We need to talk about Game of Thrones, The Spoils of War

The dust (and mountains of ash) have finally settled after this week’s Game of Thrones, but there was much more to it than a heart-in-mouth final 15 minutes.

Season 7, Episode 4 Spoilers to follow.

The Spoils of War, the fourth instalment of this season was filled with all sorts of splendour – so much in fact that it’s hard to know where to start, but here goes.

Jon and Dany

Following on from Jon’s first meeting with Daenerys, he and his men have begun mining the dragon glass on the island of Dragonstone. However, prior to the northerners actually getting started, Jon takes Dany on a well-lit tour of the caves after discovering a series of drawings on the inside walls.

On them, they depict the precursor, dawn of, and coexistence with man. Significantly, after The Mother of Dragons questions history, Jon reveals the Children of the Forest and the first men came together to forge an alliance against a common enemy: the Whitewalkers. This is a big moment in convincing her that the key to survival is not a hellbent journey to claiming Iron Throne rulership, but a united front against an undead army.

It clearly feels like a turning point in Dany’s scepticism, yet she’s insistent on Jon (or King Jon, as Ser Davos suggests) bending the knee. Will he or won’t he? On one hand he’s a proud northerner and beholds to tradition of not bending to southern rulers. On the other, should he do so to solidify that alliance but at the risk of losing the faith of his followers?

Starks reunited

It finally happened. And just as we’d been waiting for Jon to embrace with Sansa last season, it was now Arya’s turn with her sister as she returned to Winterfell. The initial re-connection felt a little distant – probably because the two had been through so much and literally grown up in the time they’ve been apart – but it’s hard not to enjoy it.

However, a second warmer rekindling gave indication they had indeed missed one another but each is weary of the other. Soon enough Sansa sees just what Arya’s been up to, as she spars with Brienne and goes toe-to-toe with her, despite the obvious difference in size and experience.

This also leads into seeing Bran again. His continued distance appears uneasy, especially when around his two sisters for the first time in years, but it certainly feels as if we are witnessing a new Bran as the Three-Eyed Raven and not the character we’ve grown with over the past 6 seasons.

Bran the man

Indeed Bran is shaping into a significant character – and arguably the most gifted and powerful in the Game of Thrones world. Forget anyone who can resurrect themselves or bear all sorts of secrets over decades of spying; Bran is all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-controlling.

Like his admittedly creepy chat with Sansa about how beautiful she looked when she was married off to the unspeakably evil Ramsay Bolton, the Stark boy had an interesting talk with Littlefinger. In a one-on-one with the slippery Lord as he tried to butter him up, Bran interrupts him with, “Chaos is a ladder,” which seriously spooks the cunning Petyr Baelish.

Way back in season 3, Littlefinger had a private discussion with Varys in the Throne Room. There, he told The Spider, “Chaos isn’t a pit; chaos is a ladder.”

It’s safe to say Bran’s ability to warg, manipulate time, travel back through it, and basically be aware of everything about everyone makes him the biggest player in the battle for survival and victory against both the White Walkers and all living men and women.

Farewell, Meera Reed

Bran’s also cruelly cold towards Meera when she suggests leaving. Bran is no longer Bran. “You died in that cave,” she tells him, before tearfully leaving forever.

Here’s that chilling moment between Bran and Littlefinger, Meera’s departure, as well as the Stark reunion.

Man versus dragon

And so we come to the episode’s finale – and what a spine-tingling, emotional rollercoaster it was!

After Dany and her Dothraki army ambush the Lannisters’, all sorts of madness ensues.

There are literal fist bump moments when Drogon obliterates most of the Lannister armed forces and supplies by way of devastating fire, but there are moments of unease when Jaime orders Bronn to the devised weapon that, in theory, can kill a dragon.

For a moment, there’s the impending panic that we may see the death of a dragon, which is almost too much to handle. However, with Drogon appearing to suffer nothing more than an ill-placed wound, it’s the aftermath of being speared that’s almost too much.

With Dany grounded as she tries to remove the spear from her dragon, Jaime sees an opportunity to kill her. But on his approach, Drogon thwarts him and just before he can burn him to a cinder, he’s bundle off his horse and into water.

It’s such a thrilling spectacle that it’s hard to know what to process first.

The questions we are left with is just how grave are Drogon’s wound? On further inspection it seems like a flesh wound, but that’s exactly what we thought about Khal Drogo.

How did we almost lose Daenerys? (Surely she’ll have to consider body armour in future.)

And what will become of Jaime after that foolish attempt to end the war? Is he sinking to the bottom of the river in his armour? Did Bronn save him? Will they both be captured?

Poor Tyrion

The other troubling aspect is Tyrion’s apparent strategic misstep that led to this surprise attack in the first place. Never underestimate a Lannister – but should we be concerned over the Hand to the Queen? The sorrow on his face at the sight of Lannister devastation spoke volumes… and there’s a theory there may be someone close to Dany about to betray her…

What did you think of the latest episode? Share your thoughts below…