Remember, this is not a spoiler-free zone.
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The last few episodes, while lacking in dramatic explosions, violent fights, or surprising scenes have been some of the best character development that I think has gone on this season. There have still been several issues regarding book/show continuity, but I'm not going to bother with that in this recap because it puts such a downer on things when really, this show is amazing and should be celebrated and/or bitched about on it's own, without the book to help with the bitching.
Beyond the Wall:
Samwell and Gilly are on their way back to Castle Black with a baby in tow after fleeing Crasters Keep. Gilly discovers that Sam is high born. He tells her all about the wall, what life is like at Castle Black and he shares with her his "buried treasure", (the dragonglass dagger found last season) and a song from the Seven Kingdoms.
At the base of the Wall, the Wildlings and Jon Snow prepare the 700 foot climb. Ygritte reveals to Jon that she knows where his true loyalty lies (with the Nightswatch) but that they must now be loyal to each other. While climbing the Wall, an avalanche occurs causing many Wildlings to fall. Orell cuts the rope, leaving Ygritte and Jon to fall to their deaths in order to save himself. Jon saves himself and Ygritte and the two eventually make it to the top of the wall with the rest of the surviving Wildling climbers.
The Wildlings make their way south of the Wall where Orell reveals his true feelings for Ygritte and his hatred of Jon Snow - who he knows is still faithful to the Nightswatch. After seeing a windmill and mistaking it for a castle, Jon realized how little Ygritte knows of the Seven Kingdoms and he tries to get her to abandon the Wildling attack on the Wall, which he claims has failed many times in the last thousand years.
Winterfell:
Ramsay Snow continues his assault on Theon, both physically and mentally as he plays guessing games with the heir of the Iron Islands. Theon proceeds to attempt to guess the name of his attacker, who only lies in response and then flays Theon's fingers, pulling the skin from the bone eventually causing him to beg for the finger to be removed altogether. Later, Theon is awoken by two beautiful women who pretend they don't know what's happening in regards to his torture and captor, but instead stroke his ego (and other things) only to be interrupted by Ramsay once more who insists on having Theon's genitals removed.
North of Winterfell, the Stark boys continue their journey toward the Wall alongside Osha, Hodor ("Hodor!"), Jojen Reed, and his sister Meera who is at continual odds with Osha. After Jojen experiences a seizure in his sleep, the party is shown the severity visions cause and Jojen tells them that Jon Snow is no longer at Castle Black, but surrounded by Wildlings. Later, Osha grows suspicious of the "black magic" that Jojen is teaching Bran, and she becomes outraged when she discovers that the Reeds are planning to take Bran beyond the Wall to find the three-eyed raven. Osha reveals that she once had a man who turned into a Wight and how she had to kill him with fire.
Riverlands:
While learning bow skills from Anguy, Arya spots Melissandre who has come to speak with Thoros and meet the man who the Lord of Light has brought back so many times, Beric Dondarrion. It's revealed that Melissandre has other reasons for dealing with the Brotherhood and soon she gives coin in exchange for Gendry. After accusing her of being a witch, Melissandre informs Arya that she will take many lives and the two will meet again in the future. Later, as Melissandre's boat crosses Blackwater Bay, she reveals to Gendry the identity of his father: Robert Barratheon.
Furious that the Brotherhood sold Gendry, Arya makes a run for it when she learns that the men will postpone her delivery to Riverrun in order to attack nearby Lannister forces. Men are sent after her, but not before she is found - and captured - by Sandor Clegane.
Riverrun:
King Robb and his counsel meet with the Freys to discuss an alliance. The requirements Lord Walder Frey has for Robb include a formal apology, Harrenhal, and for Edmure Tully to marry Roslin, Walder Frey's daughter.
Edmure, insulted, says he will reject the offer so he can at least choose his own bride, but later agrees to keep the peace in his family by marrying Roslin to make up for his own mistakes in disobeying Robb. Robb, guiltily admits that his uncle is paying for his own sins. Later, during a stop on their way to the Frey-Tully wedding, Talisa tells Robb that she is pregnant.
Harrenhal:
Roose Bolton agrees to send Jaime back to Kings Landing under the agreement that Jaime inform Tywin that Bolton had nothing to do with Jaime being maimed by his men. Jaime is shocked to learn that Brienne will not be coming with him, but is instead being kept as a prisoner for treason against King Robb. Jaime and Brienne part with her finally calling him by his name instead of "Kingslayer" and him vowing to return the Stark girls to their mother.
When Jaime later discovers that Roose Bolton has left Harrenhal in the hands of Locke while he attends the Frey-Tully wedding, Jaime insists on returning to save Brienne from a fate he himself might have caused by provoking Locke into believing that Brienne's father would pay her worth in sapphires. Once back at Harrenhal, Jaime sees that - for entertainment - Brienne has been tossed into a fighting pit to fight a live bear with nothing but a wooden sword to defend herself. Leaping to aide her, Jaime assists Brienne out of the pit knowing that Bolton's men will keep him safe since their Lord ordered it.
Kings Landing:
Tywin and Lady Olenna discuss the potential marriage of Ser Loras to Queen Regent Cersei, a match Olenna does not approve of. She admits to knowing about Loras sexual preferences and history, but insists that brother and sister incest is much worse. Tywin offers Olenna one of two options: either have Loras married to Cersei, or he will order for Loras to be moved to the Kingsguard, and have Highgarden's heir lose all his lands, titles, and ability for marriage and procreation, causing Olenna to give in and consent to the marriage.
Tyrion speaks with his sister, both doomed to a marriage neither wants, and learns that it was not her, but Joffrey who ordered his death on Blackwater Bay. After discussing her potential marriage to Ser Loras, Sansa is taken aside with Shae insistingly by her side as Tyrion sadly informs her of the change of plans and that she will now be married to him. While Sansa is comforted by Margaery, Tyrion discusses his future marriage with Bronn, and later learns from Shae that she will not be with him once he's married to Sansa.
Varys meets with Littlefinger who admits to his knowledge of Ros spying on him for Varys, and reveals that he's put an end to it by giving her to Joffrey, who has killed her by using her as target practice for his new crossbow. The wicked little King is later intimidated by his Grandfather when he demands to be involved on the small council. Asking what is being done about Daenerys and her dragons, Tywin insists that there is nothing to be worried about.
Across the Narrow Sea:
Arriving at the borders of the yellow city of Yunkai, Daenerys is advised by her Knights to move on, that the city holds no value to her should they try and take it. Knowing that there are 200,000 slaves inside, Daenerys insists on freeing them. Daenerys demands the city surrender or they will burn like Astapor.
Seeking peace with the Mother of Dragons, Yunkai sends Grazden mo Eraz to bargain with Daenerys, giving her gifts of gold and ships to help send her on her way back to Westeros. Dany insists that she give Grazden a gift in return, his life, to which he should use by surrendering the city, freeing the slaves and paying them for their time served. Insulted, Grazden threatens Daenerys and faces the anger of her dragons in reply before storming off.
Best Character: Daenerys, who is really coming into her power and not afraid to use it. Emilia Clarke has shown amazing growth with Daenerys who started out as a tiny, frightened girl and became a Khaleesi, the Mother of Dragons and a breaker of chains. Amazing performance.
Best Line: This whole scene.
Grazen: You are mad. We are not Asapor or Qarth. We are Yunkai. And we have powerful friends, friends who would take great pleasure in destroying you. Those who survive, we shall enslave once more. Perhaps we'll make a slave of you as well!
(Dragon screams)
Grazen: You swore me safe conduct!
Daenerys: I did. But my dragons made no promises, and you threatened their mother.
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