Game of Thrones Episode 30: Mhysa

The episode opens in the aftermath of the slaughter at the Twins: Frey men continue killing wounded Stark soldiers, and Robb Stark’s body is displayed in a grotesque mockery of victory. Arya, half-conscious and trapped in the chaos, watches as the Hound forces her away from the carnage.

In King’s Landing, Tyrion is summoned to the small council and learns how devastating the massacre in the North has been. Tywin speaks with him privately and makes clear that the Lannisters now hold the advantage; he also pushes Tyrion again to produce an heir for the family, while Joffrey continues to treat him with open contempt.

Jaime and Brienne finally reach King’s Landing. Jaime returns to Cersei, and their reunion is emotional and intimate, but the larger political situation remains tense around them.

At the Nightfort, Bran, Hodor, Jojen, and Meera encounter Sam and Gilly. Sam recognizes Bran as Jon Snow’s brother and warns them about the dangers beyond the Wall, but Bran insists on continuing north, believing he must keep going. Sam gives them dragonglass weapons and helps guide them toward the hidden route north of the Wall.

At Castle Black, Sam and Gilly arrive safely, and Jon also returns wounded after his final encounter with Ygritte beyond the Wall. Before leaving, Ygritte had confessed her feelings for him, but after he escaped she fired three arrows into him, intentionally wounding rather than killing him.

On Dragonstone, Davos learns of the recent events through Stannis’s correspondence and grows increasingly troubled by the path Stannis and Melisandre are taking. That concern leads him to act on his own to protect Gendry, whom they intend to sacrifice; Davos frees him and sends him away by boat.

In the Iron Islands storyline, Yara prepares to lead a rescue effort for Theon, gathering men for a mission to find him.

Across the narrow sea, Daenerys and her army enter Yunkai after the city’s fall. She addresses the freed slaves and tells them that their freedom belongs to them and must be defended, and the crowd responds by calling her “Mhysa,” meaning “mother” in the Old Ghiscari language.