[WARNING - This article contains SPOILERS for Game of Thrones season 6.]
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With only four episodes left to go, season 6 of Game of Thrones is shaping up to be one of their best yet. Speeding past where author George R.R. Martin left off with his novels - and in some ways charting a path all its own - Game of Thrones season 6 is surprising viewers left and right. As it nears the final episodes, those surprises are guaranteed to only become more shocking, and surely in some cases, more gut-wrenching.
Last week’s episode was notably slow, allowing the series’ many narratives to settle in to place before pushing towards the finale. Less of Game of Thrones’ sprawling story appeared in ‘Blood of My Blood’ than usual, which leaves quite a bit of checking in to do this Sunday. And for this week’s episode, titled ‘The Broken Man’, what’s revealed in HBO’s official synopsis is as vague as always: “The High Sparrow eyes another target. Jaime confronts a hero. Arya makes a plan. The North is reminded.”
However, along with these images from Sunday’s episode (and a bit of book knowledge), it is possible to elaborate on what’s being teased.
Starting from the top, Jon and Sansa appear to have arrived at one of the many northern houses along their tour. In this case it’s likely Deepwood Motte, home to House Glover, whose sigil of an armored fist against a red field was spotted in the trailer for Sunday’s episode. They along with Ser Davos are greeted by Robett Glover, a bannerman for House Stark who (at least in the books) marched south as part of Robb’s army. During the War of the Five Kings, Glover was involved in a disastrous battle and was afterwards captured, but seeing as he appears to be a free man here, that likely isn’t what happened on the show. But given his loyalties to Robb in the novels, there’s a very good chance House Glover will agree to aid Jon in his battle against Ramsey. What remains to be seen is just how Jon and Sansa will go about reminding The North and earning more houses to their cause.
From there we have two images from King’s Landing which depict the newly freed Margaery, though still under the surveillance of Septa Unella, and Cersei, who’s clearly on the receiving end of a very nasty tongue lashing from the Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna. That exchange is also teased in the next time trailer, with Olenna scolding Cersei by saying: “Our two ancient houses face collapse because of your stupidity.” So, chances are, the unified front these “two ancient houses” put forth a couple episodes back is no more. Which really isn’t good news for Cersei, seeing as her only ally in King’s Landing was just sent on a mission to Riverrun. But the episode’s synopsis plainly states the High Sparrow has a new target, which rules out Cersei, Margaery, or even Loras. So just who is the clergyman gunning for next?
Having been discharged from the Kingsguard, Jaime arrives in the Riverlands clad in proper Lannister armor, lions and all. As suspected, he’s joined by Bronn, marking his first appearance this season after joining Jaime on that ill-fated excursion to Dorne. The hero the synopsis alludes to them meeting is clearly the Blackflish, Catelyn’s uncle and castellan of Riverrun in place of his nephew, Lord Edmure, who’s currently a prisoner of the Freys. By the time Jaime arrives at Riverrun in the novels, the siege has been going on for months, with the Blackfish refusing to talk terms - even as they are threatening to hang his nephew! However, he agrees to speak with Jaime, but only so he can hear what Jaime has to say about his failed mission to return Catelyn’s daughters and see his stump. It’d be foolish to expect their talks to be anymore cordial on the show, but with Brienne also expected to arrive with word from Sansa, there’s no telling how that information could affect the Blackfish’s actions.
And lastly, there’s this image of Arya, dressed in the Braavosi style reminiscent of her former dancing instructor, Syrio Forel, looking out across one of the city’s many canals towards the statue of the Titan. It’s a symbolic gesture, surely, with Arya debating what she’ll do next. That’s likely the plan the synopsis tells us she’s formulating, though she will also need to deal with retribution from the Faceless Men. How that encounter pans out will obviously factor in with whatever she plans for the future, but assuming she comes out unscathed, this image seemingly implies Arya is ready to say goodbye to Braavos.
Game of Thrones continues next Sunday with ‘The Broken Man’ @9pm on HBO. Check out a preview below:
