Game of Thrones Recap – “Beyond the Wall” (Se: 7 Ep: 6)

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Game of Thrones Recap – “Beyond the Wall” (Se: 7 Ep: 6)

Craig Koshkin

This was the one; the next-to-last episode of season 7. And much like every other season, this was the episode with all of the fireworks. It was a long, exciting episode that certainly had its issues (think timing). Without any further ado, let’s get into exactly what happened.

North of the Wall

Jon, Tormund, the Hound, Thoros, Beric, Jorah, Gendry, and some disposable characters march north of The Wall to find a wight to bring back to Westeros.  Gendry is pissed at the Brotherhood without Banners members for selling him and The Hound promptly shuts him up. Jon speaks to Jorah and tries to return Longclaw to the Mormont family and Jorah, with his sense of honor, knows he isn’t worthy.

Winterfell

Arya confronts Sansa about the scroll she found that tried to convince Robb to swear fealty to Joffrey. Sansa is clearly caught off guard and is scared of what Arya has found. If Arya is playing the long game against Littlefinger she either needs to let Sansa in on the game or they are doing an excellent job of playing for Littlefinger’s benefit. I don’t think Arya sees the long game here. She is only seeing what is directly in front of her.

Sansa is worried that Arya will show this to the Northern Lords who will immediately withdraw their allegiance upon hearing of Sansa’s traitorous words. Sansa tries to deflect by talking about what she’s been through and how she’s the reason the Starks are back in Winterfell.  Arya is quick to point out that Sansa always had a choice and she chose to betray her family. The rift is clear and wide between the two sisters and who knows how or if they will repair it.

Sansa summons Littlefinger because she is scared. She wonders where Arya found the scroll and Littlefinger says he doesn’t know. Littlefinger hatches a plan to get Brienne involved because she is sworn to protect both of Catelyn Stark’s daughters.

Sansa gets a raven from King’s Landing with an invitation to see Cersei. Sansa refuses to go but sends Brienne in her stead. Brienne is worried about Littlefinger and the potential deals he has made with the other lords. Despite her protests, Brienne hits the road for King’s Landing.

Beyond the Wall

Hey writers, can we get more Tormund and The Hound conversations please? Tormund discusses his love for Brienne of Tarth to which the Hound replies that he knows who she is.

Beric points out that Jon must favor his mother in the looks department because he looks nothing like Ned. I wonder why that is… The two go on to discuss what their purpose in life is. The only enemy is death to Beric and he will continue to fight death so that others may live. The only assurance in the fight is that death will eventually win. The Hound sees the mountain shaped like an arrowhead that he saw in his vision. The group marches.

Dragonstone

Daenerys laments the foolish efforts of brave men. She’s tired of bravery and wants smarter men to prevail. Tyrion compares all of Daenerys’ brave suitors and talks of Jon’s love for her. Daenerys is quick to push it aside but Tyrion knows better but downplays it for her benefit.

The two discuss going to meet Cersei and Daenerys is worried about what trap Cersei has lain for her. They discuss “breaking the wheel” of power and walking the fine line between power and tyranny. Tyrion warns her to keep her wits about her and stay cool because Cersei will try and provoke her. After what happened with the Tarlys, Tyrion wants Daenerys thinking 3 steps ahead rather than being too in the moment.  Tyrion also wants a succession plan should Daenerys fall. She will only discuss it when she has the crown on her head.

Beyond the Wall

The blizzard intensifies and a red shirt walks ahead of the group in the distance. Something is approaching. It’s a freaking wight bear, blue eyes and all. The red shirt is dead and the group prepares. During the fight The Hound freezes up because the bear is on fire and Thoros is forced to take a blow defending him. The group eventually subdues the bear and Beric is forced to cauterize Thoros’ wound. Who knows if he will make it?

The group marches on and Jorah tries to distract a laboring Thoros. They discuss how they charged the Pyke to defeat Theon’s father during his rebellion. A small group of wights marches in a ravine just below the group and this is the opportunity. The group ambushes the wights, accompanied by one white walker, by planting a fire that catches the wight’s attention. During the fight Jon kills the white walker and all but one of the wights fall along with him. The bull in the ring drill is on and the wight calls for help before he can be fully subdued. Time. To. Run.

Gendry is sent back to Eastwatch to get a raven to Daenerys because he is the fastest. Tormund takes his hammer and Gendry is off. The group runs towards a frozen lake with some fairly thin ice. They run for a small island in the middle and the ice breaks behind them, taking some wights with it. The wights stop their pursuit but the group isn’t going anywhere. Looks like they know where they’re sleeping for the night. It took the group 2 days to get that far north of the wall but Gendry gets back to Eastwatch by nightfall. Davos meets him at the gate and sends a raven immediately to Daenerys.

Morning comes and Thoros is dead. On a side note, I called that one in my preview column last week. They burn his body so that he can’t be raised.

Dragonstone

Daenerys gets the raven from Gendry in record time and his off to save her beloved. Tyrion protests that while it is hard to do nothing, she must in this case. Daeny isn’t having it and is off with her 3 dragons to save the men north of the wall.

Battle with the Wights

Bored, the Hound thinks it is a great idea to throw rocks at the wights. He nails one with his first toss, knocking of the wight’s jaw. His second throw is a little short and the wight’s see the ice is now thick enough. They charge. Thanks a lot dog boy. Who knew the wights were intelligent?

The battle is on and the wight’s overwhelming numbers push the group back. One on one, the army of the dead are no match for anyone in this group but the group is out numbered by at least 50 to 1. The Hound makes up for his mistake with the bear by saving Tormund from certain death. Just as soon as the group is completely overwhelmed Daenerys comes flying in with her 3 dragons.  Daenerys runs roughshod through the wight defense as the Night’s King looks on. One white walker hands his King an ice spear and with the power and accuracy of John Elway, the Night’s King obliterates Viserion.  One shot and the dragon is down. Daenerys looks on horrified as her baby is killed.

There is a theory, which I am completely buying, that the Night’s King is a greenseer like Bran and foresaw this battle. He knew there was an opportunity to kill a dragon and he took it. Everyone mounts Drogon as the Night’s King prepares a second spear.  Just before Jon can reach Daeny, he turns to fight off more wights. Jon is overwhelmed and pulled into the icy water. Jon finds his way out of the water but is marooned north of the Wall. Some wights charge but luckily Benjen is there to save his nephew (called that one too). He puts Jon on his horse and sends him back to Eastwatch. Benjen is overrun and most certainly killed.

Back at the Wall, Daenerys looks into the north for a sign of Jon’s return. Just as she walks away the horn sounds and Jon’s horse appears from the trees. They get Jon’s body to his ship and Danerys is shocked by the appearance of the scars on Jon’s body (chicks dig scars).

Winetrfell

Sansa searches Arya’s luggage and finds a suitcase full of faces. She turns to run but is confronted by Arya. Terrified, Sansa asks what all of the faces are about and Arya tells her about how she can live as other people if she has their face. She even talks about living as Sansa and finding out what it is like to wear all of those pretty dresses. Right when you think Arya may kill Sansa with her dagger, she flips it over and hands it to Sansa. Does she expect Sansa to take her own face off or is this a sign that she knows what Littlefinger is up to?

On the Sea

Jon finally wakes up and his first words are “I’m sorry” to Daenerys. She is overwhelmed and holds Jon’s hand. Daeny is glad she went because now she knows what she is up against.  Daenerys vows to join Jon in his war against the dead. Jon vows to bend the knee to her and calls her his queen. Jon sees Daenerys for the potential great leader she is. Sparks are flying like wild fire between these two but Daenerys pulls away at the last moment.

The Army of the Dead

The Army Corps of Engineers brought their huge anchor chains with them to pull Viserion’s body out of the water. I’m not sure how they tied the chains onto Viserion because they just showed us they can’t swim, but somehow they do it. The Night’s King approaches the dead dragon and a blue eye opens. ICE DRAGON!

Get ready because the final episode is on Sunday and it should be a wild one. This was a great episode but not without its flaws. Let us know what you thought and where you think the Season Finale is headed.