Monday, July 24, 2017

Unsullied Recap, Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 2: Stormborn

Euron fire fight Stormborn

Spoiler note: The discussion in this post is primarily for non-book readers (book fans can discuss the show-only here). We ask that all Sullied book-readers refrain from posting any mentions/references to the books in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. No spoilers, at all! This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand or afterwards, so please be respectful of your fellow fans. Thank you!

Twists and turns. Plots and schemes. And unsullied love (because the Unsullied need love too, damn it). Chapter 2 is in the books (but not in “The Books”) as we quickly make our way through this abbreviated season of Game of Thrones.

A Man is here to talk you through/walk you through the events of the previous evening. Let’s dive in like Theon, shall we?


Varys Stormborn

The Trial of Varys

Our Stormborn episode begins with a brewing storm at Dragonstone and the questioning of the Spider and his loyalty. Dany is justified in her inquiry, but that doesn’t mean I have to like the manner in which she approached it. Varys is the one person who has seemed to be loyal to the Targaryens all along and delivered the Sands and the Tyrells for her cause. Perhaps there was another way to handle the inquiry of Varys. Perhaps not. But regardless, I didn’t finish the scene with a warm fuzzy feeling about the way Dany handles her affairs. In fact, it marginally pissed me off.  And it makes we wonder if the whole “swear you won’t betray me” deal is a setup for Varys to do just that once he realizes that Jon is a Targ.

Melisandre Stormborn

And then… Red Velvet!  Melisandre coincidentally shows up to tell Dany about the “prince or princess that was promised” prophecy and to suggest that she summon Jon to meet with her. After hearing Tyrion’s input, Dany sends a raven to invite Jon to Dragonstone. Good. “To bend the knee.” Not Good. Dany still has a lot to learn, and should she stumble in her quest for the Throne, her entitlement may end up being her downfall.

Jon speaking

Ravens Fly Fast

The message gets to Jon instantaneously as his presence is requested by his Queen (who he hasn’t even met yet). The message is written by Tyrion, and then Jon asks Sansa for her opinion! Rejoice! Davos recognizes the mention of dragons and that fire kills wights. He reminds Jon that “if” the walkers make it past the Wall, they don’t have enough men to fight them. This would ultimately help lead Jon to a decision later. 

Our first look at Tom Hopper as Dickon Tarly, with James Faullkner as Randyll Tarly

Cersei’s Recruiting

Cersei has a meeting with a few Westerosi Lords, most notably Randyll Tarly and son Rickon, I mean Dickon, to rally more banners to her side. She draws comparison to Dany and her father and points out their similarities (although they are obviously slanted… fair and balanced, no doubt).

Jaime meets with Randyll following the rally to find out where his allegiance stands. Randyll tells Jaime that he and Olenna have known each other since they were children and that he is sworn to her House. Jaime persuades Randyll saying that he would be a good Warden of the South. Randyll and Sam are apparently destined to be on opposite sides.

Cersei and Qyburn Stormborn

Later, Qyburn would take Cersei to see the remains of the dragons below the Red Keep.  He explains to Cersei that the dragons can be wounded and references the Pit in Meereen in which Drogon was injured (told you that was intentionally included). He then shows Cersei a giant crossbow from hell that was made specifically to wound dragons. Qyburn is Cersei’s secret weapon.

Jorah Mormont Stormborn

Jorah Looks Like Shit

Jorah appears to have laid in a tanning bed and went to sleep on his side.  For a year.

Ebrose essentially tells Jorah that there is no hope for him and that since he is an anointed knight, he will allow Jorah to stay one more day to do with his time what he likes (*stares at sword in the corner). When Sam realizes who Jorah is, he makes other plans. #savejorah

Daenerys Dragonstone meeting Stormborn

Dany’s Many Advisors

Back to Dragonstone and a meeting with a room full of powerful women voicing their opinions on Dany’s next move. Yara suggests taking KL immediately with the dragons. Tyrion argues that thousands of innocent people will die in the firestorm. Olenna then argues that the people won’t obey Dany unless they fear her. Tyrion lays out what seems to be a well thought-out plan using the Dorne and Tyrell armies to take KL while the Unsullied and the Dothraki will siege Casterly Rock.

They all agree. But afterwards, Olenna meets with Dany and tells her that she has outlived all of the men who gave her counsel and that she needs to “be a dragon.” After what happens at the end, Dany may very well heed her advice.

Missandei Grey Worm

Who Needs a Worm?

The Missandei and Grey Worm infatuation finally results in an encounter that looked rather enjoyable for both, especially considering Worm’s feeling for Missandei. If Ygritte were still alive, she would undeniably approve and ask where Worm learned to do that thing with his tongue. Worm undoubtedly knows something.

Of course, you all realize that this means that one of them is going to die soon, right?

Jorah Sam Stormborn

Pylos Knew Something Too.

Sam tells Ebrose that he has discovered two cases where Maester Pylos cured greyscale. Ebrose tells Sam “that’s great and all,” but that Pylos died from greyscale and for that reason, it is too dangerous and is forbidden.

Later, Sam would do what Sam does and take matters into his own hands. The scene involving the skinning of Jorah might have been the most painful to watch in the entire series. And that is saying a lot.

 Hot Pie Arya Stormborn 2

Segue from puss to pie is pretty disgusting, but horribly genius.

Arya stops at the Hot Pie Inn and sees none other than, Hot Pie.  Pie tells her that the Boltons are dead and that Jon is now the King in the North. Arya reverses direction heading North and runs into a pack of wolves led by Nymeria! But Nymeria doesn’t go with Arya to the North and instead walks away. At first, Arya is heartbroken, but seemingly recognizes the resemblance to herself when she tells Ned in Season 1 that “it’s not her.”

Helen Sloan - HBO (Photo 1) (1)

The Dragonglass Letter (some ravens are not as fast as others)

Jon finally receives the note from Sam regarding the dragonglass at Dragonstone. If Jon was questioning whether or not to make the trip there, this sealed the decision. Jon meets with the Northerners and tells them of his intent. He and Davos will go meet with Dany and reveals his decision to leave Sansa in charge (also making Littlefinger a happy man).

Shortly thereafter, LF shows up in the crypts and makes the mistake of telling Jon that he loves Sansa. However, I would argue that Jon makes the bigger mistake by choking LF (although, it was well-deserved). Unfortunately, Lysakiller is smarter than all of them and everything seems to be falling into place for him. I told you… the son of a bitch is not dying anytime soon.  And the Knights of the Vale won’t be supporting the King in the North much longer.

Euron Yara Stormborn

The Big Cock Wins Round 1

Finally, we find Ellaria, Yara, Theon and the Sand Snakes sailing for the mainland on the orders of Dany when they run smack-dab into Uncle Euron. Ellaria and Yara are about to make out (but get Cock-blocked? Come on! That was a good one). Euron seemingly destroys the unsuspecting fleet with ease taking out two Sand Snakes in the process, and we see that Theon still suffers from trauma from his time as Reek. Theon jumps ship, Nymeria and Obara meet their end, and Euron leaves with multiple gifts for Cersei. Cersei draws first blood and looks to have the early advantage.

Episode 702 Personal Awards

Favorite Action Sequence:  Euron spears Obara

Favorite Quotes:

You wish to know where my true loyalties lie? Not with any King or Queen, but with the people. –Varys

Do you fight with us, or with foreign savages and eunuchs? –Jaime

I’m like you, Arry. I’m a survivor. –Pie

A Targaryen cannot be trusted. –Yohn Royce

Disclaimer: I had issues plucking quotes due to a sub-par internet connection in a hotel room while attempting to watch HBO Go. A man will do better next week. Help me out in the comments.

Favorite Scene: Sam and Jorah when Sam tells him that he knew his father.

The “Ow, That Shit Hurts Award” goes to: The debridement of Jorah. He needed more than rum. Incredibly painful to watch.

Overall Thoughts: Although it seemed unconscionable, Cersei actually looks like she has the upper hand for the moment due to the in-fighting and silly mistakes all of the good guys and gals may be presently making. Euron proves that he is a force to be reckoned with and as I’ve mentioned before, could definitely be the X-factor in the war to come. It looks like he might be getting his Queen soon too.

Sam will have two strikes against him, assuming Ebrose realizes that he took the keys to the secret book room and helped Jorah with the greyscale. What does it take to get kicked out of the Citadel?

At this point, it is still difficult to tell what kind of ruler Dany is going to be. But ordering people to “bend the knee” after just arriving in Westeros doesn’t seem like a good place to start. Maybe I’m wrong, but we will see how Jon reacts should she ask him to do so.

Overall, not the most exciting episode by any means. The highlight for me was all of the first meetings between long-time characters (Sam/Jorah, Dany/Mel, Cersei/Randyl, Dany/Olenna, etc.) And of course the return of Nymeria and Hot Pie. There’s plenty of plotting and scheming, and the payoff is coming soon.

Until next week, hang out and stay awhile. Invite an Unsullied to join us. And may there always be peace in your realm.  –Oz

Follow Oz on Twitter.

**SPOILER NOTE: The Management of this fine site would like to remind you that spoilers (book or leak) are not allowed in Unsullied posts.  This includes spoilers covered by code or otherwise.  Personally, I appreciate feedback from Sullied and Unsullied alike, so long as they do not include any type of hinting or conversation related to the written verse.  However, spoiler coded comments do tend to lead to further Sullied conversation and for that reason, we ask that you please refrain from posting any SPOILERY content whatsoever in Unsullied posts. Thank you for the coop. -Oz

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