Unsullied Recap, Game of Thrones Episode 404 – Oathkeeper

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 back for this week’s edition of the Unsullied recap, where the non-book readers attempt to delineate what we just witnessed and the book readers chuckle at our confusion and shock.

This week’s episode almost seemed like two totally different shows.  The first half gave us some heartfelt moments and the all-important reveal while the second half felt as if it were only a matter of time before a major character met their end.

And it totally worked, even as we learned that the White Walkers have something akin to a Board of Directors.  Where the hell do we start?

The truth is, I really don’t know.  The assassination reveal will most likely be the headline of the episode, but there were so many important aspects.  Hats off to Cogman… this was one of my favorites.

I typically do the recap by storyline and not necessarily by order of appearance.  But today I’m running through the ep. as it was seen for the most part.  Let’s do it.

Even though I have been somewhat impatient with Dany’s story, I actually thought it was nice to start out with her for a change.  I feel bad for Grey Worm getting up close and personal with lessons from Missandei and not having the parts to perform just in case a romantic situation between the two ever came to pass… you can look at the menu but you can’t eat.  That just sucks.  Or not.

The deal with the Unsullied taking weapons to the slaves was a nice change from what many of us thought would be another slave city getting blasted by dragons.  Speaking of, where are they?

Mhysa walks through the city and Selmy suggests that she have mercy, which she politely declines.  I haven’t known this series to just throw many meaningless tidbits like that in for nothing, so I wonder if there will be any repercussions for the decision to nail the masters (not that they didn’t deserve it).

Bronn continues his backhanded training with Jaime and asks him if he is going to stand up for his brother.  I sincerely hope we get more scenes with these two, but I also think that Jerome Flynn with anyone in a scene would be entertaining.  That guy is gold.

Jaime finally visits Tyrion thanks to some guilt from Bronn and admits that Cersei asked him to kill their brother.  This scene was a rare moment between the two as they actually interacted more like brothers than ever before.  I don’t remember Jaime actually conceding to anyone that Joffrey was his son.  Great scene.

Then there was a boat, and a Littlefinger, and the truth (although I’m skeptical of the words “truth” and “Littlefinger” in the same sentence).

Before even saying anything about it, Ozzette personally wanted to thank the show runners for not waiting until Episode 10 or beyond for the reveal.  I partially agree, but only because of the “Who Off’ed Joff” shirts I just had mass-produced.  They’re on clearance, BOGO, whatever.

On the third review of the wedding reception, I did notice that Olenna seemed to touch Sansa’s necklace and potentially take a stone off of it.  What didn’t make sense was how she would have gotten it in the cup.  Yes, Marg did put the cup on the table near Grandma Lemon Cakes, but it appeared that Olenna would have had to get up and walk a couple of steps to get it in, which seemingly would have been noticed by someone (unless of course she beer-ponged it in).

Regardless of the logistics, LF was heavily involved and apparently has switched his allegiance from the Lion to the Flower.  Ballsy, even for him.  But like he said, he wants everything.  And judging by the way he was touching Sansa, it may include her.

Littlefinger’s confession was confirmed by the conversation between Grandma and Marg in the garden as Lemon suggests that Marg make her move on Tommen before Cersei turns him against her.  The other reveal was that Olenna plans to leave the capital before the trial.  If Olenna does wisely exit as the scene suggested, I will miss the old bird.  You can’t squirt milk back up the udders.

Locke has arrived at the Wall and has already filled out his recruiting paperwork while (shocker) Alliser still hates Jon Snow.  Later, Jon is granted permission to go to Craster’s as Alliser hopes the mutineers will take care of him.  Jon gets more volunteers than Alliser apparently wanted, but one of them was Locke.  All Locke wants is Bran, and now Bran is at the Keep.  And nothing good ever happens at the Keep.

Drunk Cersei is drunk again and asks Jaime if he would bring her Sansa’s head.  She is also pissed that he takes pity on Tyrion and wants Tommen heavily guarded at all times (but oddly does not seem all that upset about being raped). Jaime most likely comes to the conclusion that he will never please DC and sends Pod and Brienne to find Sansa, only the goal is to get her to safety.  Maybe Jaime loves Brienne too.  Ozzette teared up.  She wanted Brienne to get the final rose.

Meanwhile, Marg sneaks in to see Tommen and lays the foundation (but not the kid).  I had seen the name “Ser Pounce” before, but did not realize that it was the name of Tommen’s feline.  Either way, after Marg meets the cat, she gets the puppy-dog eyes from Tommen.  Mission accomplished.

And off to Craster’s we go, where the scourge of humanity seems to congregate and treat women like shit.  After Craster’s last child is left as a gift, Bran and the Band are drawn to the Keep where they are caught and Hodor is tortured (which pissed me off to no end… pick on someone your own size, assholes).  Jojen looked sick the entire time and collapses as Bran reveals his identity to Karl.  The entire set-up at Craster’s with Bran in place and Jon on his way looks like a train wreck.  Nothing good ever happens at the Keep.

And then the mysterious ending.  The gift is delivered and immediately turned into a baby White Walker by what looked like Darth Maul after a bath in Clorox.  More on this in the “Final Thoughts”.

Episode 404 Personal Awards

Favorite Scene:  Jaime and Tyrion, followed by Jaime and Brienne (odd, after Jaime should have won the Jackass award last week).
Favorite Quote #1:  “That was me knocking your ass to the dirt with your own hand.” Bronn

Favorite Quote #2:   “The Kingslayer brothers.  You like it?  I like it.” Tyrion

WTF was That? Award:  Darth White

Jackass Award:  Alliser is always a candidate, but this one goes to Karl (*Burn Gorman fans throwing tomatoes at Oz).  When you drink wine from the skull of the Old Bear and can successfully torment Rast, this accolade is yours to keep.

Final Thoughts:  As mentioned above, I appreciate the assassination reveal and that the Unsullied were not tortured all season with the “whodunit” and “why” questions looming.  There are plenty of other stories to concentrate on.  I’m also glad to see that Jaime looks like he will be standing up for his brother even if it’s because Cersei is treating him like “just another King’s guard”.  Strange how the show is going back and forth with his character… last week he rapes his sister; this week he has a heart.  I think I understand it, but I wonder if this was the show’s real intention.

The White Walker Bureau of Baby Affairs throws another kink in the whole story.  Now instead of being viewed as a bunch of walking dead savage killers, it now appears as if there is a brain working behind the army.  If the message here was “we should all take these Things more serious”, then consider it a success.  It has our attention.

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

Were you shocked by Lemon Cakes?  Littlefinger? Darth White? Ser Pounce?

Likes? Dislikes? Grumblings?  Sound off…. Everyone is welcome.

BUT NO SPOILERS HERE!  NO HINTS! NO BOOK RELATED DISCUSSION! 

A man can be followed in the birdverse now, so if the impulse strikes you, I can be found @ozofthrones.

I will be back next weekend for Looking Forward Episode 405 (Lysa in the previews! #breastfeedingboysunite).  Until then, have a great week, hide the wine from Cersei, 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 04/28/2014 at 11:03 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:42 PM CDT