The third episode of "Game of Thrones" season 7 turned out close to what many expected but it still managed to put some surprises along the way. Jon Snow met Daenerys Targaryen in Dragonstone, there was a rather creepy Stark reunion in Winterfell, and Queen Cersei got her revenge in King’s Landing as well as the upper hand in the war so far.
Jon Snow at Dragonstone
The bastard of Winterfell was met by the dwarf of Casterly Rock at the beach and we actually got a rare smile from Jon Snow. That vanished quickly though as Missandei, with all the niceties she could muster, asked Jon and company to turn over their weapons.
If that was not enough, whatever goodwill Jon felt upon seeing Tyrion was replaced by terror as one of Daenerys’ dragons swooped down on them forcing Jon and Davos to hit the pavement. That was shock and awe, Westeros style for you.
Jon meets Daenerys
In the throne room, Missandei introduced Daenerys Targaryen by reciting all the titles she had acquired since Game of Thrones season 1. Davos Seaworth introduced Jon Snow and as an afterthought added, he is "the King of the North."
Jon refused to bend the knee and thus we were subjected to a Westeros history lesson we thought could go on for perpetuity. In came the spider bearing bad news whispering to the Mother of Dragons an abbreviated recap of last week’s Game of Thrones episode.
She had to excuse herself. Jon asked if he is a prisoner. “Not yet,” she said. For acting defiantly, that was as good as it got for Jon Snow.
In the end, Jon has gotten something out of nothing in Dragonstone as Queen Daenerys Targaryen decided to help the King of the North obtain the dragonglass he needs despite Jon’s act of defiance when ordered to bend the knee.
The Queen’s poetic justice
Euron Greyjoy was back in King’s Landing savoring the adulation of the crowd. He gifted Cersei with Ellaria and Tyene Sand. The two were later brought and chained in the dungeons with the ominous presence of the Mountain.
We expect Cersei to order Clegane to rape and crush the skulls of her captives but she chose a more poetic way of exacting her revenge.
She kills Tyene Sand the same way Myrcella was murdered by Ellaria - through a poisoned kiss. Ellaria would witness Tyene slowly and horribly dying but she is completely powerless to help. She cannot even talk to her daughter as she is gagged. Poetic and cruel.
Stark reunion at Winterfell
It is as if Winterfell is not creepy enough with Littlefinger and his eerie voice in it, Brandon Stark and Meera Reed arrived at the castle. Sansa was overjoyed and emotional but Bran merely stares at the void.
Later at the weirwood heart tree, Bran told Sansa that he could no longer be the Lord of Winterfell as he is the Three Eyed Raven now. He then talked to Sansa about her wedding night and how sorry he was that it had to happen in their home.
Sansa could not take it so she walked away.
Sansa is simply surrounded by creepy siblings. First Jon talking about the Night King and white walkers now Bran capable of seeing both the past and the future. Just wait till Arya and her many faces arrive.
Casterly Rock and Highgarden
"Game of Thrones" season 7 is big on castles on top of hills or mountains such as Dragonstone, Casterly Rock, and Highgarden. The Unsullied attacked the Lannister’s home only to find it minimally defended. Then Euron’s fleet showed up and attacked the Unsullied’s ships. Thank goodness Ed Sheeran is in the Riverlands.
It turned out, the main bulk of Lannister armies were at Highgarden attacking the Tyrells with the aid of their longtime bannerman, Randyll Tarly.
Not much of a resistance was put up as the Tyrell soldiers were better with flowers rather than fighting a war.
Lady Ollena defeated and captured, was given a merciful death by poison after Jamie convinced Cersei not to flay her alive and hang her in King’s Landing. The Queen of Thorns had the last stab though as she revealed that she was the one who poisoned King Joffrey. Jamie walked out enraged and left her to die in peace. Take that Cersei.
