Episode 5 of Game of Thrones Season 7 aired Monday and whilst it probably didn’t have the epic action packed scenes as in episode 4, it still managed to deliver some large plot enhancements as we build-up to the penultimate episode of this season. Let’s get into it then shall we?

We start off seeing what we all probably all predicted and that was a safe and well Jaime Lannister, pulled out of the river by fan favourite Bronn. I’d like to just stick on Bronn quickly as I don’t think he gets enough praise as he should in my reviews. The portrayal of Bronn by Jerome Flynn is up there with the best in the entire series. For me there’s some fantastic actors in the show but Bronn as a character is executed perfectly by Flynn and I predict the directors originally planned to have him killed off a long time ago, but I can understand why they’re desperate to keep him in the show. I have no doubt he will die, and my prediction is this season, but he, like Lady Olenna, has been one of my favourites to watch over the years.
Anyway, the two escape with their lives as we see this great shot of Tryion walking across the ash-ridden battlefield looking around at the destruction left behind by Drogon’s flames. As mentioned in my last review, you get a real sense of doubt within Tyrion, after all these are his men, Lannister men and it’s only natural that Tyrion would feel an element of regret within him. He makes it to Dany, where she has all the remaining Lannister soldiers lined up in front of a menacing and towering Drogon. Dany informs them that Cersei is wrong about her and she is the rightful Queen of Westeros, she requests they bend the knee or die. Dany’s angry and bewildered reactions to people not bending the knee to her are somewhat strange, I mean what does she expect? She’s a foreign invader who’s most memorable connection in Westeros is her father, the Mad King, who went crazy and tried to burn down the whole of King’s Landing. But her request is simple, put aside your honour, or die.
The majority of Lannister men do bend the knee out of fear, but still standing is the hardened Randyll Tarly and his son Dickon. Dany beckons Randyll forward and asks why, to which he explains she is an impostor and despite what Cersei has done, she is his Queen. Dany stays true to her word and sentences him and Dickon (after he also protests), to death. Tyrion questions her logic here and he’s right, “what I say or death” is not a great way to rule, I mean let’s face it, that was Joffrey’s method too, right? Tyrion sees that this sort of reckless action may come back to haunt Dany but she refuses to listen and one breath of Dracarys has Drogon burning the men and Tarly name to ashes. Needless to say, this does ensure the remaining Lannisters bend the knee.

Dany demands that the remaining Lannister army bend the knee to her.

Back at King’s Landing, after weeks of travel Jaime makes it back home and goes straight to see Cersei. Her first question is “how many men did we lose?”. Clearly not a lot of affection sits between these two any more and if it does it’s definitely a more one-sided affair. Jaime explains that they won’t win the war but Cersei feels differently knowing she has the Bank of Braavos backing her. Jaime also drops the bomb about Olenna’s confession to killing Joffrey, which actually with all things considered, Cersei takes quite well.
Later in the episode Cersei also confesses to Jaime that she’s pregnant with his child. This is after she confesses that she knew about his secret meeting with Tyrion (which we’ll come back to). Jaime is starting to doubt Cersei, he’s starting to disagree with her and withhold information from her, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the baby is actually a lie from Cersei to get him back onside. Despite her loss of feelings for him, she still loves him and still needs him. Cersei explains that she knew it was Bronn who setup the meeting with Tyrion and asks if Jaime plans to punish him, before telling him not to betray her again; a passing comment but I do suspect there might be repercussions for Bronn here. Of course I could be wrong, but Cersei doesn’t take people within her reach not giving her information kindly; so watch this space.

In the same time it took for Jaime to make it back home to King’s Landing, Dany arrives atop Drogon at Dragonstone and we’re given a fantastic scene introducing both Drogon and Jon to each other. Drogon is terrifying and the way he runs towards Jon as he lands you see genuine fear in Jon’s eyes and too right too, this thing is fucking massive. Anyway here we’re given yet another hint that Jon has Targaryen blood in him, as Drogon seems to calm down as Jon approaches and touches him. The idea that Jon is a true Targaryen is becoming very clear now and I recommend you check out our blog hinting at even more reasons that this is the case.
Jon doesn’t approve of the way Dany handled the Lannister convoy and isn’t afraid to admit it and they both have to agree to disagree. They’re interrupted by a member of the Dothraki who usher a long lost friend of Dany’s back to her, Jorah Mormont. You’ll remember that Dany sent Jorah away in Season 5 to find a cure for his Greyscale and now he’s back and fighting fit, he has returned to her. Another great reunion given to us this season.

Drogon squares up to Jon before being calmed by his presence.

Back at Winterfell we see Bran take control of a flock of Ravens who he ushers over the Wall deep North. He comes across the dead army marching towards Eastwatch and before he can get any more insight, the Night King seems to spot him. Quite what the Night King is able to do with Bran is unclear, but remember that mark he gave him in Season 6? Perhaps he can use this to see where Bran is and sense him when he’s close by. Bran realises that they are close and orders Maester Wolkan to send ravens south to inform Jon that the dead are marching on Eastwatch, just like The Hound saw in the flames earlier this season.
The role of Bran has been quite mellow thus far this season and I think there’s lots in store for him. Each time we see him he’s improving his powers and seeing more past and future in his dreams. The idea that Bran may one day Warg into a dragon is a personal theory of mine and I would love to see this. I predict that eventually Dany will ride Drogon, Jon will mount Rhaegal and Bran will mount Viserion through his warging gift. Now what a dream team that would be!

At the Citadel the high council discuss the scrolls they have received and on the agenda is a scroll sent by Bran from Winterfell informing them of exactly what we’ve just discussed. The maesters of course dismiss this, but not entirely, as Sam interrupts and explains that it’s true and he has seen the army of the dead himself. Archmaester Embrose isn’t as quick to judge as his fellow maesters and assures Sam that they will try to get to the bottom of the truth of the matter, which Sam correctly believes will take too long. Sam expresses to the council that the realm will rally to the North if the maesters of the Citadel express their concerns, but the frustration for Sam is their lack of belief. When Sam leaves the masters discuss the death of Sam’s father and brother Randyll and Dickon Tarly, as Embrose admits he hasn’t yet had the heart to tell Sam.
That evening Sam and Gilly continue to read through their books and clash as Sam’s anger gets the best of him due to his run-in with the disbelieving maesters. He decides that sitting around reading is not going to help and makes a decision to steal a many restricted books as he can and leave the Citadel. He takes Gilly and little Sam with him, but quite where they’re heading is unclear for now. It’s also worth pointing out that Sam leaves not knowing what happened to his father in the battle with Dany and the Dothraki. I’m not sure Sam would be too fussed however, given that Randyll was always cruel to Sam as a child and is the reason he ended up in the Night’s Watch in the first place.
I also want to mention that during this scene there is yet again a subtle yet giant node to Jon’s Targaryen heritage, which was definitely a “blink and you miss it” moment. If you didn’t get a chance to read my blog yesterday dedicated to it, you’ll know what I’m talking about. And if you didn’t head over there now, it really is an amazing reveal.

At Dragonstone, Dany, her council, Jon and Davos deliberate over the scroll Jon received from Bran. Not only does Jon find out that Bran and Arya are actually alive in this scene, but also that the Night King is marching on Eastwatch as they speak. He knows he doesn’t have enough men to stop them and also that Dany is not yet ready to leave her conquest of the seven Kingdoms to help him, but Tyrion has a plan. Tyrion suggests having Ser Davos smuggle him into King’s Landing so he can discuss a plan with the only person Cersei might listen to, his brother Jaime. He proposes a truce between the Lannisters and Dany’s army whilst they fight the true fight North of the Wall, but also understands that Cersei will laugh off any suggestion of an army of dead men; so whilst he tries to convince Jaime he proposes somebody head North and capture a Wight to bring to the current Queen of Westeros’ table. Surely this will be enough to convince Cersei that he wars are nothing compared to losing everything?
I mean, this seems like a pretty solid plan, but didn’t Dany declare “enough of the clever plans” a few episodes ago, when Tyrion’s assault on Casterly Rock went so badly wrong? Another Tyrion plan doesn’t exactly sound like it’ll be full proof. Jorah puts himself forward as the man to bring the Wight to Cersei but Jon rightly fears the Wildlings won’t follow him and therefore will also have to go along himself. All involved reluctantly agree that it’s probably the only choice they have and Dany allows Jon to leave.

Brand is marked by the Night King, connecting them in some way. I predict there’s much more to come from this.

Meanwhile in the snowy terrain of the North, Sansa struggles to keep the Northmen happy. They’re all extremely frustrated that Jon has abandoned them and believe they made the wrong choice backing him and not Sansa. Sansa manages to keep them onside, and on her way back to her bed chamber (which was Cat and Ned’s bed chamber) has her loyalty questioned by Arya. Arya really does give some stick to Sansa here and a lot of it is probably a little unfair, but definitely a hint that Sansa could have a power hungry need inside of her, building up; after all she has spent her young years being manipulated and mentally tortured by one of the most power hungry women in all of Westeros, Cersei.
With her suspicions heightened Arya embarks on her own personal mission to find out what it is Littlefinger is plotting and makes an extremely big discovery whilst following him. To better explain this I really would recommend heading over to read my blog on what exactly it was that Arya found. It’s a big discovery and for me I felt it deserved it’s own blog, as there’s lots involved.

Ser Davos and Tyrion arrive at King’s Landing and Tyrion quickly makes his way to the dungeons, where it seems presumably Varys made a deal with Bronn to arrange Jaime to be there; a meeting which may end up having Bronn killed. This is the first time the two brothers have seen each other since Season 4 where Jaime helped Tyrion escape. Jaime has always had affection for Tyrion and despite all the hatred and guilt within their family, they have both always loved each other as brothers. Jaime however, did not plan for Tyrion to detour to the Tower of the Hand during his escape and murder their father Tywin, so is justifiably angry at his brother’s betrayal. He puts his anger aside (not for the first time this season) to hear Tyrion out, who explains that Dany wants to meet with Cersei and discuss a truce. For me this scene was ever so slightly rushed and that was a real shame to be honest, as this particularly reunion was one of was extremely excited to see, but to be honest both actors played it very well.
Jaime with this fresh piece of information approaches Cersei in her bed chamber but to his astonishment, but probably not too shocking realisation, discovers that she already knew about. Cersei you’ll remember had Qyburn round up Varys’ little birds (child spies) when he left, so I wouldn’t have thought that anything would happen in King’s Landing without Cersei knowing about it first. The restraint shown by Cersei here is not to be understated. She’s wanted Tyrion’s head for years after believing he killed Joffrey and Tywin, but decides to put all that aside to hear what it is he has to say. Killing Tyrion now would only make the current situation she’s in worse, and she knows to beat Dany she will have to play it extremely smart. A very un-Cersei move but a respectable one. What happens now, I’m unsure, perhaps she’ll call a truce whilst she works to accumulate her sellswords in Essos, but if Jorah does manage to lay a Wight down in front of her, this is could be a game changer.
Sticking in King’s Landing, Davos searches Flea Bottom for Gendry, who he does’t know, but believes to be living here. It’s quite the punt, but he gets it spot on and finds Gendry ironically working the same trade he left way back in Season 1, under the Queen’s nose. Gendry you’ll recall has had quite the journey, born a bastard of King Robert, saved and ushered to escape by Ned, caught and taken prisoner at Harrenhal, taken captive by the Brotherhood Without Banners, sold by the Brotherhood to Melisandre, sentenced to death by Melisandre for a King’s blood ritual, broken free and released by Davos and rowed himself back to King’s Landing… wow. In fact there was a great nod from the writers to the countless memes generated by fans of the show suggesting that Gendry had been rowing since Season 3 when he escaped Dragonstone. Davos’ line “I thought you might still be rowing” was delivered expertly.
Anyway, Davos recruits Gendry who takes no time in making the decision to go with him back to Jon. He brings with him a warhammer which is a great nod to his father King Robert who famously carried a warhammer into battle with him. My original prediction would be that Gendry would become the master smith to create the weapons out of dragonglass for Jon, but it seems that the show has other ideas for him, which we’ll come to.
Gendry, Davos and Tyrion leave King’s Landing before nearly being caught by Goldcloaks and here we see Gendry in action with his warhammer, an awesome tense scene which was actually my favourite in the episode. Gendry can handle himself and I can’t wait to see him fight the Wights with that thing, with lots of homages to King Robert.

Enough said.

The final few scenes see us transported to Eastwatch, the most eastern castle of the wall, where the Walkers plan to attack. After deciding to bring Gendry for the ride, Jon discusses what he plans to do with the ever hilarious Tormond. Tormond decides he will help Jon in bringing this Wight south of the wall before explaining they picked up a few prisoners trying to get North of the Wall themselves. When Tormond leads Jon to these prisoners, we discover it to be the brotherhood; The Hound, Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion to be precise. All three convince Jon to let them come along for the ride, their motive being that the Lord of Light has sent them and Jon decides that they all have one thing in common, that they’re all breathing. Now there’s a few grudges here, one being the Brotherhood, who sold Gendry for gold to Stannis and Melisandre and the other being Tormond and Jorah, Jorah who’s father Joer Mormont hunted Wildlings beyond the wall for years. It’s nice to see these group put their differences aside to deal with the common enemy and will hopefully be a springboard for the seven Kingdoms to do the same.

So there we have it; the magnificent seven comprising of Jon, Tormond, Jorah, Thoros, Beric, The Hound and Gendry all end the episode leaving the gates of the Wall and heading straight for winter itself. It seems like a suicide mission and I suspect the for the majority of these characters it will be exactly that. My predictions are that we’ll lose at least half of these men for the greater good and it pains me to even see us lose one of them, so prepare the tissues.

Let us know your thoughts on the episode and your death predictions for Jon’s suicide squad, we’d love to hear them! And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out Danny’s awesome Dungeons and Dragon-esc character sheets he’s created for each of Jon’s hit squad, they are amazing!

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