Directed By: Michelle MacLaren / Written By: Bryan Cogman

Original Airdate: April 27, 2014

Daenerys Targaryen swiftly conquers Meereen and shows just what she's prepared to do to those who defy her. Meanwhile in King’s Landing, Bronn tells Jaime Lannister he is certain his brother Tyrion had nothing to do with King Joffrey's murder. After visiting Tyrion in his cell, Jaime then asks Brienne of Tarth to find Sansa Stark while Olenna Tyrell counsels her granddaughter Margaery as to the next steps needed for her to remain Queen. At Castle Black, Jon Snow receives permission to take volunteers north to stop the mutineers at Craster’s Keep from talking to Mance Rayder. At the Keep, Bran Stark and his entourage are taken prisoner by Karl Tanner and the mutineers.

main cast

meereen

Outside of Meereen, Missandei teaches Grey Worm how to speak the common tongue of Westeros. As the lessons progress, Missandei and Grey Worm discuss their lost homelands, where he reveals that all he remembers since his castration as a child is that he was born in the Summer Isles. Missandei also reveals that she can remember watching her childhood home on the island of Naath burning to the ground before she was taken as a slave and shipped to Slaver's Bay.  Upon her arrival, Daenerys Targaryen interrupts their lesson and asks the pair how it is coming along, as Missandei assures that the lesson is going well. Daenerys then commands Grey Worm and several Unsullied to infiltrate Meereen disguised as slaves in order to convince the slaves to rise against their masters. As commanded, Grey Worm and a few Unsullied visit a slave pen, where a number of slaves are discussing whether or not to rise against the Great Masters. A slave named Mossador is already trying to convince his fellow men in chains to fight, but the older slaves argue they have no means to oppose their Masters, who have squashed every previous slave rebellion. Grey Worm arrives and declares that only they can free themselves, then presents them with weapons.

A short time later, the uprising is a resounding success. Following the Siege of Meereen, and with the now city hers, Daenerys enters through the gates as a liberator and is celebrated by scores of freedmen who joyously shout “mhysa” and throw their old slave collars at her feet. Daenerys then orders the crucifixion of one-hundred and sixty-three of the Great Masters in retaliation for the equal amount of slave children who had been crucified along the road to Meereen. Ser Barristan Selmy advises her against it, however, stating that sometimes it is best to answer injustice with mercy. Daenerys displays a ruthless shade of her Targaryen blood by firmly declaring to Barristan that she will "answer injustice with justice." After the Unsullied round up the Great Masters and nail them to posts, their cries permeate throughout the city and eventually reach Daenerys’ ears, who triumphantly stands on the balcony of the Great Pyramid. On the top of the pyramid, the city's emblem, the golden harpy of Ghis, has also been draped in the banner of House Targaryen. With Meereen being the final slaver city, Daenerys has now liberated all of Slaver's Bay.

castle black

Meanwhile, at Castle Black, Jon Snow and Grenn are teaching several new recruits how to fight against wildlings, including young Olly and the man named Locke who works for Lord Roose Bolton. While they watch over training, Janos Slynt points out to the acting Lord Commander Alliser Thorne that while Jon is well liked, Thorne is not. He notes that when Maester Aemon insists upon an election for a new Lord Commander, Jon is far more likely to succeed the late Jeor Mormont. Slynt convinces Thorne to allow Jon to deal with the mutineers at Craster's Keep, hoping they will remove Jon from the problem. Following training, Locke approaches Jon and they become acquainted, with Jon unaware of Locke's true purpose, as he’s been sent to the Wall in order to infiltrate the Night’s Watch and use Jon to find his little brothers Bran and Rickon Stark. Locke has been promised by Roose Bolton a lordship as his reward if he is able to kill the Stark heirs. Roose has orchestrated this mission as he attempts to take over the North and as Bran and Rickon are the last remaining male heir’s of Winterfell this poses a threat to his plans.

Later that evening, Samwell Tarly is fretting about Gilly's safety in Mole's Town, the largest village in the Gift, while the wildlings have been raiding that area en route towards their attack on Castle Black. Jon sympathizes, telling Sam he knows how hard it is. He confides that ever since Sam told him that his younger brother Bran was alive and going beyond the Wall, he has wanted to go and find him. Samwell explains he really tried to convince Bran to come back with him but Bran was determined to go beyond the Wall on his mission. When Sam and Jon think that Bran must have found shelter at Craster's Keep, they are interrupted by Locke. Locke then brings Jon to Alliser Thorne, who sanctions his mission to take out the mutineers at Craster's Keep but tells Jon that he must secure volunteers rather than have men ordered along with him. Jon gives an impassioned speech, insisting that the mutineers be dealt with for Castle Black's safety for if Mance Rayder is to discover the truth about their diminishing defenses all is lost. He also reminds the Watch that the late Lord Commander Jeor Mormont deserves justice. Much to Thorne and Janos Slynt's surprise, Grenn, Eddison Tollett and a group of other men join Jon on his mission, including Locke, who asks to say his vows if that is required before heading north of the Wall with Jon’s party.

king’s landing / the narrow sea

Along the cliffs of King’s Landing, Ser Jaime Lannister and Bronn sword train together and it seems that Jaime has improved his sword skills with his left hand as he begins to overpower Bronn. Bronn then takes off Jaime's golden hand and slaps him with it and he falls to the ground, with Bronn lecturing Jaime as to the value of being willing to fight dirty. Jaime asks Bronn his opinion on the murder of King Joffrey Baratheon as Bronn insists that Tyrion Lannister is innocent, and is shocked when he realizes that Jaime hasn't yet gone to visit his brother. Afterwards, Jaime finally visits Tyrion in his cell, confessing that their sister, Cersei Lannister, asked him to murder Tyrion. Convincing Jaime that he didn't kill his nephew, Tyrion notes that not even an irrefutable confession by the real perpetrator would satisfy Cersei. Tyrion explains that Cersei is out for his blood, then states that the trial is even worse because at least one of the judges has always wanted him dead, their father Tywin Lannister. Jaime then informs Tyrion that Cersei offers a knighthood to whoever captures Sansa Stark, however, Tyrion insists that Sansa had nothing to do with the murder, despite having the best motive.

Meanwhile, as they sail through the Narrow Sea, Sansa Stark accuses Lord Petyr Baelish of having Joffrey murdered. At first, Littlefinger evades the accusation, pointing out that he has been away for weeks. Sansa then defends Tyrion’s innocence and concludes that Baelish is too smart to trust a drunk like Ser Dontos Hollard to be his accomplice. Impressed with her instincts, Baelish admits that Tyrion is, in fact, innocent, and reveals Sansa's own part in Joffrey's death - Ser Dontos' necklace was the murder weapon, and someone slipped a poison-filled stone into Joffrey's wine. Littlefinger confesses that while his friendship with the Lannisters was fruitful, Joffrey was too volatile of a person and a king like him as an ally was more of a hindrance than a benefit. Baelish then notes that more importantly, Joffrey's death was something that his "new friends" wanted very much, and a gift is always helpful to help a new friendship "grow strong," quoting the words of House Tyrell.

Back in King’s Landing, Margaery Tyrell strolls through the gardens of the Red Keep with Lady Olenna Tyrell, who informs her granddaughter that she is leaving the capital and returning to their home at Highgarden. Olenna mentions the new and prospective marriage between Margaery and the next king in the line of succession: Tommen Baratheon. She insists that Cersei will turn the young Tommen against Margaery by the time they marry if Margaery doesn't act fast. Fortunately, Cersei is well distracted by accusing her innocent brother of the murder of her son. Margaery insists that Olenna cannot be certain of Tyrion's innocence, but Olenna states that Tyrion certainly is innocent and confesses that she would never have let Margaery marry "that beast," revealing that she was the one to slip the poisoned stone from Sansa’s neck into Joffrey’s goblet. Margaery is shocked, but her grandmother firmly ends the conversation.

That evening, Cersei calls Jaime to his chambers, but only to know about the Kingsguard formations for protecting their son Tommen. She then ponders as to why Catelyn Stark released him from his captivity as Jaime replies that he swore an oath to bring Catelyn's daughters, Sansa and Arya Stark, back to her. Cersei questions his loyalty to their enemies, but Jaime states that he only did it so he could return to her. She then questions his oath and venomously asks what would he do if she asked him to track down and kill the “murderous little bitch” Sansa Stark, believing that she schemed with Tyrion to murder Joffrey. “Would you do it?” Cersei asks, as Jaime remains silent. Then when accused of going to visit Tyrion in his cell, Jaime tries to convince Cersei that Tyrion is innocent, but she refutes that he has always pitied their little brother and firmly believes that Tyrion is the monster that killed their son. Cersei commands Jaime for four men at Tommen's door at all times. She then abruptly dismisses Jaime, referring to him only as "Lord Commander," showing that their relationship has almost completely deteriorated over the events of the last few years from what it once was.

Late in the evening, Lady Margaery enters Tommen Baratheon's chambers, slipping past the Kingsguard and startling him awake. As she sits by his bed, the obedient Tommen claims that she isn’t supposed to be here and that his mother doesn’t allow for him to have visitors at night. Margaery insists, however, that she is not a visitor and discusses with him the rumors of their new engagement. Margaery swiftly and easily charms the Lannister boy, noting that many arranged marriages never get to meet one another until the wedding day. She puts in his mind the idea that one day she will be his and they might as well get to know each other beforehand. When Margaery asks if he would like that, Tommen excitedly agrees but questions his mother Cersei’s knowledge of this. Margaery then insists on keeping this as their “little secret,” adding that, as future husband and wife, she hopes there will many secrets between them. She then interacts in a friendly manner with Tommen’s cat, Ser Pounce, and they both bond over their relief that they won't have to live in fear of Joffrey anymore. Margaery compliments to the soon-to-be king of his kind demeanor, stating: “you don’t strike me as cruel.” Shen then promises to visit again. Realizing that she must be maternal in her initial manipulation of him, Margaery gives him a kiss on the forehead as she leaves.

The following day, Brienne of Tarth joins Ser Jaime in the White Sword Tower, which serves as the chambers for members of the Kingsguard. Brienne reads aloud Jaime’s entry from the Book of Brothers, informally called ‘The White Book’. The book is the tome that records the deeds of every knight who served in the history of the Kingsguard. When noting the empty space left on his page, Jaime expresses his desire to reclaim his honor. He then stares at the Valyrian steel sword his father Tywin reforged for him, picking it up and gently handing it to Brienne, who holds it with great admiration. Jaime then gifts the sword to her and, as she begins to politely protest, he informs Brienne that the sword is Valyrian steel that was forged from Lord Eddard Stark’s sword, and thus should be used to defend the Stark girls. Jaime then tasks Brienne with finding Sansa, urging her to find and keep the girl safe from those who would hand her over to Cersei. He also provides Brienne with a horse, supplies, a freshly-forged suit of armor, and insists that she also take Podrick Payne with her as a squire, in order to keep him safe from those who would seek to use him against Tyrion at his trial. Before departing, Brienne proudly names the sword "Oathkeeper" and vows to find Sansa, not only for Lady Catelyn, as promised, but for Jaime as well.

cRASTER’S KEEP

At Craster's Keep, the mutinous deserters and former Black Brothers are still entrenched there following the murder of Craster and Lord Commander Jeor Mormont some months ago. The mutineers indulge themselves on the food that had been stored there, as well as raping Craster's many daughter-wives. In an act of sheer depravity, Karl Tanner drinks wine from the skull of Jeor Mormont, drunkenly bragging about himself and his skill as a hired killer back in King's Landing. He then commands Rast to "feed the beast." They are interrupted by one of the wives, who enters holding Craster's last son and insists that the infant must be given as a gift to the gods. Realizing that this was how Craster protected himself from the White Walkers, Karl orders Rast to take the child outside. Rast leaves the infant on a patch of open ground deep in the woods, and then goes to deal with “the beast,” who is revealed to be Jon’s caged direwolf Ghost. Rast taunts Ghost by withholding food and water from the direwolf but his cruelty is interrupted by a sudden snowstorm. The temperature decreases drastically and causes the water to freeze. Recognizing the approach of White Walkers, Rast flees back to the Keep.

Meanwhile, Bran Stark and his entourage and his party make camp for the night when they suddenly hear a baby crying in the distance. Summer is especially agitated in hearing the cries until Bran wargs into him to investigate further. As Bran/Summer make their way through the darkened forest they eventually come upon a wooden cage with a direwolf inside. As Summer gets closer, he then falls into a man-made trap underneath the snow, which causes Bran to snap out of his vision. He quickly informs the Reeds that he recognizes Jon’s direwolf. When morning breaks, the party then stumble upon Craster's Keep and Meera Reed, sensing danger, urges them to move on. Bran insists on trying to free both direwolves, however, before they can they are caught and taken prisoner by the mutineers. Some of the deserters amuse themselves by tormenting the simple-minded Hodor, while the others are taken to Karl, who asks of their identity. When met with silence, Karl threatens to kill Meera and Jojen Reed. However, Jojen is suddenly overcome by a seizure and falls to the floor while Meera begs to be let go so she can help him. Karl does so but only when Bran reveals his true identity as a Stark. Rast informs Karl that he is kin to Jon Snow.

lands of always winter

Somewhere in a frozen wasteland far beyond the Wall and at the northernmost reach of the world, known as the Lands of Always Winter, a lone White Walker rides its undead horse towards a shattered mountain. The White Walker is cradling Craster's last son in its arm as he slowly approaches the mountain. Upon arrival, the White Walker then strides past a large ring of icicle columns, dismounts and places the newborn on an altar made of ice in the center. On the other side, a line of darkly-garbed White Walkers watch the proceedings. After a moment, one of them strolls forth and carefully picks up the wailing child, who then swiftly calms. The White Walker presses the nail of its index finger into the baby's cheek. As he does this, the sound of cracking ice can be heard as the child's eyes slowly turn a depthless and icy blue. The newborn’s skin also grows more pale, further displaying the rapid creation of another White Walker, which most likely has been the fate of all of Craster's other sons who have been continually sacrificed.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki