One of the themes of Episode 608, “No One,” is associated with characters going the extra mile for loved ones. However, there is a price to pay for the choices taken.
At Braavos
In the case of Arya, she goes to Lady Crane for help after receiving a few stabs on the gut and bleeding significantly. It turns out that the injuries inflicted by the Waif in Episode 607 were not serious, something hard to believe. Arya’s injuries are only a few scratches. Lady Crane invites Arya to join the troop, which is heading to Pentos. She also reveals that she ruined Bianca’s face so that she would never find a job again. Arya tells her that it is dangerous since the Waif is looking for her, which turns out to be the case. The Waif eventually kills Lady Crane by breaking her body in half. Arya escapes and throughout the pursue, she jumps from great heights and even falls from several stairs, an incredible feat for somebody with abdominal injuries. She lures the Waif to her secret location. That is why she leaves blood markings everywhere. Since Arya trained to fight while being blind, she can confront the Waif efficiently in darkness. She succeeds and adds the Waif’s face to the House of Black and White. When Jaqen meets her, he reveals that she is no one. Of course, the criteria used by Jaqen is not explained at all. Therefore, it does not make sense how she became “no one” while she reaffirms that she is Arya Stark and that she is heading to Westeros. Overall, the actions of the Waif, a result of her emotions, and the lack of criteria used by Jaqen to call Arya “no one” are not consistent to what the Faceless Men are supposed to be.
Of note is the opening scene in which Lady Crane is performing. She incorporates into the play what Arya told her to do a few episodes back. As Cersei, she is not only sad about Joffrey’s death but also wants revenge against Tyrion and Sansa. The episode’s theme applies to Lady Crane’s caring behavior for Arya, which led her to death.
Somewhere in the Riverlands
Sandor’s appreciation for his friend, the murdered septon, leads him to find the perpetrators. He kills them all with his ax. It may sound silly, but I enjoyed hearing Sandor tell one of them whether the f-word is his last words, and giving him a choice to select other ones. He eventually finds Beric and Toros, who are about to hang the other murderers for killing the villagers. Of course, Sandor claims all of them and wants to give them a bloody death. Beric gives him two of the three and forbids him from using the ax. They are all killed by hanging, which is not a better death when one considers that people being hanged lose their bowels in the process. Sandor is not aware that death by hanging is lengthy.
Two particular details get the viewer’s attention in this scene.
- Sandor refers to the septon as his friend. I guess this is confirmation that he is no longer the violent man he used to be. He is still violent, but he is fighting for justice.
- Toros emphasizes that everybody are in the world for a reason. Beric Dondarrion is alive for a reason. This argument was also used by the septon that Sandor befriended.
It seems that Toros is having visions of the White Walkers in the flames since there is mention of “cold winds” rising in the North. The Brotherhood is heading north, and it seems that Sandor is joining them.
At Riverrun
Brienne and Podrick arrive at the siege of Riverrun. She meets with Jaime and reveals that she has found Sansa and that she is trying to claim Winterfell back. Jaime is impressed since he believes that girls like Sansa do not live long. They agree that Brienne should try to convince the Blackfish to abandon the castle and allow the Tully forces a safe passage to the north. However, there is something contrived in Jaime’s decision to agree with Brienne. Why would he allow the Tullys to help his other enemies, the Starks? What I like about their interaction is that Jaime confirms that Oathkeeper belongs to her. It is a gift from him to her. Brienne brings the issue that honor compels her to fight for the Starks, and that she eventually will have to fight him. At the same time, Bronn is teaching Podrick how to fight dishonorably. Bronn discloses his beliefs that both Jaime and Brienne are attracted to each other. Brienne proceeds to deal with the Blackfish, but she is unsuccessful. He opts to stay back and fight for his home. In the beginning, the Blackfish is in disbelief that Sansa has been found. However, he eventually trusts what Brienne says, and offers her and Podrick a way out of the castle via the river. Of note is how Brienne and Jaime wave goodbye to each other as she travels down the river. He ensures that nobody is watching him while allowing Brienne and Pod to escape. The Blackfish dies fighting for Riverrun off-screen. His death is done in a lame manner. Of course, readers prefer book Blackfish due to his ingenious way of escaping Riverrun by swimming.
Of note is how Riverrun was retaken. The interaction between Jaime and Edmure is probably the best in this episode. Edmure brings up the issue that Jaime cannot be trusted due to his past actions. He is philosophical and reminds Jaime that he lacks decency. His questions have a rhetoric nature: “How do you tell yourself that you are decent after everything you have done?” Of course, Jaime realizes that it will be hard to convince Edmure, and uses a threat instead. First, he mentions how similar Cersei and Catelyn, Edmure’s sister, are in regards to protecting their children like starting a war and freeing their enemies. Jaime emphasizes that those are the things done for love. Because he loves Cersei, and he needs to retake Riverrun to be back with her, he is willing to kill every Tully, including Edmure’s infant son. This scene reminds me of Jaime throwing Bran down to keep his affair with Cersei hidden. As a result, Edmure surrenders Riverrun since everybody in the castle sees him as their Lord. Edmure sacrifices everything for the love he has for his family.
At King’s Landing
The High Septon requests Cersei’s presence at the Sept. He sends members of the Faith Militant including Lancel Lannister for her. However, Cersei refuses. She makes a choice for violence, and UnGregor removes the head of a Sparrow with his hands while everybody is horrified. Later, there is a royal announcement in which Tommen announces that trial by combat is forbidden ruining Cersei’s chances of success. Cersei will stand trial before seven septons. In this way, Cersei’s son, whom she has been trying to protect, has placed her in uncomfortable, underdog condition. The things she has done for love have not been fruitful to her. One wonders whether Margaery is behind Tommen’s decision. The scene ends with Qyburn telling Cersei about some rumors investigated by his little birds.
At Mereen
Varys leaves Mereen for a secret mission. It is not specified what exactly he will be doing. However, it seems he will be working on getting allies for Daenerys in Westeros. Out of a sudden, Mereen is attacked by the slavers. Therefore, Tyrion’s efforts to establish peace did not work. However, Daenerys arrives with Drogon, who seems to be heading towards the slavers’ fleet.