Game of Thrones Episode 51: The Red Woman

Jon Snow’s body is discovered at Castle Black, and the Night’s Watch loyal to him tries to protect it from the men responsible for his death. Davos Seaworth finds the corpse, sends for Ghost, and works with Dolorous Edd and a few loyal brothers to carry Jon inside while Ser Alliser Thorne and the mutineers begin consolidating control.

At Castle Black, the loyalists barricade themselves in with Jon’s body while Thorne gathers armed brothers outside and offers Davos and the others amnesty if they surrender. Davos buys time, and Edd slips out to seek help from the Free Folk. Melisandre is shaken when she sees Jon’s dead body, since she believes she had seen him alive in a vision connected to Winterfell and the battle there.

In the North, Sansa Stark and Theon Greyjoy flee across the snow after escaping Winterfell, with Ramsay Bolton’s dogs and men pursuing them. Just when capture seems certain, Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne arrive and cut down the Bolton fighters, helping Sansa and Theon get away.

At Winterfell, Roose Bolton warns Ramsay that the Lannisters may retaliate over Ramsay’s marriage to Sansa and that they need to secure the North’s support. Ramsay is also shown dealing with the aftermath of Myranda’s death, then orders that her body be fed to the hounds.

In King’s Landing, Jaime Lannister returns with Myrcella Baratheon’s body, and his grief brings a renewed closeness between him and Cersei Lannister. Cersei remains trapped and diminished by the Faith, while Jaime’s return reinforces how isolated the royal family has become.

In Dorne, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes move against House Martell. A messenger’s report confirms Myrcella’s death, Tyene Sand kills Areo Hotah, and Ellaria stabs Prince Doran Martell, taking control in a swift coup.

In Meereen, Tyrion Lannister settles into ruling alongside Varys and tries to keep the city stable after Daenerys’ disappearance. Jorah Mormont and Daario Naharis search for Daenerys, but she has already been taken by a Dothraki horde. She is brought before Khal Moro, who initially threatens her but then learns she is Khal Drogo’s widow and lets her live for the moment.

Melisandre’s final scene reveals that her youthful appearance is an illusion, and that her true body is that of a very old woman.