It says a lot for the nature of religious zealots that one automatically sides with even a Lannister before sympathising with them. That was the exact position this reviewer found himself in when Cersei Lannister is confronted by a posse of the Faith Militant led by her cousin — and the Faith’s poster boy — Lancel. Lancel, as religious fanatics everywhere tend to do, threatens her with violent retribution if she does not do as he says. And Cersei obliges, letting Zombie Gregor Clegane (the Mountain) rip one of the zealots’ heads off.
Cersei’s confidence, and indeed arrogance, stems from her belief that at her impending trial, she can demand a trial by combat, inserting the Zombie Mountain into the fray against the Faith’s champion. But by engaging in that brief act of defiance, Cersei played her hand too soon. The High Sparrow, that crafty old fox, realises Cersei’s game, and manipulates her son, the boy king Tommen, into outlawing trial by combat.
Advantage High Sparrow. However, Cersei may have an ace up her voluminous sleeve, going by an intriguing conversation she has with Qyburn about a rumour that is “more, much more.” If one goes by a fleeting glimpse of wildfire in one of Bran’s visions earlier this season, then that volatile green explosive could well have a say before curtains come down on the sixth season.
Moving on, Jaime, just as he did last week, does his best Tywin Lannister impression, but he is simply not a ruthless pragmatist like his father. Jaime does get it right in the end, when he scares the daylights out of the imprisoned Edmure Tully, convincing him to surrender Riverrun to him. Arya Stark finally gets her revenge on the Waif and in doing so, declares she is “Arya Stark of Winterfell,” earning a surprising nod of approval from Jaqen H’ghar.
Finally, after an uneasy calm when Mereen returned to Normalcy, the Slave Masters brought their full naval force to bear, raining fire upon the city. Tyrion, Grey Worm and the rest of the gang are holed up in the Great Pyramid, getting ready for a fight unto death when, guess who shows up? Daenerys Targaryen herself. The Queen is back! With the “Battle of the Bastards” set for next week, and Dany’s return, it’s time to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
DC’s rating of No One 4.9/5
