The end of the season draws near, and things are ramping up in the Seven Kingdoms. In this week’s episode, we see the Hound returning to his former glory, Jaime’s cleverness in politics and warfare, and the end of the Braavos storyline.

Who Let the Dog’s Out?
The Hound is back at it again with the murder. Armed with only an axe, he pounces on four of the bandits that pillaged his peaceful community. He makes quick work of them and heads further down the road where he catches up with Lord Beric Dondarrion and the Brotherhood Without Banners, who are about to hang the remaining three men on his to-kill list. As a sign of goodwill, Beric allowed the Hound to execute two of the mutineers but only by hanging, not his usual methods of killing. The Brotherhood and the Hound share a meal and Lord Dondarrion attempts to recruit the Hound to fight for the Lord of Light.

Braavos
Last week, we left Arya full of holes as she walked the streets of Braavos. Lucky for her, saving Lady Crane’s life won her some favor with the actress, who took Arya home, patched her up, fed her, and gave her milk of the poppy to sleep. Arya wakes up to a thud, a violently murdered Lady Crane, and the Waif ready to kill her. In no shape to fight back, she jumps out the balcony and runs through the streets of Braavos, yet again, with a Terminator-like Waif hot on her heels. After bumping into numerous pedestrians, sneaking through a sauna, taking a three-story tumble, and knocking over about 19 fruit stands, Arya finally makes it back to the spot she hid her sword, Needle. Just as the two rivals are about to begin their fight to the death, Arya extinguishes the candle, and finally beats the Waif for the first time. Back at the House of Black and White, Arya holds a sword at Jaqen H’ghar’s chest, who says that she has finally become No One. Arya replies by saying that she is Arya Stark of Winterfell and that she was returning home; Jaqen faintly smiles as Arya leaves.

Meereen
Tyrion’s pact with the Red Priestess seems to be paying off and the city is back to its usual self. Varys says his goodbyes to Tyrion and embarks on a “secret mission,” prematurely breaking up a budding bromance. Tyrion seeks new companionship in Missandei and Grey Worm — he gives them some wine and laughs at their attempts at making jokes. This light-hearted moment was interrupted by the Masters of Slaver’s Bay attacking the city. Lucky for Tyrion, Missandei, and Grey Worm, Daenerys finally returns back to her kingdom with her dragon and army.

Riverrun
Blackfish is stubborn as ever and he doesn’t care his nephew is a prisoner, that the Lannister army is at his doorstep, or that Sansa is asking for his help via Brienne — he is not going to give up his ancestral home. Jaime Lannister finally defeats Blackfish by threatening Edmure’s wife and infant son then letting him free. Edmure’s claim to Riverrun is genealogically than his, so Blackfish is forced to step aside as he walks in, takes over, and then promptly surrenders to the Lannister-Frey army. Blackfish died as he lived — proud and fighting to the end.

Oops, Our Bad
To our dismay, it looks like Cleganebowl won’t be happening. In the short amount of time spent in King’s Landing this episode, Tommen issued a royal decree that trial by combat will no longer be allowed (which was probably a smart move on the High Sparrow’s part as we saw how easily the Mountain ripped off a man’s head with his bare hands).

Thoughts and Predictions

  • Cleganebowl seems to be canceled, but there is still a chance of the Hound joining the Brotherhood, whose original orders were to bring the Mountain to justice.
  • The “rumor” that Cersei and Qyburn were talking about could be about the wildfire the Mad King supposedly kept under the Sept.
  • Jaime’s, “the things I do for love” is a reference to season one, when Bran finds the Lannister twins in coitus.
  • Jaqen looked surprisingly happy and proud that Arya had reclaimed her name and title. Could it be that he knew all along about her true motives and trained her regardless?

xx, The FabFitFun Team