Synopsis: As rains drown Dragonstone, Daenerys and her council make their plans. Tyrion notes that Dany could win right now if she wanted to destroy the city, but that wouldn’t be the best approach. Dany confronts Varys for his shifting loyalties, and how he served Robert when he tried to have her killed. She challenges him to tell her first if he ever thinks she’s failing the people. In return, she vows to burn him alive should he ever betray her. Before they continue, Grey Worm announces that Melisandre has arrived to meet the queen. The Red Woman discusses the prophecy of the “prince that was promised,” but multilingual Missandei says that the translation isn’t quite accurate. The gender isn’t specified so it could mean prince or princess. Melisandre speaks of Jon Snow, the first time Dany becomes aware of his existence, and Tyrion speaks of him favorably. Daenerys asks for a letter to be sent to the King in the North, inviting him to Dragonstone to bend the knee. Jon receives the letter at Winterfell, thus becoming aware of Dany’s existence, and wonders with Davos and Sansa if he should go. Sansa is opposed by Davos thinks there may be a benefit. Cersei invites the Tarly’s to join forces with her against Olenna. Jaime pushes Randyl Tarly to be one of his leaders, but he has always been faithful to the Tyrells. Sam and Archmaester Ebrose examine Jorah’s greyscale. Ebrose says that there is no cure and Jorah will be gone, maybe in a few months. Qyburn shows Cersei a weapon he’s developed that can pierce a dragon’s skull. They may not be at such a disadvantage.
Lady Olenna, Ellaria, and the Greyjoys have joined Dany’s council to discuss their plans. Tyrion suggests using the Dornish and Tyrell armies to attack King’s Landing, while the Unsullied and Dothraki target Casterly Rock, the Lannister homestead. Afterwards, Olenna pushes Dany to ignore Tyrion’s cleverness and to be true to her nature: she’s a dragon. Grey Worm says goodbye to Missandei as they get naked. Sam discovers a possible cure for the greyscale but the Archmaester denies his request to implement it. Sam, ignoring his orders, visits Jorah and attempts the remedy, which looks to be excruciatingly painful. Arya has a drink in a pub and reunites with Hot Pie. He tells her about Jon Snow retaking Winterfell and Arya changes her plans. Snow talks to his people about visiting Daenerys. He needs her dragon glass, and her alliance in the war against the dead army. Sansa openly disagrees with him, it could be a trap. The house leaders are skeptical as well, but Jon says it’s what needs to be done to save the North. Jon hands over the reins of Winterfell to Sansa. In a corner, Baelish smiles at this news. Later, Jon and Littlefinger meet in the crypt. Baelish sows the seeds of discord with Jon, who threatens him to keep clear of Sansa. The next morning, Jon rides away with Davos and a few others while Baelish keeps an eye on Sansa.
In the woods, Arya lights a fire but her horse is unsettled. She grabs her sword as a pack of wolves surrounds her. She is shocked to see their leader is Nymeria, her direwolf that she set free way back in the second episode. Arya and Nymeria reconnect. Arya wants her to return home with her, but the direwolf turns away and her pack follows. “That’s not you,” Arya says to herself, echoing her own rebellious comment to her father way back when. Shifting to the other Nymeria, who is with her fellow Sand Snakes, aboard the Greyjoy ships sailing to King’s Landing. They bicker amongst themselves, while Ellaria flirts with Yara and taunts Theon. They are disrupted when Euron attacks. His men lay waste to the ships, and he kills Nymeria and Obara, taking Yara prisoner. Theon watches, but hightails it out of there rather than confront his uncle. He floats away as the Dornish, Tyrell, and Greyjoy armies lie in ruins.
Comments: Apparently Dickon got nearly a foot taller as Tom Hopper replaces Freddie Stroma in the role. If there’s one thing that season 7 does differently than the previous seasons, it’s the speed with which it tells stories. Everything moves so much faster. Dany summons Jon and he has the letter in the next scene. Yara plans to sail and by the end of the episode, she’s already on the sea and fighting a war. This will continue to play out, as the long timing between events is scrapped to focus on the major points. Yara gets to kick quite a lot of ass before she’s kidnapped. Hopefully, this isn’t the last we see of her. Dany and Olenna make a great pair. If only they had more scenes together. Baelish is starting to get a little too stupid in trying to manipulate people. His take on Jon and his entire season-long story in Winterfell is a bit too forced and obvious even if the payoff is great. While many battles seem preordained, Euron’s attack was a fun surprise that gave the episode a much-needed jolt and shifted the story away from expectations.
Quotes:
Varys: Incompetence should not be rewarded with blind loyalty.
Randyll: If my Queen summons me, I answer the call. And I’ve heard what she does to those who defy her.
Olenna (to Dany): He’s a clever man, your Hand. I’ve known a great many clever men. I’ve outlived them all. You know why? I ignored them. The Lords of Westeros are sheep. Are you a sheep? No. You’re a dragon. Be a dragon.
Hot Pie: You’ve been making pies?
Arya: One or two.
Title: Part of Dany’s business card includes the term Stormborn, because, as Tyrion notes, she was born in a storm. So was I, but you don’t hear me bragging about it.
Deaths: Obara is gutted and Nymeria (the Sand Snake) is strangled, both by Euron. Dozens of Greyjoy men and Euron’s fleet are killed.
excellent awkward 