Game of Thrones - S6E4 - Book of the Stranger

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Previously on Game of Thrones, “Oathbreaker”

With one exception, the women of Game of Thrones stole the night by having agency, more courage than most of the men, and smarter plans to get what they want.

A Stark Reunion

Jon’s exit last week wasn’t exactly the mic drop we thought it was when the credits rolled. He still needed to pack his stuff, which is what he’s doing when Edd tries, again, to get him to stay. And good thing that, because Sansa, Brienne, and Pod arrive and if they had missed Jon the world would have sobbed. Okay. I would have sobbed.

I still sobbed at their reunion; two characters who’ve not been seen in the same location since season one-episode one, “Winter is Coming,” and even then with no scenes together.  After they’ve hugged it out and after Sansa apologizes for being such a brat, she makes the case for taking back Winterfell. She repeats what Davos has told Jon before: The Wildlings owe you their lives. They will fight for you. They should fight to keep and protect the safety you’ve provided them.

One person willing to follow Jon is Melisandre, who is convinced Jon is the prince who was promised. This prompts a conversation between her and Davos as he wants details on what happened to Stannis and Shireen. Brienne is all too happy to inform them both that she executed Stannis after he admitted to using bloodmagic to kill Renly. Davos looks like he wanted to ask, “Why you bringing up old shit?,” but Brienne’s sword was out.

During dinner, as Tormund makes sexy eyes at Brienne, a messenger arrives with a letter from Ramsay. He taunts Jon, threatens Rickon, and demands Sansa’s return. Now Jon is ready to fight. Tormund is in for 2,000 fighters and Sansa is sure the North will provide more.

The world collectively fist-pumped.

One woman who did not do well this episode was Osha. Freshly bathed, she’s presented to Ramsay. She tries to pull the old “I’m going to pretend we’re about to have sex and then I’m going to slit your throat” trick again, but Ramsay isn’t going to fall for the banana in the tailpipe. He stabs her in the throat instead.

Same Ole Robin

Being under Lord Royce’s tutelage hasn’t made Robin good at… anything. He’s happy to see Uncle Petyr, who comes bearing gifts and threats. He skirts Royce’s accusation that Baelish took Sansa to the Boltons by saying they were ambushed on the road, and implies that Royce was the one who set them up. Robin is ready to toss Royce through the Moon Door, but under Baelish’s advisement, Royce is spared. His strategic planning and the Knights of the Vale will be needed to assist in freeing Sansa and taking back Winterfell and the North.

Finally.

Dat Privilege

Tyrion’s grand plan is to meet with the masters from Yunkai, Astapor, and Volantis. He tries to convince them that they can amass fortune without slavery, and that Daenerys will give them seven years to phase it out.

This doesn’t sit well with Missandei, Grey Worm, or the former slaves of Meereen. Tyrion thinks the “keep your enemies close” approach is what’s best until Daenerys returns, but Grey Worm insists the masters cannot be trusted. And both Missandei and Grey Worm take issue with allowing anyone to be a slave for a moment longer, let alone seven years.

There’s a painful exchange where Grey Worm explains that they (he, Missandei, and the other brown folk) aren’t viewed as human. Tyrion thinks his status as a dwarf is comparable. It is not. Tyrion means well, and this may be the best plan at their disposal, but that doesn’t make him any less privileged and tone deaf. Here’s to hoping Daenerys returns before any negative fallout.

The Lion and the Rose, Part II

The High Sparrow plays mind games with Margaery, allowing her to see a broken Loras in his cell. He’s not strong enough to hold out much longer; she realizes this.

Tommen opens up to Cersei about the High Sparrow’s plans for Margaery to take a walk of atonement as well. Cersei and Jaime convince Lady Olenna and Kevan Lannister to put aside their differences long enough to snatch the queen before she can make her walk.

I think we all know this plan will not go off without a hitch or five.

Reek Goes Home

Yara greets Theon with suspicion, thinking he’s only returned home after their father’s death so he can make a play for his throne. He apologizes for that time he dimed her out Ramsay when she was trying to save his life. All Yara wants from Theon is his assurance he’s not trying to take control and his support at the Kingsmoot. Theon quickly agrees.

The Unburnt

Jorah and Daario have tracked Dany to Vaes Dothrak, and as they prepare to go in disguised as lost merchants, Daario notices Jorah’s disease. They both agree Jorah gonna die. They find Daenerys, but she isn’t ready to run just yet.

When she meets before the Khals, they’re debating between selling her to Yunkai or allowing her to remain at Dosh Khaleen.

(If Yunkai knows where Daenerys is, why would they be willing to negotiate with Tyrion? How come the people of Meereen don’t also know where she is?)

Daenerys has another plan. Daenerys is all, “How about I knock over all these lanterns and watch you burn alive since the two men in love with me have already locked the doors from the outside?”

She walks out of the flames, fully nude. The waiting Dothraki fall to their knees in worship. And so do Jorah and Daario.