Game of Thrones Episode 60: The Winds of Winter

Cersei destroys the Faith’s power in King’s Landing by blowing up the Great Sept of Baelor with wildfire, killing nearly everyone gathered there, and then claims the Iron Throne for herself. In the North, Jon is proclaimed **King in the North**, while Arya carries out her revenge against Walder Frey, and Daenerys sets sail for Westeros with her allies and dragons.

At King’s Landing, the episode begins with preparations for the Faith’s public trials. Loras Tyrell is brought before the assembled crowd and, instead of defending himself, confesses to his sins and renounces his family name and inheritance; the High Sparrow accepts his submission and marks him as a penitent. Cersei does not appear for her own trial, but after the High Sparrow, Margaery Tyrell, Loras, Kevan Lannister, the High Septon, and many nobles are inside the Sept, wildfire hidden beneath the building is ignited. The entire Great Sept of Baelor is destroyed in a massive green explosion, killing Cersei’s enemies and everyone else trapped inside.

As the blast tears through the city, Qyburn’s network of little birds murders Grand Maester Pycelle elsewhere in the Red Keep. Margaery, who had become suspicious, realizes too late that something is terribly wrong, and the explosion kills her, her brother, and many others. Jaime and Bronn are not inside the Sept; they are elsewhere in the city, and later see smoke rising from the ruins.

Back at the Red Keep, Tommen is devastated by what has happened. After seeing the destruction and learning the scale of the disaster, he goes to a window and dies by suicide, leaving Cersei without a living child. With the throne now effectively empty, Cersei is later dressed in black and crowned Queen of the Seven Kingdoms in the throne room, with Jaime watching as she takes the crown.

In the Riverlands, Arya Stark visits the Twins disguised as a servant and uses the face-changing skills she learned to get close to Walder Frey. She reveals herself, kills Walder, and then murders the sons he served at the feast, later serving them in a pie to Walder before cutting his throat. She then leaves the Freys’ house after completing her revenge.

At Winterfell, Jon and Sansa discuss the future of the North and their growing alliance of Stark supporters. A white raven arrives from the Citadel announcing that winter has come. The northern lords gather, and Lyanna Mormont sharply shames the lords who failed to support Jon against the Boltons. In response, the assembled nobles declare Jon the new **King in the North**, and he accepts the role.

Bran Stark and Meera Reed finally reach the Wall after Bran’s visions and his flight from the undead. Bran continues seeing the past and is drawn back into a vision at the Tower of Joy, where Ned Stark finds Lyanna Stark dying after childbirth. Lyanna urges Ned to protect her newborn son, and Bran sees that the baby is Jon Snow. This is presented as a revelation to Bran and the audience within the episode.

At the Citadel, Samwell Tarly arrives with Gilly and the baby. He and Gilly are turned away from entering the main library area at first, but Sam is determined to study there and begins his life at the Citadel. The episode briefly shows him settling into his new setting.

In Meereen, Daenerys meets Daario Naharis and tells him he will not be going to Westeros with her. She orders him to remain behind in Meereen and keep peace in the city and the wider region while she leaves. Daario accepts reluctantly and says he loves her. Daenerys then tells Tyrion of her feelings about the choice, and she names him Hand of the Queen by giving him the symbol of that office. She then departs for Westeros with Tyrion, her armies, the forces pledged by Yara Greyjoy, the Tyrell fleet, the Dornish allies, and her three dragons flying overhead.