Before we see the Battle of the Bastards in Game of Thrones‘ penultimate episode, we had to witness an episode of partings and revelations with “No One.” Things are looking terrible for almost everyone, and while a battle at Riverrun may have been avoided, the imminent threat of war still looms large. While the North may have largely been absent in this episode, the fires are quickly lighting in the South and the East, winter is still coming.
Written by co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, “No One” had many strong scenes, but these lines will echo in the minds of viewers for the days to come.
“I choose violence.”
If Cersei has proven anything this season, it is that even when she is outmatched, she always has another trick up her sleeve. When she isn’t drinking wine in the Red Keep, her little birds are gathering valuable intel. However, even they could not have forecast the turn of events that occurred: thanks to the easily manipulated Tommen, instead of the traditional trial by combat, Cersei will face a trial by members of the Faith. The tenuous safety once provided by Ser Robert Strong is now essentially worthless. However, the violence Cersei promised is sure to extend beyond the Mountain. If the popular idea that the rumors that she and Qyburn discussed is in reference to the possible stores of Wildfire left behind by the Mad King proves to be true, the violence is only beginning.
“I can’t go off on a secret mission with the most famous dwarf in the city.”
While a lot of the Meereen storyline has been at a bit of a standstill this season, the co-leadership of Tyrion and Varys remains a highlight. As Varys goes off to gain wisdom and gather intel (as Varys usually does), his goodbye to Tyrion is surprisingly touching. While they may have made the trip East barely tolerating one another, their relationship has surely bloomed into one of begrudging respect. Plus, it seems like Varys has picked the absolute best time to get the hell out of Meereen. Now, if we only knew where he was headed.
“It’s yours. It will always be yours.”
It was a Jaime-heavy episode, as he doubled down on his obsessive love for Cersei in a stellar scene with that coward Edmure Tully and briefly reunited with Brienne. His surprisingly tender relationship with Brienne has been one of the most redeeming elements for Jaime’s often questionable character, and fans had their shipper hearts broken by the longing glances and noble declarations of friendship. As Jaime entreated Brienne to keep Oathkeeper even though her quest had reached the end of its course, viewers couldn’t help but wish that Jaime was a better man and one that wasn’t in love with his sister.
“Lots of horrible sh*t in this world gets done for something larger than ourselves.”
The Hound hits a snag on his quest for justice when the killers he was pursuing wind up in the hands of the Brotherhood Without Banners, with whom he has a troubled history. While he questions the Brotherhood’s supposed change of heart and methods of execution, it soon becomes clear to Clegane that his previous enemies have seen what’s coming North of the wall, and that it is even more serious than anyone could have imagined. Things aren’t exactly easy breezy in the South, but at least the winds of winter aren’t blowing. Yet. Fans may have been outraged by the lack of Lady Stoneheart, but any plot development regarding the Hound is more than welcome.
“A girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell. And I am going home.”
After countless scenes of getting beaten up (she has the stab wounds to prove it) by the Waif, Arya’s quest for vengeance against her tormentor and freedom from the Faceless Men came in one fell swoop. Fans have been impatiently waiting for Arya to leave the quest to becoming an assassin and return to her rightful place in Westeros alongside her family. While she may have foolishly walked into the Waif’s trap in the last episode, Arya still puts Needle to good use and reclaims her Stark name before dropping the mic and leaving her training behind.
Be sure to check back next week for all the battle declarations and last words uttered during “The Bastard Bowl.”
