Directed By: Mark Mylod / Written By: David Benioff & D. B. Weiss

Original Airdate: July 30, 2017

Despite Tyrion Lannister's mediation, Jon Snow receives a cold welcome from Daenerys Targaryen once he arrives at Dragonstone, as both of their priorities in forging an alliance greatly differ from the other. Meanwile, Euron Greyjoy victoriously arrives in King’s Landing with his captured niece Yara Greyjoy, as well as the “gift” he promised to Queen Cersei Lannister: Ellaria Sand in chains. At Winterfell, Bran Stark reunites with his sister Sansa. However, as he continues to grow into his powers as the Raven, the further he is emotionally removed from his past. Meanwhile, the Unsullied army all-too-easily take Casterly Rock for Daenerys, as Jaime Lannister and his army travel to Highgarden instead of defending his ancestral home.

main cast

KING’S LANDING

Euron Greyjoy returns to King’s Landing with his promised gift to Queen Cersei Lannister : the captured Ellaria Sand and her daughter Tyene. The other two Sand Snakes were killed by Euron himself during Ellaria and his niece Yara Greyjoy’s capture. As Euron stands next to the throne with the captive Sand women, Cersei proclaims Euron commander of her naval forces as well as assuring him of her hand in marriage once the war is won. Ser Jaime Lannister quietly mutters that the same people who cheered for Euron would do the same if Cersei put his head on a spike. Euron ignores the jab, but responds with one of his own by asking Jaime for advice on how to sexually please his sister. A furious Jaime almost lunges at Euron, but Euron, delighted at having provoked him, gleefully insists on Jaime to save it for later, in a not-so-public place.

Afterwards, Cersei confronts Ellaria and Tyene in their cell. Accompanied by Ser Gregor Clegane and Qyburn, Cersei recalls Oberyn Martell's showdown with Gregor during her brother Tyrion Lannister's trial by combat. She sadistically recalls the Red Viper's savage death to Ellaria and how Ellaria screamed at the sight of it. Cersei then provokes Ellaria's sorrow by inferring that Oberyn brought his death upon himself by taunting Clegane instead of just leaving him to die. She then remembers raising her daughter, Princess Myrcella Baratheon, and the fact that Ellaria murdered her with poison. Cersei goes on to praise Tyene's beauty and suggesting that she is Ellaria's favorite. She contemplates how she will execute them both, suggesting Ser Gregor kill them the way he killed Oberyn. However, opining that it would be too fast a death, she kisses Tyene on the lips with the same coated poison Ellaria had used on Myrcella, citing poetic justice. Cersei further torments Ellaria by having Qyburn confirm the uncertainty of when the girl will die, but also the inevitability of it, as the Long Farewell varies on how long it takes to kill, depending on the strength of its victim's constitution. Cersei then informs Ellaria that she will be left alive to witness the event and watch her daughter's "beautiful face crumble into bone and dust,” all the while forced to contemplate the acts she’s committed, even to the point of being force-fed if she tries to starve herself to death. Before leaving, Cersei orders that torches be routinely replaced so that Ellaria doesn't miss a moment of Tyene's demise, as Ellaria then frantically struggles against her chains in a futile effort to reach her daughter.

Later that evening, Jaime is drinking wine for supper when Cersei arrives and kisses him. He initially rebuffs her advances but ultimately consents to sex. The next morning, Cersei answers the door for the handmaiden Bernadette who announces that the representative from the Iron Bank of Braavos, has arrived. Cersei acknowledges the message and pointedly requests fresh sheets. Bernadette’s eyes then catch on to the sight of Jaime lying in Cersei's bed. Cersei smiles, no longer concerned of the opinions of the court, as Jaime's initial concern turns to amusement. Cersei then meets with Tycho Nestoris, who offers his condolences for the loss of her son  Tommen Baratheon. Tycho then thanks her for eradicating the Faith Militant, which he describes as superstition. When Cersei realizes that the Iron Bank wants to bet on the strongest faction, she informs Tycho that Euron Greyjoy controls the sea and is an ally for the time being and then convinces him to side with the Lannisters by denouncing Daenerys Targaryen as a revolutionary rather than a monarch. She promises that the Lannisters will pay their debts unlike the foreign army Daenerys has accrued. Cersei vows to pay the crown's debts in full within a fortnight and invites Tycho to stay in King's Landing. Tycho is pleased and describes Cersei as her "father's daughter".

oldtown

Following Samwell Tarly’s dangerous debridement of greyscale, Archmaester Ebrose examines Ser Jorah Mormont's wounds inside his cell at the Citadel and surmises that the infection is no longer active. Ebrose realizes that somebody treated Jorah, but Mormont claims the belief that rest and the warm climate of the Reach has healed him. Ebrose then releases Jorah but orders a private audience with Samwell later that evening, as it's obvious that he's in trouble. Ser Jorah then declares to Sam that he is returning to Queen Daenerys because she gave him hope and a sense of purpose. Jorah thanks Sam for saving him, as Samwell assures that it was the least he could do given everything that his father, Jeor Mormont, did for him in the Night’s Watch. Jorah is clearly moved when he takes Samwell's offered farewell handshake, having expected to never touch another person again. Afterwards, in private, Archmaester Ebrose chastises Samwell for embarking on an illegal healing procedure due to the high risk of infection. Nevertheless, he praises Sam for his success, noting that it was an extraordinarily difficult operation, and asks for the secret of his success. Sam replies that he simply read the books and followed the instructions. Ebrose "congratulates" Samwell by telling him to make fresh copies of several old manuscripts and scrolls, so their knowledge can be preserved, explaining that Sam's reward is not being expelled from the Citadel.

winterfell

Meanwhile, at Winterfell, Sansa Stark and Lord Baelish learn from Maester Wolkan that they have about four-thousand bushels of wheat remaining. Sansa realizes that they don't have enough food for the coming winter. Sansa advocates building granaries to stockpile and orders  Lord Royce to see that the armor made for their armies are outfitted with leather to keep warm. While walking, Littlefinger and Sansa discuss Queen Cersei. Petyr urges her to fight every battle and to look for threats in every corner. They are interrupted by a guard who informs Sansa that she has received a visitor, who turns out to be her younger brother Bran Stark alongside Meera Reed. Following their reunion, the siblings retreat to the godswood where Sansa tells Bran how she wishes their brother Jon Snow was there with them. Bran agrees, noting that he needs to speak with Jon. When Sansa points out that Bran is the rightful Lord of Winterfell, since he is the last remaining trueborn son, Bran refuses the position, stating that he is now the Three-Eyed Raven and thus can't be any sort of lord. He then reveals that he has visions, trying to explain the previous raven’s teachings, although this leaves Sansa baffled at Bran. Almost eerily and without emotion, Bran demonstrates his newly-acquired power to a skeptical Sansa by describing the night of her horrific marriage to Ramsay Bolton. This startles Sansa, who quickly excuses herself and she walks away in shock and tears.

DRAGONSTONE / CASTERLY ROCK

Days later after travelling south, Jon Snow and Davos Seaworth arrive at Dragonstone, and are immediately greeted by Tyrion Lannister and Missandei. Upon meeting, Tyrion addresses Jon as the “bastard of Winterfell”, while Jon addresses him as the “dwarf of Casterly Rock” – the two share a friendly grin. Jon also introduces Davos while Tyrion introduces Missandei, who requests that they surrender their weapons. Jon and his entourage hand over their weapons to Daenerys' Dothraki guards. On the walk to the castle, Missandei walks with Davos and tells him that she comes from the island of Naath. Davos remarks that it was a paradise full of palm trees. Jon and Tyrion talk about Sansa's brief marriage to Tyrion as Jon is assured that it was a sham that was never consummated. Tyrion remarks that Sansa is a lot smarter than she lets on, to which Jon agrees. While Jon is aware of the fate that the previous Starks were met with upon meeting a Targaryen, Jon insists that he is not a Stark. Suddenly, Jon and Davos are startled at the sight of two dragons, Drogon and Viserion, as they fly low over the causeway and dive to the ground, while an amused Missandei and Tyrion retain their composure. Offering Jon a hand up, Tyrion says he wishes he could tell Jon he'll get used to the dragons – but no one is quite used to them except their mother, who is waiting for Jon inside.

Meanwhile, on the cliffs overlooking the beach, Lord Varys confronts Melisandre about her reluctance to welcome the King in the North to Dragonstone. Melisandre insists that now she has "brought ice and fire together," and her time "whispering in the ears of kings" has come to an end. Varys asserts his disbelief in this, stating that one taste of power for common folk and “nothing is ever so sweet again”. Melisandre eventually responds to his prodding, admitting that she parted on bad terms with Jon and Ser Davos because of terrible mistakes she made and her presence would only serve as a distraction. Upon Varys’ enquiry, she then indicates her intention to travel to Volantis. When Varys suggests that she should not return to Westeros, Melisandre replies that she will return one last time: "I have to die in this strange country... just like you."

After Jon and Ser Davos enter the throne room, Missandei speaks Daenerys' name and announces her many titles, which stand in stark contrast to Davos simply announcing Jon as "the King in the North". Initially, Daenerys assumes that he has come to bend the knee to her, as she is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Jon, however, reminds her that any fealty House Stark owed House Targaryen ended when her father King Aerys murdered his grandfather and uncle, though he accepts her apology on behalf of House Targaryen for the crimes committed against the Starks and agrees she is not to blame for her father's sins. Jon states that his purpose for coming is different, as he likens the fighting between the great houses to children squabbling over a game. He asserts his intention in asking Daenerys for her help in the coming fight against the Night King and his army of the dead, to which Daenerys would also need Jon's help in order to expunge the army. When Daenerys reiterates that she is destined to rule the Seven Kingdoms, Jon retorts that she will be ruling over a graveyard if the Night King is not defeated. Tyrion then insists they cannot split their forces and urges them to kneel before Daenerys and, after the war against Cersei, their combined forces would defend the North. Jon refuses both because it may take longer to win the Iron Throne from Cersei and, by then, it may already be too late. Ser Davos then speaks up asserting it doesn't matter who bends the knee, as if they don't put aside their enmities to focus on the undead they will all die. Tyrion, however, doesn't see the point of Jon's refusal to submit. When Jon disputes her claim, Daenerys responds that he is in open rebellion since he has declared himself King in the North.

As tension rises between Daenerys and Jon, Lord Varys then enters the throne room to provide Daenerys with an update. She then orders Missandei to give Jon and his followers food and lodging. When Jon asks if he is a prisoner, she firmly states: "not yet," as he then exits with Ser Davos. Varys then informs Daenerys that Yara Greyjoy’s fleet was ambushed in the Narrow Sea. He gravely adds that Yara and Ellaria Sand have both been captured. Afterwards, on the cliffs of Dragonstone, Jon discusses his predicament with Tyrion as he is unhappy to be held at Dragonstone while the White Walkers still pose a threat. Jon then asks Tyrion how he can convince people about the existence of something they don't believe exist. Tyrion encourages Jon not to give up. When Jon then remarks that he is a fool for going south, Tyrion reassures him that the Mad King's daughter is not like her father, also noting that Daenerys has protected people from "monsters," telling him to speak with her servants. Tyrion then asks if there is something that he can do to help Jon. After learning about the existing dragonglass in the caves beneath Dragonstone, Tyrion speaks with Daenerys about Jon's request to access the material, as the glass has proven to be effective in killing White Walkers. Despite being preoccupied with the loss of the Greyjoy and Dornish allies, Tyrion convinces Daenerys to let Jon have the dragonglass in order to court his allegiance, advising her to give him something so that they can focus on Casterly Rock. He insists that some good-willed intent must be shown from their side and as they have no use for the dragonglass, they have nothing to lose by letting Jon have it.

Later on, while Daenerys is watching over her three dragons outside, she is joined by Jon. She informs Jon that she named two of her dragons, Rhaegal and Viserion, after her brothers  Rhaegar and Viserys Targaryen. Daenerys explains that since people once thought dragons were gone for good, they should re-examine what they believe they know as true. Jon then realizes that Tyrion has been petitioning her. Daenerys then firmly reminds Jon that she won't allow for Cersei Lannister to remain in power, also explaining that she hasn't changed her mind about which kingdoms belong to the throne. Jon asserts that he hasn't changed his mind about refusing to bend the knee either. Both come to a standstill until Daenerys offers to help him mine as much dragonglass he needs and agrees to provide men and equipment. Hoping for some validation, Jon asks her if she believes in the White Walkers existence, however, she only responds by telling him to hurry and begin his work.

Some time later, in the Chamber of Painted Table, Queen Daenerys confers with Tyrion, Lord Varys and Missandei. She proposes going out with her dragons to hunt Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet, but Missandei and Tyrion argue against it, arguing that they have no idea where Euron is, and all it would take is for one stray arrow to kill Daenerys. This would result in leaving her dragons uncontrollable without their mother. Tyrion also assumes that the Lannisters will put up a fierce fight for Casterly Rock, adding that the gates and walls of the ancestral castle of his house is impregnable to siege. However, Tyrion notes that because his father, Lord Tywin  Lannister, assigned him to build the sewers in his youth, he informs them that he built a secret tunnel through a cove to bring in prostitutes, which now can be used to their advantage. Meanwhile, however, in the Westerlands, Tyrion’s plans are foiled. The Unsullied do manage to sneak in through Tyrion's secret cove tunnel and after following an initial fight, they overwhelm the garrison and capture the castle. Grey Worm, however, quickly realizes that the Lannisters have only installed a small, skeletal garrison. Overlooking the battlements, Grey Worm questions a wounded Lannister soldier about where the main Lannister forces are, realizing they’ve stumbled into a trap. Euron's Iron Fleet sneaks up on the Unsullied fleet from behind and unleashes projectiles, setting many Targaryen ships ablaze.

HIGHGARDEN

Meanwhile, Ser Jaime Lannister leads the combined Lannister-Tarly army to Highgarden, alongside Ser Bronn and Lord Randyll Tarly. Lady Olenna Tyrell looks out from a balcony and sees the impending army approaching the castle. In the aftermath of the assault and the massacre of the House Tyrell garrison, Ser Jaime confronts Olenna in her study. Jaime notes that the Tyrell forces fought bravely, whereupon Olenna acknowledges warfare was not their strong point. Olenna mentions that Tyrion and Daenerys thought the bulk of the Lannister forces would be defending Casterly Rock. Jaime, while pouring two glasses of wine, reveals it was a ruse, explaining that his ancestral home is now practically worthless. He also states that Euron's Iron Fleet will destroy the attacking fleet, leaving the Unsullied trapped deep in Westeros at the mercy of Lannister forces. Olenna wonders why Lord Tywin didn't just take Highgarden when Casterly Rock's mines first ran out of gold. Knowing her end is near, she remarks that she may ask Tywin himself soon enough. Olenna then asks Jaime how he intends to kill her, speculating he do it with Joffrey Baratheon's old sword. Remarking on Joffrey's horrible nature, Olenna proudly admits that she enacted measures to protect her family at all costs but reflects that her actions pale in comparison to the atrocities performed by Cersei. Jaime insists that no one will care what Cersei has done, so long as order is restored. Olenna observes that Jaime really does love his sister, and calls him a fool, claiming that she will be the end of him and then again asks Jaime how he plans to kill her. Jaime informs her of Cersei’s idea of having her whipped and beheaded, or flayed alive and hanged, but he talked her out of both. He then produces a small liquid vial and empties its contents into one of the glasses, giving it to Olenna. She drinks it after Jaime confirms that it will be a painless death. On the topic of poison, Olenna then reflects on the gruesome affect the poison had during Joffrey’s death. She admits that was unintentional on her part, as she had never seen the poison work in person before. Shocked into silence, Jaime stares at her, realizing at last who really killed his eldest son and let his brother take the blame, setting in motion the deaths of Lord Tywin Lannister and Princess Myrcella. Satisfied at his horror, Lady Olenna insists that he tell Cersei that she herself was the one who murdered her son. After a few moments, a furious Jaime then storms out and leaves Olenna to die alone.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki