Game of Thrones Recap Season 5 Episode 4: Sons of the Harpy
Volantis
Jorah throws the bound and gagged Tyrion into a boat and sets off for Meereen.
The Narrow Sea
Jaime and Bronn, on a ship bound for Dorne, reveal some interesting thoughts: Bronn questions Jaime’s relationship to Myrcella, and Jaime is angry enough over Tyrion’s patricide to kill him.
King’s Landing
The Iron Bank of Braavos has called in a portion of the royal debts. This is no small matter; the Iron Bank is an ancient, powerful institution known to have ruined delinquents and rumored to employ assassins. Cersei “honors” Mace Tyrell with the responsibility of traveling to Braavos to negotiate.
Cersei meets with the High Sparrow and agrees to re-establish the Faith Militant, another very bold stroke. The church has been forbidden from taking up arms for nearly 200 years. Immediately the Sparrows set about destroying wares, interrupting prostitutes, and carving symbols on foreheads. Tipped off by Cersei, they arrest Loras Tyrell on charges of homosexuality. Margaery is not happy, and demands that Tommen have him released. Poor dude is not mentally or emotionally prepared for the fuckstorm he’s found himself in. He tries to help, but Cersei has no interest and the Faith Militant turns him away from the Sept.
The Wall
Jon is signing numerous requests for men and arms when he sees Lord Bolton’s name; reluctantly he signs the document for the good of the Night’s Watch. Melisandre intrudes to ask Jon to join them marching on Winterfell, punctuating her request by going full frontal. Not a bad idea when dealing with men sworn to celibacy. Jon rebuffs her advances in honor of Ygritte, and presumably goes outside to scoop up some snow for his bluest of balls. Stannis shares a tender moment with Shireen, a rare display of his humanity.
Winterfell
Sansa and Littlefinger chat in the crypts and we hear the story of Rhaegar’s crowning of Lyanna as the Queen of Love and Beauty at the Tourney at Harrenhal, sowing the seeds for Robert’s Rebellion. Littlefinger predicts Stannis will attack Winterfell soon, encourages Sansa to gain power over Ramsay, and then kisses her, which is kind of uncomfortable.
Dorne
Jaime and Bronn arrive on a beach and share a breakfast snake and some bro time. Four soldiers arrest the duo but Bronn acts quickly, killing three while Jaime manages the fourth.
We meet the Sand Snakes (Obara, Tyene, and Nymeria, some of Oberyn’s daughters) in an extremely campy introduction. Having captured the captain of Jaime and Bronn’s ship, they know Jaime is in Dorne.
LOOK HOW TOUGH AND INTIMIDATING WE ARE
The Summer Sea
Tyrion annoys Jorah to the point that he removes his gag, and Tyrion learns he is bound for Meereen and Queen Daenerys rather than King’s Landing and Cersei.
Meereen
Barristan tells Daenerys a story of Rhaegar before leaving to patrol the streets. Hizdahr is still requesting the Fighting Pits be reopened, but again Dany refuses. The Sons of the Harpy begin murdering Queens’ men in the streets before cornering Grey Worm and some Unsullied. In the close quarters of the streets the Unsullied are at a disadvantage and are largely killed. Barristan arrives in time to assist a wounded Grey Worm and lays down the fucking law, killing at least ten Sons of the Harpy before succumbing to wounds of his own.
What changed?
The Sons of the Harpy are becoming bolder in Meereen; The Sand Snakes have decided to commit treason and attempt to start a war; The Faith Militant has been re-established;
Who’s Missing?
Brienne and Pod, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Rickon Stark, Roose Bolton, Ramsay Bolton, Reek, Yara Greyjoy, Balon Greyjoy, Doran Martell. The Dragons.
House Power Rankings:
- House Tyrell – slipping a bit with Mace sent off to Braavos and Loras arrested
- House Lannister – on the way up if their alliance with the Faith Militant continues to work
- House Bolton – no change
- House Greyjoy – no change
- House Baratheon – no change
- House Targaryen – grievous injuries to Barristan and Grey Worm are bad news, but they’re still miles ahead of...
- House Stark – no change
Dragonflame Burn of the Week
"Now, we're going to be doing a lot of fighting, I'm sure. Well, I am."
I get it, I only have one hand.
"I don't imagine we'll get to stick around for the rest. Not after we've kidnapped their Princess."
"We're not kidnapping their Princess, we're rescuing my niece, bringing her back to her family."
"Your niece?"
