In the Godswood of Winterfell, Bran Stark skinchanges into a group of ravens North of
the wall, watching as the army of the dead marches towards East Watch by the Sea.
The Night King spots him and disperses the birds, disrupting the connection, causing
Bran to order Maester Wolkan to send ravens, warning of the approaching danger.
Inside the castle, Sansa holds court with the bannermen of the North, with Arya watching
from the back.
Arya becomes upset after watching the men sworn to Jon Snow speaking badly of him and
proclaiming their admiration for Sansa who stayed to rule in the North while Jon left
them and went south.
Sansa appears to be enjoying their compliments and does not chastise the men for speaking
ill of their king, and so Arya later confronts her, implying that rather than serving Jon,
she is scheming to get what she really wants.
Although Sansa attempts to deny it, Arya does not believe her and accuses her of currying
favour with the banner men so they will be loyal to her if Jon does not return.
Later, Arya follows Littlefinger around Winterfell, watching as he speaks to informants, confers
with the two noble lords who supported Sansa during the meeting, and as he speaks to Maester
Wolken, receiving a letter and ensuring that no other copies exist.
Littlefinger then enters his chamber and leaves moments later, only for Arya to pick the lock
and search for the letter.
She finds it under his mattress, and learns that it was written by Sansal years earlier
when their father was arrested.
A letter she was pressured to write by the Lannisters which states that Robert is dead,
and their father had betrayed the new king, then asking that Robb swear fealty to Joffrey.
Arya, having read message, leaves the room, however she is being watched by Littlefinger,
indicating that he knew he was being followed, possibly leaving the letter to be discovered,
to sow dissention between Sansa and Arya.
Following her victory in the second field of fire, the Dothraki army of Queen Daenerys
Targaryen gathered the surviving Lannister and Tarly soldiers, offering them the choice
of bending the knee of execution.
Some few immediately choose to bend the knee, but many others refuse.
After and intimidating roar by Drogon, more soldiers submit, but still many do not.
Among those refusing, are Randyll Tarly and his son Dickon.
Lord Tarly is recognized and brought forward to speak with the queen, explaining that he
pledged to Cersei, believing her claim to the throne of Westeros more legitimate then
Daenerys, who was raised in foreign lands, has a foreign army, and has no more ties to
the land.
He is willing to die honourably, refusing even the suggestion of joining the Night’s
Watch, which Tyrion tries to offer as an alternative.
Watching his father being taken away, Dickon could not stay silent, and made his identity
known to the queen, demanding that if his father is to be executed he must die as well.
Randyll clearly did not want his son to die, even indicating his approval for Dickon to
bend the knee, but in the end the boy proved to be the honourable and dutiful son he always
wanted.
And they died together, consumed by dragonfire.
The last of the soldiers standing, now kneel and Daenerys flies back to Dragonstone, landing
near King Jon Snow atop a cliff.
To her surprise he bravely reaches out a hand and touches the dragon, who looks back at
him and seems to sense Jon is a friend.
Afterwards, the Dothraki bring Ser Jorah Mormont who just arrived on the island, and Daenerys
greets him warmly, taking him back into her service.
He is also introduced to Jon Snow, who mentions that he served under his father Jeor Mormont.
Inside the throne room, Varys and Tyrion discuss their discomfort at the actions of their queen,
before moving on to speak of a letter they received for Jon Snow, providing more troubling
information.
When they present it to the King in the North, he is shocked to learn that Arya and Bran
are alive, but is worried about the army marching south and states he must return to the North
immediately.
Daenerys says that she cannot support his cause with Cersei Lannister in King’s Landing,
and so Tyrion suggests a plan.
They must arrange a cessation of hostilities between Daenerys and Cersei, so the entire
realm can focus on the threat beyond the wall.
In order to convince Cersei, they will need proof, and so must capture one of the undead
soldier in the army of the White Walkers and bring it south for all to see.
Jorah Mormont volunteers to go capture the creature, but Jon knows he won’t make it
on his own, and so decides to lead the mission.
In order to speak with Cersei, Davos will smuggle Tyrion into the capital, where he
will arrange a meeting with his brother Jaime who will relay the message.
Jaime Lannister, who was nearly killed by Drogon in the Field of Fire, was saved at
the last moment by Bronn who then dragged him out of the water.
Making their way back to King’s Landing, Jaime informs Cersei of all he saw and the
gravity of their situation.
Cersei seems to understand the peril but sees the choices as fight and die or submit and
die, choosing to fight.
She is also told of the Tyrion’s innocence regarding the death of Joffrey, learning that
it was Lady Olenna behind the assassination.
Once arrived in the capital, Davos and Tyrion go their separate ways.
Tyrion sets up a meeting with Jaime through his old friend Bronn, and while they are not
on friendly terms, they discuss an armistice, telling him that they might turn their attention
to the threat beyond the wall.
Jaime brings the information to Cersei, who is already aware of his meeting with Tyrion,
having allowed it to take place because she sees the value in a temporary ceasefire, which
gives them time to build up their forces and complete their victory in the future.
Cersei also reveals that she is pregnant, and will announce to the whole world that
Jaime is the father, no longer concerned about the opinion of others.
Meanwhile, Davos searches through the streets of king’s landing, until finding Gendry,
the bastard son of Robert Baratheon, working as a smith in the street of steel.
Gendry says that he hates living in the capital, crafting weapons for the family that murdered
his father.
When Davos asks him to come to dragonstone, Gendry happily agrees, bringing with him a
warhammer, reminiscent of the one wielded by his father Robert Baratheon.
Davos, Tyrion and Gendry then return to dragonstone, where Jon Snow meets Robert Baratheon’s
last known living son for the first time.
Although Davos tries to hide his identity, Gendry immediately reveals himself, knowing
that Jon’s father Eddard Stark was best friends with his own father, and that if they
trusted each other, the sons should as well.
Jon welcomes him and allows him to join their party headed north.
Daenerys then comes down to the shore and says goodbye to Jorah and Jon, who along with
Gendry and Davos, make their way to Eastwatch by the Sea.
In the Citadel of Old Town, while attending to his duties, Sam Tarly overhears a conversation
by a group of Maesters, speaking about a crippled boy in the North, who claims an army of dead
men are marching south towards the wall.
Sam interrupts them to recount that he was the one who let Bran Stark through the wall
where he somehow survived for years, but the Maesters are skeptical of the claim, suggesting
it may be a ploy by the dragon queen to lure the armies of Westeros away from the South.
Samwell pleads with them, saying that the boy is telling the truth and that he has personally
seen the army of the dead.
The Archmaester assures him they will investigate the matter and come to the truth of it, but
Sam is not convinced and tries to argue further before being dismissed.
Sam, who has not yet heard of his father and brother’s deaths, returns to his duties
but remains upset all day, unleashing a burst of anger on Gilly in their room later that
night.
Frustrated by the indifference and inaction of the Maesters, he does not pay attention
to Gilly, who mentions that High Septon Maynard, author of the book she’s reading, recorded
the annulment of the marriage of prince Rhaegar, so he might marry another in a secret ceremony
in Dorne.
This is in reference to Rhaegar Targaryen, son of the Mad King, who abandoned his wife
and children to run away with Lyanna Stark, apparently annulling his previous relationship
to be with the northern girl who later gave birth to Jon Snow.
Sam then decides he’s had enough, and steals a number of important books, before packing
up his family and leaving the Citadel, abandoning his duty to the Maesters.
Arriving at East Watch by the Sea, Jon Snow meets with Tormund giantsbane to discuss their
mission north of the wall.
Tormund then reveals that another group of travellers recently arrived, also wanting
to travel north and so they go to the cells where Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr and
Sandor Clegane await them.
Beric claims that the Lord of Light has sent them on this mission and although many of
the men have history and dislike each other, Jon decides they must work together.
Jon Snow, King in the North, then gathers his companions and heads out beyond the wall
to capture an undead wight.
Their quest, is reminiscent of the stories concerning the previous Long Night, when the
Last Hero of Westeros ventured north with a sword, a horse and a dozen companions, on
a mission that would ultimately help save humanity and defeat the White Walkers.