Renly and Cat reach an agreement for an alliance, then Brienne helps Renly remove cloak. Cat urges him to make peace with Stannis, but he won't. A shadow blows in and stabs Renly through his armor. Brienne screams and catches him. Renly's other guards come in, thinking she killed him, so she has to cut them down. Catelyn convinces Brienne she can't avenge Renly from the grave.
Littlefinger sees Stannis's navy arriving and convinces the Tyrells their interests are better served with the Lannisters. It is Loras's route to revenge. When Loras goes for the horses, Littlefinger talks to Margaery about being queen.
Tyrion tells Cersei of Renly's death and she is pleased, failing to understand it means Stannis, which his hugely larger army will be invading even sooner. Cersei won't share Joffrey's seige plans with him and seems pleased with herself to have Tyrion not know. Tyrion however, has is Lancel source and learns it is wildfyre. The Alchemist guild plans to toss it from the city walls.
Davos tries to talk to Stannis about what he saw (Mel's shadowbaby) but Stannis doesn't care. He has all his brother's men except the Tyrells now. Davos then convinces Stannis that if he takes Mel to King's landing it will be her victory, not his. Stannis agrees but puts Davos in charge to the fleet for taking King's Landing.
Tyrion and Bronn wander the market. A philosopher is talking about the rotten king, which is fair, but says his strings are being pulled by a twisted demon monkey. The people think Tyrion is controlling Joffrey.
Theon arrives to launch his ship. His men ignore and disrespect him. Yara arrives and eggs them on. She brags that her men would wait a year for her. Dagmar arrives to take Theon to his ship. (he's first mate. As they go out to the ship the plot hatches to take Torhen Square as a decoy.
Tywin is discussion the war with his men. They keep saying there is trouble within the Stark Camp but Tywin isn't buying it. He sends his cousin home for complaining. He then asks where Arya is from. At first she claims Maidenpool, but can't name the sigel. He knows she is from the north so she claims Barrowtown, ruled by House Dustin. He then asks what they say about Robb Stark in the north and she gives a great speech (see below). Tywin then sends her for water. She sees Jaqen with Biter and Rorge and hides, but Jaqen finds her anyway. She is mad that he is working for the Lannisters. He makes her an offer, however, to pay back the Red God (see below). Arya names The Tickler.
The ranging group arrives at the Fist of the First Men to wait for Qoran Halfhand. Sam babbles about Gilly on their way up to the annoyance of his brothers. The men set up camp as Sam changes his tune to tell of the History of the Fist, much to the annoyance of his brothers. A horn blows once. One for friends. Two for foes. “And three for White Walkers.” (Sam read it in a book). It is Qoran.
Tyrian visits the Alchemists and we get a wildfyre lesson. Bronn is skeptical, but Wisdom Halene insists they don't deal in pig shit. Bronn talks of the risk and chaos of battle. Halene opens the door to thousands of pots of wildfyre. Tyrion tells him they won't be making it for his sister anymore. They'll be making it for him.
Drogon gets a cooking lesson. Irri has mended a few of Dany's things. Doreah holds up the dress Xoro sent her and Irri and Doreah bicker a bit. Dany wears the dress to a garden party where she has to scold the Dothraki for trying to steal things. The wizards give a demonstration of their magic and invite Dany to the House of the Undying. Quaith talks to Jorah and warns Dany needs to be protected.
Brienne said the shadow looked like Stannis. Cat says after telling Robb what had happened she was heading back to Winterfell. Brienne wants to kill Stannis but Cat encourages her not to rush into death. She encourages Brienne to side with Robb whose enemies are the same as Renly's. Brienne says she doesn't know Robb, but she knows her, she could fight for her. Brienne pledges fealty to Catelyn.
Bran sits as lord, hearing his people and offering a pretty good solution to the sheep herder with wolf trouble—two orphans to help tend the flock if he will feed and house them. Rickon smashes walnuts and Roderick comes it and tells them Tohren Square has been taken. Bran tells him to take the men he needs. Osha and Bran discuss the three-eyed raven and Brans dream that the sea was coming to wash over the walls of Winterfell.
Qoran points out a fire on the top of a distant mountain. He says they have to take out those people or Mance will know they are coming. Jon asks to go and Sam says he will cover Jon's steward tasks so Mormont agrees.
Xoro asks about Jorah being in love with Dany. He takes her for a walk and shows her the vault that holds his riches and offers her half if he marries him. (see “book extra” below) She is tempted but Jorah then talks her down, convincing her the slow road and allies in Westeros are the way to the throne. She heeds his advice.
Gendry Eyecandy is practicing with a sword and no shirt. Arya corrects his stance and then the Tickler falls from a wall... Jaqen holds a finger up to Arya to show her that kill is hers.
Places and Faces
The Alchemists Guild and “Wisdom Halene”--yes, the alchemists call themselves “wisdom” rather than brother or maester or anything a little bit humble.
Fist of the First Men (and Qoran Halfhand)
Inside Qarth: Quaith is the main character seen for the first time here, though we get to know a couple of the thirteen better.
Notable Quotes
(there are some sort of epic speeches this episode)
Arya: They call him the young wolf. They say he rides into battle on the back of a direwolf. They say he can turn into a wolf himself when he wants. They say he can't be killed.
Tywin: And do you believe them?” Arya: No my lord. Anyone can be killed. Jaqen: A man pays his debts. A man owes three. The red god takes what is his. And only death can pay for life. You saved me and the two I was with. You stole three from the red god. We have to give them back. Speak three names and a man will do the rest.
Quaithe: She is the mother of dragons. She needs protectors now more than ever. They shall come day and night to see the wonder born into the world again. And when they see, they shall lust. For Dragons are fire made flesh and fire is power.
Jorah: You have a good claim. A title. A birthright. But you have something more than that. You may cover it up and deny it, but you have a gentle heart. You would not only be respected and feared; you would be loved. Someone who can rule and should rule. Centuries come and go without a person like that coming into the world. There are times when I look at you and I still can't believe you're real.
Book Extra
So in the books there is a reveal about Xoro's proposal that never is mentioned in the show. Since Dany never marries him, it's not a spoiler really, but points our Xoro is craftier than he at first appears. In Qarth when people marry there is something called a Bride-gift. The bride and groom EACH can as ONE thing from the other's possessions. So Dany could ask for a ship, but you KNOW what Xoro would ask for... a dragon.
Analysis
Can I just give a big Squee for Arya at Harrenhal? Season 2 is low on my favorite list, but Arya is by far my favorite part, both interacting with Tywin and being the Ghost of Harrenhal with Jaqen's help. I felt the episode was strong and it really WAS impressive the number of HOLY CRAP speech/lines.
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