Directed By: Alex Graves / Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

Original Airdate: June 1, 2014

Theon Greyjoy is sent by Ramsay Snow to Moat Cailin to convince an Ironborn garrison to surrender, promising that they will return to the Iron Islands. The wildlings slaughter Mole's Town where Gilly and her baby have been sent and when the news travels to Castle Black, Samwell Tarly worries over their fate. A royal pardon from King’s Landing arrives in Meereen for Jorah Mormont after years of traveling overseas to Essos as Daenerys Targaryen deals with a shocking discovery. At the Eyrie, Petyr Baelish and Sansa Stark testify to the court over the death of Lysa Arryn, just in time for the arrival of Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane. In King’s Landing, Oberyn Martell fights against Gregor Clegane in a trial by combat as Tyrion Lannister’s life hangs in the balance.

main cast

the north

Ramsay Snow sends Reek, forced to reassume his former identity of Theon Greyjoy, to treat with the Ironborn garrison holding the northern fortress of Moat Cailin that bar the armies of House Bolton from returning to the North. Before entering the fortress, Ramsay asks Reek what to tell the garrison, as he responds by saying that he is “Theon Greyjoy, son of Balon and heir to the Iron Islands.” Ramsay then pointedly asks him what is he really, as Theon then despairingly replies with “Reek.” Ramsay notes to remember what Reek is and what he is not. Theon then rides into the fortress to find corpses lying everywhere from numerous attacks, as well as a disease that is running rampant. In their current state, the remaining Ironborn garrison are sick, under-equipped and outnumbered. After Theon meets with the garrison commander, Ralf Kenning, the offer made by Ramsay of safe passage in exchange for surrender is rebuffed by the commander. Despite his attempt to regain his confidence as Theon Greyjoy, Ralf believes that Reek is an imposter and subsequently spits in his face. As Ralf carries on abrasively insulting him, Theon starts experiencing a form of trauma given his recent experiences of torture and captivity. As he continue to insult a shaken Theon, one of Ralf’s own men suddenly puts an axe in his head and accepts Ramsay’s offer. Shortly after, Ramsay enters the castle and the Ironborn surrender, however, with his sadistic nature that seems to be growing with power, Ramsay has them all killed regardless.

In the aftermath, Ramsay meets with his father, Lord Roose Bolton, and presents him with the Greyjoy banner that was flying over the fortress. He assures Roose that Moat Cailin is now under his control. As they walk together, Roose then asks for an update regarding Locke, who he’d sent to Castle Black in order to locate and execute Bran and Rickon Stark. Ramsay has no update to provide, as they are both unaware of his recent death when trying to kidnap Bran beyond the Wall. Roose is unconcerned, however, assuming the Stark boys are dead. In recognition for his efforts in securing Moat Cailin, Roose then presents Ramsay with a decree of legitimization, officially making him a member of House Bolton. Delighted at the knowledge he will succeed his father as Warden of the North, Ramsay and Reek accompany Roose's army as it approaches its final destination: the ruins of Winterfell. 

the WALL

Meanwhile, at the Gift, inside a tavern in Mole's Town, a drunken whore drinks and socializes with a mixture of townspeople and other whores alike before heading to the back room. When she sees Gilly, she starts arguing with about her crying baby who woke her up earlier that morning. An unresponsive Gilly instigates the whore further, who asks if Gilly has anything to say for herself. Gilly passively then apologizes and attempts to stay out of the woman’s way while hanging her laundry, but the whore continues to harass her by saying that if Gilly doesn’t keep Little Sam quiet, she will instead. Gilly stands up to the woman and defends her son, however, before matters can escalate, they are interrupted by an attack on Mole’s Town. Amongst the wildling raiding party is Ygritte, Tormund Giantsbane and the Thenn leader Styr, who start killing everyone in the small village town. Ygritte rages into the tavern and eventually runs into the whore who was harassing Gilly. Ygritte quickly runs her spear through the woman’s stomach. Ygritte then discovers a terrified Gilly hiding with Little Sam in one of the back rooms they have been staying in. A terrified Gilly cowers on the floor with her son, however, Ygritte makes a quick decision and then urges Gilly to keep quiet, sparing their lives.

News from M​ole's Town quickly arrives at Castle Black, where Samwell Tarly is terrified about Gilly and Little Sam’s safety, blaming himself for bringing her to the town instead of keeping her with him. A defeated Samwell remarks that they are likely dead because of his actions. Grenn vocalizes his own anger, stating that they should be helping their brothers in neighboring towns instead of cowering in the castle. Jon Snow insists, however, that they can't go out to fight against the wildlings, as that is exactly what they want. Pypar and Eddison Tollett try to comfort Samwell by saying she might be alive and hiding, as she has survived worse situations, such as living with Craster, making a long march to the Wall, and even surviving a White Walker attack. This gives Sam hope that Gilly and her baby may have survived. Jon notes they have a bigger problem; if Mole's Town has been destroyed, Castle Black is next, and the few Black Brothers who remain are outnumbered a thousand to one by Mance Rayder's army. Edd notes that if the wildlings don't kill them all, there is even worse behind them that will finish the job, and asks whichever last man of the group is still alive at the end to burn the others, as he doesn't want to come back after he is dead.

the vale of arryn

At the Eyrie, Lord Petyr Baelish is testifying before a tribunal consisting of Lord Yohn Royce, Lady Anya Waynwood and Ser Vance Corbray with regards to the death of Lady Lysa Arryn. Lord Royce makes it clear from the start of his distrust for Littlefinger, stating that as a “money-lender and whoremonger” he’s been licking Tywin Lannister’s boots for so long that it’s a wonder Petyr’s tongue isn’t black. Since the incident, Lord Baelish has been attempting to spin Lysa’a death as a suicide, but the lords don't believe him, given Lysa's devotion to her son Robin Arryn. Lady Waynwood insists that Lysa adored her son and doesn’t see her abandoning him by choice. Lord Royce also states the suspicion of Lysa’s sudden death, which occurred so soon after her marriage to Littlefinger. They rebuff Littlefinger's explanations in favor of speaking with the only other witness: his “niece Alayne”. After confirming that Littlefinger can stay for her testimony, Sansa Stark then reveals her true identity and relates the tale of her captivity and escape from King's Landing and the cruelty of House Lannister. She then continues, truthfully informing of Lysa's mental instability and jealousy. With regards to her death, however, Sansa changes a few details and testifies that Littlefinger only kissed her on the cheek and because of this Lysa threw herself through the moon door in despair. Sansa breaks down in tears and the lords are convinced by her testimony, but while none of them are looking, she gives Littlefinger a stone-faced look as her deception has saved them both. Following the tribunal, Lord Baelish escorts Yohn Royce and Anya Waynwood down the stairs into the High Hall where Royce comments on Lady Arryn’s instability, apologizing for the harsh treatment towards Littlefinger. Baelish then admonishes the lords for hiding away in the Vale of Arryn during the War of the Five Kings, questioning their loyalty because they refused the late Catelyn Stark's plea for assistance in the conflict against the Lannisters. When asked who he thinks they should back, he responds that they should back "Robin Arryn, Lord of the Vale." When the lords claim that Robin is just a sickly boy, Baelish responds by declaring that "even sickly little boys can become powerful men," and that it is time for young Robin to leave the nest.

Some time later, Baelish visits Sansa and asks why she lied on his behalf during the tribunal. Sansa explains that she has no idea what Royce, Corbray and Waynwood would have wanted from her if Baelish were to be eliminated, but that she does at least know what it is that he wants. Littlefinger seems impressed that she made such a calculating decision, but attempts to cast doubt on her certainty, by ominously asking if she really knows what he wants. Meanwhile,  Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane are nearing the Bloody Gate of the Vale, as Arya discusses her disappointment in King Joffrey Baratheon’s murder, only due to the fact that she herself wanted to kill him. Even as the Hound had to look after him most of the boy’s life, Sandor admits that Joffrey deserved to die but not from poison, as he asserts that this is a woman’s weapon. Arya then queries whether they will pay Sandor as she’s never met her aunt Lysa, but the Hound assures her as they are blood she will pay, by assuming “family, honor, all that horse shit”. They walk up to the gate and among scatters of soldiers of the Vale and introduce themselves. They are then informed of Lysa's recent death by Ser Donnel Waynwood. The Hound stares in shock, while Arya begins hysterically laughing due to the irony of the situation. Later on, at the Eyrie, as Littlefinger and Robin Arryn prepare to depart on a tour of the Vale, a now raven-haired Sansa accompanies them in her new look as “Alayne”. Wearing a feathered black dress with a plunging neckline, Sansa attempts to further distance herself from the years of pain her house name has brought upon her.

meereen

Across the Narrow Sea, as Grey Worm is swimming with other Unsullied soldiers outside of Meereen, he notices Missandei and a number of other women bathing naked downstream. She spots him looking at her and returns his gaze, standing up slowly for him to see her before finally covering herself. Afterwards, Daenerys Targaryen asks whether Missandei thinks he was spying on her. She says no, and Daenerys mentions that Dothraki have no taboos against nudity or public fornication. Of course, Missandei is not Dothraki, and Daenerys informs that it doesn't matter, as Grey Worm isn't interested in her – none of the Unsullied desire women. Missandei says he was interested though, surprisingly to both of them. Daenerys inquires whether, when a slave is castrated, the masters take "all of it"; both the "pillar" and the "stones”. Missandei is unsure, to which Daenerys asks if she's ever wondered. Thoughtful, Missandei confirms that she has.

Later, in Daenerys’ audience chamber, Grey Worm comes to apologize to Missandei, but she tells him he doesn't need to. He hopes he didn't frighten her, and she says he did not. Addressing her in the Common Tongue, he tells her the language lessons she gives are precious to him. Gently correcting his vocabulary, she notes that she doesn't remember teaching him the word "precious". Grey Worm tells her that Ser Jorah Mormont taught it to him. She asks whether he remembers his birth name, and Grey Worm says he remembers nothing. She asks if he remembers when they cut him, and he shakes his head no. She tells him she's sorry for what they’ve done to him, and when Grey Worm asks her why, she says it's a terrible thing to do to a boy. Grey Worm counters that, had the masters not cut him, he never would have been an Unsullied, he never would have been freed and chosen to lead them… and would never have met her. Missandei is visibly moved by this. Grey Worm apologizes once again, and she stops him while he turns to leave, telling him she is glad he saw her. He tells her he's glad as well. 

Later, as Ser Barristan Selmy watches the Unsullied taking the bodies of the crucified masters down outside Meereen, a small boy approaches him, giving him a scroll bearing the seal of the Hand. He reads its contents slowly in consternation and then goes to confront Jorah Mormont. The document is a dated royal pardon that had been signed by the late King Robert Baratheon before his death. Barristan surmises Ser Jorah spied on Daenerys in exchange for his pardon as a slave trader. Jorah begs to be allowed to speak with her privately, but Barristan tells him that he will never be alone with her again. In the audience chamber, a seething Daenerys demands an explanation as Ser Jorah insists that sending an old pardon is a ploy by Tywin Lannister to divide them. Daenerys counters that the pardon was signed the year they met. Asking him whether he claims the pardon was forged, Jorah admits that it was not. He soon confesses to giving Lord Varys information on Daenerys' activities in Essos when she was with the Dothraki. Daenerys angrily asserts that because he informed Varys of her pregnancy by Khal Drogo it had led to her near-poisoning at the hands of a wine merchant. Jorah then protests that his actions stopped the assassination attempt, but Daenerys retorts this was only because he knew it might be coming. Jorah begs for her forgiveness, but Daenerys rebuffs him, saying he betrayed her, selling her secrets to King Robert, who she holds responsible for the death of her family. She spares his life, however, and gives him a day to leave Meereen. She warns that if he is seen in the city after that, his head will be thrown into Slaver's Bay. Some time afterwards, Ser Jorah is last seen riding outside of Meereen on horseback towards whereabouts unknown. That evening, on her balcony, Daenerys tells Missandei that she is never to betray her.

king’s landing

Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, in the last hours before his trial by combat, Tyrion Lannister and his brother Ser Jaime Lannister share a final drink in Tyrion's cell and reminisce about Orson Lannister, their simple-minded cousin who spent his days smashing beetles with a rock. Tyrion tells Jaime of how he used to observe Orson day after day in attempt to understand his motives, explaining that it always troubled him that he couldn't discern why Orson was engaging in such random destruction. In the end, however, he was never able to come to reach any understanding.  Tyrion asks his brother if he thinks his champion Prince Oberyn Martell stands a chance against Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, but Jaime is not optimistic, as Gregor’s strength and size is only a part of his ruthless reputation as a fighter. As the bell rings out to announce daybreak in the city, Jaime takes his leave, wishing his brother luck.

Shortly thereafter, Lannister guardsmen then escort the shackled Tyrion to the arena, where a large crowd has assembled for the trial by combat. Tyrion grows apprehensive to find a helm-less Oberyn drinking, and wearing very light armor – in comparison to his opponent, Ser  Gregor, who is clad from head to foot in heavy armor and wielding a greatsword the length of Oberyn’s body. Oberyn dismisses Tyrion's concerns, noting that he always drinks before a fight and favors speed over protection. As Gregor and his squire make their way to the arena, Ellaria Sand becomes concerned, noting that The Mountain is the biggest man she's ever seen, but Oberyn remains confident that he will emerge triumphant. Grand Maester Pycelle steps into the arena and begins making a long-winded speech asking the gods to favor the innocent before  Tywin cuts him short and begins the trial by combat. Oberyn, after impressing the crowd with a display of acrobatic spear maneuvers, goes on the attack, stabbing out at Gregor and constantly moving out of the knight's reach, forcing Gregor to tire himself out chasing his opponent. As he evades Gregor, Oberyn repeatedly taunts Gregor by constantly bringing up his part in the murder of his sister, Elia Martell, and her children, and demanding a confession, only enraging Clegane further. As the Red Viper starts winning, Tyrion exchanges a few hopeful looks with his brother and feels happy when Oberyn pins Ser Gregor to the ground with his spear, but his hopes are quickly shattered in the moment when the Mountain knocks Oberyn down and crushes his head, confessing his own war crimes and sealing Tyrion's fate. As Tyrion is struck with horror, Lord Tywin states that the gods have made their will known and Tyrion is sentenced to death. As Tyrion stares in catatonic astonishment at Oberyn's skull-crushed corpse, his sister Cersei Lannister smirks in vindication of his sentencing.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki