Game of Thrones Episode 13: What is Dead May Never Die

Tyrion begins by testing the loyalty of his Small Council, and by the end of the episode he has identified at least one person leaking his secrets to Queen Cersei. Catelyn reaches Renly Baratheon’s camp to ask for his help against the Lannisters, Theon is pulled between his foster family and his birth family, and Jon Snow returns from Craster’s Keep shaken by what he has seen there.

In King’s Landing, Tyrion first speaks privately with Grand Maester Pycelle, then with Lord Varys and Petyr Baelish, feeding each man different false information about a marriage proposal to see which version reaches Cersei. Tyrion’s trap works: he confirms that one of them is passing along his plans, and he then makes it clear that he intends to root out the leak and control the city more directly.

Tyrion also has to deal with Shae, whose presence in the capital is becoming risky. He arranges for her to work in the kitchens so she can stay hidden, even though she is unhappy about being sidelined.

Beyond the Wall, Jon is dragged back to Craster’s Keep after being beaten for spying on Craster. Lord Commander Jeor Mormont already knows Craster has been sacrificing his sons to the White Walkers, but he refuses to challenge him because Craster is one of the Night’s Watch’s few sources of shelter and information north of the Wall. Jon tells Mormont that he saw something take the baby Craster left in the woods, and Mormont warns him that he may see it again.

Sam gives Gilly a small keepsake from his mother and promises to return for her when the Watch heads back to Castle Black. The exchange is one of the episode’s quieter moments, but it shows Sam beginning to care about her and to think beyond his own safety.

In Winterfell, Bran describes his wolf dreams to Maester Luwin, explaining that he feels as if he is running through the woods and seeing through Summer’s eyes. Luwin gives Bran a lesson in the limits of magic, showing him a rare chain link associated with that study and insisting that dragons, giants, and the Children of the Forest are gone, not part of the world Bran imagines.

At Renly’s encampment, Catelyn arrives to ask him to support Robb in the war. She finds a lively, confident court at the Stormlands camp, where Ser Loras Tyrell has just been defeated in a tournament by a female warrior named Brienne of Tarth. Renly rewards Brienne with a place in his Kingsguard, which frustrates Loras and impresses the people around them.

Catelyn also sees that Renly has a huge military advantage and a strong alliance through his marriage to Margaery Tyrell. When she presses him to take her son’s cause seriously, Renly remains proud and self-assured, believing his numbers will carry the day.

At Pyke, Balon Greyjoy lays out his plans for war against the North. He assigns Yara a fleet to strike Deepwood Motte and gives Theon a small raiding task, making it plain that he expects his children to prove themselves in Ironborn fashion. Theon tries one last time to argue for peace or cooperation with the Starks, but Balon rejects the idea and presses him to choose a side.

The episode closes with Theon making his decision under pressure from his father, choosing to remain with the Ironborn rather than return to Robb Stark’s service.