Episode 603, “Oathbreaker,” portrays how oaths are no longer considered indicators of reliability, honor, and loyalty at different levels.
The episode ends with Jon Snow leaving the command of the Night’s Watch to Dolorous Edd. Is he an oathbreaker, a deserter? The brothers of the Watch swear to serve for a lifetime. Because Jon died, he is free from him vows. It is the logical outcome, even though not necessarily the one preferred by readers. In the opening scene, Jon is in a state of shock. He remembers how he died, a clue that he may have a good memory of his former life. In the books, Beric Dondarrion, who is resurrected by Thoros of Myr, does not remember the events or people from their previous life/lives. When questioned by Melisandre, Jon mentions that there is no afterlife. According to her, he is back to fulfill a particular role, the prince that was promised. However, Jon is not looking forward to living again. In his mind, he should not be there. He considers his achievements a failure. His reasoning hints to him leaving the Watch at the end of the episode. The problem with Jon’s way of thinking is illogical; he has not failed. He has an army, and he has created an alliance with the Wildlings. He has striven to protect many from the White Walkers, and he still has friends and supporters. His assassination was orchestrated mainly by Alliser Thorne, somebody who has always antagonized him, and it is related to just envy and hatred towards the Starks. Of course, viewers are given the opportunity to see Jon avenge his death by executing the traitors. He opted for hanging them as opposed to beheading them, the Stark way. Is this a sign of a change in him? Of course, his eyes are the same, so it is him, but he is undergoing a transformation process. Of note are Ser Alliser’s last comments: Jon Snow will have more battles to fight, especially to protect the realm.
The plot line in the North is becoming inconsistent. First, the Starks have been rulers in that area for thousands of year. Out of sudden, they have fewer supporters than even the Lannisters. In regards to the books, some theories discuss how most of the noble houses in the North are conspiring to place a Stark back in Winterfell (either Rickon or Jon). The Umbers, considered to be one of the most loyal vassals to the Starks in the books, prefer to support the Boltons in the TV adaptation. The wildlings frequently raid their lands, which are closed to the Wall. Therefore, aligning with House Bolton instead of Jon Snow, who let many Wildlings go through the Wall, seems to be a good reason. However, why is the North aligning themselves with the Boltons, a house that rose to power because of the Lannisters? Do they remember the Red Wedding? THE NORTH REMEMBERS! Therefore, there may be either a plot hole or a plan in place to eliminate House Bolton and House Stark. Is there a power struggle in the North? The comment that Lord Umber makes about Lord Karstark liking young boys is revealing (Lords are not friendly to each other). Of note is the fact that Lord Umber refuses to kneel and kiss Ramsay’s hand. However, he gives Rickon, Osha, and the lacerated head of Shaggydog, as a sign of support. These actions are unpredictable. They can work both ways. He might become a Stark supporter as soon as he realizes that Ramsay will be losing everything.
We finally see the legendary fight at the Tower of Joy, a scene that belongs to the first book of the series. However, the conversation between Ned Stark and Arthur Dayne is not as detailed as the one in the books. Therefore, not much is revealed about why Lyanna is there. The fight choreography is excellently executed. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, uses two swords to fight instead of one, Dawn, the legendary sword of his house. In fact, there is no reference to Dawn. Dayne reveals that they were not at the Trident protecting Prince Rhaegar because he told them to stay at the tower. Ned Stark is victorious even though he was about to be killed by Dayne. As detailed in the books, if it weren’t for Howland Reed, he would have died. However, how Howland helped Ned is not detailed, giving rise to different theories that range from warging to stabbing with poison. Of course, not everybody will be happy with the outcome portrayed on screen. However, it is close to how I visualized it while reading. Personally, I would have preferred to see seven against three instead of six against two, and the sigils on Aerys’s Kingsguard. The result produces an impact on Bran, who has always heard that his father defeated Arthur Dayne in a one-to-one combat. He sees the stabbing from behind as unfair. It seems that Ned hears Bran calling him. Therefore, it is possible for greenseers to communicate with people. In fact, that is what the greenseer did in a previous season to attract Bran in a vision. Of course, we are not able to see the entire story associated with the Tower of Joy, even though we hear Lyanna Stark scream. It is dangerous for Bran to stay having visions of the past for a long time to a point that he may not come back. However, Bran will not remain in the cave forever, which means that he might go back to Winterfell. The greenseer mentions that he is one thousand years old. Therefore, he is not Bloodraven, a change that makes sense especially with the elimination of the Blackfyre/Brightflame plot line.
Arya is continuing training in the House of Black and White, and is on her way to becoming “no one.” She is learning to fight while being blind and getting familiar with the smell of poisons. When she is asked about her Death List, she mentions her targets. However, she does not mention the ones she has killed. She accepts her confusion about not killing Sandor Clegane, the Hound, and leaving him to die instead. I guess there are some mixed feelings, and hopefully we will see Sandor again. When the Waif asks her about whether there are more people on the list, Arya does not give an answer. Of course, one can assume she will be adding the Waif to the list. Jaqen gives Arya a drink from the fountain, and she recovers her sight. Overall, Arya’s story has become monotonous this season. The change associated with regaining her vision might make her story more interesting next episode. Furthermore, is she really “no one” or a good liar?
Other Highlights
Qyburn is trying to get control of Varys’s little birds by giving them candied fruits. Their role is to check who is happy and taking advantage of Cersei’s misfortunes everywhere in the Seven Kingdoms. Cersei reveals that she will use Ser Gregor in a trial-by-combat to prove her innocence against the charges placed on her by the Faith Militant. However, the last time she employed this method, it did not turn out to be favorable for the Lannisters. At the Small Council, nobody wants to discuss any matters with her. Maester Pycelle’s negative comment about Qyburn and UnGregor was heard (the Mountain might kill him this season). Meanwhile, the High Sparrow plays Tommen when he complains about his mother not being able to see Myrcella’s resting place. He uses Cersei’s best qualities like the love for her children to convince Tommen.
At Mereen, we finally learn that the Masters of Astapor and Yunkai and the Free-City of Volantis are supporting the Sons of the Harpy’s cause. At Vaes Dothrak, Daenerys is taken to the Dosh Kaleen. She will stand trial for leaving by a gathering of Khalasars.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this episode. I like it even better than the first two.