GoT Ep 802 "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"

Image via HBO

Last week we left off with Jaime Lannister arriving at Winterfell and realizing that Bran Stark was alive, but their reunion was put off for a bit while Jaime went before the Inquisition. He stands before all the "bigs" in the Great Hall of Winterfell being questioned. Obviously, Daenerys is unhappy to see him and talks about the Kingslayer her brother told her about when she was a little girl, the one who killed their father. She also tells him that she and Viserys used to fantasize about what they would do to him when they took back the throne. Then, she asks when they can expect the Lannister army to arrive and Jaime has to confirm the suspicion that Cersei did betray them. He tells them everything, even the fact that Euron Greyjoy is back in Kings Landing and that he ferried the Golden Company with him from Essos in order to outnumber Daenerys if she survived the war with the dead. However, Jaime says he is there to hold up his end of the bargain and he wants to fight with them. Tyrion stands up for his brother, pissing Daenerys off in the process. She doesn't believe Jaime is there to fight and thinks the whole thing is some kind of trick. Sansa brings up the things he's done to her family in particular and Bran even quotes what Jaime said before pushing him from the window in the first episode of the series, "The things we do for love." At that point, Jaime realizes Bran does remember what he did. However, Bran doesn't use this opportunity to tell the others, which would undoubtedly seal Jaime's fate. It's hard to remember that a lot of these character's don't have the knowledge that we do. Catelyn Stark believed the Lannisters had something to do with it and that Jaime did, in fact, push Bran out of the window, but no one else ever knew. Jaime says' he's there, against his sister's wishes and says the fight is for survival. Finally, Brienne is moved enough to stand up and vouch for Jaime telling them how he protected her from being raped when they were captured by Locke and his men, even losing his sword hand in the process. She tells Sansa that Jaime was the one who equipped her with the supplies and information so that she could find Sansa and Arya and return them home. She would fight beside him and she encourages the others to believe in him and let him stay. Sansa changes her tune and thinks Jaime should be allowed to stay, now that Brienne has spoken up for him because she trusts Brienne's word. Daenerys asks her Warden of the North, Jon Snow, what he thinks and he says they need every man they can get. Since she is outnumbered, Daenerys concedes to let Jaime stay and fight but she is not happy about it. So, Grey Worm returns Jaime's sword to him and everyone abruptly leaves the Great Hall, including Jon who seems to be avoiding Daenerys.

Daenerys, Varys, Jorah, and Tyrion are leaving the Great Hall and Tyrion catches hell from Daenerys. She is fed up with his (in her eyes) bad advice and is especially mad at him for talking her into trusting Cersei. She means to win the Iron Throne from his sister and if he can't help her win it, then she will name a new Hand who can. After she storms off, Tyrion tells Jorah and Varys that he's pretty sure one of the two of them will be wearing his Hand pin pretty soon.

Gendry is still hard at work, making weapons from the dragonglass. Arya comes by to check in on her weapon. When Gendry suggests she remain in the crypts, she being a lady and all, she begins interrogating him about the wights. She wants to know how they fight, what they smell like, and many other things. He tells her that they are different from the rapers and thieves they marched towards the Wall with. They are horrible, they are like death. She says she knows death. He's got many faces and she looks forward to seeing this one. She says all of this while throwing dragonglass spearheads into a wooden post, hitting her mark every time. As she walks away, she tells him to finish her weapon, and Gendry is a bit impressed.

Jaime and Bran finally get a proper reunion in the godswood. Bran is there when Jaime comes to apologize to him. He's a bit taken back by Bran's reaction, or lack thereof. Instead of yelling at him or calling him dishonorable, Bran says that Jaime was just protecting his family and that neither of them would be who they are or where they are if Jaime hadn't pushed Bran out of that window. Jaime asks Bran why he didn't tell the others what he did to him and Brans says they need every person they can get to fight, so telling the others didn't do them any good. Then, Jaime asks what will happen afterward and Bran replies, "What makes you think there is an after."

Finished with Bran, Jaime and Tyrion talk. Jaime asks his brother if Daenerys really is different from all of the bad rulers Westeros has had over the last 50 years. Of course, Tyrion tells him Daenerys is different. He tells his brother that he really believed Cersei's lies this time. He believed she was pregnant. Jaime says the pregnancy is true (I still won't believe it until I see her give birth to that baby!). Jaime says Cersei fooled him too and finally realizes her for what she is. Tyrion says that Jaime has always known who Cersei is and has loved her in spite of it.

While speaking with his brother, Jaime notices Brienne outside the gates helping to get things ready and he takes the opportunity to speak with her. After they talk for a few minutes, in which Jaime doesn't insult her, Brienne asks what is really going on. He admits that he's not the fighter he once was but would be honored to serve under her command.

Jorah speaks with Daenerys and speaks up on behalf of Tyrion. He admits that when he found out she made Tyrion her Hand, it broke his heart but she made the right choice. Daenerys thinks Tyrion has made too many mistakes but Jorah says Tyrion learns from them and she should forgive him. He also suggests she do something else leading into the next scene where...

Daenerys finds Sansa and asks to speak with her alone. She begins by asking why Sansa changed her mind about accepting Jaime. Sansa tells her how much she trusts Brienne, then she also comes to Tyrion's aid telling Dany that he is a good man. Daenerys says he never should've trusted Cersei and Sansa says Dany never should've trusted her either. Dany asks why they are at odds with one another when they are really quite a lot alike. Sansa tells Dany she knows Jon is in love with her and she's seen men do stupid things for women they love. They are easily manipulated. Daenerys opens up and says her goal from birth has been taking back the Iron Throne, but she met Jon and found out about the fight in the north and she brought her army and dragons there to help him fight, losing a dragon in the process. So who is manipulating whom? Sansa admits that she should've thanked Dany when she arrived, that she made a mistake. Daenerys says she loves and trusts Jon because he is true to his word. He is one of only two men she has ever trusted. When Sansa asks who the second man is, Daenerys replies that he was much taller (obviously referring to Khal Drogo) and making Sansa laugh. Things seem to be going well between these two, but then Sansa reminds Dany that the north was taken from her family. Then, they took it back and swore they would never submit again. So, what happens after Daenerys takes the throne? The smiles have disappeared from both of their faces when the maester interrupts. Theon has returned. He tells Daenerys that his sister is safe and taking back the Iron Islands in Dany's name. Then, he says he wants to fight for Winterfell and Sansa runs and hugs him. I don't know about you, but I was getting some serious romance vibes from these two in this episode.

Jon and the others have recruited any man capable of fighting, regardless of whether they have the training. Davos is handing out food to the people when one of the men voices his concerns about not being a soldier. Davos tells him he's no fighter either but he's survived two battles, including the Battle of the Bastards, so the man will be okay. Then, a little girl comes up and asks if she can fight. Gilly sees the exchange and tells the little girl she can protect the people in the crypts. Then, a horn blows and Tormund and the others have arrived. They quickly relay what happened at the Last Hearth and the fact that they don't have much time before the Night King arrives. Then he asks where Brienne is.

Jon goes through the battle plans with all of the leaders. The plan is to take out the Night King in order to destroy the others. Bran has another idea. He is the biggest threat to the Night King and he knows he will come for him. Jon wants Bran in the crypts but Bran says he will wait as bait in the godswood. Theon offers to stay with Bran to protect him as a way of making up for what he did to Bran and Rickon years before. Tyrion wants to command from one of the walls but Dany insists he stay in the crypts because she will need her Hand after the battle. The dragons will also be defending the godswood and it sort of sounded like Jon was planning on riding Rhaegal in the battle. I guess we will see next week. Everyone asks if Dragonfire will kill the Night King and Bran says he doesn't know because no one's ever tried it before. Then, Tormund closes things out by saying they are all going to die tonight, but they'll die together. All while staring at Brienne. Daenerys tries to speak with Jon and he brushes her off again.

Missandei tries to speak to some children in the courtyard but they run off because they are scared of her and the Unsullied. Unfortunately, even though Westeros is fictional, it's based on feudal England, which was inhabited by a bunch of white people. So, Grey Worm and Missandei are new and different in Westeros. Grey Worm finds her and asks what they will do once Daenerys takes the Iron Throne. Westeros is not their home and the people there are scared of them so there will be no place for them afterward. She tells him she wants to see her homeland, Naath again and he promises to take her there.

Sam and Jon are together and we see Ghost! He's still alive! Sam asks if Jon has told Daenerys about himself yet and Jon says he hasn't. Sam warns him to be careful about how he tells her. Dolorous Ed finds them and Jon quickly changes the subject, suggesting Sam stay in the crypts with Gilly and little Sam. In order to protect them, of course. Sam reminds Jon and Ed that he was the first one to kill a White Walker and he's fought many times since then, and stolen books from the Citadel, so he can take care of himself.

Tyrion and Jaime are awaiting the battle in the Great Hall and Tyrion jokes about how their father, Lord Tywin's face would look knowing his sons were going to die for Winterfell. He talks about the first time they were there and how much simpler things were then when Tyrion was a whoremonger hated by most of his family and Jaime was sleeping with his sister. They concede that they've both changed since then and hopefully, for the better. Brienne, Pod, Ser Davos, and Tormund come in and join them in a drink. Tormund seems to notice the relationship between Jaime and Brienne and mentions that he heard they call Jaime a king killer. Jaime says he is sure some people refer to him as that and it is true. Tormund says they call him Giantsbane because he killed a giant when he was ten, then climbed into bed with the giant's wife. When she woke up, she thought he was her baby and suckled him at her teat for three months, which is why he is so big and strong. Then he downs his drink. He is totally trying to outdo Jaime in front of Brienne.

Arya finds the Hound sitting atop the wall by himself. She sits down beside him silently and he says she wouldn't shut up when they were together before, which was much better than her sitting there silent. She asks why he is there because he's never fought for anyone but himself and he says he fought for her. Then, Beric Dondarrion joins them. He apologizes to Arya for their last meeting and then starts spewing about the Lord of Light. The Hound tells him he better shut it or he'll chock him over the wall. Arya decides to leave them saying she doesn't want to spend her final hours with "two miserable old shits." She prefers to have target practice until Gendry interrupts her and brings her weapon, a two-headed spear. She asks him what happened after Melisandre took him and if he had sex with her. Gendry says she tied him to a bed and put leeches on him to get his blood. She wonders why Melisandre would bother with Gendry's blood and he confesses he is Robert Baratheon's bastard son. Arya then questions him about any other trysts he may have had before finally jumping his bones. Go, Arya!

The group in the Great Hall is still going strong. Tyrion mentions that Brienne won in single combat against the Hound, accidentally referring to her as Ser, before correcting himself. Tormund asks why she isn't a knight and she says only men are knights due to tradition. Tormund says, "fuck tradition" to that and says if he was a king he would knight her ten times over. Jaime corrects him saying any knight can make a knight and he'll prove it. Then he offers to knight Brienne and tells her to kneel. She laughs it off at first, thinking he must be joking but he tells her again to come and kneel, so she does. Everyone stands as she goes over to Jaime and kneels and he anoints her a knight. Sorry Tormund, she is definitely in love with Jaime now.

Sam catches Jorah fighting with his younger cousin, Lyanna Mormont about her decision to fight with the men. She is the future of their house and a woman, so she should be in the crypts. She says she is having none of that. (Fuck tradition, indeed!) Jorah sees Sam and Lyanna uses the opportunity to end their conversation. Sam shows Ser Jorah his family sword, Heartsbane and gives the sword to Jorah in honor of Lord Commander Mormont. He knows it will be of better use in a skilled fighter's hands. Jorah is touched and says he will wield it in his father's memory to guard the realms of men.

The group in the Great Hall is almost ready to retire and get some rest before the coming battle but Tyrion asks them to stay a bit longer. Then, he requests a song but no one wants to sing until Podrick begins to sing a beautiful song. While he is singing we see a montage of different characters around the castle while they spend their final hours before the fight. We see Sam and Gilly with little Sam, Theon and Sansa (I'm telling you these two are shipping now), Arya and Gendry, and Missandei and Grey Worm. While Ser Jorah is getting the Unsullied and Dothraki ready outside the gates of the castle.

And Jon is down in the crypts with Lyanna Stark's statue. Daenerys finds him there and once he turns to her and smiles, she comes up and takes his arm. She asks who he is looking at and when he says it's Lyanna Stark, Daenerys tells Jon how most people said Rhaegar was the good Targaryen. He liked to sing and collect money for the poor, and play the harp. He was supposed to be a good man but he kidnapped Jon's aunt and raped her. Jon decides this moment is the right one to reveal who he truly is. I think some of it is out of love for Dany and not wanting her to believe her brother was this horrible person. Jon says Rhaegar didn't rape Lyanna, he loved her and married her in secret, and she bore him a son. But, Robert would've murdered the baby, so she had her brother Ned Stark, take the baby and raise him as his bastard in order to protect him. He tells Daenerys he is Aegon Targaryen. She is completely taken back, and instead of mentioning the fact that they are in love and related (which is understandable, remember Targaryen's married within the family so it isn't unusual for her), she concentrates on the fact that this would make Jon the last male heir of House Targaryen, which also gives him the best claim to the Iron Throne. The thing she's been fighting for since day one because she believed it was her destiny as the last Targaryen. Then, before they can say any more, the horn blows, announcing the arrival of the Night King and his army.

What isn't said is how this could change things between them. Firstly, there is the fact that they are related. Again, not a big deal to her, but for Jon, this is uncharted territory. Then, the realization that he has a better claim as Rhaegar's son and a male. I love Jon Snow's character and always believed the R+L=J theory. And, even though I live in the real world and would most likely balk at incest, I'm totally for these two characters being together. In a perfect world, these two beloved characters (regardless of being related, because I don't think any of us care) would marry and rule the kingdom together, but Jon would be seen as the true ruler as the male. So, as a woman, I'm personally torn on who I want to rule between these two. However, I'm with Tormund on the "fuck tradition" argument. I think it's about time a woman gets to rule, and not a mad queen like Cersei. And besides, this is Game of Thrones, we aren't getting a fairytale ending. Both of these characters may end up dead in the next episode.

And now the bloodbath begins, be prepared to cry (I know I will) or be upset because some character you love will most likely meet their end very soon.

Until next time! And be sure to check out my "Games for the Throne" podcast on iTunes!