Game of Thrones Recap – “The Queen’s Justice”

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Game of Thrones Recap – “The Queen’s Justice” (Se: 7 Ep: 3)

Craig Koshkin

After Euron crushed the Ironborne/Dornish contingent of Deaney’s military at the end of “Stormborn” we were left with a lot of questions. The title of last night’s episode, “The Queen’s Justice” leaves us with only one more. Which Queen’s justice will be felt? The end of the episode left us left with a resounding answer. Let’s get into it…

Dragonstone

Jon Snow, Davos Seaworthy, and their men arrive on the shores of Dragonstone and are met by Missandei, Tyrion, and a few Dothraki. Pleasantries are exchanged and then Jon instantly questions his decision to head south as Messandei asks the Winterfell party to hand over their weapons and their row boat is commandeered. Davos makes nice with Missandei and gets an instant “I’ve got a boyfriend” smile from the advisor.

On the march to the castle Tyrion advises Jon on how poorly Starks fare when heading south. “True. But I’m not a Stark,” replies Mr. Snow and a Dragon instantly buzzes the group as if he were Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Foreshadowing much…?

On a cliff Varys questions Melisandre as to why she doesn’t greet Jon Snow despite speaking so highly of him. She speaks of mistakes and how she will leave for Volantis. Varys advises her to never return which is an order the Red Witch cannot abide. She informs Varys that she must return to die just like Varys. Another terrified/confused/ worried look from Varys and Melisandre is off.

Back in the throne room Daenerys Stormborn of House Tagaryen, rightful heir to… ok, I’m out. Too many titles in her name. I prefer Jon Snow’s introduction. “He’s King of the North.” We get a history lesson on titles, oaths, and the past deeds of relatives. Jon won’t bow to Daenerys because he is more worried about the real threat, the army of the dead. No one believes him, which shouldn’t come as a shock. Daenerys then goes on to reveal all of the hardships she’s gone through to try and get Jon to understand. Davos steps in to explain Jon’s hardships stopping just short of explaining how he came back from the dead.  Tyrion explains that they can’t just stop the war with Cersei now that it has already begun. Tyrion explains that he should bend the knee, defeat Cersei, and then they can defend the North.  “There’s no time,” says Jon Snow. Jon won’t bend the knee because the Northern Lords put their trust in him and he will do what’s best for them. Daenerys understands but informs Jon the he is in open rebellion if he won’t swear allegiance to her.

Varys comes in and interrupts with news. Jon and Davos are shown “hospitality” by being ushered out of the room with promises of a warm bath and dinner in their rooms. Walking out, Jon asks, “Am I your prisoner?” “Not yet,” Daeny responds. The news Varys brings is that of the Greyjoy fleet and the unknown status of Yara, Ellaria, and Theon.

Theon

Theon is rescues by a loyal Greyjoy ship. The Captain approaches Theon and asks what happened. He claims he tried to save Yara. “You wouldn’t be here if you tried.” Sick burn.

King’s Landing

Euron returns, prisoners in tow, to cheering from the loyal citizens of King’s Landing. He presents his prizes to Queen Cersei and even takes jab at Jaime by claiming it’s what no other man could give. Euron reiterates what he wants and Cersei informs him that he’ll have it… once the war is won. Euron takes his place by Jaime and asks him how his sister likes it. A finger in the bum perhaps?  Jaime is pissed. Euron leaves and takes Yara with him. She is HIS prize.

In the dungeons, Cersei has Ellaria and the one remaining Sand Snake, Tyene, are chained just out of arm’s reach of each other. Cersei taunts Ellaria with tales of the death of her beloved, Oberyn, and by talking about how beautiful Tyene is. Then Cersei gets her revenge with a kiss, in a form of poetic justice (The Queen’s Justice, maybe?), with poisoned lipstick.  Ellaria will have to watch her last remaining daughter die a long painful death. There is one man in King’s Landing that was saved from the same poison by Tyene. Could we see Bron saving the girl? Probably not but it’s an interesting thought.

Revenge gets Cersei all randy and she heads to bed with her brother. She’s queen and doesn’t care who knows about the two of them. She goes so far as to tell her attendant, in the morning, that she will need new sheets. You know, from all of the sex last night.

Cersei heads to a meeting with a representative from the Iron Bank of Braavos. The Crown’s debts to the bank are considerable and the bank is trying to back the correct ruler in order to recoup what it has invested. Three dragons, a handful of prominent houses, and the Dothraki make it seem that Daenerys is the logical choice. However, Cersei points out that she has a plan and only needs a fortnight to pay back the Iron Bank in full. The Iron Bank likes what they hear.

Back in Dragonstone

Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister are brooding over their missteps while overlooking the sea. Jon finally hears what he wants to hear: Tyrion believes Jon Snow about the White Walkers. Tyrion points out that Jon is asking for something unfathomable (believing in an army of the dead), but he should ask for something reasonable. Tyrion also goes on to tell Jon that there is more than meets the eye with Daenerys and Jon should find out why. Daenerys could have sailed to Westeros long ago, he points out, but she chose to help many people before doing so. Many of those same people have now joined her quest for the Iron Throne. Tyrion leaves Jon by asking how he can help Jon get something reasonable.

In the War Room Tyrion points out to Daeny that Jon needs dragon glass that is meaningless to her. Granting that request may help Jon Snow become an ally. Tyrion goes to bat for Jon by stating the importance of building relationships with a possible ally. Before leaving, Daenerys wonders exactly what was meant when Sir Davos said that Jon took a knife in the heart for his people.

Outside the castle, Jon Snow and Daenerys meet again. After another contentious exchange, Daenerys meets with Jon and lets him know he may mine the dragon glass and will allocate some resources to help him.  Jon asks if Daeny believes him. It’s clear she does not, but advises him to get to work.

Winterfell

Sansa is proving to be very good at leading the North, at least in terms of administrative duties. She shores up the food supply problem, and can tell blacksmiths are producing armor incorrectly. However, Littlefinger informs her that while command suits her, she is not seeing the long game though. She needs to learn to see all eventualities. she should be ready to fight every battle everywhere, at all times because if they do defeat the army of the dead, what happens next? There’s someone at the gate for Sansa.

Bran is back home in Winterfell. Shut up! I’m not crying. You’re crying. Whatever. Bran and Sansa sit beneath the Weirwood tree. Sansa wants Bran to be the Lord of Winterfell, but Bran can’t. He’s the Three Eyed Raven, but can’t really explain what that means. All he can do is apologize for all that happened to her. He recounts her wedding to Ramsay Bolton and a spooked Sansa has to leave.

Oldtown

The Arch-Maester takes a look at Sam’s handywork on Jorah Marmont. The infection isn’t there any longer. Sam gets called to the principal’s office for defying orders, but Jorah is free to go. Where? You may ask. Well Jorah is headed back to the Friendzone… err Dragonstone. Jorah leaves after shaking Sam’s hand. The first human contact he’s had in months.

Back in the Arch-Maester’s office, Sam is chastised and congratulated all at the same time.  The Arch-Maester wants to know how he did it. “I read the books and followed the instructions.” Sam is expecting a reward, but his only reward is not being expelled. He must now copy a lot of scrolls as penance.

Dragonstone/Casterly Rock

Daenerys wants to go after Euron with her dragons. Everyone shoots down that idea. Dragons are tough but only one stray arrow is needed to take Daenerys out. What’s going on at Casterly rock?

The Unsullied attack Casterly Rock, an impregnable fortress. Luckily Tyrion mapped out secret tunnels so he could sneak women in when he was younger. Greyworm and company storm the castle and win easily, a little too easily. Where is everyone?

Unfortunately for Tyrion, Cersei has out-schemed him again. The Lannister army, alongside Randall Tarley, has marched on Olenna Tyrell at High Garden. Knowing her forces will lose, Lady Tyrell prepares for the inevitable.

What takes place next is one of the best scenes in Game of Thrones history. Jaime and Olenna discuss how Cersei has bested the Queen of Dragons. The quips go back and forth, and Olenna tries to tell Jaime what a disease Cersei is, but he is infected and isn’t getting better. How will Olenna Tyrell die? Cersei wants it long and drawn out but Jaime convinces her to let it happen quickly. Poison is the drug of choice in this case. After finding out it will be painless, Lady Tyrell drinks quickly and drops a bomb on Jaime. She was worried the poison would be like the one SHE gave his son, Joffrey. She points out how unprepared she was for what happened to Joffrey. And she wants to make sure Cersei knows it was her. Boss moves until her dying moment. Roll Credits.