Game of Thrones Monday: Return of the Queen

(WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for season 6, episode 8 of "Game of Thrones," so if you haven't seen it yet, please skip ahead to the collectibles. Now, on to our weekly recap!)

Things get especially violent this week on HBO's "Game of Thrones" in the episode titled "No One" as the Clegane brothers each demonstrate their stance on conflict resolution in their own brutal ways. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane goes hunting for the men responsible for murdering his villager allies in the Riverlands, slicing, dicing and beheading along the way. Sandor's search leads him to Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr -- the Brotherhood Without Banners. Beric, Thoros and several other members of the Brotherhood are preparing to hang Sandor's quarry just as he arrives. Slaughtering unarmed innocents is a big no-no in the Brotherhood, and the murderers will pay with their lives. Beric allows Sandor to hang two of the men himself before asking The Hound to join up with the Brotherhood, which he seems likely to do.

Paul Kaye (far left) and Richard Dormer (center) in "Game of Thrones"

In King's Landing, Lancel Lannister and some of his fellow Faith Militant members enter the Red Keep and demand Cersei accompany them to meet with the High Sparrow (now dubbed the High Septon). Cersei, defiant as ever, refuses and when the Faith Militant attempts to seize her by force, her loyal zombiefied guard, Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane, steps forward. "Order your man to step aside or there will be violence," Lancel warns. Cersei won't back down, and when one overly aggressive Militant member takes a whack at The Mountain, Gregor not-so-gently removes the man's head. So both Sandor and Gregor beheaded someone this week -- I guess brothers do think alike. But Cersei got some bad news when King Tommen Baratheon announced the upcoming trials of Cersei and Loras Tyrell, and included a new stipulation -- trial by combat is no longer an option. As her trial looms, the odds are suddenly not in Cersei's favor.

Brienne of Tarth and Jaime Lannister are reunited in Riverrun as Brienne and her squire, Podrick Payne, arrive to garner support for Sansa and Jon's conflict with Ramsay Bolton in the north. But Brynden "Blackfish" Tully has dug in his heels and refuses to offer aid. Jaime, regressing a bit to the Cersei-addicted dirtbag we met in season 1, convinces the captive Edmure Tully to betray his family and hand the castle over to Jaime's army. Edmure's compliance leads directly to Brynden's death, though Brienne and Podrick escape unharmed. There is a great scene between Podrick and Bronn -- scene-stealer extraordinaire -- here, and the bond between Jaime and Brienne is reestablished. Though with Brienne firmly in Sansa's corner and Jaime fixated on Cersei, this may not be the last time the two former allies meet.

In Meereen, Varys departs on a mysterious errand. Not long after, Tyrion continues his efforts to bring a little fun into the overly somber lives of Missandei and Grey Worm. But their wine-and-joke-fueled bonding moment is rudely interrupted by an attacking fleet of ships. "The masters have come for their property," Missandei tells Tyrion. Oops -- turns out our favorite imp misjudged the despicable slavers. With their backs against the wall, Tyrion and company prepare for the worst. Fortunately, Daenerys returns before things get out of hand, and we have a feeling she and her Dothraki followers aren't going to put up with the masters' onslaught.

And finally, in Braavos, a wounded Arya Stark is still being tracked by the Waifinator. Arya demonstrates her cunning by luring the Waif into a dark alley, where Arya's trusty blade Needle takes care of the pesky assassin for good. Arya then heads over to the House of Black and White to add the Waif's face to the collection and break the news to Jaqen H'ghar. She is not "no one," as Jaqen had preached, but rather she embraces her identity as Arya Stark of Winterfell. And Arya is heading home.

Only two more episodes of "Game" left this season, and it has been a great season thus far. Now, on to more GOT collectibles.

The Royal Crown, HBO

The Royal Crown prop replica by HBO

This beautifully reproduced replica of the Royal Crown of Houses Baratheon and Lannister, worn by King Tommen Baratheon, is strictly limited to 1,500 pieces. The museum-style replica includes a certificate of authenticity and features an impressive sword-hilt display stand. Available on the Shop HBO website.

Brienne of Tarth Legacy Collection figure, Funko

Brienne of Tarth Legacy Collection figure by Funko

The noble and honor-bound Brienne of Tarth is presented as part of Funko's collectible Legacy Collection line. Brienne features numerous articulation points and comes with Oathkeeper -- officially her sword to keep following this week's episode. You can find Brienne online or at your local comic shop.

The Hound bust, Dark Horse

The Hound bust by Dark Horse

Dark Horse serves up this gorgeous, hand-painted, 7" bust of Sandor Clegane. Presented in his traditional armor, the bust of The Hound in limited to just 950 pieces. Track one down on eBay or at a toy show/comic convention.

See you all tomorrow for more insights from the CollecTwins!