Well here we are, episode 4 (78 minutes) with everyone that survived the carnage against the Night King and the dead. The Battle of Winterfell is over and throughout the land everyone is mourning for their loved ones. Dany over Mormont, Sansa over Theon, and Samwell over Dolorous Edd. The bodies of the dead that fought and died for their fellow man are stacked in multiple piles, as Jon gives a valiant and sobering speech (he’s really good at that kind of stuff btw) they are all set aflame.
Later in the mess hall, everyone is gathered and trying to make the best of this post-victory dinner party. It’s as merry as an office Christmas party, that is until the drinks start flowing. Tyrion, Podrick, Jaime and Brienne start some drinking games while Tormund continues to make a strong case for why he deserves an entire movie about himself. At first the vibes at the assembly are as fun as a funeral, Dany attempts to break the ice and calls Gendry out. Openly she hands him Storm’s End, which seems like an act of good will that Dany hopes will be returned.
As the night turns, the boozing intensifies. Good times are being had and everyone seems to have loosened up. Dany praises Arya for her heroics and names her the “hero” of Winterfell. Yet as Dany tries to interject herself as the main anchor, she can’t help but realize how Jon is absolutely fawned over. Tormund sings the praises of Jon and his endless bravery, and how he conquered death and even rode a dragon. Seriously what can’t this guy do! Its evident that Dany’s emotions are stirring with envy and frustration.
Elsewhere, Varys and Tyrion have their business-like meeting and discuss their concerns about the queen. Varys specifically says that “I worry about her state of mind.” Tyrion provides us with his trade mark snarkiness and expresses that every single ruler that has ever ruled before also dealt with the same concerns. Speaking of the queen, Dany and Jon finally have some alone time. Realizing that everyone swoons over Jon, she comes at him with the sweetheart approach. Saying that “I never beg for anything, but I am begging you Jon.” as to not tell anyone about his little secret. Deep down Jon believes that his family will accept the monumental game changing news and also coexist with Daenerys as their queen. That’s obviously wishful thinking as Dany is not operating on the same frequency. She wants Jon and the throne…
On some level we can perceive that Dany might not be such a great ruler, and in fact might be exactly what she is fighting against, a cruel tyrant. Suspicions and doubt engulf her inner circle, yet anyone other than Cersei would still make a better monarch. These moments also shine a light on the differences between Jon and Dany, as in Jon is humbled to the point where he rejects the throne for love. Dany on the other hand has gone a little mad and is willing to lie/manipulate to conquer all.
Speaking of love and confusion, Brienne finds herself in a awkward situation while participating in the drinking shenanigans. We find out that she is actually a virgin. (Surprise?) As she dismisses herself from the table, Jaime follows her to what leads to an uncomfortable sex scene to say the least. I know that there has been real red-hot tension between these two but in some way the payoff cheapens their relationship. Their bond was built on trust, admiration and respect. Perhaps Brienne really does love Ser Jaime, but can he release himself from his real infatuation, which is Cersei. After spending the night together, Jaime battles his emotions and leaves a distraught Brienne behind. Has Jaime decided to return to Cersei? Does he really love her, or even trust her at this point? Its safe to say that Jaime is one confused knight…
After some contemplating on how to take back King’s Landing, we finally shift back to Euron and his armada. In what looks like Dany’s fleet of ships moving forward, we get a surprise death out of nowhere. In a blink of an eye, Rhaegal takes a ballista to the torso and to the head, leading the dragon to violently spiral downward to his death. Dany witnessing this extremely grotesque and shocking scene is filled with absolute terror and rage. She and Drogon fly towards Euron’s fleet as they try to avoid the incoming ballista. In a fit of rage, Drogon (along with Dany) soars toward the armed ships, hastily avoiding all danger and veers clear of the situation. In what seems as a very “Hollywood” sequence you would think that a flying dragon wouldn’t have any issues with getting behind a handful of bathtub toys and unleashing hellfire upon them. Instead Euron’s fleets goes onto annihilating Dany’s ships (literally tearing them apart), leaving her soldiers and friends stranded. Later to find out that Missandei has also been captured during the rampage.
The final scene takes place at the gates of King’s Landing. The two formidable forces have decided to “hear” each other out and force each other’s surrender. At this point I think we can all tell that neither side will just lay down. Cersei and her crew are standing at the top of the entry in a very dramatic style, as Dany and her entourage hold steady some distance from the gate.
Tyrion and Cersei’s hand Qyburn meet each other in the middle. The two “diplomats” discuss their needs and realizing that Tyrion won’t get anywhere without speaking to Cersei herself, he bypasses the middleman and walks closer to the gate. As he looks up at Cersei, he basically pleads to not cause anymore bloodshed and that she should step down from the throne (yea like that’s going to happen). Tyrion implores Cersei and plays to her maternal side. Sure, she may be a monster and a horrible ruler but she’s still a loving mother (supposedly), and Tyrion thinks he can still negotiate with his sister.
“If not for yourself then for your child. Your reign is over, but that doesn’t mean your life has to end,” Tyrion pleads. “It doesn’t mean your baby has to die.” Cersei is not having none of it, as a cold hearted and callous individual she commands the Mountain to behead Missandei who says “dracarys” in her final moment. As her body tumbles down the edge of the wall, Dany is basically paralyzed at sight. True rage and vengeance are festering within the Mother of Dragons. In an episode that went back to all the political turmoil, the true battle for the Iron Throne has finally arrived.
