Game of Thrones season 7: Photo analysis for “The Spoils of War”

Game of Thrones officially confirmed the title of season 7, episode 4 — it’s “The Spoils of War” — and the photos look quite interesting.

Thanks to official press photos, we now know that the report from a week ago that Game of Thrones season 7, episode 4 would have the title of “The Spoils of War” is accurate. There are 10 images to look at here, and all of them seem to have some significance.

As of this writing, there is no official synopsis, so we’ll have to make do with photos for now.

Let’s dive right in and see what “The Spoils of War” has in store, shall we? Spoilers: Daenerys is in it.

Conleth Hill as Varys, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei,

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth,

Kit Harington as Jon Snow – Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO

Okay, that’s probably not a real spoiler. For me, this photo reinforces the prediction that Daenerys might not be quite so hostile to Jon as more news reaches her about what’s going on in the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. He’s instead standing behind her to greet someone on the beaches of Dragonstone.

Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy – Photo 2: Macall B. Polay/HBO

That someone is Theon Greyjoy, it looks like. Of course, Jon knows Theon better than pretty much anyone else on the island at this point, including Daenerys, who is actually allied with Theon. Granted, the two of them have spent quite a long time apart, much like Tyrion and Jon have, but we’re sure Sansa has filled Jon in on more than a bit of what Theon’s been up to while Jon was on the Wall.

Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy – Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO

That is the kind of face that suggests maybe Theon’s time at sea with some Greyjoy sailors who did not look pleased to have him when he came aboard has firmed up his resolve. This is still Theon, though.

In other words, we’re saying not to expect much.

Brienne and Pod from Game of Thrones season 7 episode 4. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Podrick Payne looks like he’s matured a little bit and come into his own. Meanwhile, we note that Brienne has started opting for leather as opposed to her familiar blue armor. That’s a sign that it’s getting colder up north. Remember how Sansa asked the blacksmith to put leather on armor in episode 3? Brienne appears to be taking that next step.

Also: more lines for Gwendoline Christie, please, universe. We miss her.

Tycho Nestoris and Cersei from Game of Thrones season 7 episode 4. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

This question has been bothering me ever since the season premiere photoset, and I want to reiterate it here, because of the fact that Tycho Nestoris works for the Iron Bank. If Cersei and the crown are really so broke that she has to drag out the old “A Lannister pays her debts” to convince Tycho to lend her more money, why exactly is she showing off what was probably a fairly expensive and recent endeavor?

Okay, we know the answer is what Tyrion told us several seasons ago: Cersei is not as smart as she thinks she is. Also, Jaime’s still not home to tell her this is probably not the wisest idea.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Jerome Flynn as Bronn – Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO

He’s still on the road instead, back again with Bronn. You can spot Bronn briefly in “The Queen’s Justice” as part of the assault on Highgarden. It’ll be good to have him back, because Jaime has gotten very good at snarking in the past few episodes, and now they can snark at each other.

Missandei and Daenerys. Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO

Look at that expression on Missandei’s face. Is this a brief bonding moment between the two of them? After all, Missandei took a very significant step forward with Grey Worm, and now he’s off at war yet again. Daenerys’ face certainly looks interested in whatever Missandei is saying.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei, and

Kit Harington as Jon Snow – Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO

Daenerys is wearing the same thing here that she has on in the previous two photos of her that we’ve already looked at, so it’s simple to draw a conclusion that these shots are all from the same scenes — presumably Theon’s arrival on the beach. But the fact that two photos very carefully show Missandei and Daenerys talking, and with one of them also showing Jon in the distance, suggests that Missandei may also weigh in on what her queen should do with the King in the North.

Of course, we still want Missandei to share her happiness, but that’s probably not professional. It’s okay, Missandei. We’re happy for you.

Sansa Stark. From Game of Thrones season 7, episode 4. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO.

Those red leaves look awfully familiar. Is Sansa going to make a return to the godswood to try and get some more information out of her brother about what exactly has happened to him? We’ve predicted that Game of Thrones might rain on her parade by also forcing her to deal with lords who may prefer having Bran in charge

Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

That’s practically Littlefinger’s standard smug expression at this point, but the fact that he’s standing by himself on the covered upper level of Winterfell with the standard smug expression is a bit troubling. What is he watching down below? There are several answers to that question, but knowing Littlefinger, Sansa’s probably involved somehow.

Next: 5 predictions for Game of Thrones season 7, episode 4

There’s a lot happening in these photos. What did you see that we haven’t, Game of Thrones fans?