A long-lost and nearly forgotten character makes his triumphant return this week when Bran Stark and Meera Reed are rescued from an attacking horde of White Walkers by a masked man on horseback. The man in question turns out to be none other than Bran's uncle, Benjen Stark, who had gone missing north of the Wall way back in season 1. Benjen's timely reappearance -- looking mysterious and dangerous with his cloak and fire-tipped whip chain -- was good news for Bran and Meera, who looked to be overwhelmed by the Walkers after having just lost two stalwart companions in Hodor and the direwolf, Summer. Early in the episode, titled "Blood of My Blood," some very important imagery flickers by as Bran (in his hypnotic warg state) is being dragged through the frigid tundra by Meera. Primarily the visions revolve around the Night's King and his army of Walkers; the "Mad King" Aerys II Targaryen (father of Daenerys Targaryen), who vociferously threatened to "burn them all" and was killed by Jaime Lanister during Robert's Rebellion; and the Tower of Joy, where a young Ned Stark searched for his sister, Lyanna, who had supposedly been kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen, Aerys's eldest son. Bran's visions will undoubtedly play a part in how this captivating "Game" eventually concludes. Until then, he's lucky to have Benjen (saved from certain death by the Children of the Forest) back on his side.
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| Ellie Kendrick and Isaac Hempstead Wright in "Game of Thrones" |
Samwell Tarly and Gilly, with baby in tow, arrive at Sam's family home of Horn Hill, and while Sam's mother and sister are pleasant as peach pie, Sam's father, Lord Randyll Tarly, is a downright a-hole (adding to a long list of a-hole fathers throughout "Game of Thrones"). At dinner, a scowling Randyll rips into Sam for being "soft and fat," and expresses his displeasure with Sam's choice of a wildling mate. Samwell eventually decides to split Horn Hill alongside Gilly and little Sam, but makes sure to take along Heartsbane, the family's 500-year-old Valyrian steel sword (his birthright), just in case.
In King's Landing, Jaime Lannister arrives with a contingent of Tyrell soldiers to intimidate the High Sparrow and his fanatical Faith Militant, and make sure Margaery Tyrell isn't subjected to a humiliating "walk of atonement." But the Sparrow one-ups Jaime and the Tyrells by revealing that Margaery will not take her walk after all, as her atonement comes in the form of bringing good ol' impressionable King Tommen Baratheon into the "true light of the Seven." Now the crown and the faith stand together and the High Sparrow finds himself in even a more prominent position of power alongside the King. Yikes. In the aftermath, Jaime is booted from the King's Guard and told to lead an army to Riverrun, where Ser Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully (great uncle to the Stark children) has retaken the area from the despicable Freys, the family responsible for the Red Wedding massacre.
Arya Stark basically decides she has learned enough from Jaqen H'ghar at the House of Black and White and elects to dig up her sword, Needle, given to her by Jon Snow in season 1, and finally embark on her long-standing quest for vengeance. The decision doesn't sit well with Jaqen and he sends The Waif -- Arya's bitter teacher/rival -- after Arya with instructions to kill her without suffering. "Shame," Jaqen admits. "The girl had many gifts." While we're excited to see where Arya's crusade takes her next, the prospect of a jealous master assassin coming after her is a bit unsettling.
And finally, Daenerys is reunited with her massive dragon, Drogon, while riding back to Meereen with her Dothraki army. Daenerys takes flight on Drogon and delivers a rousing speech to her followers, encouraging them to help her take the Iron Throne and cement her place as rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. This all seems to be leading up to what author George R.R. Martin has promised all along -- a Song of Ice and Fire. We'll have to tune in next week to see where things go. Now, onto some great GOT collectibles.
Jaime Lannister Legacy Collection figure, Funko
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| Jaime Lannister Legacy Collection figure by Funko |
Daenerys Targaryen and Drogon statue, Dark Horse
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| Daenerys and Drogon statue by Dark Horse |
Needle, Valyrian Steel Collection
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| Needle replica by HBO |
See you all tomorrow as we cowabunga our way toward "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows."
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