‘Game of Thrones’ Season 6, Episode 4 recap

Aidan Gillen as Peytr “Littlefinger” Baelish. HBO PHOTO

The fourth episode may be called “Book of the Strangers,” but it can be summed up in one word: reunions.

The presumptive Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch Edd Tollett was whining over Jon Snow’s desire to desert the Castle Black. He’s worried that without Jon, they won’t be able to protect the Wall from White Walkers who are lying in ambush.

Jon replied that he couldn’t stay in the place where he was slain before. They went out when they heard the gates being opened and saw Brienne of Tarth, Podrick and Sansa Stark entering the Castle Black.

Shocked but elated, Jon ran into Sansa, his sister, and hugged her tightly. Afterward, the two shared a meal and recollected memories. Sansa urged Jon to go home, fight and take back the Winterfell from the Boltons.

After his personal ordeal that caused him to feel shame and remorse, Jon said he doesn’t have an army and he’s tired of fighting. “I fought but I lost,” he said. Sansa replied: “I want you to help me. But I will do it myself, if I have to.”

Because Jon is the “prince that was promised,” Melisandre told Davos she will do whatever Jon commands. Brienne walked up to them and shared how Stannis Baratheon was defeated during the battle at Winterfell. She revealed she was the one who executed Stannis.

Lord Robin Arryn was shooting arrows as part of his training at the Eyrie when Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish arrived and gave the little boy a falcon as a present.

Yohn Royce, a bannerman of House Arryn, inquired about Littlefinger’s actions on Sansa, whom he was supposed to bring to the Finger, but was later reported to have married Ramsay Bolton.

Turning tables, Littlefinger intimated that Yohn gave the enemy a tip-off that he was traveling with Sansa. When Robin wanted to have Yohn thrown into the moon door, Littlefinger convinced Robin that Yohn will make a capable commander for the wars to come. As a result, Yohn was given another chance to prove his loyalty to his lord.

Littlefinger reported that Sansa escaped Winterfell and was headed off to Castle Black, but she still isn’t safe, with Bolton men chasing her. “She’s my cousin, we should help her,” Robin declared. “Gather the knights of the Vale, the time has come to join the fray,” Littlefinger told Yohn.

In the city of Meereen, Missandei and Greyworm expressed anxiety over Tyrion’s decision to invite representatives of the Wise Masters of Yunkai and Astapor to their city and make with peace with them. The masters, who fund the Sons of Harpy to lay waste in Meereen, want Daenerys Targaryen and company to give up the city.

Tyrion offered them peace terms: the masters will be given a seven-year period to end the practice of slavery, and they will be compensated for their economic losses. In exchange, the masters will cut off their support for the Sons of the Harpy.

Tyrion later assured the commoners that Daenerys would soon come back to lead Meereen. He explained making peace with their enemies is the best thing to do at the moment to save the city.

Jorah Mormont and Daario Naharis sneaked into the Vaes Dothrak under cover of the night to rescue Daenerys from the Dothraki tribe. They killed two men who caught them wandering around the city in disguise. They later stumbled upon Daenerys and another khal widow who went out of the Temple of Dosh Khaleen to fetch water. Jorah insisted they need to flee but Daenerys had a better plan in mind so they can come out of the place alive.

In King’s Landing, Queen Margaery was brought before the High Sparrow, who shared his past, indulging himself in worldly pleasures which he later forgoes to purge himself from sins he committed. He quoted a verse from the Book of Strangers, a part of the religion that represents death.

The High Sparrow let Margaery see her brother Loras, who was also jailed beneath the Great Sept of Baelor. Margaery told Loras he has to stay strong because he is the one to save House Tyrell.

Cersei shooed Grand Maester Pycelle out of King Tommen’s room upon seeing the old man when she heard him giving the king a counsel. The mother and son talked about how they should cautiously deal with the High Sparrow and his army of Faith Militants to ensure Queen Margaery’s safety. The King reluctantly confided to Cersei information from the High Sparrow.

When small council meeting was postponed on King’s orders, Cersei warned about the High Sparrow gaining strong power in the city. She and Jaime reported to Olenna Tyrell that her granddaughter Margaery will soon be paraded naked on the streets—“the walk of shame”—to repent her sins.

“Oh, no, that cannot happen,” Olenna said, to which Cersei agreed. Jaime then urged Olenna to use Tyrell’s army to foil the faith militants, much to Kevan Lannister’s disagreement.

Cersei and Jaime convinced Kevan to stop meddling in their plans, so Kevan could also take back his eldest son Lancel, whose mind has been warped by the Faith of the Seven. Kevan warned that many will die if a civil war breaks out. “Many will die no matter we do,” Olenna said, “Better them than us.”

Theon Greyjoy went home at Pyke, Iron Islands, only to receive a dressing down from her sister Yara after his betrayal against his own family. “Men died trying to rescue you, good men, my men. You are my brother… and I risked everything for you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry,” Theon said tearfully. Yara then accused him of his desire to reclaim the crown after he learned about their father’s death. However, he said he didn’t want to be king. “Tell me what do you want?” Yara shot back. “You should rule the Iron Islands. And I’ll help you,” Theon replied.

At Winterfell, the wildling Osha was brought before Lord Ramsay. Osha lied that she serves the Starks, but it comes with a price, because she intends to sell Rickon. “Rickon is not yours to sell anymore. He’s mine,” Ramsay said. “So what use could I possibly have for you?”

Osha, then offered her body, rode Ramsay’s thighs and began kissing him. But before she could reach a knife on the table, Ramsay quickly poked his own blade into Osha’s neck.

Meanwhile, Jon and company were having a meal when he received a letter from Ramsay, telling that Rickon is in his custody and he wants his bride Sansa back. Ramsay also threatened to raid the Castle Black and kill everyone. “A monster has taken our home and our brother. We have to go back to Winterfell and save them both,” Sansa told Jon.

Back at Vaes Dothrak, Daenerys carried out her ploy that made her rose from ignominy. She spoke with khal Moro and the other male leaders and tried to convince them that she can lead the whole Dothraki tribe. When the men just scoffed at her, she announced: “You will not serve me. You will die.”

Daenerys then set fire inside the temple and toasted all the Dothraki leaders. The whole khalasar drew their attention to the flames engulfing the temple. And when they saw Daenerys emerging out of the fire and unburnt, they went down on their knees in awe and adoration. RAM

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