Game of Thrones Monday: Reunited

(WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for "Game of Thrones" season 6, episode 4, so please skip ahead to the collectibles if you haven't seen the episode yet. OK, on to our recap).

"Heartwarming." It's a term we rarely associate with HBO's "Game of Thrones" -- "heartbreaking" and "gut-wrenching" are far more commonplace. Well, we got a little "heartwarming" this week when Sansa Stark arrived at Castle Black and was reunited with her brother, Jon Snow. The tender moment was a long time coming, as both have endured physical, emotional and spiritual torment in different ways, and the embrace of a long lost sibling was just what the maester ordered. This week's episode, "Book of the Stranger," was a stark reminder that the "Game" is far from over for Ned's getting-stronger-by-the-minute children, and a battle for Winterfell is on the horizon.

The High Sparrow continued his altruistic/sadistic crusade in King's Landing as we got a glimpse of the suffering Margaery Tyrell and worse, her brother Loras, have endured at the hands of the Faith Militant. And although there is no love lost between Margaery and Cersei Lannister, Cersei and Jaime made it clear this week that they have had just about enough of the High Sparrow's religious shenanigans. With the help of Tyrell soldiers, the Lannisters plan to quash the Sparrow's machinations once and for all. We'll see how that plan plays out in the weeks to come....

Conleth Hill and Peter Dinklage in "Game of Thrones"

Over in Meereen, Tyrion demonstrated his diplomatic prowess by negotiating a deal with the wealthy slavers responsible for backing the deadly Sons of the Harpy group. Littlefinger made his first appearance this season with a promise to bring the Vale's impressive military force up north to help Sansa and Jon -- though we should all know by now that Littlefinger's "promises" are not always kept. Theon Greyjoy returned to the Iron Islands, continuing his journey back from Reek to Theon, and was reunited with his sister, Yara. Their reunion was also heartwarming in an "iron sharpens iron" sort of way, and Theon committed to helping his sister become ruler of the Islands. Ramsay killed Rickon's wildling protector, Osha, in yet another demonstration of the psychopath's propensity for violence. So there's one more character we don't have to keep track of anymore.

In perhaps the episode's most important moment, Daenerys Targaryen -- ever defiant and confident -- turned a bunch of look-tougher-than-they-are Dothraki horse lords into ash and walked away from a massive fire without so much as a scratch on her CGI body double. Daenerys now has a horde of Dothraki fighters prepared to follow her as her efforts to reclaim the Iron Throne continue.

Stay tuned as this brilliant and compelling season of "Thrones" rolls on. Now, on to some fantastic GOT collectibles.

Direwolf bookends

Direwolf bookends

 These impressive 8" bookends showcase the Stark family sigil in all its canine glory. Made of resin, the bookends weigh about 12 pounds and are available on the HBO website. What better way to display your "Song of Ice and Fire" collection?

Daenerys Targaryen Legacy figure, Funko

Daenerys Targaryen Legacy figure by Funko

Another elegantly packaged, beautifully designed figure in Funko's impressive Legacy Collection line. The fifth release in the series presents a gritty Daenerys along with a hatchling Drogon.

Littlefinger Mockingbird prop replica pin, Dark Horse

Littlefinger Mockingbird prop replica pin by Dark Horse

He may be about as trustworthy as a styrofoam diving board, but Littlefinger certainly has style. Case in point: His unique mockingbird brooch, recreated to perfection by the talents over at Dark Horse.