. Jon breaks out of his mopey emo state and falls back into King of the North/Lord Commander mode. He grabs Theon and explains that Theon's rescue of Sansa is the only reason Jon is letting Theon live. But anyway Daenerys is no longer at Dragonstone.
Brienne points out that Arya can't possibly use a rapier against Brienne's broadsword and armor but Arya coolly replies that she will promise not to hurt Brienne. And then it's on. What Arya lacks in mass and strength she makes up for in speed and agility. She is able to dodge most of Brienne's lumbering attacks and launch her own, from positions that Brienne didn't expect. During the fight it becomes very apparent to Brienne that Arya is much more than she seems. Podrick, Sansa and Littlefinger watch in silent awe. Eventually the duel ends in a draw. When Brienne asks who taught Arya those moves Arya responds "No one."
Jaime orders the archers to take Drogon out but the arrows bounce off harmlessly. And then Drogon incinerates the archers. In fact just as you can say "Hulk SMASH!" you can say "Drogon BURN!". It's what he does. The line breaks. The Dothraki sweep thru the Westerosi like a German army thru France in 1940. Tyrion watches this with what appears to be somewhat mixed emotions. In somewhat bad taste one of his Dothraki bodyguards tells Tyrion that his Westerosi people can't fight for s***. Well maybe, maybe not. Getting burned alive from a distance doesn't really allow for a fair test of martial abilities does it. Also in real life horses usually won't make direct charges against massed men armed with sharp implements of death. You wouldn't run into a wall either would you? I guess we can explain this by the crumbling of the line from the aerial fire attacks and the fact that most of the lines were only two or three men deep.
But Jaime has noticed. He picks up a lance and makes one last run at Daenerys, determined to take her out. Daenerys doesn't see him. But Drogon does. He's not going to let anyone backstab his Mommy. He opens his mouth to burn Jaime to a crispy crust. And at the very last minute Bronn knocks Jaime off his horse. They fall into the lake. It looks like Jaime, weighed down by his armor is sinking and drowning.
What I liked
- The Arya/Brienne duel was very reminiscent of a certain Mr. Inigo Montoya. There were a few moves that seemed almost directly lifted from The Princess Bride. Loved this duel. And I also liked what seemed like Littlefinger's and Sansa's discomfort watching Arya though it was almost certainly for different reasons. I can't wait until Arya and Sansa and Bran all compare notes about Littlefinger.
- The battle at the end of the episode. The dragon.
- Jaime's bravery. Whatever else he is no one ever said he didn't have guts.
- Tyrion's mostly unspoken worry that Daenerys is becoming too similar to her father.
- Hopefully Littlefinger's realization that he can't play Bran.
- The awkwardness and pathos of the Stark sibling reunion.
- Pacing of this episode was very good. Things moved. No low points.
- Did I mention the Arya/Brienne duel? Did I? Did I?
- Dickon giving us a realistic exposition about war. It stinks. Killing is not fun.
- Arya asking if she will have to call Sansa Lady Stark.
- Daenerys' self-centered expectation that everyone should bend the knee to her.
What I didn't like
- Bronn should be dead. You can't just avoid a living flamethrower by rolling off the wagon that was just firebombed. And fire sucks out the oxygen in an area. Even if he wasn't burned alive Bronn should have suffocated.
- I know that the writers are wrapping things up but I am getting a little weary of teleporting armies and navies. Dragonstone is an island. You can't get from there to the mainland without someone noticing. Riders and ravens would have been sent. One week Jaime is smart enough to fake out Tyrion and Daenerys but the next he doesn't have any outriders or scouts telling him that there's a biga$$ Dothraki army that's headed his way?