'The Spoils of War' was Game of Thrones' most insane episode yet. Photo / HBO
'The Spoils of War' was Game of Thrones' most insane episode yet. Photo / HBO
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers for Game of Thrones Season seven, episode four: The Spoils of War. Do not read if you haven't seen the episode - you have been warned.
Well, I'm not sure if I agree with those saying that this is the best Game of Thrones episode ever, but it sure as hell is the most intense. Season seven has truly hit the accelerator, charging the action along at a never-before-seen pace. This episode delivered on a number of long-awaited plot points; another Stark reunion, some Daenerys and Jon chemistry and finally - and terrifyingly - a dragon in action.
Up in Winterfell
Last episode, it almost looked like the Stark sisters were about to be reunited - but instead, it was Bran who returned home. But just one episode later, Arya finally came knocking. Reuniting with Sansa beneath the statue of their father, Sansa and Aryaa, together again after six seasons apart, both acknowledged the long journeys they'd undertaken - and their frustration that neither of them managed to kill Joffrey before someone else did.
Watching Arya spar with Brienne was fantastic - Arya's storyline was rather tedious to watch once she got to Bravos, so it's hugely rewarding to watch her demonstrate the killing machine abilities she obtained throughout her time there. We might be the only ones happy to see that, though; Sansa looked confused and not all that comfortable with the fact that Arya can wield weapons so confidently.
The stone-cold new Bran was given a rather significant object this episode; the very same dagger that an assassin tried to kill him with back in season one (which essentially kicked into gear the giant war we've been watching unfold this whole time). Littlefinger passed it over, but Bran had little interest in keeping it - even though it's Valyrian steel, which can kill White Walkers. Interesting.
Dragonstone
Daenerys and Jon's weirdly flirtatious interaction in the cave felt like a crowd-pleasing scene that didn't exactly fit with their bristly encounter last episode. Many fans seem eager for these two power players to strike up some sort of romantic relationship, which is a little unsettling given that Jon may be Dany's nephew. Though in a show like this, where the longest-standing relationship is twin-cestual, who bloody knows?
Daenerys Targaryen decided to make a bold move this episode. Photo / HBO
The cave scene wasn't unnecessary, though - ancient paintings from the children of the forest (who helped Bran out last season before he brought them to their doom) revealed they stood together with the First Men of Westeros against a common enemy - the White Walkers. It should have been enough for Dany to understand the impending threat, but she's still holding out for Jon to "bend the knee" before she'll fight with him. Alrightey then.
Dany exits the cave to be delivered her second wave of bad news; the Unsullied were outsmarted at Casterly Rock. Despite Jon's insistence that killing is a bad call, Dany decided it was time to drop the pretence and come out guns blazing - or dragons flaming. Which brings us to:
That insanely fiery finish
The Lannister armies were happily transporting the gold they won from the Tyrells back to Cersei when they heard a rumbling; suddenly, they were swamped by Dothraki armies, and out of nowhere comes Daenerys Targaryen on the back of one of her dragons.
This entire sequence was incredible. Daenerys riding Drogon into battle was exactly what fans have been waiting for for over six seasons; we've seen her ride her dragons before, but never on Westeros, let alone incinerating swathes of the Lannister army. It was incredible, but also terrifying - and a clever way for the show's creators to add weight to those who believe Dany may not be far off the unhinged tendencies of her father, the Mad King. Watching Drogon set so many men alight was a harrowing sight, and Dany didn't seem keen to let up.
One hell of a fiery finish. Photo / HBO
Bronn took a shot at Drogon, which took him down temporarily - to which Jamie saw the (apparently) perfect opportunity to take out their biggest threat with a spear. Bronn made the smarter call and saw to tackling Jamie out of the way before he could be burnt alive, and this is where the episode left us on a cliffhanger. Is Jamie sinking to his doom, weighed down by his armour? Or will he live to see his sister again? We'll have to find out next week.
