Petyrbear

Game of Thrones

Season 4

Episode 7

Mockingbird

SUMMARY:

Jaime Lannister rages in Tyrion's jail cell: The deal that Jaime brokered with Tywin assured Tyrion's survival. Tyrion lost that guarantee when he demanded a trial by combat. Tyrion tries to defend himself - he couldn't stand to hear any more of Shae's testimony; for the second time in his life he fell in love with a whore and his father has punished him for it.

Choosing a trial by combat was a way to ruin Tywin's plans, even if it meant sacrificing himself. Jaime can do little to help; with one hand, he's no longer a viable champion, especially against Cersei's choice—Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane.

Days later, Bronn visits Tyrion. The sellsword reports that thanks to Cersei's match-making, he's betrothed to Lollys Stokeworth and poised to receive a sizeable inheritance (once he gets rid of her older sister.)

Although Bronn considers Tyrion a friend, he's not willing to risk his life fighting the Mountain. Tyrion grudgingly understands.

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane and Arya Stark approach a deserted village. Spotting a man leaning against the rubble bleeding to death, the Hound puts an end to his suffering by driving a sword into his heart.

With Arya and the Hound distracted, Biter attacks the Hound and sinks his teeth into him. Sandor throws the man off, breaking his neck. Biter's accomplice, Rorge, informs Clegane that the Lannisters have put a bounty on his head.

Arya recognizes Rorge as one of the prisoners she freed when Lannister troops attacked Yoren's northbound party. She asks his name and then stabs him in the chest.

Later that day, the Hound tends to the bite wound. He refuses to burn away the festering, despite Arya's counsel. He recalls his brother holding his face into the flame as a child. Arya's family may be gone, the Hound notes, but he's always been on his own.

Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne enjoy a hot meal at the Inn at the Crossroads, where they encounter Hot Pie and mention they are looking for Sansa Stark. Trusting them, Hot Pie approaches as they are leaving.

Arya is alive, he reveals, and likely traveling with the Hound. Podrick hypothesizes that Arya's captives will be taking her to the Eyrie, as Lysa Arryn is the girl's last living relative.

Jon Snow and his band of brothers return to Castle Black, where Alliser Thorne demands that Ghost be locked up. Jon reports to the leadership council and advocates sealing off the tunnel, a suggestion that Thorne immediately rebuffs.

Daenerys Targaryen finds Daario Naharis waiting inside her chambers with flowers. He lives for women and war, he explains, and in Meereen he is no better than a patrolman. He requests to be reassigned so he can pursue his interests. Dany consents and Daario spends the night.

The next morning, Jorah Mormont witnesses the sellsword leaving Dany's chamber. Jorah cautions against putting faith in Daario, but Dany is one step ahead of him. She's sent Daario to execute all the masters in Yunkai.

Jorah objects - slaughtering the slavers is no better than the barbaric practices she's fighting against. Swayed, Dany opts to send Hizdahr zo Loraq with Daario as her ambassador to Yunkai. He can explain what happened in Meereen and give them their choices: "They can live in my new world or they can die in their old one."

Selyse Baratheon visits Melisandre. The Red priestess assures Selyse that Stannis' infidelity has nothing to do with his marriage: "It's only flesh," she soothes.

Accepting this, Selyse makes a plea: Her daughter Shireen should not join them on the upcoming journey. Staring into the fire, Melisandre counters: She must come, "The Lord needs her."

Tyrion receives an unexpected visit from Oberyn Martell. The Red Viper details Cersei's attempts to manipulate him and, having witnessed her cruelty when Tyrion was just a newborn, recalls that Cersei wanted Tyrion dead even then.

But Cersei's hatred for her brother pales compared to his own love for his sister, says Oberyn. He promises to avenge Elia's death by killing Gregor Clegane. Tyrion exhales in relief -he has a champion.

In the courtyard of the Eyrie, Sansa builds a model Winterfell out of snow. Robin Arryn interrupts her private moment and ruins the castle. Sansa scolds the boy, and he erupts into a tantrum. He's quieted when Sansa surprises both of them by slapping him.

As Robin runs off, Littlefinger comforts Sansa. Discipline is good for the boy, Littlefinger assures her, but it's time Sansa forgets Winterfell and begins a new life.

Taking advantage of the moment, Sansa asks why he killed Joffrey. Littlefinger admits it was vengeance for Catelyn, and quietly recalls the woman he loved.

In another life, Sansa could have been his daughter. "We don't live in that world," he adds as he kisses her. Unbeknownst to the couple, Lysa looks on from above.

Later that day, Lysa confronts her niece in the Eyrie's High Hall. Hysterical, Lysa accuses Sansa of being a whore and holds her over the open Moon Door.

Littlefinger enters and calms his wife until Lysa releases Sansa. Petyr takes Lysa into his arms and assures her that he has only ever loved one woman - "your sister" - and pushes Lysa to her death.

REVIEW:

More shocks then a trip through the Moon Door, this episode is brilliant in every way. I’m actually lost for words as how to describe it. Its that good.