Directed By: Daniel Sackheim / Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

Original Airdate: May 15, 2016

In Meereen, Tyrion Lannister negotiates a truce with the masters of Slaver's Bay to end their support of the Sons of Harpy. Meanwhile, Jorah Mormont and Daario Naharis arrive at Vaes Dothrak in time to learn of Daenerys Targaryen’s own plans to free herself. At Castle Black, Sansa Stark arrives with Brienne and Podrick and reunites with Jon Snow, who has resigned from the Night's Watch after the deception and betrayal of his brothers. In King’s Landing, Margaery Tyrell meets the High Sparrow while Cersei Lannister plots a scheme with Olenna Tyrell to destroy him. Meanwhile, Theon Greyjoy returns to the Iron Island and despite a cold reception from his sister Yara, he insists in supporting her claim following the death of their father Balon.

the iron islands

Theon Greyjoy returns home to Pyke, where he learns of the recent death of his father, Balon Greyjoy. Upon his arrival his sister, Yara Greyjoy, informs him that she didn’t believe the rumors of his return, as he’s been “dead a long time”, referring to his guise as Reek under Ramsay Bolton’s captivity. She adds of her unhappiness about his return and his earlier refusal to leave the Dreadfort when she attempted to rescue him from Ramsay several months ago. He continues to apologise as Yara becomes increasingly annoyed of this. Theon explains that Ramsay "broke him into a thousand pieces," which Yara affirms, referring to the box containing Theon's penis that was received. Yara suspects that Theon has come back to declare himself King of the Iron Islands, but he insists that he does not want the crown. He adds that he was not aware of their father’s death as the reason for his escape. When Theon starts sobbing, Yara rather violently grabs him by the shirt, shouts at him to look her in the eye and demands him to tell her what he wants. Theon informs her that wants Yara to rule, and offers to help her in any way that he can.

runestone

At Runestone, the seat of House Royce, the young Lord Robin Arryn trains at his archery with Lord Yohn Royce. However, Robin is just as pitiful at archery as he is at swordsmanship. Petyr Baelish then arrives with a retinue of guards from the Vale. After greeting Robin, Baelish gifts him a pet falcon as a belated name-day present, much to Robin’s delight. Lord Royce reminds Baelish that he had told him that he was taking Robin's cousin Sansa Stark with him to his keep at The Fingers, but Royce received word that she had been married to Ramsay Bolton at Winterfell instead. Baelish excuses himself with a lie, stating that on the way to The Fingers, he and Sansa were set upon by a large force of Bolton men. A confrontation between Petyr and Royce ensues, in which Petyr accuses Royce of giving away the information regarding the location of Sansa Stark to House Bolton. When Royce accuses Baelish of slander, Petyr reminds him that Robin is the Lord of the Vale, and asks for his judgment. Robin then asks Baelish if they should throw Lord Royce from the Moon Door, which prompts the surrounding knights, including those loyal to Royce, to muster themselves. Royce swears his loyalty to Robin, and he is let off without punishment on Baelish's recommendation. Royce comes to the dark realization that Littlefinger has long had control over Lord Robin. Petyr and Robin decide they have to muster the Vale knights to march north and aid Sansa in fighting the Boltons.

winterfell

Meanwhile, at Winterfell, the wildling Osha is brought before Ramsay Bolton, who says that while her fellow captive Rickon Stark has value to Ramsay as a Stark heir, he is unsure of her worth. Osha lies and denounces House Stark, saying that her servitude and loyalty to them were forced, though it is apparent she didn’t need to continue protecting Rickon by staying with Umbers at Last Hearth. In order to further avoid danger, Osha also attempts to seduce Ramsay, climbing onto his lap and kissing him, all the while trying to get the knife he had been using to peel apples. Ramsay seemingly falls for it, saying that it took much longer for him to get Theon Greyjoy over to his side but that Theon told him everything, including how Osha had seduced Theon in order to help Rickon and Bran Stark escape from Winterfell. Osha then realizes that she has been lured into a trap, and tries to stab Ramsay, only for him to slash her throat first. She falls to the floor and grabs her bleeding throat in shock. Ramsay resumes peeling his apple complacently as she dies out on the floor.

castle black

At Castle Black, Eddison Tollett watches Jon Snow pack up his things after his recent resignation as Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Eddison scolds Jon for leaving the Watch after taking an oath, to which Jon replies that he gave his life for them and now can't trust his brothers after the mutiny. Edd reminds him they both survived the massacre at Hardhome and that the army of the dead are still coming for them. At that moment, the horns sound for the arrival of travellers. The gates open to reveal Sansa Stark, Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne as they ride through and dismount in the courtyard. Tormund Giantsbane watches Brienne with curiosity. Jon rushes out to see Sansa for the first time since their family left Winterfell several years ago. After a brief hesitation they run towards each other and embrace. Afterwards, Sansa and Jon converse and reminisce over their childhood. Sansa proposes they take Winterfell back from the Boltons but Jon says he's done fighting, especially after hanging Olly.

Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, Ser Davos Seaworth asks whether Melisandre will stay at Castle Black and she replies that she will do as Jon Snow commands. Davos then asks what happened to King Stannis Baratheon, whom which Melisandre coolly states that he was defeated in battle. When he then asks about Princess Shireen Baratheon, this time Melisandre is reluctant to speak. Their conversation is then interrupted by Brienne, who recognizes Ser Davos and Melisandre as Stannis' former entourage. Embittered over the death her king, Renly Baratheon, Brienne warns the Red Priestess that she does not forget or forgive. She also confirms to them that she was the one who executed Stannis after he admitted using blood magic to assassinate his brother Renly. Some time later, Jon receives a letter from Ramsay Bolton stating that he has Rickon Stark in captivity at Winterfell and if Sansa is not returned to him, he will slaughter every wildling at Castle Black, let his men rape Sansa, and then feed Jon and Rickon to his vicious hounds. Jon asks Tormund how many men he has available to fight and Tormund replies he has two-thousand able fighters, far less than the estimated five-thousand that Ramsay has. Sansa insists that they have to try and retake their home and rescue their brother, adding that the houses of the North will unite behind Jon as the son of the true Warden of the North, Eddard Stark. Jon eventually acquiesces and agrees to take Ramsay down.

king’s landing

In King’s Landing, underneath the Great Sept of Baelor, Septa Unella enters Queen Margaery Tyrell's cell and leads her to a private meeting with the High Sparrow. The Sparrow asks Margaery what she would do if he allowed her to leave her confinement. Margaery replies that she wants to return to her family and her husband King Tommen Baratheon. The High Sparrow respects her love for her family but tells her that attachment leads to sin, citing his experience as a cobbler. Margaery manages to impress the Sparrow with her knowledge of “The Book of the Stranger,” which she admits Septa Unella had read at her. The High Sparrow agrees that Unella has a habit of reading at people instead of to them. He then recounts how in his youth, he was a womanizer, a drunkard and then underwent a conversion experience the morning after an orgy, as his drunken guests lay naked all around his house. Tired of what he was now perceiving as a meaningless existence, the High Sparrow turned his life around and became a devoted member of the Faith of the Seven. He then explains that he left his job as a cobbler and devoted his life to the poor and destitute. Believing he has found a way to reach Margaery, the High Sparrow allows her to visit her brother Ser Loras Tyrell. She then finds a dejected Loras lying on the floor of his cell, who has lost the will to continue resisting. He pleads with his sister to help him, as Margaery insists to Loras that the High Sparrow is trying to use them to break each other. She insists that he needs to remain strong, as he is the future of House Tyrell. Despite her efforts, Loras cries out to his sister to “make it stop,” as she then cradles him in her arms.

Some time later, Cersei Lannister goes to speak to her son King Tommen, who is in the middle of a conversation with Grand Maester Pycelle, who advises Tommen to not set someone off like the High Sparrow, a “fanatic”. Cersei then enters the chambers and commands Pycelle to leave, though he notes that he is here to lend his wisdom and support to King Tommen as a member of the small council. After Tommen dismisses Pycelle, he admits his anxiety to his mother on how to fight the High Sparrow. Cersei also reminds him of what the Sparrow forced her to do during her walk of atonement. Although Tommen knows his mother has always hated Queen Margaery, Cersei claims the rivalry is unimportant, explaining that kings and queens must command respect, and the High Sparrow is little more than an idealistic anarchist using the Faith to achieve his goals. After Tommen reveals his conversation with the High Sparrow, which included new knowledge of something important, Cersei presses him for information. Collecting said information, Cersei and Ser Jaime Lannister then attend a small council meeting, this time presided over by Ser Kevan Lannister and Lady Olenna Tyrell. Olenna herself is quick to remind Cersei that she is not welcome, citing how she has been stripped of her dignity and authority. Ser Jaime defends his sister, however, revealing that King Tommen has been talking to the High Sparrow about Margaery and Loras. Cersei then points out the High Sparrow has seized power knowing it would leave them to fight among each other instead of seizing it back for themselves. She then notes that before her own trial, Queen Margaery will perform her own walk of atonement, which Olenna agrees must not happen. Jaime then devises a plan to storm the Great Sept on the day of Margaery’s walk, noting that the crown holds the second largest army in Westeros. Ser Kevan asserts that King Tommen has ordered him not to take any action against the Sparrows, as Jaime confirms that he won’t be and will be standing down on the day. Though Cersei promises her uncle to destroy the Sparrows for corrupting his son Lancel Lannister, Kevan warns them that more lives could be lost in the ensuing battle. Lady Olenna, however, then urges that many will die regardless : “better them than us.”

meereen

In Meereen, Tyrion Lannister, Lord Varys, Missandei and Grey Worm meet with the slave-master representatives from Astapor, Yunkai and Volantis, who have arrived by sea. As the diplomatic mission enters the harbor, Grey Worm advocates using military force. When Tyrion explains that he is able to empathize with slaves because he spent one day as a slave, Missandei counters that he has not truly experienced slavery. One of the emissaries is Tyrion's former slave master Yezzan zo Qaggaz, who had sold him to Meereen’s fighting pits. The other two representatives are the Volantene triarch Belicho Paenymion and the Yunkish master Razdal mo Eraz, whom Queen Daenerys Targaryen has dealt with directly in the past. In their meeting chambers, Yezzan marvels that Tyrion has gone from being a nearly-worthless slave to the de facto ruler of Meereen. The slave-trading cities offer to give Daenerys and her mercenaries a large pot of money if they sail away from Slaver's Bay. When Missandei defends Daenerys' actions in liberating slaves, Razdal contends that slavery has existed for centuries. Tyrion brings up that they do not require slaves in order to profit, noting that he matured with vast wealth to his name back in Westeros, where no slavery is sanctioned. Razdal and Belicho look at each other, insulted, while Yezzan appears to be contemplating the dwarf's words. After hearing their offer, Tyrion proposes a counter-offer, giving them a seven-year grace period to phase out slavery and to compensate the owners, however, they must end all backing for the Sons of the Harpy. He then cautions them that they will not get a better offer. Tyrion gives them time to consider this, though Grey Worm and Missandei insist on abolishing slavery. Tyrion and his entourage are later confronted by a crowd of former slaves in the Meereen throne room. A freed man demands to know when Daenerys will return while another is appalled at the idea of Tyrion negotiating with slave traders. Tyrion insists he is doing his best to rule the city in Daenerys' absence. The men do not trust Tyrion, a foreigner and a newcomer, and look to Grey Worm and Missandei for reassurance. Despite their misgivings, they both publicly back Tyrion's diplomacy in front of the freed men. In private, Tyrion assures Missandei and Grey Worm that he is serving Daenerys' interest by taking advantage of the Masters' own arrogance, but that they cannot end slavery overnight. Grey Worm, however, warns Tyrion that the slavers cannot be reasoned with and will most likely take advantage of him instead, since they already do this for a living.

vaes dothrak

Elsewhere in Essos, Ser Jorah Mormont and Daario Naharis approach the outskirts of Vaes Dothrak and discard their weapons, as drawing a blade in the city is considered sacrilege. Just as Daario is about to hand over his dagger, he notices the greyscale infection on Jorah's wrist, who assures Daario that it didn't touch him and that he is aware of the consequences it brings. The pair then sneak in to the city during the evening, where they quickly run into two Dothraki men, Aggo and Iggo, who quickly see through Jorah's claims to be a wine merchant. A fight pursues and Jorah is nearly undone, but Daario saves him at the last minute with the dagger that he had lied about leaving behind. As a precaution, Daario smashes the Dothraki’s skull in with a rock to disguise his use of the weapon. Meanwhile, the High Priestess of the dosh khaleen gives Daenerys a commentary on the other crones. Some of them hate her, thinking the Dothraki should not interbreed with other races, but the High Priestess dismisses them, saying that the Dothraki have always interbred and have never been concerned with blood purity. To illustrate her point, the Priestess indicates another of the khaleen, a Lhazareen girl named Ornela who was taken from her village at the age of twelve. Daenerys then asks to relieve herself, and the Priestess sends Ornela with her. As they walk, Daenerys learns that Ornela's khal died when she was only sixteen. The pair are abruptly interrupted by Jorah and Daario, who take Ornela hostage. Daenerys, unsurprised to see them, cancels their plans for escape – they have a slim chance of leaving Vaes Dothrak, let alone getting back to Meereen – and tells them that she has a plan of her own. She asks Ornela if she is willing to help them, calling her khaleesi instead of a khaleen. The girl reluctantly agrees.

Some time later, Khal Moro later presides over the khalar vezhven, in this capacity dismissing the death of his warrior Aggo as inconsequential to the proceedings. When her case is brought up, Moro advocates for Daenerys to join the dosh khaleen while some of his rivals suggest handing her over to the Wise Masters, who have apparently offered ten-thousand horses in exchange for her. Daenerys brazenly asserts to the gathered khals that none of them are fit to lead the Dothraki and she then declares that she will lead them herself. After a pause, Moro and the others burst into laughter. Daenerys reminds them that her husband Khal Drogo, in the same temple in which they all now sit, declared that he would lead a Dothraki army across the Narrow Sea to retake the Iron Throne for his khaleesi. She adds that all the remaining khals have done since is raid and plunder villages in lieu of any meaningful conquest. Disgusted with her insolence, Moro declares that she will be raped by each of the khals, then by all of their bloodriders, and then, if she is still alive, by their horses. An unphased Daenerys reaches over and clamps her hand on the basket of a burning brazier without flinching. The khals expressions turn to fear as they realize whom they are dealing with. In a flat tone, Daenerys informs them they aren't going to serve; they're going to die. With these last words she knocks over the braziers at the center of the temple, setting the entire building aflame. The khals  desperately attempt to escape the rapidly spreading fire, only to find the temple's only door barred. Khal Moro attempts to confront Daenerys a final time, but she pushes the last brazier on him, completing the conflagration. As the flames climb higher, the Dothraki gather outside in confusion. Eventually, the doors collapse and Daenerys emerges, naked and unburnt. Many of the Dothraki onlookers immediately start bowing to her, with the High Priestess, Ornela and the rest of the dosh khaleen following. Jorah and Daario move to the front of the crowd and though Jorah has seen this once before, the normally unflappable Daario is utterly awestruck.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki