‘Game of Thrones’ Recap: Brienne Beats Jaime In A Duel

Game of Thrones returned on Sunday night and delivered a straightforward hour that explored the character's new beginnings in the episode entitled, "Dark Wings, Dark Words."

Shae (Sibel Kekilli) and Tyrion’s (Peter Dinklage) relationship was further explored in the episode when Shae pleads with him for Lady Sansa’s sake. She relays to Tyrion that she suspects that Littlefinger is plotting something with her that won’t be good for anyone. Bearing in mind Lord Tywin’s threats from last week, it’ll be interesting to see how deep Tyrion’s relationship with Shae really is.

Meanwhile, King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) wooed Margaery (Natalie Dormer) by flaunting his new crossbow and sharing his notion of making homosexuality a crime punishable by death. Assuming the role of his perfect partner, Margaery talks about her desire to kill something and excites her husband-to-be. It’s uncertain if Margaery truly is Joffrey’s sadistic match, or if she’s playing him for her own gains.

While Margaery seems to gaining power and pull with grace, Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) seems less capable of handling her responsibilities. After losing her husband, her daughters, her youngest sons, her father and her home, she believes she brought the wrath of the god onto the family.

While traveling, Arya Starke (Maise Williams) was captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners along with a number of her compatriots. When Arya seems as though she might be freed, the Hound (Rory McCann) puts a stop to it. He reveals that Arya is not some poor put-upon peasant girl that the men believe she is. She’s a “Stark bitch,” he declares.

Jaime the Kinglayer (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Maid of Tarth Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) went head to head at last, wielding their swords against one another on their journey to King’s Landing. Brienne bested Jamie in the duel. It wasn’t easy for either of them as Brienne was constrained by the need to keep him alive, and Jamie was rusty from his lengthy imprisonment. They’ll have to join forces again though, as they’ve been captured by Roose Bolton’s men.

Elsewhere, Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) was approached by Jojen (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick), a pair of siblings who seem eager to use his ability to see through the eyes of animals. Meanwhile, Jon Snow meets Orell the warg, also blessed with the ability to communicate with animals, as the White Walkers continue their attack on humanity and Jon seems more and more likely to warm to Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds)

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