As you watched the fourth episode of what has so far been a painstakingly slow season of Game of Thrones, you may have come to expect this episode would be like the three that came before: in other words, slow and uneventful. You would be mostly right. Not a whole lot goes on this episode...unless you count the end.
Major Spoilers Ahead! Turn Back Now!
And boy, what an ending it was. Not one, but two, major characters may have just kicked the bucket. The Sons of the Harpy choose the beginning of the traditional Meereen fighting pit season to send a message to Dany and her supporters. This being Game of Thrones, you can probably expect the kind of message they sent. No, not a heartfelt letter of grievances. This was a message spelled out in the blood of innocent men, women and Dany's Unsullied.
This would all be bad enough if Grey Worm didn't happen to be among the Unsullied ambushed by dozens of Harpy warriors. One by one the Unsullied are cut down until only Grey Worm remains. Just as the end is nigh for Grey Worm, none other than Ser Barristan Selmy himself arrives to fight off the attackers. Selmy is one of the greatest knights to have ever lived, so it was great to see him cut through man after man.
What wasn't so great was watching him eventually be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Though the two men do manage to defeat all the Sons of the Harpy, each sustained a number of wounds. We see Grey Worm and Barristan collapse in a pool of their own blood before the episode cuts to black.
Are they for sure dead? Hard to say, but it definitely came as a shock for book readers, as both characters are still among the living in Martin's novels. Across the sea back in Westeros, things continued to move at their near glacial pace. Jon Snow almost got raped (seriously) by Melisandre. Stannis gave his daughter a hug and proved he isn't a total jerk like everybody thinks he is. Littlefinger leaves Sansa alone at Winterfell, but only after kissing her.
Jaime and Bronn finally arrived in Dorne, where they quickly got into trouble and had to defend themselves. Turns out Jaime's metal hand is good for something after all, using it to catch his opponents sword.
While on the subject of Dorne, we also get around to meeting Oberyn's daughters, the Sand Snakes. Their introduction isn't quite as impactful as it feels like it should have been, but they definitely aren't women to be trifled with. While Prince Doran won't start a war over Oberyn's death, these ladies seem to have no problem with throwing Westeros into chaos once more.
Speaking of chaos, that is exactly what is happening in King's Landing. Cersei reforms the long disbanded Faith Militant to "protect" the faith of the Seven. What that actually means is Cersei gave a bunch of religious zealots' weapons and said it is perfectly fine for them to go around arresting/beating/murdering people for their sins. Among those targeted is Loras Tyrell, imprisoned for his love of men.
That doesn't go over too well with Margaery, who pleads with King Tommen to have her brother released. But when confronted with the threat of violence, Tommen proves quite the opposite of his deceased brother Joffrey. Instead of hacking the Faith Militant to bits, he simply walks away and attempts to find another way to have Loras released. A noble effort to be sure, but in this case violence seems totally justified. After all, these pricks just told the King to shove off.
Oh, and Tyrion? He's on a boat. Read on for our weekly awards.
Headshot! - Obara Sand
One throw, one kill.
No Means No - Jon
Melisandre, what are you doing. Melisandre, stop.
Mind Reader - Tyrion
Tyrion doesn't just guess, Tyrion actually knows just about everything that has happened to Jorah over the past four seasons. Jorah is not pleased.
The "Do You Know Who I Am?" Award - Tommen
I think they do. They just don't care.
Worst Place To Work - Littlefinger's Brothel
It seems like every other day Littlefinger's whorehouse is being raided by one group or another. It's amazing the place is still in business.
Best Catch - Jaime
Metal hands aren't so useless after all.
Most Epic Moment - Barristan Going To Town On Fools
He may be old, but he can still kick some serious butt. At least, until he died. Maybe. Maybe he died. He looks dead.
See you next week!
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