Episode 6 - Blood of My Blood - starts with Bran flashing through visions from the Mad King to Jaime Lannister pushing him off the tower and Meera carrying him all the way until she's tired. "They've found us", the dead were coming for them. And there emerges Coldhands, to every book-reader's delight, Uncle Benjen Stark with all his weapons to kill. Yay! he's back. Confirms the fan theory that Coldhands is indeed Benjen Stark, Eddard Stark's brother.To those who don't remember, he was last seen in season 1 where he promises Jon Snow that they'll talk about his mother next time they meet.
However, he looks different. His face has transformed. He's half-turned, however, Children of the Forest saved him by piercing his heart with the obsidian, the same weapon used to convert White Walkers stopped him from changing. He now serves the three-eyed Raven, tells Bran that he is the three-eyed Raven. Bran, "not prepared", Benjen convinces him that he'll be ready when they come for him.
Horn Hill
Sam, Gilly and Samwell reach House Tarly, looks very Romanesque and polished. Sam's mother gives them a warm welcome. Gilly is given a makeover by Sam's sister, she looks beautiful. At the family dinner, Sam's father, Lord Randyll, is rude, who thinks his son is fat and did not man up despite joining the Night's Watch. Gilly takes a stand for Sam, he's killed Thenn and a white walker which speaks volumes of his courage. However, in the process it slips out that she's a Wildling. Lord Randyll hates Wildlings. He gets so vicious, that the ladies split up leaving Lord Randyll, Sam, and younger brother Dickon on the table.
Important detail revealed during the awkward dinner conversation: Lord Randyll possesses the family sword, Heartsbane, made of Valyrian steel. The only other people to have a sword made of dragon steel are Jon Snow(Longclaw) and Brienne(Oathkeeper). Yes, it can kill White Walkers.
Sam steals the Heartsbane(wow!) and leaves the house with Gilly and baby Samwell. Lord Randyll will come after him for the family sword. Will we see another son kill his father? Wouldn't be the first time. Tyrion and Ramsay have done that.
Braavos
Arya is back to watching the play. It's fun to watch the show parody itself. This time she's enjoying and why not, for its here that she learns of Joffrey's death. She goes backstage to poison the actress Lady Crane's rum, only to be intervened by Lady Crane herself on her way out. They get talking where the actress confesses that she does not like the script. Arya tells her that Joffrey's mother would also be angry and seek revenge rather than just cry over it. Lady Crane tries discussing changes with the cast only to be mocked. She's just about to drink the poisoned rum, Arya reaches just in time to throw that away. "Careful with that one, she wants to kill you, " she says and leaves. Task incomplete. Sadly, for Arya the Waif has seen it all. As promised by J'aqen H'ghar, Waif can now kill Arya for not killing, one way or another a face will be added to the Wall.
And like King Arthur, Arya draws out her sword'Needle' from the pile of stones. Arya is back! Woohoo!
King's Landing
Now lets talk about Margaery's walk of atonement. To our surprise or chagrin, there was none. Because Margaery already atoned for her sins "by turning in another into the true light of the seven" - King Tommen. Are you kidding me? Is he that gullible? He's a pawn for Margaery, easily manipulated. I hate this spineless king. Sparrow Wins, Jaime and Cersei lose. Crown and faith are united. Wait a minute, Margaery said she'd changed, can we believe her? And I so despise the High Sparrow. However, isn't that what makes him a great villain? Cunning, he just got his way into the council.
Jaime is stripped off his rank of Lord Commander by King Tommen. King Joffrey did that to Ser Barristan Selmy before he died of poison. And if you recollect Cersei's prophecy - All her children will die, she'll never be queen - I think King Tommen will die this season.
Jaime is ordered to go march to Riverrun in order to take back the Castle Tully from Catelyn Stark's uncle, Brandyn the Blackfish.
Brienne is also headed to Riverrun. Will we see the return of Lady Stoneheart? As per the book, Catelyn Stark is revived by Brotherhood Without Banners, she comes back as Lady Stoneheart to avenge her husband and son's deaths. This has me excited!
Coming back to King's Landing, High Sparrow is alive, no war means Cersei has to face trial. Trial by combat - "I have Mountain". Awesome! Brace yourselves, Cleganebowl is coming. Hound is returning in Episode 7.(Episode 7 has been titled'The Broken Man', as per predictions it is about the Hound) Hound will be Faith's rep for the combat trial.
Riverrun
Walder Frey is back. Catelyn's brother Edmure Tully, last seen in Red Wedding, is also back. Things are going to heat up in Riverland as the Tullys, Freys and Lannisters fight for the castle.
Essos
Daenerys is ready to wage a war on Westeros to "take back what is mine"
Daario: "You weren't made to sit on a chair in a palace"
Daenerys: What was I made for?
Daario: "You're a conqueror, Daenerys Stormborn"
Spot on! Dany baby is a conqueror, not a ruler. She cannot take care of her kingdom. I totally agree with Daario. She conquers and then abandons them. And she wants to claim the iron throne, a kingdom she has zilch knowledge of.
Drogon, the dragon, reaches Essos to rescue the queen. in yet another inspiring speech, Daenerys gets the Dothraki all charged up to storm Westeros and "knock down their stone houses.”
Verdict: Hold your breath, things are heating up. This is just a build-up. Enjoy the foreplay for now. To my surprise, this episode saw the return of many characters - Benjen Stark, Walder Frey, Edmure Tully and of course, Arya Stark from facelessness - but death of none.
My Rating:3.5/5
About Episode 7
Titled "The Broken Man", synopsis reads: "The High Sparrow eyes another target. Jaime confronts a hero. Arya makes a plan. The North is reminded."
Mostly, Arya is planning to escape from Braavos. Now that she is no more faceless, another Stark union is on the cards, whenever that happens. Judging from the promo, Jon Snow has found an army. Bronn is back. He'll be backing Jaime Lannister to confront the Blackfish. Yara and Theon hatch a plan to take over Iron Islands from Euron.
