Game of Thrones recap: Season 7, episode 4’s “The Spoils of War” gives us plenty to freak out over

In “The Spoils of War,” Game of Thrones spoils its fan with dragons, intrigue and plenty of story. To find out what you missed, here’s our Game of Thrones recap.

Following the death of Olenna Tyrell at Highgarden, the Lannisters feel pretty triumphant. They can repay their debts to the Iron Bank and destroyed another faction of Daenerys’ fleet, but we all know the Mother of Dragons will return the favor. So if you’re ready to find out how she strikes back, check out our Game of Thrones recap of “The Spoils of War” below.

Highgarden

Jaime, upon learning the truth about Joffrey’s death, feels pretty glum as he rides back to King’s Landing. As his best (hired) mate Bronn rides alongside him, Jaime appoints him to follow the Tarlys to secure some more wheat for the people and away from Daenerys, if only to get Bronn to stop pestering him.

At King’s Landing

Meanwhile, at King’s Landing, Cersei speaks with Tycho from the Iron Bank. “My only venture is re-establishing control over this continent and every person in it,” she explains. Obviously, she’s going to need a significant investment to expand her currently emerging empire.

In Winterfell

Littlefinger visits Bran Stark to give him the dagger that was used in an attempt to kill Bran while he was in a coma in season one. Following the attempt on Bran’s life, Littlefinger tells Catelyn Stark that the dagger belonged to Tyrion Lannister, who was then kidnapped by Catelyn … and so on and so forth.

Once Meera interrupts their conversation, she tells Bran she’s leaving, but he doesn’t really care. He has bigger responsibilities now, which includes having the best poker face in all the Seven Kingdoms.

And while he’s sulking in memories of (and not of) his own making, Arya arrives at Winterfell and comes upon two of the dumbest guards that could be placed at the wall. She tells them who she is, but they don’t believe her (why wouldn’t they? Didn’t Bran just come home? Isn’t the famous bastard their king? Why be doubtful?). Of course, Dumb and Dumber bicker about who will fetch Lady Sansa. While they do, Arya leaves.

Immediately, Sansa finds Arya in the burial hall where they have a somewhat bittersweet reunion. Sansa is thrilled to see her sister — really, “happiness” looks good on Lady Sansa. Arya warns her that they need better guards as they laugh about Jon and mourn their father, Ned Stark. Arya reminds her sister that the Starks have survived many crazy things and even mentions her kill list. They both admit that their journeys have been long, but agree they’re not over yet.

And then, back to Bran …

“Bran has visions,” Sansa says.

“Cersei’s on her list of names,” Bran says triumphantly to prove so.

And that’s about as Stark-y as the conversation can get. Though Sansa appears to be impressed by Arya’s list, Arya’s more smitten with the Valyrian steel dagger Bran offers her. Things are a little tense, but I wish they were less so. In fact, Brienne seems the most excited to see them all reunited. Podrick congratulates her on a job well done as Littlefinger watches from the distance.

Afterward, Brienne tries to give Podrick some sword lessons, but he’s having a hard time. Arya joins the session and asks to train with the person who defeated the Hound. Intending to serve both of Catelyn’s daughters, they begin a sparring match. Arya and Needle are competent, but Brienne is well trained and, you know, a lot bigger.

Arya probably belongs in Assassin’s Creed or something, but as Littlefinger and Sansa watch the scene, I really start to hope someone uses that dagger on Littlefinger soon. Nobody likes him whispering in Sansa’s ear.

Dragonstone

Missandei and Daenerys have a very brief conversation about Greyworm’s bedroom antics. However, before the juicy details are spilled, Jon Snow interrupts them to show Dany the cave of Dragonglass.

While inside, he takes her on the tour of hieroglyphs drawn by the Children of the Forest. The pictures detail the battle between them, the first men and the White Walkers. Jon explains that they must work together to defeat the enemy. Obviously, he won’t be able to do it without her.

“I will fight for you. I will fight for the North. When you bend the knee.”

She agrees to help him if he bends the knee. Jon laments that the North won’t like that, but Dany urges him to compel them.

Then, Tyrion tells her that they lost Highgarden, and she’s rightfully upset. She questions whether his allegiance is really to her or if he still has a soft spot for his family. Tyrion tells her to stick to the plan because it’s too dangerous for her to go into battle. She wants to ride her dragons to the Red Keep, so she asks Jon’s advice.

In my opinion, Jon Snow doesn’t demonstrate particularly great leadership skills, but I think it’s the right move on Dany’s part to extend an olive branch. Naturally, good ol’ Jonny tells her not to burn everything up. Then, he takes a walk with Davos and listens semi-patiently as Missandei spits some truth bombs about Dany’s integrity.

As they talk, Theon and the remaining Greyjoy ship make it back to Dragonstone. Things get very awkward on shore as Jon tries not to kill Theon, but he spares him since Theon did save Sansa’s life after all.

Of course, Theon asks to see Dany … but she’s not there.

The big, big battle at the end

Game of Thrones season 7, episode 4 “The Spoils of War” still. Image via HBO.

As Jaime and Bronn talk to Dickon, they suddenly hear wild yelling in the distance. They prepare swords and shields, but the Dothraki are hungry for a battle and Jaime knows they don’t have enough men no matter how strategically they can secure the line.

You can see the fear in his eyes as clearly as you can see the digital effects needed to multiply a Dothraki army on screen.

But you know what looks amazing in HD? Dragons. And boy, HBO spoiled us all tonight.

The Dothraki fearlessly storm the line as Daenerys rides overhead on Drogon. She dracaryses everything in sight and completely ignores the onslaught of arrows shot her way. The only hope Jaime has is using Qyburn “currently working on a solution” Crazypants’ contraption, the scorpion, so he sends Bronn to go get it.

As you would imagine, it’s a terrifying scene on the ground. Men are screaming and burning up everywhere, the ground is simply a pile of ashes, and someone chopped off Bronn’s horse’s leg. With tenacity, he makes it to the scorpion as Tyrion watches the slaughter.

(I would like to know why Tyrion looks so torn up about it. I’ll be so upset if he turns against Dany. I will be so upset. It’s like the last betrayal I’d be able to handle on Game of Thrones.)

Bronn lines up a shot on Drogon and nails him right in the armpit. The dragon cries out but manages to land nearby and destroy the scorpion. Pretty stupidly, Dany gets off her dragon and tries to pull the metal spear out, giving equally-stupid Jaime the chance to ambush her from behind.

Luckily, Drogon isn’t down for the count yet and nearly roasts Jaime to pieces before someone pushes him out of the way.

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