Episode 606-“Blood of my Blood” was not as engaging as the previous one. However, it is still an intense buildup episode. It reveals events that we, readers, have been theorizing about and waiting for them to happen. Furthermore, this episode includes many instances of character development, especially when it comes to Sam and Arya.
The Return of Benjen Stark and Bran’s Visions
The episode opens with Bran and Meera being unsuccessful in outrunning the wights. When everything seems to be lost, a hooded rider appears and kills all the approaching wights, which were at this stage, less than ten. The rider takes both, Meera and Bran, on the horse, and in this way, they were able to escape. Once they are safe, the rider reveals himself and turns out to be Benjen Stark, who went out for a ranging expedition with some other members of the Night’s Watch. The White Walkers intercepted the ranging party, and one of them stabbed Benjen in the gut and left him to die. However, the Children found him, and they plunged a dragonglass dagger deep into his heart. Based on this account, he did not die. He was still alive when the Children performed their magical skill to prevent him from becoming a wight. However, one wonders whether he has acquired characteristics of a White Walker. Can he only be killed with dragonglass? He advises Bran to master his greenseeing skills to be ready to fight the White Walkers since he is now the Three-Eyed Raven.
Of note are the visions that Bran is experiencing when they are trying to escape the wights. He is in a warging/trance mode. The visions are all over the place:
- The pursuing wights
- The Night’s King converting one of Craster’s son into a White Walker
- Ned Stark asking for his sister at the Tower of Joy
- The Mad King giving a command: “Burn them all.”
- Wildfire explosion through an underground tunnel
- Jaime Lannister killing the Mad King
- The Freys killing Rob Stark
- Ned Stark’s beheading
- A vision of a dragon
- The result at Hardhome
Bran is seeing what has happened in the past, including the death of his mother and brother. He is also a witness to the reason why Jaime Lannister killed the Mad King, who wanted to burn King’s Landing with wildfire. However, in the last vision, he sees the Mad King saying “burn them all” again. This vision is juxtaposed with the image of wights attacking Hardhome. Targaryens are also known for having visions or having some foresight. It is because of this gift that they moved west to Westeros before the Doom of Valyria. Therefore, it is possible to assume that the Mad King saw the wights attacking the Seven Kingdoms in the future.
In regards to this screenshot, I cannot tell what it means. However, some have speculated that it is associated with Ned Stark and his sister at the Tower of Joy.
At Horn Hill, the Seat of House Tarly
Sam and Gilly finally arrive at Horn Hill. Of course, I was impressed with the beautiful castle, home to House Tarly. The structure emphasizes the wealth and beauty of the Reach. Sam’s mother and sister are kind and gentle. They complement Gilly’s appearance and treat her as an equal. However, when it comes to his father, he often belittles Sam and never appreciates his son for what he is. He thinks that his other son, Dickon, is fit to be Lord and wield the family’s ancestral sword, Heartsbane. The truth is that he does not know much about Sam. He makes a judgment of his son based on Sam’s physical appearance and bookish characteristics. Of course, Sam may not be the best warrior, but he takes the risk and can beat his enemy when provoked. Gilly comes to Sam’s defense saying the he protected her by killing a White Walker. As a result, Randyll Tarly realizes that Gilly is a Wildling infuriating him even more. He is offensive towards both Gilly and Sam. Gilly’s comment about lords like Randyll is golden, and a reflection of a less socially divided Wildling society in which leaders are chosen:
I’m angry that horrible people can treat good people that way and get away with it.
Lord Tarly tells his son not ever to come back again. Gilly will stay at Horn Hill with the child, though. The grandson will get an education there. However, as an act of defiance, Sam does not do what his father wants. He takes Heartsbane with him, and his family. Therefore, we have a case in which a son takes his destiny in his hands.
Of note are the ladies from House Tarly. They are not just kind. Sam’s mother steps up for her son after her husband offended Sam. She emphasizes that Sam has not dishonored the family by bringing a Wildling to the house and having a child with her. Sam’s sister is also impressed that Gilly can hunt and that Randall would never allow her to do something like that. She emphasizes that Lord Tarly should learn certain things from Gilly’s father. Overall, I enjoyed watching the events associated with House Tarly in this episode.
The Return of Arya Stark
At Braavos, Arya is watching the play reenacting the assassination of Joffrey Baratheon. Of course, she is the only one in the audience delighted to see Joffrey’s death. Lady Crane, Arya’s target, is superb at expressing sorrow for the death of Joffrey even better than Cersei Lannister. Subsequently, Arya leaves to place the poison on Lady Crane’s drink while the play is still going on. Then she meets Lady Crane on her way out, an event that complicates matters for her. In their conversation, Arya and Lady Crane realize that they share some things in common. Of course, Arya sneaks in to plan Lady Crane’s assassination, but she also enjoys the play. She is also impressed with Lady Crane’s acting skills. Lady Crane reveals that she used snuck in to see a play when she was young. She joined the troop the next day. Therefore, they both have some things in common. Lady Crane confesses that the writing is not the best. Arya suggests her to change the script which consists of Lady Crane being angry at what happened and had the perpetrator killed. In fact, Arya’s suggestion represents the way in which Cersei behaved when her son was poisoned. Therefore, Arya excels at reading people. She knows Cersei even though she never interacted with her much. Arya knows how Cersei felt when Joffrey was murdered. Therefore, Arya has empathy, a characteristic that would not allow her to become an assassin. Furthermore, she revealed to Jaqen H’ghar that Lady Crane is a kind and talented lady during the last episode, demonstrating that her father’s values are ingrained in her. Therefore, she would never kill innocents and become a professional assassin. Arya opts not to kill Lady Crane and warns her against the other actress who wants her dead. Furthermore, she withdraws Needle from its hiding place. Of course, she is in deep trouble. The Wayf has been checking on her and will try to kill Arya. However, the Wayf will not be facing a girl in training, who used to pretend to be “no one,” but Arya Stark.
Lady Crane asks Arya whether she likes to pretend to be other people like if she were able to see who Arya is. It seems that Arya might be joining the actors soon.
Events at King’s Landing
Tommen is allowed to see Margaery Tyrell, who is still imprisoned by the Sparrow. Margaery reveals that she has atoned her sins. She mentions that her charitable work with the poor at King’s Landing in the past was just a public display. She is not just devoted to those in needs but also to the gods. According to her, the gods have a plan for them all. However, based on a few episodes back, Margaery had a meeting with her brother Loras. She tells him that the Sparrows want to break them and that they should not allow that and to stay strong. It seems that Margaery is playing Tommen and the High Sparrow. If she is manipulative, she efficiently saves herself from doing the Walk of Atonement. Later, when the army of House Tyrell and Jaime Lannister arrive at the Sept to request Margaery’s release, there is no need for a fight since she atoned her sins by convincing Tommen to align himself with the Faith Militant.Therefore, the viewer must decide who is in control: the High Sparrow or Margaery. Of note is the fact that Tommen’s Kingsguard wear the seven-pointed star on their armors.
Tommen releases Jaime from his duties as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard because of his failed attempt to attack the religious fanatics. One wonders whether Kevan Lannister, the High Sparrow or Margaery had a role in convincing Tommen to take this course of action. Jaime will serve his House instead by retaking Riverrun from the Blackfish. He is not happy to leave King’s Landing. He blames the High Sparrow for taking his son from him and Cersei. However, Cersei convinces him to go. She believes that the defeat of their enemies can be used as a way to show others what happens when they oppose House Lannister. There is also a small scene that includes Walder Frey at the Twins commanding two of his sons to recapture Riverrun from the Blackfish. They will use Edmure Tully to convince the Blackfish to yield the castle.
Out of topic: The dirty old man has a new teenage wife.
At Vaes Dothrak
Daenerys gets Drogon back, and it seems she does not have any issues in controlling him. She tells the Dothraki that she will not follow the tradition of a Khal selecting three bloodriders. Instead, she chooses them all. They are all her family, her blood. She will take them to Westeros. Of course, Drogon has grown and become the biggest and strongest dragon. He looks spectacular on screen.
I took all screenshots. They are the property of HBO.