Directed By: Jeremy Podeswa / Written By: Bryan Cogman

Original Airdate: May 17, 2015

In Braavos, Arya Stark is tested by Jaqen H'ghar in the House of Black and White as he tells that she is ready to become someone else. Following their attack in Valyria and seemingly unable to catch a break, Tyrion Lannister and Jorah Mormont are captured by pirates. Meanwhile, Olenna Tyrell arrives in King’s Landing and meets with Cersei Lannister to discuss the future of Loras Tyrell while the High Sparrow then conducts a trial that affects Queen Margaery as well. In Dorne, Jamie Lannister and Bronn find Myrcella Baratheon but are met with her refusal to leave as well as an attack by the Sand Snakes. At Winterfell, Sansa Stark marries Ramsay Bolton and the wedding night then proves to be a torturous affair for both the bride and Theon Greyjoy.

main cast

braavos

In Braavos, Arya Stark continues her training with the Faceless Men as she cleans a corpse methodically, curious about what is on the other side of the door through which the corpse was taken. Arya is about to walk through when the Waif obstructs her path, slamming the door shut and instructing her to get back to work. Arya asks the Waif what they are doing with the bodies through the door, but the Waif remains tight-lipped and again tells her to get back to work. An irritated Arya declares that she has been at the House of Black and White for weeks and refuses to scrub another body until she is told. The Waif, however, insists that Arya will know when the time is right and not before. Frustrated, Arya then asks when can she play the game of faces. The Waif informs Arya that she has already tried playing the game but has failed. She then informs Arya how she is from Westeros, “just like you,” and was the daughter of a Lord, “just like you”. The Waif clarifies that she, however, was an only child and heir to her father’s fortune, until he remarried and produced another daughter. She then explains that her stepmother tried to poison her and afterwards she sought out the Faceless Men to exact her revenge. The Waif then asks Arya whether she believed the story, surprising Arya. When Arya doesn’t respond, embarrassed that she bought the Waif’s story, the Waif tells her to get back to work, hinting to Arya that to pass the game of faces, Arya must be able to lie convincingly.

Later on, Jaqen H'ghar comes to test Arya again, waking her from slumber when asking who she is. After rising from her bed, Arya informs Jaqen the truth of her name and where she comes from. However, Jaqen is able to tell when Arya is lying and hits her with a switch when she tells him that her father Lord Eddard Stark died in battle. After confessing the truth of her father’s execution, she continues to tell the truth of her journey which brought her to Braavos but is hit with the switch every time she changes any details. Jaqen then strikes a shocked Arya repeatedly after continuing to lie when insisting that she hated Sandor Clegane. She cries out in pain, stating that this is not a lie. Before Jaqen leaves, he declares to Arya that “a girl lies to me, to the Many-Faced God, to herself. Does she truly want to be no one?” Jaqen strikes at her with the switch for a final time when she answers with a “yes”. Arya shouts that she’s not playing this “stupid” game anymore, but Jaqen calmly asserts that they never stop playing.

Some time later, while Arya scrubs the floor of the sanctuary, a grieving father brings his sickly daughter Ghita to the House of Black and White and places her by the poisoned pool in the center of the room. He explains to Arya that he has nowhere else to go as he has taken his daughter to every healer in Braavos and spent every penny he has earned. He tells her that his daughter has suffered every day of her life and urges the need for peace. Arya sits besides the girl and tells her a short false story about how she was once sick too, but her father never gave up on her and brought her here. Arya’s lie continues as she informs Ghita that when she herself drank from the temple's well, she was healed. This persuades the sickly girl to drink the poisoned water from the pool, which quickly gives the peace of death to the sickly girl. Arya, now having successfully proven that she can lie, is then brought to the Hall of Faces with Jaqen H'ghar: a great underground chamber that houses thousands of peeled faces of the dead. All the faces had been taken from the corpses that the acolytes wash in the temple. The Faceless Man then asks Arya if she is ready to give up who she is to become "no one". After a moment of silence, he then states that she is not ready to become "no one," as she is too attached to her past as a Stark, but that she is ready to become "someone else".

slaver’s bay

Meanwhile, on the western side of Slaver's Bay, Tyrion Lannister and Ser Jorah Mormont are still making their way to Meereen on foot, after losing their boat. After privately checking on the growing greyscale on his arm from the fight with the Stone Men, Jorah asks Tyrion why he was in Volantis. Tyrion explains that he actually fled from Westeros because he killed his own father, Tywin Lannister, as he tried to have Tyrion executed for a crime he didn't commit and was also screwing Shae, the woman he loved. Ser Jorah nods, as this seems as likely a motivation for  kinslaying as any. Tyrion then says that despite how miserable Jorah is now, at least he can say that he had a good father. Jorah asks how he could have known his father Jeor Mormont, but Tyrion explains he visited the Wall once and met him. Jorah is shocked to realize that his father is dead. Tyrion becomes apologetic and says he thought that Jorah knew already. Jorah asks how he died as Tyrion informs that he only knows the report he heard, which said that Jeor led an expedition beyond the Wall with the Night’s Watch, but there was a mutiny. Jorah processes this news in silent grief, then changes the subject by saying that they have to keep moving.

Some time later on foot, Tyrion asks why Jorah would support Daenerys Targaryen and how she would be better than any other ruler, or why Westeros would even support her, given that her father was the “Mad King,” Aerys Targaryen. Jorah explains that he never used to believe in things like destiny and was very cynical, but after seeing Daenerys emerge from the flames unharmed with baby dragons he admits that it was hard to be a cynic after witnessing that. Tyrion remains skeptical that this doesn't automatically mean she will be a good queen. Suddenly after spotting a slaver’s ship in the distance, Ser Jorah pulls Tyrion to the ground. However, the pair have already been spotted before they start hiding, and the slavers emerge from the trees behind them and take them captive. The lead slaver, Malko, intends to return them back to their destination in Volantis. Tyrion, however, manages to successfully persuade him that Jorah is one of the most skilled knights in Westeros, and would fetch a better price being sold to the fighting pits in  Meereen, which have just reopened. Though not in the circumstances they hoped, Tyrion and Jorah are once again quickly heading towards Meereen and the dragon queen.

dorne

In the lush courtyard of the Water Gardens in Dorne, Princess Myrcella Baratheon is enjoying a stroll with her betrothed, Trystane Martell, who insists that he will ask his father Prince Doran Martell to commence with their wedding. Myrcella admits of her worry that Trystane only wants to marry her because their families arranged for it, however, Trystane pulls her into a tender kiss to alleviate such thoughts. As the pair continue walking, Prince Doran and his bodyguard Areo Hotah watch from above. Doran comments that Myrcella and his son look lovely together but they don't realize how dangerous their betrothal is, as a Martell and a Lannister. Doran insists that they need protection, stating that he hopes Areo remembers how to uses his long-axe. Areo assures Doran that he remembers. Meanwhile, Ser Jaime Lannister and Bronn approach the  capital of Sunspear on horseback, disguised as Dornish soldiers. Bronn wonders what Jaime will do once they get inside and find Princess Myrcella, to which Jaime replies that he likes to improvise. Bronn japes that Jaime’s improvisation must explain his “golden hand”. While Jaime and Bronn infiltrate the Water Gardens, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes are already inside, as Ellaria is sending the late Oberyn Martell’s daughters to abduct Myrcella. Ellaria insists that they to do it "for Oberyn". Outside in the courtyard, Jaime and Bronn quickly come upon Myrcella kissing Trystane. Bronn notes that Myrcella has made herself at home. Jaime calls out to a surprised Myrcella, who asks her “uncle” what he is doing in Dorne, though Jaime insists that they speak alone. After Trystane introduces himself, Bronn urges for Trystane to leave Jaime and Myrcella in private, but Trystane quickly grows suspicious of the bloodstains on Bronn’s robes. Despite Bronn’s insistence to not do anything stupid, Trystane attempts to draw his sword but is quickly knocked down. Jaime then urges for a shocked Myrcella to flee with him, but they are suddenly attacked by the Sand Snakes. Bronn fights against Tyene and Nymeria Sand both, while Obara Sand attacks Jaime with her spear, driving him away from Myrcella. Obara then orders Nymeria to break away from Bronn and take Myrcella prisoner. When Nym attempts to pull Myrcella away, they are all interrupted by the arrival of Areo Hotah and several other guards, who surround them all. Though a passionate Obara asks Areo who he fights for, Doran’s bodyguard commands them all to drop their weapons. Jaime, Bronn, Ellaria and the Sand Snakes are all then taken into custody.

king’s landing

Meanwhile, Lord Petyr Baelish arrives in King’s Landing and is on his way to meet Cersei Lannister when he is confronted by Ser Lancel Lannister and some other Sparrows. Lancel warns Baelish that they have purged King's Landing of its corrupt ways, and the new King’s Landing will not tolerate his prostitution business, however, Baelish dismisses these threats. Baelish then meets with Cersei, who continues to deny her involvement in Ser Loras Tyrell’s arrest by the Faith Militant. Baelish is not fooled and warns that House Tyrell will not tolerate this insult. Cersei then explains she is suspicious where his loyalties truly lie and asks him whether she can rely on the Vale of Arryn to fight for the throne if the time comes. Baelish assures her that he will always counsel loyalty to young Robin Arryn. Baelish then reveals that Sansa Stark is back in Winterfell, where Roose Bolton has arranged for her to marry his son Ramsay Bolton. Cersei is infuriated by the Boltons’ betrayal but Baelish suggests letting the Boltons and Stannis Baratheon fight each other, and when the victor is still recovering from the battle, step in and defeat them. He then proposes that the soldiers of the Vale could join the fight but Cersei is unsure of Baelish’s ability to lead an army. Baelish ultimately convinces her, stating that he "lives to serve," though Baelish asserts that all he wants in return is to be named Warden of the North. Cersei agrees to speak with King Tommen Baratheon about an official decree.

Some time later, Lady Olenna Tyrell returns to the capital from Highgarden after learning of her grandson Loras’ arrest. She meets with her granddaughter, Queen Margaery Tyrell, and is angered in the fact that while the late Renly Baratheon’s homosexuality was widely known in the capital, her grandson is now being targeted. Olenna insists that the theatrics is simply “rumors and gossip”. They both agree that Cersei Lannister is clearly behind the arrest. Olenna then meets with Cersei and tries to talk her into releasing Loras, though Cersei sticks to her claim that it was the Faith Militant who arrested Loras and she had nothing to do with it. Olenna warns Cersei that her actions have endangered the Lannister-Tyrell alliance – the very alliance that, for example, is supplying the capital with food. Cersei informs Olenna that the High Sparrow has called for a preliminary hearing to determine whether the charges against Loras have merit and expresses confidence that Loras will be acquitted.

Afterwards, the High Sparrow himself interrogates Ser Loras in front of King Tommen, Cersei and the Tyrell women. Despite the High Sparrow’s inference that he was in mourning over the loss of Renly, Loras denies the accusations against him, insisting that Renly was his friend and his king, also adding that he was wrong for supporting Renly’s claim. He further testifies that he also has never laid with any man. Assuming the interrogation has concluded, Olenna tries to leave with her grandchildren, however, the High Sparrow then asks to question Queen Margaery, who then also denies any knowledge of these allegations. The High Sparrow then calls in Olyvar, in character as Loras’ "squire," who claims that the accusations against Loras are in fact true. Olyvar also testifies that Margaery walked in on them once in bed, but did not seem surprised. To support his testimony, Olyvar tells the High Sparrow of a birthmark Loras has that is shaped like Dorne, much to Loras' shock and fury. Deciding that this is more than enough evidence for a holy inquest, the High Sparrow has Loras arrested. Furthermore, since Queen Margaery bore false witness before the Gods as well, she is also arrested. As Margaery is forcefully dragged away, she calls out for King Tommen in panic, who is paralyzed with indecision, while Olenna contemptuously regards Cersei's barely-contained smug expression.

winterfell

Meanwhile, at Winterfell, Sansa is joined by Myranda in her room, who offers to help Sansa take a bath so she is presentable to Ramsay during the wedding. While she is washing Sansa's back, Myranda mentions three other  girls whom Ramsay had been with, and how he ultimately victimized them after a while because they bored him. Seeing through her motives, Sansa startles Myranda by asking how long she has loved Ramsay. She coolly informs Myranda that she is a Stark of Winterfell and will not be intimidated by the likes of her. Sansa dismisses her to finish her bath herself, though she is visibly shaken by Myranda's story. Afterwards, when Reek comes to fetch Sansa for the wedding, she refuses to hold his arm, even after he pleads with her to do so, saying that Ramsay will punish him if she doesn’t. Sansa coldly asks if he thinks she cares what Ramsay does to him, and strides past him. Then, in front of the godswood, Reek gives Sansa away to Ramsay, who actually allows Reek to call himself Theon Greyjoy during the wedding ceremony, which is officiated by Roose Bolton and attended by many Northern Lords. Directly following the evening ceremony, Sansa and Ramsay retreat to their new shared bedroom, with Reek trailing behind, standing at the door. As Sansa looks around her new quarters, Ramsay asks Sansa if she is pleased, insisting that he wants her to be happy. Dread starts to set in when Ramsay informs that his father Roose has told him that she is still a virgin. Sansa confirms this to be true, as she did not consummate her previous marriage to Tyrion Lannister. He then asks her why this is, as he then pokes fun at Tyrion’s expense, asking if she’s “afraid of dwarfs”. Sansa insists that because Lord Tyrion was kind and gentle, he never touched her. Ramsay threatens her by saying that if she is lying to her husband, this would be a bad way to start a marriage. He then asks her to remove her clothing as Reek turns to leave. Ramsay, however, tells him that he must stay, taunting him; “you grew up with her as a girl, now watch her become a woman." Annoyed by Sansa's hesitancy in undressing, Ramsay angrily rips open the back of her dress and pushes her face-down over the side of the bed. As he unbuckles his clothes, Sansa obediently remains still but begins crying softly. Reek is visibly distraught and begins silently crying himself, frozen in place as he is forced to watch the sadistic event. Ramsay then proceeds to rape Sansa, forcibly consummating their marriage.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki