Unsullied Recap, Game of Thrones Episode 403 – Breaker of Chains

Spoiler note: The discussion in this post is primarily for non-book readers (book fans can discuss the show here). We ask that all Sullied book-readers refrain from posting spoilers in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand or afterwards, so please be respectful of your fellow fans. Thank you!

Oz of Thrones:  Welcome one and all to the Unsullied, non-book reader recap for the first post-Joffrey era episode.

King Crossbow is gone, but his legacy lives on even as his parents have a less-than-consensual copulation on the floor beside their dead son.  For those of you scoring at home, the normal factor of that scene was zero.

But let’s take it all in and discuss.  This episode was busy…

When Lysa is mentioned in the first “previously on” scene, that is a damn good start.  Much to my dismay, it was a sampling of a dish that wasn’t even available on the menu.  More on my Lady Arryn depression later…

Aftermath

We pick up where we left off, literally.  Cersei and Tywin immediately look for Sansa who is running with soon-to-be-deceased Dontos through the alleys of KL.  Dontos rows her out to a ship where she is met on deck by… Littlefinger? Dammit man!  You’re supposed to be at the freaking Vale.  What the hell have you been doing all this time?  How are we supposed to see Lysa if…

I digress.  It was good to see finally see Baelish for the first time this season.  Littlefinger apparently had a finger in the demise of Joff and plans to take Sansa to her Aunt’s penthouse condo.  But what does Baelish stand to gain from saving Sansa?  How much of a role did he have in the murder of Joff?  And does he even plan to take her to the Vale?  What does “sailing home” mean?

A man needs more time to ponder.  Once Littlefinger is involved, everything gets a bit more complex.    Originally I had not even considered LF a factor in the plot, but he’s been busy making necklaces while he should have been kicking it with Lysa and Robin by now and discussing breastfeeding alternatives.  We should have known.

This whole show is a Lysa tease.

Olenna reinforces to Margaery how much her situation has improved and touches on whether or not she has a claim to being the Queen (and it not being a good time to press the issue).  Olenna also remarks that the Lannisters still need the Tyrells and that the next one (husband) should be easier.  The next scene goes straight to Tommen (and Cersei, and the remains of Joff).

Tywin quizzes Tommen on what qualities a good King should possess, the most important being wisdom and heeding the advice of council.  Tywin wastes no time getting the heir prepped for his role and still shows no hint of sorrow over the loss of his grandson.  While it is somewhat peculiar that Tywin shows no sentiment towards the loss, he also doesn’t strike me as a man who would break down and cry about anything.  Still a suspect?  You decide.

Two things seem certain to me from this scene: 1.  Tommen seems like a good, smart kid (too good to be around for long in this series). And 2. Charles Dance is an excellent actor.

And then, things just get freakin weird.

As certain as Cersei is that Tyrion killed her son, I am just as certain that Cersei did not.  For the record, I never bought the fact that she was the primary suspect.  I was only passing along other Unsullied sentiment and stating the facts that may have given her motive.

Cersei asks Jaime to kill Tyrion just before things got real uncomfortable in the Sept.  I don’t see any need in recapping what happened next other than to say that I assume “stop” means stop even if you are brother and sister, although I have no experienced acquaintances to advise me on the validity of this belief.  Feel free to discuss below… I’m gonna sit this one out (for now).

While you guys are doing that, I’ll recap the consensual, bi-sexual, five-way that Oberyn was busy with until Paw Paw shows up.  Tywin double cock-blocks and interrupts the party to discuss Oberyn’s expertise with poison and to make a deal with him that would benefit them both. Among other things, it involves giving the Mountain and a council seat to Oberyn and bringing Dorne back into the fold of the seven kingdoms.

We never see Oberyn shake the hand of Tywin and agree to the deal, but we know from the previews that Oberyn does eventually get his meeting with the Mountain.  The deal makes sense considering the dangers that the realm faces and it also makes Oberyn one of the judges in Tyrion’s trial.  Oberyn strikes me as someone who calls it like he sees it and could be Tyrion’s only chance of not being executed.

Speaking of, Tyrion has to say goodbye to Pod in a scene where I thought Daniel Portman did his best acting so far.  If Pod is gone, he will be missed (especially by the brothel employees).  But my guess is that he won’t.

The Stark and The Hound meet up with a father and daughter that take them in after Arya explains the story of why her “father” is not the same since the war.  The Hound teaches Arya another lesson based more on survival and less on morals when he makes the father think he will accept a job but steals his money instead.  While it is painful to watch how cruel the Hound is in this scene, it also seems to be a necessary evil in navigating the horrible world in which they live.

Meanwhile, Sam becomes concerned about the safety and welfare of Gilly and baby Sam and takes her to Mole’s Town, which somewhat seemed like a good excuse for the show to get her out of there before the Wildlings come knocking.

The Wildlings: The slaughter at the farm and the little boy sent to the Wall just pissed me off.

We later find out that Castle Black only has 100 men, which is considerably less than I expected.  What’s worse is that the mutineers at Crasters have taken up residence and will likely tell Mance of the Crow’s low numbers.  Much to the delight of many readers here, Burn Gorman is shown in the preview and at least one more trip to the Keep seems to be inevitable.

The whole deal at the Wall looks like it will be a Crow massacre and makes me hope that maybe Jon Snow runs in to Bran beyond the wall and stays with him.

Stannis and Davos:  Stannis receives word of the demise of Joff and once again references the leeches.  However, Stannis is increasingly agitated with Davos for not coming up with a plan or an army.  While reading a book to Shireen, Davos has an epiphany when talking about the Bank of Braavos.

Discussion regarding the debt of the realm goes all the way back to Season 1 and the Bank was brought up a few times in Season 3.  As new master of coin, Tyrion and Littlefinger briefly discuss it, as do Tyrion and Bronn.  From what I remember, the Iron Bank has been known to side with enemies of the realm if debts are not paid.  Tywin and Olenna also discussed it during their stroll to the reception last week when Tywin stated that the Iron Bank did not concern him.  Perhaps it should.

I have always been curious to know if/when the debt issue was going to become a bigger part of the story.  I totally expected it to be an issue at some point, but not necessarily with Stannis.  However, it all makes perfect sense if my thinking is not horribly flawed.

And finally:  Was that the champion relieving himself or his horse?

Dany and Co. make it to the walls of Meereen where they are met with a well-endowed man who won’t shut up.  We the viewers were honored with witnessing his last urination before being destroyed by the new Daario.  Overall, I liked the scene and the use of the broken slave collars to make a point.  I still have mixed feelings on the new Daario, which is unfortunate.  His obliteration of the Meereen champion was cool.  I just feel like it could have been better.

Episode 403 Personal Awards

Favorite Scene:  Difficult to pick just one as there were so many of importance.  The one that keeps coming back to me is when the idea of the Iron Bank hits Davos.  I thought Liam Cunningham pulled it off beautifully.   
Favorite Quote #1:  “Money buys a man’s silence for a time.  A bolt in the heart buys it forever.” -Littlefinger
Favorite Quote #2:  “Just point out the next map shop you see and I’ll buy you one.” –The Hound
Favorite Quote #3:  “They don’t have enough men between them to raid a pantry.” -Stannis
Favorite Quote #4:  “I don’t think I can kill 100 Wildlings.” –Pyp

Recurring (but different) “City of Essos” Quote Degrading Women:  “He claims you are no woman at all but a man who hides his cock in his own asshole.” –Missandei translating the banter of the Pissing Champion

Jackass Award:  Congratulations to Ygritte for shooting an unexpecting loving father with one of your arrows.  This is your first award and first nomination in this category.  And you definitely earned it.

Final Thoughts:  The episode was full of information and relevance in setting up what may be to come the rest of the Season.  I think there will probably be some who are upset with the amount of action or the lack of thereof that 403 brought.  But this episode featured some of the best acting in my opinion (Lena, Liam, Charles) and was likely critical in helping Unsullied understand events that have yet to unfold.

That’s it for me today Ladies and Sers!  What were your favorite quotes?  Scenes? Speak up!

Likes? Dislikes? Grumblings?  BUT NO SPOILERS HERE!  NO HINTS! NO BOOK RELATED DISCUSSION! 

In regards to my dear Lysa, I am contemplating my next move.  There will be blood.        

By the way, I am relatively new to twitter so if the impulse strikes you, I can be followed @ozofthrones.

A man will be back next weekend for Looking Forward Episode 404.  Until then, have a great week, drink one for drunk, dead Dontos, and may there always be peace in your realm. –Oz

“Unbowed.  Unbent.  Unsullied.”

PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE UNSULLIED… Do not post spoilers in this comment thread!

• Published on 04/21/2014 at 11:09 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:42 PM CDT