It was going to be hard to wrap up Season 3 of “Game of Thrones” with a bang after The Red Wedding shook the world, but the cast and crew of the HBO series delivered by putting together a thrilling episode full of heart-pounding moments and big twists.
Just like we’ve done each week (except for last week and Episode 309, when instead we ran interviews with Richard Madden and Michelle Fairley), AccessHollywood.com has recapped (for the non-book readers) the drama and character highlights for the latest “GOT” installment.
Here’s what happened to our established characters in the Season 3 finale, “Mhysa”:
Robb Stark: He tragically lost his life at The Red Wedding, but Lord Walder Frey and Lord Roose Bolton’s men twist the knife further for Stark supporters (including those watching at home) by putting the head of Grey Wind ( (Robb’s direwolf) on top of his body. Placed atop a horse, the men shout, “King In The North,” as the body rides by.
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Tyrion, Tywin & Joffrey: Unaware of the news from The Red Wedding, Tyrion strolls in for a meeting with The Small Council. Seeing Joffrey’s delight at something Tyrion quips, “killed a few puppies today?” “Robb Stark is dead. And so is his bitch mother,” a giddy Joffrey replies, noting he wants Lord Walder Frey to send him Robb Stark’s head so he can serve it to Sansa Stark at his wedding to Margaery Tyrell. Tyrion stands up for his bride and the king retaliates by calling his uncle a monster. “Monsters are dangerous,” Tyrion says.
Joffrey later takes on his grandfather, Tywin, by calling him a coward, and suggesting Tywin hid at Casterly Rock while his own father, King Robert Baratheon, was in charge of the rebellion that disposed of The Mad King. Despite the insult, Tywin doesn’t blink. “The King is tired. See him to his chambers,” an un-amused Tywin says.
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After the members of The Small Council leave, Tywin confirms to Tyrion that he was behind the slaughter at The Red Wedding, noting he did it to protect the family. He also tells Tyrion he needs to get Sansa pregnant, and then, when Tyrion protests, he tells him family is the most important thing and family is what stopped him from drowning Tyrion after he was born.
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Lord Roose Bolton: While chatting with a smug Lord Walder Frey, Roose says Brynden “The Blackfish” Tully – Catelyn’s uncle — escaped The Red Wedding. Walder points out that Brynden (who took that well-timed bathroom break in Episode 309) has no allies, so how safe can he be? As the two chat, Walder asks Roose what happened with Theon Greyjoy. Roose reveals he sent his bastard son, Ramsay Snow, to “root him out,” thus revealing (confirming for book readers) that the brunette boy who has been torturing Theon all season is a Bolton. But, the way he’s been torturing Theon is Ramsay’s “own way of doing things,” Lord Bolton says.
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Ramsay Snow: As he eats a sausage in front of the mutilated Theon Greyjoy, Theon begs Ramsay to kill him. Ramsay says that they need to keep him alive, and he renames Theon “Reek.”
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Yara & Balon Greyjoy: It turns out that Ramsay mailed Theon’s genitals to Theon’s father, Balon Greyjoy. Yara, Theon’s older sister, is the one who opens the package as Balon reads a letter from Ramsay, which warns him to get his men — the Iron Born — out of the North or more pieces of Theon will follow. “He cannot further the Greyjoy line. I will not give up the lands I have seized, the lands I have taken,” Balon tells his daughter of his refusal to bend to the demands. Disgusted, Yara tells her father she is taking the fastest ship in their fleet and 50 of the best killers in the Iron Islands and they will march on The Dreadfort to find Theon. “I’m going to find my little brother and I’m going to bring him home,” she says.
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Samwell Tarly & Bran Stark: Sam, from the Night’s Watch, and Craster’s daughter Gilly (with her newborn baby) come face to face with Bran Stark and his entourage. The two realize their connection – Jon Snow. Sam explains the White Walkers are coming and gives Bran and his companions – Jojen and Meera Reed – some dragon glass before they part ways, since that is what he killed one White Walker with and Bran is determined to go North of the Wall.
Back at Castle Black, Sam introduces Gilly to Maester Aemon, who lets Gilly stay. After learning about the massacres that met the men of the Night’s Watch beyond The Wall – the ones who didn’t return back thanks to The Others and the White Walkers, Aemon asks Sam to send ravens for help.
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Davos Seaworth: Davos goes to see Gendry Baratheon in the dungeons and they share a moment, bonding over both being from Fleabottom. Later, after he learns that Stannis plans to kill Gendry, Davos spirits him away, secretly, in a boat. “Why are you doing this?” Gendry asks. “Because it’s right.” Davos responds. Stannis finds out and for the betrayal he sentences Davos to death. But, Davos, who learned how to read while in jail thanks to Stannis’ daughter, Shireen Baratheon, happens to mention a scroll arrived on a raven and the Night’s Watch needs help. “What one man saw beyond The Wall — it’s coming for all of us,” he says. Melisandre, surprisingly backs him up, telling Stannis, “This war of five kings means nothing. The true war lies north… Death marches to The Wall. Only you can stop them.” And, Melisandre adds, Stannis needs Davos to help him lead and rebuild his army.
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Jaime Lannister: Jaime arrives back in King’s Landing with Brienne. Alone, he walks into his twin sister (his lover’s) room. Cersei looks at him and makes a quiet gasp as she sees his hand is gone. He looks down, sadly.
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Arya Stark: While passing by Walder Frey’s men on horseback with The Hound, Arya overhears them discussing the murder of her brother and mother, and arguing over who sewed Grey Wind’s head on Robb’s body. Arya slips off the horse and approaches the men, luring them into believing she just wants to sit by the fire. She offers them a valuable coin if they let her (a coin she was given by Jaqen H’ghar in Season 2). She drops it in front of the man she was handing it to and as he leans over to pick it up, Arya stabs him repeatedly in the neck, killing him. “Valar Morghulis,” she says. The Hound tells Arya to warn him next time she plans to do something like that after he has to kill the other three men around the fire.
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Jon Snow & Ygritte: On his way back to Castle Black, Jon Snow is confronted by an angry Ygritte, who somehow tracked him down. “I didn’t have a choice,” he tells her, as she aims her bow at him. “You won’t hurt me,” he says. “You know nothing, Jon Snow,” she replies. “I know I love you. I know you love me,” he says. She shoots him and hits him with three arrows.
Jon makes it back to Castle Black’s gates and falls off his horse, only to see Samwell and Pyp when he opens his eyes again. “You’re home,” Sam says. “Carry him inside. Gently.”
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Daenerys Targaryen: After last week saw Ser Jorah, Grey Worm and Daario Naharis fighting inside Yunkai, and winning, Daenerys and her army wait outside Yunkai. Just when it looks like nothing will happen, the gates to the city open and freed slaves exit Yunkai. Daenerys tells them they are free, but they do not owe her their freedom. “It belongs to you and you alone. If you want it back, you must take it for yourselves,” she tells them. They start shouting “Mhysa,” which Missandei translates to mean “Mother.” As she walks through the crowd, they lift her on their shoulders. The camera pans up and reveals this queen has a real kingdom — of people.
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