After last week’s set-up heavy episode, it appeared that Game of Thrones‘s most recent episode would follow a similar path, until that crazy naval slaughter! We’ll get to that in a minute, though. Today’s Monday, which means Nerdist News Talks Back has been reborn through fire as All Kings Considered. Join Queen in the North Jessica Chobot, Wolfmother Amy Vorpahl, Actual Real Knight Kyle Anderson, and Archmaester Alicia Lutes as they discuss what’s up (probably dragons) in Westeros after Sunday night’s “Stormborn.”
Needless to say, there are major spoilers in this week’s episode — don’t say we didn’t warn you!
First up? Everybody’s favorite platinum blonde lady, Daenerys Stormborn. She and her lovable band of misfits are plotting their rise to power, but they need allies to make it happen. Dorne and Highgarden weren’t super on board until Tyrion revealed this weeks second “huh, why didn’t I think of that?” Sponsored by Mountain Dew strategy: surround them. Mind. Blown. These people know how war works, right? You don’t just march up to the enemy castle and punch it until it falls down. Well, the Mountain could probably do that. (Not actually sponsored by Mountain Dew).
Speaking of that undead servant, how about his leaders, the Lannisters, eh? Despite Jaime’s misgivings, he’s all in on defending Kings Landing from Dany’s army, and he’s convinced Randall Tarly to help him out. But no number of Westerosi men will stand before three dragons. Luckily, Maester Qyburn’s had a breakthrough. In one of this week’s two “huh, why didn’t I think of that?” Sponsored by Mountain Dew moments, Qyburn’s master plan to destroy the dragons is…a bigger bow. Bigger enemy, bigger bow. Makes sense. I’m not entirely sure how Westeros has never seen a ballista before, but it’ll probably put a dent in Drogon’s fire-breathing face. (Warning, still not actually sponsored by Mountain Dew).
And then there are the Starks. Da Kinindanorf Jon Snow is heading to Dragonstone to seek an alliance with Aunty Daenerys (though he STILL doesn’t know they’re related), which means Sansa is acting Queenindanorf until he returns. With Littlefinger weaseling his way into the Stark inner circle, hopefully Sansa can keep a clear enough head to keep Winterfell afloat.
Arya, on the other hand is on her way to Winterfell after learning of her brother’s survival from none other than Hot Pie himself. In classic Arya fashion, she’ll probably miss her brother by a day or two, but at least Sansa will be there. Arya did get one reunion 6 seasons in the making in the form of Nymeria. Though the wolf would not accompany Arya home, Nymeria’s presence will do a lot to remind Arya that she is not, in fact, “no one.”
And finally, our somewhat well-liked, somewhat hated dysfunctional family, the Greyjoys. Euron said he was going to give Cersei a gift, and a gift he has given. Yara’s fleet of Ironborn was utterly crushed by the one true Iron Fleet, with two Sand Snakes dying and the third getting captured, along with Yara and Ellaria. We also got to see the return of Reek, as Theon debated whether or not to charge to his sister’s rescue. In all honesty, Theon made the right choice by abandoning ship; he had no chance of freeing Yara with Euron’s axe against her throat, and this path leaves them both alive to serve their queen. It might not help his reputation, but Theon hasn’t been too concerned with reputation for a while.
Oh yeah also Sam poked some pus and then it was soup or a pie and I don’t know if I can take another transition like that next week.
You can watch and interact live with Nerdist News Talks Back every weekday at 1:00pm PST and All Kings Considered on Mondays on YouTube and Alpha, and catch up with the archives just after the show!
Image: HBO
