Last week Dany punished some of Meereen’s great families, Miranda toyed with Sansa, and Jorah and Tyrion encountered the Stone Men.
The episode opens with Arya continuing her undertaker’s apprenticeship washing corpses at the House of Black and White. It isn’t too long before she begins to question her ever so unhelpful companion about the need for such a job. Instead of answers the other girl spins an X-Factor sob story similar Arya’s, which may or may not be true. They’re not playing ‘Liar, Liar Pants on Fire’. This is the Game of Faces, and round one doesn’t go to Arya Stark.
Round two, against Jaqen doesn’t go to well either, Arya only learns that she can’t fool anyone by saying hates the Hound, and gets hit with a stick. A lot.
Round three, is the one where Arya finally wins. A father brings his sick daughter to the the House of Black and White, and sits her next to the pool of deadly water. Arya speaks with her and convinces the girl that the waters will heal her. The girl drinks, and Arya wins.
Jaqen appears from the shadows, and guides Arya to a room of preserved corpses. The faces The Men of Faces wear. The youngest Stark girl is not entirely ready to forget whom she is but she is ready to become someone else.
Far away, Tyrion and Jorah’s budding partnership develops a little as the latter learns of his father’s death, and act as worthy foils for one another, debating: Westeros, their current position, Daenerys Targaryen, and faith. Travelling the land before encountering a band of slavers.
The slavers are quick to try an end the lives of both men, whilst Jorah remains staunch, Tyrion let’s his mouth run away with him. Saving both their lives, and his cock in the process. They make way to Slaver’s Bay and the fighting pits.
In Dorne, Jaime and Bronn come face-to-face with a Myrcella who doesn’t want to be taken back to Westeros by her would-be rescuers, which doesn’t go down too well with good old uncle dad. Her betrothed is knocked and the young princess is dragged along until the timely arrival of the Sand Snakes, who want to kidnap Myrcella for their own purposes. Oh.
Daggers, swords and whips collide in the battle for Myrcella’s fate. As the things start to get really interesting the battle is interrupted by Dorne guards: Myrcella is safe, and all the combatants are arrested. Mission unsuccessful but at least Jaime and Bronn are still alive!
In King’s Landing, Cersei is still holding all the cards, as Littlefinger reveals to her within seconds that Sansa Stark is alive and has returned to Winterfell. All for his own agenda of course; to be named Warden of the North. His plan is brilliant if he mobilises the army of the Vale, Cersei would just assume he is going to take Winterfell from the Bolton’s, and the Bolton’s would assume extra men are coming to aid him against Stannis.
Cersei also butts heads with the Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell making for a hilarious and engaging trading of barbs and wit between the two. Though their rivalry doesn’t stop there as the High Sparrow conducts a holy inquest, with Loras denying the charges against him, and Margaery defending Cher brother. The Tyrells seem to have the upper hand until Olyvar (one of Loras’ bedmates) is called to provide a testimony against both of them, leading to the siblings’ arrest. The look aimed by the Queen of Thorns at Cersei as her grandchildren are dragged to the cells is one filled with malice and hatred.
In Winterfell, Sansa prepares for her big day by receiving threats from Miranda, and refusing to be touched by Reek. Neither have any words of encouragement or gifts for the bride to be. The wedding itself could almost be described as ‘innocent’ and calm, as Ramsay and Sansa say their vows with snow falling around them. It could almost be a Disney wedding. A thought that doesn’t last as Ramsay brutalised and breaks his new wife, whilst the man formerly known as Theon Greyjoy is forced to watch in horror.
