How to Fix Game of Thrones
Note: Italicized sections indicate a new or changed scene.
Citation: This is not intended as an alternate version of the books by George R.R. Martin, but only the HBO series.
Introduction:
This project began, back in 2015, with an idea about re-introducing a main character from the books, Arianne Martell, to fix the unsatisfying adaptation of the Dorne subplot from A Feast for Crows. Although I could write Arianne out of the show at season's end, I could write her into Meereen by borrowing storylines for Prince Aegon and for Quentyn Martell, characters dropped from A Dance with Dragons.
…And so it progressed. I was taken with a theory that the reason Arya's Season Six made no sense was that she'd been brainwashed by the Faceless Men. Disappointed that the show failed to go in that direction, I did, all while trying to make characters from Theon to Varys more critical to the plot, preferably in a spirit of intrigue as thrived in the original show.
Presuming only to re-write the HBO show, not G.R.R. Martin, I added details and characters from the books, sometimes in altered contexts. Treating early seasons as canon for an adaptation (no Lady Stoneheart) while assuming the HBO adaptation reflects, in broad strokes, Martin's intention for the books, my story changes reflect guesswork toward achieving a truer adaptation. Therefore, I conclude similarly to HBO's version. Like it or not, Bran becomes king, as, I believe, he was always meant to become. My challenge was to have these characters' fates now seem plausible.
Season Five
Episode 5.1: The Wars to Come
Bran hears the Three-Eyed Raven above visions of past, present and future. He feels unwell until he focuses on his mentor, outside Harrenhal. Though many tournament attendees pass by, none sees them. Bran asks how they got there, and is told they are not there. Bran sees a teenage girl who looks like Sansa, and realizes it is his mother. Young Catelyn Tully angrily yells "Brandon!" but to someone else. She chastises her fiancé, the handsome Brandon Stark, who bellows, "Robert, your drunken friend annoyed my lady!" Young Ned Stark is helped to walk by Robert Baratheon, himself roaring drunk. The future king asks Catelyn if she has seen Lyanna. Brandon jovially ridicules Robert's lack of finesse in wooing his sister.
Finding himself dizzy, Bran is instructed by the Three-Eyed Raven to focus upon his mother. He soon feels grounded, improving his visualization of her companions. Approaching the tourney, Catelyn tells Bran's uncle Brandon of a mysterious Knight of the Laughing Tree who, face concealed, eliminated many contenders in the jousting. Catelyn acclaims him as the finest rider she ever saw. Robert scoffs, insisting this knight is no bigger than his fiancé. Brandon has a realization and laughs. Catelyn asks what is funny. He refuses to say, yet alerts a drunken Ned with a shove. Bran observes King Aerys overlooking the tournament from the royal box, screaming. Jon Arryn is asked what enrages the Mad King. He says Jaime Lannister is suspected of defying an order to return to the capital and is believed to be the mystery knight. The Mad King demanded that the knight be unmasked, sending Prince Rhaegar to find him, yet his men found only the knight's armour, hidden in a patch of blue roses.
Prince Rhaegar competes with Ser Barristan in the last joust. Catelyn points out Lyanna, talking to Ashara Dayne in the Dornish box, thereby arousing Ned's attention. When Rhaegar wins easily, Robert suggests Barristan threw the match, earning a stern rebuke from Ned, to which Brandon nods approvingly. Upon the field, Rhaegar is asked to determine the tourney's "queen of love and beauty." Given a wreath of blue roses, Rhaegar raises it to Lyanna. The crowd gasps. She is embarrassed, but accepts with a sly smile. Rhaegar acknowledges her with a respectful bow. Robert is outraged by the flirtation, and Lord Arryn orders the Stark brothers stifle his tongue. The smirk of a beautiful blonde, above a lion banner, catches Bran's attention. He notices a shield, with a "laughing tree" drawn upon it, lays by Rhaegar's feet.
Awakening in their moss-filled cave, Bran notes to Leaf, one of the Children, how the tree on that shield looked to be a weirwood tree. Meera is told where they were. She mentions that her father competed at Harrenhal, yet when Bran recalls having heard her father lost his leg before that, she awkwardly insists that he did shortly afterwards. The Three-Eyed Raven listens stoically. Bran eagerly inquires where they will go next, so the Three-Eyed Raven queries as to whom, from Harrenhal, Bran envisions first when he closes his eyes.
Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven follow two girls through a forest. Bran recognizes one as the younger version of the beautiful Lannister girl. Cersei Lannister seeks out a witch, who prophesizes her to wed "the king", yet predicts that all her royal progeny shall perish before Cersei herself is thrown down by another. "Prophecy is an ill-lit future seen through a narrow keyhole," the Raven warns Bran.
Arriving at the Great Sept, Cersei informs the septon that all other mourners must wait. While privately grieving over her father inside, she accuses Jaime of complicity in their father's death by setting Tyrion free.
Tyrion is brought clandestinely by Varys to meet Magister Illyrio Mopatis at his palace in Pentos. Set free, Tyrion immediately commences binge-drinking.
In Meereen, an Unsullied pulls down a harpy statue, and, while visiting Vala, is killed by a Son of the Harpy. In her chambers, Daenerys discusses the murder with Barristan, Grey Worm, Missandei and Mossador. Missandei seeks out Grey Worm in the Unsullied barracks, asking about the sex lives of his men, but he professes ignorance.
While Sam discusses his predicament with Gilly in the courtyard of Castle Black, Jon trains Olly. Melisandre summons Jon, flirting with him as they go atop the Wall to meet Stannis and Ser Davos. Stannis instructs Jon to convince Mance Rayder to order the Wildlings to fight for him, or face being burned at the stake.
In the Vale, Lord Royce reviews Lord Robin's training. Sansa sees Little-finger receive a scroll before they depart. Nearby, Brienne tells Pod that she does not require his service. Little-finger and Sansa ride past in a carriage. When Sansa asks about the scroll, Little-finger explains that she is unsafe in the Vale.
At a Red Keep reception, Ser Loras apologizes to Queen Cersei for his obligation to postpone their marriage. Disinterested, she observes Tommen speaking to mourners. Kevan Lannister introduces the king to Lord Alekyne Florent who, following his parents having been burned at the stake by Stannis, has submitted to the crown and ended the last opposition to Tommen in the Storm Lands. As a reward, Tommen consents to granting him the lordship of Storm's End. Cersei has an awkward reunion with her newly religious cousin, Lancel.
In Loras' quarters, Little-finger's spy, Olyvar, expresses sadness over his lover's planned journey to the Wall, although Loras assures him that he will return. Margaery barges in on their tryst.Privately, she tries to talk her brother out of his expedition, but he responds that while she may think "Joffrey's toy" was just a freak novelty, he cannot forget it, as it convinced him that the Wall is under threat.
Illyrio, with Varys, tries to convince Tyrion to go with him to Meereen and meet Daenerys Targaryen.
Hizdahr zo Loraq and Daario Naharis return to Meereen. In Daenerys' throne room, Hizdahr's request to open the fighting pits is rejected. Privately in Daenerys's chambers, Daario advises her that she must win popular support if her dragons are not under control. She visits Rhaegal and Viserion in their dungeon, but they have grown hostile towards her.
In a Castle Black cell, Jon pleads with Mance to submit to Stannis, imploring that he put his people before his pride. Mance refuses. Outside, Melisandre burns him at the stake. Mercifully, Jon kills him with his bow.
Episode 5.2: The House of Black and White
Entering the harbour of Bravos, Arya is ferried by her ship captain to the House of Black and White. At the door, she requests Jaqen H'ghar. However, an old doorkeeper tells her, "No one here by that name." Outside, Arya waits out the night.
In Cersei's chambers, she reveals to Jaime a viper statue she has received from Dorne. Myrcella's necklace is in its fangs. Jaime pledges to retrieve their daughter.
In Dorne, in the palace gardens, Prince Doran watches his son court Princess Myrcella. His bodyguard, Areo Hotah, denies Ellaria Sand audience with Doran, although Princess Arianne, his heir, consents to see her. Arianne is voluptuous in her mid-twenties, has a lighter complexion than most Dornish, with dyed-blue hair. Ellaria angrily advises herthat Doran is out of touch with his people, speaking so loudly Doran doubtlessly hears her. She demands vengeance upon Myrcella as revenge for Prince Oberyn. Arianne is sympathetic, yet rebukes Ellaria for threatening Prince Trystane's betrothed. Privately, Arianne advises Doran that Ellaria is right about the people's outrage over Oberyn's death, but Doran insists war be avoided.
Boardinga ship for Dorne in King's Landing's harbour, Bronn recognizes someone disembarking. Rugen, shaggy of hair and beard, with a bulbous nose, is evasive when Bronn jovially inquires as to whose service he is in now. As Rugen curses him out for not minding his own business, Bronn smiles, bemused. Aboard ship, Bronn inquires of Jaime why he personally must join in the rescue of Myrcella, and queries him about Varys' role in Tyrion's escape.Jaime tells him that he will personally kill Tyrion if he sees him again.
Illyriodisapproves as Tyrion drinks heavily while travelling by wheelhouse to Volantis.
In Qyburn's laboratory, Cersei finds that bounty hunters have failed to bring her Tyrion's head. At the Small Council, Cersei appoints Mace Tyrell as Master of Coin and Qyburn as Master of Whisperers, though Kevan Lannister, not recognizing her authority, declines her offer of Master of War.
At an inn, Pod recognizes Sansa, who rejects Brienne's pledge of allegiance. Little-finger's guards try to detain Brienne. She rescues Pod as they escape. Later, over a campfire, Brienne refuses to give up on Sansa.
In the slums of Meereen, Daario helps Grey Worm capture a Son of the Harpy. In Daenerys's chambers, Mossador demands his execution. Privately, Barristan lobbies for a fair trial, reminding Daenerys of the Mad King's tyranny.
While Princess Shireen teaches Gilly to read in the Castle Black library, they discuss greyscale. Sam tries to ingratiate himself to Queen Selyse, as the son of her cousin, Melessa, but learns from her that his uncle Alekyne betrayed Stannis. She assures Sam of his family's doom. In his guest quarters, Stannis seeks Jon's support. Davos predicts Ser Alliser will be elected Lord Commander. Sam gives a speech in favor of Jon's candidacy. Maester Ammon casts the deciding vote. Jon wins.
As Arya defends herself from thugs on the streets of Bravos, the doorkeeper appears. Returning to the House of Black and White, he transforms into Jaqen, yet explains to her that "A man is not Jaqen H'ghar," but is "no one," as Arya herself must become.
Mossador abducts the prisoner from his cell, then publicly exhibits his corpse. Brought before Daenerys in the throne room, Mossador is told, "The law is the law." In a public ceremony, Daenerys has him executed, leading to a riot between former masters and slaves. That night, Drogon visits Daenerys at the Great Pyramid.
Episode 5.3: High Sparrow
Arya witnesses "Jaqen" help a suicidal man poison himself. The Waif retrieves the body.
Cersei hears the crowds acclaim Margaery, and jealously watches her wed Tommen. Later, Margaery implies Tommen is unemancipated from his mother. Tommen asks Cersei if she wants to return home. Margaery humiliates her mother-in-law in front of her ladies-in-waiting. Cersei fumes.
Olyvar discovers Rugen's uncouth presence in Little-finger's brothel, and orders him out. Rugen produces a scroll with Little-finger's seal. Privately, Rugen inscribes Olyvar's reports concerning the High Septon's visits, and Ser Loras' mission to the Wall. Olyvar relates that King Joffrey showed Loras and Margaery a severed hand, which nonetheless lived. Joffrey enjoyed abusing the limb until, after setting it ablaze, it ceased all movement. Cursing, Rugen throws away his last notes, remarking that he will not enrage Lord Baelish by spinning such fantasies.
Theon overhears Roose Bolton tell Ramsay that they need to make a marriage alliance.
Near Moat Cailin, Sansa tearfully refuses to wed Ramsay. Little-finger argues that she alone must create justice for her family. Brienne discretely follows them. She later agrees to train Podrick to fight.
In his new chambers, Jon declines Stannis' offer of legitimacy. Ser Davos contends that Jon's Night's Watch oath obliges him to fight the Boltons.
Arya is challenged by the waif in their sleeping quarters. After failing the Game of Faces, Jaqen questions Arya's attachments. She discards her possessions, hiding "Needle". Jaqen takes her to where the Waif washes the dead.
Hodor explores a tunnel, eating mushrooms along the cave wall. He finds himself outside in the night air, seeing no one. Venturing further from the cave, gazing up at the moon, he fails to see the dead subtly shift beneath the fallen snow. Suddenly, Hodor hears growling behind him. It is Summer, watching over him. Hodor follows the direwolf's gaze, and sees, one by one, snow falling off dead faces as they turn to look at him. Hodor backs up into the cave. Summer does not retreat until Hodor is safely inside.
Watching Leaf mix a potion, Meera is told Bran's affection for her helps keep him grounded in present reality. Assured that soon Bran's emotional life will diminish, Meera is troubled. Bran returns, amazed how easy it is to warg into a raven, which Leaf characterizes as broken-in horses. Bran speaks of listening to conversations amongst the Night's Watch, learning that Jon is now Lord Commander. Meera disapproves, arguing that surreptitiously learning secrets may lead to false understandings of them. Bran asks why she is upset. Sullenly, she just shakes her head, discretely wiping a tear. Hodor reaches out, sympathetically putting his hand on her shoulder. When she rests her head on his arm, he gives her a hug. Meera is consoled for a moment until she looks at Bran and realizes that he has warged into Hodor. Outraged, she tells Bran that this is how deceptions are becoming his life, and storms out. Hodor, feeling equally violated, curls up against the wall. Bran feels powerless. Leaf brings him the potion, instructing that it will help Bran see farther. She explains to him, "Do not fear the darkness. The strongest trees have roots in the dark."
In the moonlight, Bran stands with the Three-Eyed Raven before a humble home in the depths of winter. Far off, Bran can see the Wall under construction, indicating that they are looking back many centuries. Inside, a beautiful woman tends the hearth. At the rear, a man swings his hammer at a forge. A half-dozen Children of the Forest observe from a corner. Light from the furnace reflects upon his face, as tears run down. He looks to the Children, and they look back with pity. "Nissa!" he calls. His wife enters, and can see his pain. The Three-Eyed Raven identifies their language as the common tongue of thousands of years earlier. Tears welling in her own eyes, the wife touches her husband's face, speaking to him encouragingly. Sobbing, he stabs her with the blade he has just forged. Bran screams, and the Children become aware of him. As the grief-stricken husband cradles his wife's body, the Three-Eyed Raven tells Bran that they must leave.
On returning, Bran asks why he killed her, and the Three-Eyed Raven explains that the blade he forged required blood magic, and only the death of whom he loved most could pay that price. Bran notes that the Children became aware of him. Leaf doubts it, yet admits that perhaps, through Bran's horror, his soul was revealed. Thus, might prophecies be born.
Sansa is welcomed by the Boltons in the Winterfell courtyard. Privately in her chambers, her maid tells her, "The North remembers."
In the Castle Black mess, Jon promotes Ser Alliser, but Lord Slynt refuses an assignment. Outside, Jon executes him.
The High Septon is attacked by Sparrows while attending a brothel. He demands the Small Council execute the Sparrows' leader. Cersei visits the High Sparrow at a soup kitchen, naming him High Septon. In Qyburn's lab, Cersei has him send a message to Little-finger. Qyburn diagnoses the Mountain as improving.
On the Winterfell battlements, Ramsay re-assures Little-finger concerning Sansa. Little-finger downplays the power of the Lannisters to Roose Bolton, who suspiciously delivers him Cersei's letter.
Tyrion and Illyrio arrive in Volantis, where a red priestess preaches to slaves about the savior, Queen Daenerys. In a brothel, they are observed by Ser Jorah. Illyrio hires them each a prostitute, but, in a private room, Tyrion finds himself unable to perform. He enters Illyrio's room, finding him bleeding to death while knife-wielding thieves remove jewelry off his body. Seeing Tyrion, they give chase. In an alley, he is rescued by Ser Jorah. Tyrion offers the knight his thanks, but Jorah binds and gags him.
Episode 5.4: Sons of the Harpy
Jorah Mormont steals a fisherman's boat, abducting Tyrion.
Jaime and Bronn come ashore in Dorne. On the beach the next morning, after having a snake for their breakfast, they are forced to kill four Dornish guards who discover them.
At the Small Council, Cersei sends Mace Tyrell to negotiate a deal in Bravos. In her quarters, she counsels the High Sparrow to revive the Faith Militant. The Militant attack brothels, and arrest Ser Loras. In their private chambers, Margaery demands Tommen order his release. Tommen appeals to Cersei, but she tells him to speak with the High Sparrow, whose prayers, outside the Great Sept, the Militant prevent him from disturbing. Margaery is frustrated by Tommen's inaction.
Olyvar searches for Rugen in a seedy tavern, where the spy maintains a room. Rugen is enraged that Olyvar risked being followed. The gigolo tells of how their brothel was ransacked. Rugen scoffs that violence is expected in Ovyvar's trade, but the young man adds that the sparrows act with the consent of the king, and the Queen's cousin, Lancel, is among their leaders. Softening as he considers this, Rugen offers Olyvar wine to calm his nerves, asking for information concerning Queen Margaery's knowledge of Loras' affairs. While detailing his observations, Olyvar loses consciousness. Rugen looks over him, pensively.
In the Castle Black courtyard, Selyse laments not giving Stannis a son. In his chambers, Jon signs letters to northern lords. Melisandre enters as Sam leaves, and she coldly tells him that his uncle Alekyne and his family were murdered at Storm's End. She tries and fails to seduce Jon. In his quarters, Stannis tells Shireen of how she became afflicted with greyscale.
Little-finger finds Sansa by Lyanna's crypt, discussing Rhaegar's abduction of her. He announces his return to King's Landing, saying that if the Boltons defeat Stannis, she must learn to control Ramsay.
While Trystane and Myrcella discuss marriage, Jaime and Bronn, in Dornish disguise, infiltrate their gardens. Arianne recognizes Jaime. Bronn strikes Trystane as Jaime grabs Myrcella, but they are confronted by guards.Arianne watches Jaime and Bronn cross swords with them before Areo Hoteh brings his blade to Jaime's throat. They are arrested. Arianne seeks out Ellaria, offering her vengeance upon the Lannisters, provided Ellaria negotiates the total allegiance of the Sand Snakes to her cause.
Sailing east, Tyrion deduces Jorah's identity through his dragon epaulets and bear breastplate, and learns that he is being taken to Queen Daenerys.
Overlooking Meereen from the Great Pyramid, Barristan suggests to Daenerys that her passion for justice is shaped by her experience. He tells of how, as a child, Rhaegar and another boy found the Mad King raping the wife of their host. Another kingsguard was ordered to kill Rhaegar's friend, thereby preventing the boy from informing his lord. That knight chose to resign the Kingsguard instead. Daenerys asks which lord's wife her father violated, but the old knight pleads such a reveal would violate an oath. She nods, and asks what became of the other boy. Barristan explains that Daenerys' grandmother helped him escape to the Wall. He quotes Rhaegar as saying that if law emanates from the throne, then the throne must be an exemplar of virtue. Ser Barristan tells Daenerys tales of Prince Rhaegar's singing. In the throne room, Hizdahr zo Loraq again requests that she re-open the fighting pits. Down in the streets, Grey Worm's men are ambushed by Sons of the Harpy. He is wounded, and Ser Barristan killed.
Episode 5.5: Kill the Boy
Missandei sits by Grey Worm's bedside. Daenerys, grieving over Ser Barristan in the throne room, arrests Hizdahr. Elders of Meereen are brought before her dragons' den, though only one is fed to them.
In the Castle Black library, Sam reads about Daenerys to Maester Ammon, from whom Jon seeks advice. In Tormund's cell, Jon pledges to free him, proposing wildling settlement of the south if they join forces against the White Walkers. Tormund advises Jon to make the offer personally at Hardhome. In the mess hall, Jon pitches his plan to the Night's Watch, meeting deep opposition, including from Olly.
Brienne and Pod, at an inn near Winterfell, arrange for the innkeeper to contact Sansa. In Ramsay's chambers, Myranda expresses her jealousy over Sansa. In Sansa's chambers, she is informed by her maid that she can signal for help by placing a candle in the broken tower. Beneath the broken tower, Myranda introduces herself to Sansa, and shows her Theon, living in the kennels. Theon confesses to Ramsay that Sansa knows about him. At dinner, Ramsay requires Theon to apologize to Sansa for murdering her brothers. Lord Bolton tells Ramsay that he and Walda expect a boy. Privately, he tells Ramsay why he claimed him as his son, asking for his support in defeating Stannis.
Sansa's maid nods to the innkeeper-messenger in the Winterfell courtyard, who keeps his head down as he passes a group of surly Ironborn, averting his eyes from two burnt corpses hanging above the gates. Bran is angry that the Three-Eyed Raven shows him something so painful as this memory, but he instructs Bran to view the past not through judgement, but as cause and effect. He directs Bran to notice Yara, departing from her meeting with Prince Theon and rejoining her men. Bran is stunned to see that Meera stands among them.
Yara addresses Meera as her cousin, Victaria, telling her that she could not convince Prince Theon to abandon Winterfell. She tells Yara that one of Theon's men revealed how orphans were killed instead of the Stark boys, Bran and Rickon. Yara states the importance of acquiring them, telling Victaria that the unique talents of her brother Aeron are now indispensable. Victaria insists that Aeron's health is too precarious for such a mission. Yara makes it clear that if she is willing to sacrifice her own brother, Victaria should not assume that she overvalues the life of a weakling cousin. Yara instructs that, to ensure the safety of the Starks, they gain the boys' trust as fellow Northerners, leading them to the Stony Shore.
Upon return to the present, Bran looks at Meera with hurt and outrage. Aware she is actually Victaria Greyjoy, he denounces her for her lies, though she protests that she and her brother were true to their word, for at her brother's behest, Victaria betrayed her own family to fulfill Bran's mission, at the cost of her brother's life. She insists that if she is a traitor, it is to her people, not Bran. Victaria laments, seeing where Bran has led them, it appears that she betrayed them, and lost her brother, to achieve nothing.
In the Castle Black library, Sam tells Gilly about the Citadel. Stannis asks Sam about his experience with the white walkers. As he leaves, Stannis casually mentions that Sam is fortunate that the Night's Watch renounce all claims of inheritance. In the mess, Stannis tells Davos to prepare to depart. Despite Davos' advice, he vows that Selyse and Shireen will accompany his army. Outside, as his forces assemble, Davos and Princess Shireen discuss the war ahead. Jon promises Stannis that he will return his ships. Stannis conducts his army out Castle Black's gates.
Missandei comforts Grey Worm as he wakes. He confesses his love for her. In Daenerys' chambers, Missandei advises her queen to trust in her own judgement. In Hizdahr's cell, Daenerys proposes a diplomatic marriage with him, and agrees to re-open the fighting pits to free men.
Continuing eastbound by sea, Tyrion attempts a rapprochement with Ser Jorah. Passing through Valyria's ruins, they recite classic poetry to one another. They sight Drogon, and are attacked by stone men. After Tyrion awakes from nearly drowning, Jorah conceals that he contracted greyscale.
Episode 5.6: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
Arya washes corpses. The Waif demonstrates how the Game of Faces is won, spinning a convincingly false biography. "Jaqen" tests Arya, and names her assertion that she hates the Hound a lie.
Walking along the shore, Tyrion tells Jorah why he fled Westeros and what he knows of Lord Commander Mormont's murder.
Arya offers the "gift" to end a sick girl's pain. So observed, Arya is allowed by "Jaqen" to enter the Hall of Faces. He suggests that Arya may be ready to become "someone else."
Tyrion and Jorah are caught by slavers, who Tyrion convinces would find them lucrative to sell in Meereen.
Jaime is brought before Doran, Ellaria,Arianne,Trystane and Myrcella, asked to explain why he has come to Dorne. Prince Doran scoffs at Myrcella being in danger, pointing out the ease with which Jaime was captured. Arianne contradicts him by arguing that they only caught him because she recognized him. Having met Jaime years before at court, she remarks that one could hardly forget King Robert's handsome kingsguard. Her flirting annoys Doran, angers Ellaria, shocks Myrcella and amuses Trystane. Doran insists Myrcella may return home only after her wedding.Jaime asks about Bronn,who's fate Doran leaves to Arianne. She looks to Trystane, who shrugs. Bronn enters and is elbowed in the face by Areo Hoteh.
Little-finger is confronted by Lancel in the streets. He meets with Cersei in her quarters, where she questions his loyalty. He tells her that Sansa will soon wed Ramsay. Outraged, Cersei consents to his leading the Knights of the Vale to Winterfell, taking on either Stannis or the Boltons.
In a guest room of her palace, Arianne apologizes to Jaime if she embarrassed him, and, perhaps seeking his favor, decries society's hypocritical views. She agrees Myrcella is in danger, but warns against escaping by sea, for her cousin Sarella, eldest of the Sand Snakes, commands the Dornish fleet. The threat is likely hers. She assures Jaime that the younger Sand Snakes are devoted to her, and will assist her in helping Jaime and Myrcella flee by land. Arianne's price is that Trystane go as well, and once in King's Landing, not only shall their marriage take place, but Trystane will secure Oberyn's seat on the Small Council. Jaime consents.
Lady Olenna arrives in the capital and, in the Red Keep, assures Margaery that she will free Loras. Meeting in the queen mother's chambers, Cersei maintains to Olenna that she did not request Loras' arrest. At the holy inquest, Margaery denies knowledge of wrongdoing by her brother. Olyvar testifies that Margaery witnessed their tryst. The High Sparrow orders her arrested for perjury.
By night, Nymeria Sand comes for Jaime. Seeing her whip, he quips as to how Doran's hospitality applies to punishing trespassers. By a back gate, Myrcella, Trystane and Bronn await them. Arianne's guards gather around her wheelhouse. Ellaria bids farewell to her daughter, Tyene Sand, and when she then says goodbye to Myrcella, it appears genuine. Tyene has a close friendship with her cousin Trystane, with whom she teases about his pretty bride. Jaime observes Obara Sand on horseback, coldly staring back at him. Ellaria watches as they all depart, sharing a knowing glance with Obara.
In Sansa's chambers, Myranda tries to intimidate her by recounting the fate of Ramsay's mistresses. Theon escorts Sansa to her wedding by night in the godswood. As Ramsay returns Sansa to her chambers, she pledges, in a rehearsed but awkward speech, to forever be his most steadfast ally, and to do whatever can be done to ensure that Ramsay inherits Winterfell, and their children after him. She even implies that, with her help, Ramsay may cut his own deal with Stannis. Ramsaysmiles patronizingly, orders Theon to stay and then rapes her.
Episode 5.7: The Gift
As Jon leaves Castle Black with Tormund, ignoring Ser Alliser's advice, Sam gives him dragonglass. In his sickbed, Maester Ammon recalls his brother Aegon, and warns Gilly to take her child south.
A prisoner in her chambers, Sansa begs Theon to light a candle atop the tower. He informs Ramsay. Brienne waits.
Maester Ammon dies. Following Sam's eulogy at the funeral, Ser Alliser intimidates him.
On the Winterfell battlements, Ramsay tells Sansa of Jon's election. She learns her maid was flayed, yet kept silent.
In their winter encampment, Davos reports to Stannis of their losses in supplies, horses and men. Melisandre asks for permission to sacrifice Shireen to the Lord of Light. Stannis is shocked and repelled.
Gilly is attacked in the Castle Black mess. Sam intervenes and is beaten before Ghost scares off the rapists. Privately, Gilly tends his wounds, compelling his promise to care for her child. They make love.
Outside Meereen, Jorah is sold at auction to Yezzan zo Qaggaz, who Tyrion convinces to buy them both.
Privately, Daario advises Daenerys to kill every one of Meereen's nobles as the fighting pits open.
In the Great Sept, Lady Olenna demands the High Sparrow release her grandchildren, but he insists that the law apply equally to everyone. Olenna receives a note. In the Red Keep, Cersei is touched by Tommen's despair and offers to intervene with the High Sparrow. In Little-finger's ransacked brothel, Olenna reminds him of his role in Joffrey's murder. He offers help.
Down dusty roads, Arianne escorts Jaime and Myrcella through Dorne in her wheelhouse. Leading Arianne's twelve-man guard on horseback, Tyene teases Trystane for being bested by Bronn, whose offer to tutor Trystane only offends him. Inside her wheelhouse, Arianne says her excuse for the trip is to retrieve an archmaester's memoir. The scholar served the family of Ser Arthur Dayne and his sister Ashara, young Ned Stark's lover before becoming Lord of Winterfell. Jaime quips that Robert's rebellion saved her from that unfortunate fate. The caravan suddenly stops, and Arianne and Jaime investigate. Bronn and Trystane are sparring, with Tyene flirting with Bronn from the sidelines, entertaining the guards. Jaime is angry, but Arianne assures him that it is innocent fun, and they go to confer with Obara. The plan is that Jaime, Myrcella, Trystane and Bronn discreetly leave the caravan at Sandstone, with Arianne leading it on toward Oldtown. Once Doran's pursuing men follow this diversion, Nymeria will guide the others through the mountains to safety. Jaime is distracted by the guards' laughter and wanders over to watch Bronn and Trystane spar. Trystane is doing capably, and both he and Bronn are now in good humor. Arianne notices Jaime is starting to have a good time. She wraps her hands around his arm, leaning her face upon his shoulder, and suggests that Dorne might yet grow on him. He reluctantly concedes it.
Jaime and Myrcella finish dinner alone in the wheelhouse, and Jaime tells her that he is impressed with Trystane. She delicately asks what she might expect from her wedding night, anxious of Dornish expectations, but Jaime reassures her that Trystane will understand that the expectations are upon himself. Myrcella tells him that she could never have asked fatherly advice of King Robert, but explains, with calculated discretion, that she well knows she can of him. He realizes what she is implying, and is quite moved, but she makes clear, with sad understanding, nothing more need be said.
In a small training arena, Yezzan's slaves duel before Queen Daenerys. Jorah easily defeats the other fighters before revealing his identity. Jorah tells her that he has brought a gift, and Tyrion enters.
In the cells beneath the Great Sept, Cersei brings food to Margaery, who refuses it. Cersei talks with the High Sparrow in a small chapel, who reveals what Lancel has spoken against her. Cersei tries to leave but is locked in a cell.
Episode 5.8: Hardhome
In her throne room, Daenerys accepts Tyrion's advice to pardon Jorah, yet she banishes him from Meereen.
In a dank cell, Septa Unella offers Cersei water if she confesses her crimes. Lancel bursts into the old chapel, where the High Sparrow speaks with a hooded figure, who quickly turns his head away. Lancel reports that Olyvar was found dead in his cell. The High Sparrow is shocked, looking to his unseen companion with embarrassment. The hooded man reminds him of his assurance that the boy wouldn't be harmed if he confessed truly. The High Sparrow asks Lancel how this happened, receiving no answer. Apologizing, the High Sparrow wishes the hooded man well on his journey as he takes his leave. Although he avoids eye contact, Lancel now recognizes the stranger. He embraces him, and pledges never to forget him. Rugen nods modestly and goes.
Intrigued, the High Sparrow asks how Lancel knows him. He reveals that it was Lord Varys who first inspired him to seek out the sparrows. Confused, the High Sparrow asks specifically about "Brother Rugen", but Lancel insists that the man who just left was King Robert's spider, Varys, though he has since grown out his hair and somehow damaged his nose. Alarmed, the High Sparrow orders that the infiltrator be apprehended before he leaves. Black-garbed, enchained sparrows race about the cellblock. Lancel and the High Sparrow investigate a cell that "Rugen" was last seen entering. They find a stone removed from the floor, and a tunnel newly exposed beneath. Aboard a ship setting sail in the harbour, Varys removes his wig, beard and false nose.
"Jaqen" has Arya become Lana, an oyster cart operator. She is sent to learn about an insurance broker on the Bravos docks, who has reneged on a family's claim. She is to bestow the "gift" upon him.
Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven follow "Jaqen" down a dingy street, the Titan of Bravos seen in the distance. Bran asks whom they follow. He is answered, "No One." "Jaqen" enters a ramshackle laboratory off a quiet alley, where Qyburn is at work. He barely looks up as the faceless man enters. "Jaqen!" the defrocked maester casually orders the intruder, "Go rest!" but as "Jaqen" advances on him, Qyburn examines him more closely. "Who are you!?" he asks, alarmed, jumping from his seat. When "Jaqen" identifies himself as "No One," Qyburn is terrified, understanding his situation, imploring "Jaqen" that he misunderstands. "You stole a name that was promised," the faceless man calmly asserts. Qyburn thinks quickly. "Do you know what name?" he inquires, backing toward a rear exit. "It matters not to the Many-Faced God," "Jaqen tells him, yet Qyburn craftily retorts, "but it may matter to you," not turning away as he opens the door behind him. Bran strains to see a form shuffle through the entrance and, like "Jaqen", is shocked to see it appears to be "Jaqen's" twin, though this double has red eyes and translucent skin, with a zombie-like demeanor. It stares coldly, blankly into Bran's eyes. "It sees me!" Bran exclaims. The Three-Eyed Raven concurs.
"What was that?!" Bran demands while following "Jaqen" back to the House of Black and White. "What you have seen," the Three-Eyed Raven warns, "is the deadly threat of immortality." Inside, "Jaqen" is greeted by the old doorkeeper, who inquires if the Many-Faced God received its due. Ruefully, calmly, "Jaqen" asks if his due was Qyburn or Jaqen H'ghar? The old doorkeeper, feeling threatened, signals another faceless man to back him, then confirms the name of Qyburn. Smiling with a shrug, "Jaqen" says, "It is all the same to the Many-Faced God, for whom I returned with a new name." The doorkeeper scowls, asking whom, to which "Jaqen" answers, eyes focusing, "No One." All three faceless men draw daggers. Seconds later, only "Jaqen" is left alive. Bran is shocked as "Jaqen" calmly carves an incision along the edge of his own face.
Qyburn visits Cersei in her cell, informing her that she is charged with incest and Robert's murder, and that Kevan Lannister has been appointed Hand of the King. Qyburn suggests there is a way out.
Locked in her chambers, Sansa is told by Theon that there is no escape from Ramsay, also admitting that he didn't kill her brothers. In private chambers, Ramsay proposes, with twenty men, to cripple Stannis' army for his father.
In the Queen's chambers, Tyrion advises Daenerys about the dearth of potential allies inside Westeros. She vows to "break the wheel."
Jorah returns to Yezzan's training camp, bargaining his freedom for the opportunity to fight in the games.
In her cell, Cersei, failing to bribe Unella, threatens her. She pours out Cersei's water on the floor.
In their dark refuge, Victaria Greyjoy, believing Bran asleep, quietly delivers him food, but as she leaves, he asks her to stay. He tells of how he watched a man choose to betray those to whom he swore his life. Victaria sighs, saying the man sounds like a fool. Bran states the man lived in certainty, yet suddenly those into whom he put total faith meant nothing to him. She asks why he did something so absurd, and Bran tells her that the love for a brother proved far stronger than any vow. He takes her hand and thanks her for all she has sacrificed, for her brother and for him. She cries in his arms.
In the Lord Commander's quarters, Sam tells Olly that there is no chance of defeating the White Walkers without wildlings.
Jon and Tormund arrive by boat at Hardhome. Upon the shore, Tormund kills the Lord of Bones after a rude exchange. Inside a wildling longhouse, Jon offers dragonglass to his adversaries, pledging to settle them south of the Wall if they will aid the Night's Watch against the White Walkers. Although the Thenns refuse, Jon and Tormund convince thousands of wildlings to join them, and the evacuation begins. The white walkers lead an attack by wights, and thousands are killed, locked outside the fort. Although he loses Sam's dragonglass, Jon kills a white walker with his Valyrian steel sword. The Night King observes. Hardhome's walls fall, and Jon and his remaining allies, including Tormund, Edd, and Wun Wun the giant, escape by boat. They witness the Night King revive hundreds of dead as wights.
Episode 5.9: The Dance of Dragons
At night, Melisandre discovers the camp is on fire. By morning, Ser Davos reports to Stannis on their heavy losses in supplies and men.
Jon and Tormund return to Castle Black, accompanied by surviving Night's Watchmen, wildlings, and Wun Wun. Ser Alliser warns Jon that his compassion will get them all killed.
In his tent, Stannis orders Davos to return to the Wall and negotiate the Night's Watch's assistance. Before departing, Davos gives Shireen a carved wooden stag.
On the Bravos docks, Arya sees Mace Tyrell and Ser Meryn Trant in Bravos. When she recognises Trant, she ignores her mission. She follows them first to the Iron Bank and eventually tracks Trant to a brothel, discovering his preference for quite young girls. Upon returning to "Jaqen," Arya lies, saying her assigned target was not hungry, and asks to try again the next day.
In a secluded ravine, Arianne's caravan rests for the night, and her guards entertain Trystane and Myrcella with a saber dance by the campfire. While Nymeria and Obara encourage the men by clapping to the beat, Arianne spots Jaime keeping watch atop the ravine. Tyene lures Bronn back to her tent. As Arianne approaches Jaime, his eyes are closed as he enjoys the warm breeze. She smiles, and remarks that they don't have nights like this in King's Landing. He nods. She snuggles her face against his back, telling him that when she was young, she dreamed of travelling outside Dorne, but learned that in the rest of Westeros, people are obsessed with constraining their passions and hiding their desires. Now, she would live no where else. Arianne tells Jaime that she has seen a change in him during the last week, as if he is more comfortable in his own skin. She suggests that he will never be true to himself in King's Landing. Under Dornish law, Myrcella would be Joffrey's heir. If she were to be named Queen in Dorne, she could release Jaime from the Kingsguard and, residing in Dorne, he could not only, finally, be a true father to Myrcella, but a husband to Arianne. Jaime is overwhelmed by her proposal, unable to find a response. She takes his hand.
In Tyene's tent, Bronn is impressed as she playfully disarms him. They kiss, and Bronn soon starts to feel dizzy. Tyene backs up and sips from a blue, snake-shaped vial around her neck. She joins Nymeria and Obara around the fire. Upon an agreed signal, they suddenly turn and fiercely slaughter Arianne's guards. When Jaime and Arianne hear the commotion, he runs toward the camp while she hurries behind, genuinely horrified. As Obara finishes off the guards, Tyene and Nymeria move on Myrcella, but Trystane holds them off, blade in hand. He begs Tyene to desist, and she cannot look him in the eye as they fight. Nymeria makes a move but is struck in the foot with Bronn's thrown dagger. He has emerged from the tent, weakened, with blood coming down his nose. Obara attacks Bronn, who can barely defend himself. Tyene's bold attempt to strike Myrcella results in Trystane spearing her through the shoulder, and he is aghast at causing her harm. Nymeria takes advantage of his distress and slashes him across the throat. Myrcella screams, distracting Bronn, and allowing Obara opportunity to toss her spear over his shoulder, piercing Myrcella's side. She crumples to the ground as Obara sees Jaime racing into the camp. Unarmed, she mounts a horse, pulling Nymeria up beside her, and they ride away. Jaime takes Myrcella in his arms, while Arianne, weeping over Trystane, recognizes Bronn is poisoned. Betrayed, she rips the vial from Tyene's neck, giving it to Bronn. Myrcella softly asks Jaime to make sure Cersei knows that Trystane died fighting for her.
In her tent, Princess Shireen pledges to do whatever she can to help her father. Outside, she discovers that Stannis intends for Melisandre to burn her at the stake in sacrifice to the Lord of Light. Too late, Queen Selyse has a change of heart as her daughter is murdered.
Daenerys, Tyrion, Missandei, Daario and Hizdahr attend the games' opening in Daznak's Pit, seated in the royal box. Daario's theory of speed over strength is disproved. One fighter is revealed to be Ser Jorah. Victorious, he kills an assassin approaching Daenerys from behind. Sons of the Harpy emerge right and left, killing guards and spectators, including Hizdahr. The Sons of the Harpy seal off the exits, leaving survivors trapped in the center of the arena. Drogon appears, setting ablaze the Sons of the Harpy. Confidently, Daenerys climbs upon Drogon's back, commanding it to fly.
Episode 5.10: Mother's Mercy
"The things we do for love." Bran is pushed from the broken tower. He gasps, and opens his eyes. He and the Three-Eyed Raven observe Ser Jaime, a teenage kingsguard, standing watch in the Red Keep. A beautiful male singing voice echoes through the halls. Bran is hostile, but his mentor insists that they study not a cynical, veteran knight, but an idealistic boy. Young Jaime is invited into Prince Rhaegar's chambers. Bran follows. Offering wine, Rhaegar knows Jaime longs for Cersei, counseling him that their paths have not forever diverged. Dressed in his ruby-adorned armour, he foretells that Jaime's sister shall save the world, yet warns, for Cersei's sake, to beware of a child not born to them together, for if Jaime's son, rather than that of Viserys, should be the "Prince who was Promised," Cersei shall perish like Nissa before her.
Rhaegar refers to a book open on his desk. Bran sees the title is "The Book of Lost Books". "When the battle's done, I mean to call a council," Rhaegar says. "Changes will be made. A usurper's part is foreign to my heart, though I am to sire "the Song of Ice and Fire." Rhaegar professes that he leaves the future of House Targaryen in Jaime's hands, though adding that if salvation indeed depends on Rhaegar's daughter wielding "the blade of Azor Ahai," than her baby brother may yet inherit the Iron Throne. Rhaegar straps on his sword and departs. As Jaime browses the book, Bran asks of these prophecies' validity. The Three-Eyed Raven calls them truths intended to confound. As skepticism wins Jaime over, he closes the cover.
Jaime enters a mountain pass on horseback, as Arianne drives her own wheelhouse. Bronn sits beside her, recovering from poisoning. Tyene is bound inside accompanying the wrapped corpses of Myrcella and Trystane, at whom she stares forlornly. She calls repeatedly to Arianne, who ignores her. Areo Hoteh and twenty soldiers await them in the pass, making clear that they have not come to challenge Jaime but rather offer him safe escort to King's Landing. However, in taking custody of Tyene, they also slap manacles on Arianne. Jaime, spoiling for a fight, protests, but Areo Hoteh explains that Arianne, before leaving Sunspear, had sent a message to Cersei proclaiming Myrcella as Queen in Dorne, hoping to create division amongst the Lannisters. With Arianne's culpability in the fiasco thus exposed, she begs Jaime to take Trystane's body to King's Landing with Myrcella's, that they might be buried together. Jaime coldly states that Cersei would only dump Trystane's body into Blackwater Bay.
In Stannis' camp, Melisandre finds the weather improved, yet Stannis' sacrifice of his daughter has prompted mass desertion, and Selyse has hung herself in the woods. Melisandre is reported to have fled. Stannis orders a march upon Winterfell.
In his quarters in Castle Black, Jon speaks to Sam of his failures, who requests permission to travel to Oldtown and become a maester at the Citadel. Jon watches as Sam departs the Wall with Gilly.
Stannis marches on Winterfell. Podrick observes, and rushes to alert Brienne. The Bolton calvary emerges and Stannis' forces are overwhelmed. Sansa, having escaped from her chambers, lights a candle in the ruined tower, witnessing the battle. Stannis survives, wounded. Brienne finds him and executes him. Ramsay takes no prisoners. Sansa attempts to return to her room but is confronted by Myranda, who Theon throws from the ramparts as the Bolton army returns. Theon and Sansa jump from the castle walls into the snow.
Arya infiltrates a brothel with a face taken from the Hall of Faces, killing Meryn Trant. As she returns to the House of Black and White, "Jaqen" insists that she must face consequences. He drinks from a vial presented to her, and dies. Crying over his body, Arya laments, "He was my friend," but the Waif responds, "No he wasn't. Didn't you listen to him?" The Waif transforms into "Jaqen", and Arya finds herself struck blind as punishment.
In the Dornish palace, Areo brings Arianne, still manacled, before her father, Prince Doran. Ellaria waits off to the side with other observers. Doran tells Arianne that, although she had not intended harm to come to Myrcella and Trystane, he holds her responsible and is banishing her from Dorne for the remainder of his reign. Overcome with grief, she says nothing in her defense and is led away. Ellaria begs Doran for news of Tyene and he assures her that her daughter shall have the best physicians in his service.Ellaria kisses his hand in gratitude. Doran explains that he wants Tyene returned to full health before her execution.
Arianne is led by Areo aboard the "Feathered Kiss," a ship commanded by her cousin, Sarella, into whose custody he releases her. Sarella is a tall, lean and muscular trans-woman. As Areo unlocks Arianne's manacles, he gives her a letter to be delivered upon arrival at her destination. Arianne asks Sarella as to where they sail, and she is told Meereen.
In the Great Pyramid's throne room, Dario and Ser Jorah agree with the appointment of Tyrion to govern in Daenerys' absence, assisted by Missandei and Grey Worm. Daario and Jorah leave Meereen in search of their queen. Overlooking the city, Tyrion is joined by Varys, who offers his spy network.
Landing in parts unknown, Drogon ignores Daenerys' commands. She wanders off and is spotted by a Dothraki horde.
Cersei confesses to adultery but denies all other charges. The High Sparrow grants her return to the Red Keep, after undergoing "atonement," but adds that she must return to face trial. She is forced to walk naked from the Great Sept to the Red Keep. Traumatized, she returns to the palace. Qyburn reveals the newest member of the Kingsguard, "the Mountain."
At Castle Black, Davos is asking for supplies from the Night's Watch, which Jon refuses, as Melisandre arrives. Davos realizes that Stannis was defeated. That night, Olly reports to Jon that a wildling has seen Benjen Stark. Led outside, Ser Alliser, Olly and others stab Jon, leaving him to die in the snow.
