Game of Thrones season 7 episode 5: 5 OMG moments

So many shocking moments were crammed into Sunday night’s Game of Thrones episode, it was tough to narrow it down to five. But here are our picks (okay fine, we narrowed it down to six).

Farewell to the Tarlys

With a single “Dracarys” another great house is wiped from the map, leaving us viewers with less and less (or as Stannis might say, fewer and fewer) known characters and powers as we move into the final couple of episodes of this season. After refusing to bend the knee and admit defeat (which Tyrion correctly points out is just a bunch of posturing vs. true moral high ground), Dany draws a line in the sand—kneel, or die. As the Dothraki escort Randyll to his final resting place, Dickon Tarly gives an epic performance, proving once and for all that he is his father’s son. And, albeit the most touching moment Randyll Tarly has ever shown anyone, he proves once again that dummies always get burned by dragons.

Jaime and Tyrion’s reunion

Some of the most important conversations about the fate of the Iron Throne have happened in rooms fill with dragon skulls, so we only have one question—why couldn’t this scene have been longer? Bronn (who might be in trouble if Cersei has anything to say about it) remains loyal to his true friend Tyrion, and sets up the meeting with Jaime for him. As the only person who has ever truly loved Tyrion, Jaime is a masterclass mix of emotions during their conversation. Finding themselves on opposite sides of who deserves to rule, their banter is rife with their past, even though Jaime doesn’t seem to be having it. However, Jaime’s recent encounter with Drogon face-to-face (let alone knowing full well that “She has three”) seems to make him at least open to hearing why Tyrion risked his life to get his brother a message.

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Another Lannister

After a couple awkward encounters with Qyburn, Jaime learns Cersei is pregnant with her fourth child, and, more importantly, that it’s Jaime’s. It is certainly a gasp-able moment all its own, given their relationship through the series, and that doesn’t even take into account her final warning against another betrayal from her brother and lover. However, we’re sure it will be quickly followed with more surprises when, say, Euron finds out his wife-to-be is fathering her brother’s child. Oh, also, Qyburn definitely said “I could give you something” right after (presumably) learning the news himself, so keep that in mind.

How Jon trains your dragon

While we as audience members know that Jon Snow is a Targaryen by blood, we finally get a glimpse into someone else wondering about who he is as Dany watches the King in the North get face to face with the dragon that just turned a great house to ashes. Drogon taking to Jon so well was certainly crazy to watch, especially when you couple it with the fact that the last person to get that close to Dany’s dragons was Tyrion, which points to another massive book-reader theory.

Jorah the Explorah

Mormont is back and better than ever; he’s stronger, he’s more loyal, he’s less likely to spread a nearly incurable plague with each tender kiss he bestows upon the hands of his Khaleesi. But reunions are short-lived in this episode, all around, and much like he pledged to find a cure to Greyscale when we last saw him, he’s promised to grab a zombie for his queen north of the Wall— which may very well be the last time we see him.

Next: Game of Thrones season 7: Episode 6 photo analysis

Bonus: The annulment that was promised

GOOD LORD OF LIGHT SAM. While we understand that he is at his utter wit’s end, it’s really hard to believe a person both as learned and perceptive as the current Lord of Horn Hill would just so easily gloss over this massive a detail. You just had to pay attention to the steps instead of the biggest reveal of 20 years of theories about Jon Snow and his lineage. The implications of this throw-away truth-bomb are massive—it sets up Jon Snow as a legitimate heir to the Iron Throne, a relative of Dany, and a potential match to Azor Ahai, the Prince that was Promised, the one who would defeat the White Walkers. Maybe work on your listening skills next time?