Game of Thrones Preview: “High Sparrow” 

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

Before I focus on tonight’s new episode, let’s spend a little time on what happened in “The House of Black and White.”

I, for one, love that Jon Snow has been elected Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. But not everyone is happy with his new position and it’s very clear that Alliser Thorne is going to make trouble for him.

Although Daenerys made what she thought was the right decision in punishing Mossador, it quickly becomes clear that the freed slaves don’t agree. It’s the first time since she’s been in Meereen that there’s open hostility against her —at least, from the slaves. There have been rumblings and the murders of the Unsullied have been unsettling, but the good will of the people seems to be against her now. Should she have spared Mossador? I don’t have an answer to that, but what’s clear is that being a ruler is going to be much more challenging that she thought.

In learning what it takes to be a fair and just Queen, I also hope Daenerys decides to repair her relationship with Rhaegal and Viserion. It was nice to see Drogon return to her for a few moments — and at a time when she really seemed to need it. But now she needs to make amends with her other babies, who are growing up at an alarming rate. They can’t stay locked up forever, right?

After being turned away from the House of Black and White, Arya is tracked down in the marketplace by Jaqen H’ghar. I’m really excited about this journey, because he’s going to teach her his ways and I can’t wait to find out more about his backstory. How he became who he is?  When and how did he learn what he does? As long as there’s a price on Arya’s head — and it seems like there will be as long as she’s alive — it will be very valuable for her to learn to hide in plain sight.

Although Brienne seems reluctant to keep Podrick on as her squire — she reminds him she’s not a knight, after all — they embark on a journey to follow and protect Sansa. Sansa doesn’t seem to want Brienne’s help, but Brienne is still trying to honor the promise she made to Catelyn Stark. And in the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing more of Brienne and Podrick’s dynamic. I just really like their scenes together.

I thought we might be done with Bronn after he abandoned Tyrion. I understand why he did it, but I didn’t like it. So when Jamie tracks him down and enlists him in mission to find his daughter Myrcella, I got excited.

I don’t quite understand why Cersei is so worried about her though. Even though they might be upset by Oberon’s death, if we know anything about Dorne it’s that they don’t hurt women and children there. I do understand that Cersei wants her remaining children close, though. With Tommen assuming the throne, he’s in more danger than ever.

Episode synopsis, from HBO:

In King’s Landing, Queen Margaery enjoys her new husband. Tyrion and Varys walk the Long Bridge of Volantis.

Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.