Game of Thrones Episode 48: Hardhome

Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane sail to Hardhome to persuade the wildlings to abandon their settlement and come south of the Wall, where Jon promises they can live safely if they help fight the coming threat beyond the Wall. At Hardhome, Jon meets with the wildling leaders, but many are suspicious of his offer and of the Night’s Watch in general, so he has to argue hard for cooperation.

Meanwhile, in Braavos, Arya Stark continues her training with the Faceless Men and is given her first assignment: she is sent to observe and prepare to kill a wealthy man who cheats widows and sailors out of money. In Meereen, Tyrion Lannister is brought before Daenerys Targaryen along with Ser Jorah Mormont; Daenerys orders Jorah exiled again and decides to keep Tyrion nearby as an adviser, taking away his wine in the process. In King’s Landing, Cersei remains imprisoned and is shown suffering harshly, refusing to bend despite her situation.

Back at Hardhome, the wildlings begin loading their people onto ships after some of them finally agree to leave, but the evacuation is interrupted by a sudden attack from the undead. The wights swarm the town, turning the evacuation into chaos as Jon, Tormund, and the others struggle to survive. Jon fights directly against a White Walker, and his Valyrian steel sword proves effective when it clashes with the Walker’s blade. During the battle, the town collapses into panic and slaughter, with the dead rising and joining the attackers, and Jon and a small group barely escape as the White Walkers overrun Hardhome.