Game of Thrones season 7, episode 5 recap: Eastwatch

In the wake of “The Spoils of War” and the epic loot train attack, find out Jaime’s fate as the White Walkers continue their attack in “Eastwatch” with our Game of Thrones recap.

So, if you were worried that Jaime was going to die, don’t be. Bronn saved him in time, though Jaime really earnestly thought he was about to end the war. “Till I get what I’m owed, a dragon doesn’t get to kill you,” Bronn basically says. But Jaime’s more concerned about the fact that Drogon really did some serious damage, which means, Jaime must return to King’s Landing to tell Cersei what’s happened.

Meanwhile, Tyrion walks across a field of ashes and looks really concerned about what this means for Daenerys’ future. However, things appear to be very clear for Dany, who offers the surviving Lannister men the opportunity to bow or die. Some of them remain standing, but Drogon roars at them to think twice.

Then, Lord Tarly steps forward and Tyrion reminds him that his “allegiances are somewhat flexible.” Especially since his new queen (Cersei) murdered his old one (Olenna). Lord Tarly shoots back that Dany wasn’t born in Westeros and Tyrion’s not exactly an honorable man himself. Still, Tyrion tries to spare Randyll and Dickon’s life. If Dickon dies, so does the house name. But Dany doesn’t budge, so her eerie music starts playing and she allows Drogon to roast them.

Seriously, Drogon’s in really great shape and itching to burn things up.

Back at King’s Landing

Jaime returns with very bad news. While Cersei tries to explain that they can buy more men, Jaime assures her that you can’t buy a win against three dragons and Dothraki. Cersei, because she loves her brother, humors him and thinks about their other options, if only for a minute and a half. She thinks about reaching out to Tyrion, giving Jaime the opportunity to tell her about Olenna’s confession.

Of course, Cersei feels pissed that she couldn’t make Olenna suffer. She understands there are two choices: fight and die or submit and die. And she’s obviously not going to submit.

With a renewed sense of urgency, Jaime follows Bronn into the “basement” for some training. Though Bronn tricks him as he comes face-to-face with his little brother, Tyrion. Thanks to Davos, they were both able to sneak into the city. While Tyrion presents Dany’s proposal to him, Davos finds Gendry on the Street of Steel. They rename Gendry “Clovis,” then he kills two Lannister guards so they can escape.

Now enlightened about the White Walkers, Jaime tells Cersei that Dany wants an armistice. Cersei, knowing that Bronn planned to do that, agrees that they must be more cunning if they want to defeat Dany. In the interest of the baby she’s apparently carrying, she admits that they might need to meet with Dany after all.

Return to Dragonstone

Jon waits on the cliffside for Dany to return with Drogon. When they land, the dragon instinctually approaches Jon and basically submits when Jon puts his hand out to touch him.

HBO not only wisely spent their money on this particular face-to-face, but they did an excellent job animating Drogon’s emotions. First, he blinks his eyes slowly and he even bares his teeth in an almost childlike way.

Once Dany descends, she explains that the dragons are her children and understands that Jon doesn’t condone what she did. As she finds the chance to ask him what Davos meant about Jon taking a knife to the heart, they’re interrupted by Ser Jorah’s return. (I don’t even ask how people travel so quickly, because I think it’s super irrelevant.) Jon watches the touching moment between them … with jealousy, I guess. I didn’t get any of the romantic vibes from the last episode, but you know, everyone sees something differently.

In the throne room, Tyrion seeks counsel from Varys, who tells him to rein Dany in, but we all know that’s not going to be easy. Especially when Jon receives word from Bran about the White Walkers. Obviously, Jon wants to go home, but Tyrion proposes that Jon brings a White Walker to Cersei. While I can’t tell exactly what Tyrion is planning, he does think he’ll be able to convince Jaime, who in turn will convince Cersei.

Eager to serve, Ser Jorah agrees to go beyond the Wall and wrangle a White Walker. Jon agrees to go with him — oh, now I see Dany’s heart eyes — but she tries to convince him not to. Jon goes on another one of his goody-two-shoes monologues about trust and honoring his people, so she agrees to trust him.

In the interest of trust, Gendry also explains who he is as soon as Davos brings him before Jon. They bond over their mutual bastard status and prepare to leave. Ser Jorah has sweet moments with both Tyrion and Dany. But Jon wins the goodbyes by saying, “If I die, at least you won’t have to deal with the King in the North” to Dany, who gives him heart eyes back.

Heart eyes, heart eyes, heart eyes.

Winterfell

Bran, as the Three-Eyed Raven, sees the White Walkers continue their march toward Eastwatch. The Night King looks back at him and interrupts Bran’s vision. Afterward, he sends ravens out to warn everyone.

When the Citadel receives word, Sam vouches on Bran’s behalf and tells the maesters to prepare themselves and spread the word among Westeros. He pleads with the archmaester to take things seriously, who only promises to seek clarification. Realizing he’ll be more effective elsewhere, Sam leaves the Citadel.

As word breaks out about what Jon intends to do, Arya watches as the Lords of the North rethink their decision to name Jon as their king. Lady Sansa quells their restlessness, then needs to beat back Arya’s insolence, too. She reminds her younger sister that decapitating people isn’t an answer for everything and that it’s her duty to keep the people of the North united, especially if Jon doesn’t return.

Later, Arya follows Littlefinger around as he does some of his underhanded plotting. Whatever scheming he’s doing, apparently he’s doing it on behalf of Lady Sansa, which of course, sets off some red flags for Arya. She breaks into Littlefinger’s room and reads the note. Littlefinger catches her leaving, so … I’m expecting this rift between Sansa and Arya to keep growing.

“At the edge of the world”

Jon meets up with Tormund and the Wildlings, who have also captured the Hound and his crew. Together, they open the door and head north into the white abyss.

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