Game of Thrones Monday: Where the Wild Things Are

(WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for season 6, episode 7 of "Game of Thrones," so if you haven't watched it yet, please skip ahead to the collectibles. Now, on to our weekly recap).

This season, "Game of Thrones" has seen the return of several long-missing characters, such as Benjen Stark and Brynden "Blackfish" Tully. The trend continues this week, as fan favorite Sandor "The Hound" Clegane (played brilliantly by Rory McCann) returns to the series in the episode entitled "The Broken Man". That's right, folks, The Hound is back, which means things in Westeros are about to get that much more interesting. The last time we saw The Hound he had lost a neck-and-neck battle to the ever-impressive Brienne of Tarth, and his traveling companion, Arya Stark, had left him for dead. But, as we've learned, death does not come easily to the Clegane brothers. The Hound has taken up with a peaceful group that seems to be the Westerosi equivalent of a hippie commune. But the tribe, led by the charming Brother Ray (Ian McShane of "Deadwood"), proves too easygoing for its own good and is slaughtered by a band of marauders. All but The Hound, who is off during the attack and returns to find his newfound comrades murdered, including Brother Ray (only one episode for Ian McShane? Shame bell on you, HBO). The massacre obviously doesn't sit well with Sandor, and, despite the carnage, there is something very exciting about watching The Hound pick up a woodcutter's axe and head off. This is a raw, stripped down incarnation of Sandor Clegane -- one that is humbled, wiser, and, we expect, tougher than ever.

Rory McCann in "Game of Thrones"

Margaery Tyrell is playing the High Sparrow's game of righteousness and doing a dang good job at it, too (and the Oscar goes to...), but she is put in something of a corner when the Sparrow intimates that her grandmother, Olenna, aka the Queen of Thorns, will be in a cell like Margaery's brother, Loras, to atone for her sinful ways. The Sparrow doubles up on the creepiness when he tells Margaery, in so many words, that her and Tommen need to get to shagging so Tommen can have an heir and the icky union between the crown and the faith can continue. The conversation sets the table for two terrific scenes, both involving the Queen of Thorns. First Olenna meets with Margaery and her drab Nurse Ratched shadow (aka Septa Unella), urging Margaery to get her head on straight. But Margaery, whose cleverness has been evident since she first appeared on "Game of Thrones," continues the charade and slips her grandmother a note (a picture of a flower) as if to say: "Don't worry gram, I'm still me, but they can't know that."

As Olenna packs up for the Tyrell capital of Highgarden, she has a pleasant little conversation with Cersei. Olenna is one of the few people who can very bluntly put Cersei in her place and she does just that, essentially putting into words the very things we as viewers have thought about Cersei for six seasons now. Olenna lets Cersei have it, saying things like "I wonder if you're the worst person I've ever met" and "the truly vile do stand out." It's rewarding, in a way, though Cersei's comeuppance likely won't end with Olenna's brutally honest tongue-lashing.

Jon Snow, Sansa Stark and Ser Davos Seaworth are on their "The North Remembers" recruiting tour and not having much luck. Jon is able to convince the Wildlings to fight for him, thanks in no small part to help from Wildling warrior Tormund Gianstbane, who is fast proving to be one of Jon's most steadfast allies. And when the Wildling giant Wun Wun voices his support for Jon, the deal is sealed. But aside from a paltry 62 fighting men from House Mormont, Jon and Sansa can't muster the armies they had hoped for, prompting Sansa to write a note and send a raven. But where is she sending it too? Will Littlefinger come through with his promise of help from the Vale? Or perhaps Sansa is looking elsewhere? Time will tell.

Jaime Lannister, alongside Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, making his season 6 debut, arrives at Riverrun to find Brynden Tully and his army holed up in the castle while a handful of incompetent Freys threaten to hang his nephew, Edmure. Brynden won't back down and soon Jaime is asking for a parlay with The Blackfish. And while Jaime does his best to convince Brynden to surrender, The Blackfish again refuses to relent and lets Jaime know that he and his Tully army are equipped to hold the castle for years, should Jaime decide to attack. So we're set up for a showdown between Jaime's Lannister army and Brynden's Tully army, with Brienne of Tarth on her way to the battleground to complicate things a bit for The Kingslayer. We wonder when -- or if -- Jaime will realize he's fighting for the wrong side.

Theon and Yara Greyjoy make a pit stop at a lively brothel to fill up on lust and mead before heading out to Meereen in hopes of joining forces with Daenerys Targaryen. A sheepish Theon -- still reeling from his time as Reek -- is uncomfortable and out of place until Yara urges him to drink some ale. By the time he finishes his flagon, it appears Theon Greyjoy is officially back and Reek is in the rear view. Is Ramsay Bolton's influence truly gone, or is it just laying dormant? We'll hope for the former.

And finally, how about poor Arya? Just as she is ready to sail back to Westeros, The Waif strolls up masked as an old woman and stabs Arya a couple of times in the gut. Arya manages to hop into the waters of Braavos before The Waif can finish the job, but now the young Stark is wounded and alone in the streets of Braavos with a killer on her tail. This whole House of Black and White thing is looking like a big mistake on Arya's part. She doesn't seem any tougher than she was when we first met her in the halls of Winterfell and now a murderous cult wants her dead and she's no closer to eliminating the people left on her infamous list. Frankly, this storyline has been something of a dead end for Arya, though the show has three more episodes to right the ship. Tune in next week to see what happens. Now, on to more GOT collectibles.

The Hound figure, Dark Horse

The Hound figure by Dark Horse

This fantastic figure from Dark Horse presents Sandor Clegane with his classic look from the show and custom Hound helmet. The detailed figure can be found online or at your local comic shop.

Bronn Pop! Vinyl, Funko

Bronn Pop! Vinyl by Funko

Everyone's favorite surly swellsword gets the Pop! Vinyl treatment courtesy of Funko. Find Bronn online or at local shops.

Sword of Jaime Lannister, HBO

Sword of Jaime Lannister by HBO

This gorgeous replica of Jaime Lannister's sword is limited to 2,500 pieces and comes with a display plaque and certificate of authenticity. The blade -- intended strictly for adult collectors -- is available on the HBO Shop website.

See you all tomorrow as we get in the mood for Friday's fantasy release, "Warcraft."