Sunday night’s episode of Game of Thrones, “The Broken Man,” brought back yet another beloved character in a season full of resurrections and returns, while also introducing fans to the latest tiny badass to grace our television screens. As the chess pieces move closer to war, everything that has been building over the course of this stellar season is beginning to come to a head. Not a single minute of this episode was wasted (Sorry, Sam and Gilly) and memorable quotes were flying left and right, so let’s take a look at some of the best. As always, this post is dark and full of spoilers, so stay away if you haven’t seen the episode yet.
“You’ve lost, Cersei. It’s the only joy I can find in all this misery.” — Olenna Tyrell
Lady Olenna, the Queen of Thorns, is at the end of her rope at the beginning of this episode. Her grandchildren are either in chains or seemingly under the thrall of the Faith Militant, her son is an idiot, and Margaery decided to send her away back to High Garden. However, a swift note from her granddaughter implies that she has a plan to overthrow the High Sparrow (Margaery always has a plan) and that all is indeed not lost for House Tyrell. She keeps this information close to her chest, but she does send a few more barbs Cersei’s way before exiting King’s Landing. The thought that Cersei has lost both her power and her son is the only fuel Olenna needs.
“You have better instincts that anyone in the Lannister army.” — Jaime Lannister
“That’s like saying I have a bigger cock than anyone in the Unsullied army.” — Bronn
He’s not The Hound, but yay! Bronn’s back! Jaime’s right hand man is back in the fray after their failed mission to Dorne, called to the Lannisters’ service when he would much rather stay home and stay alive. As a sidekick going into battle, things are probably dire for the snarkiest sellsword in Westeros, but he is a welcome sight all the same. Jaime has been making increasingly poor decisions, so hopefully, Bronn can offer a little guidance.
“Bargaining with oath breakers is like building on quicksand.” — Brynden “Blackfish” Tully
The eldest Tully also reappeared after two seasons of being in hiding after the Red Wedding. After the death of his niece, Catelyn Stark, the imprisonment of his nephew, Edmure Tully, and the death of so many others, the Blackfish is not here to parlay with the Freys or the Lannisters. Riverrun is his ancestral home, and by the old gods and the new, he’s going to die defending it. While Jaime hopes to avoid a battle, Blackfish shuts him down quickly: no, he’s not going to negotiate, and yes, they’re prepared for a long siege.
“There’s a reason you’re still here.” — Brother Ray
“Ay, there’s a reason. I’m a big f*cker and I’m tough to kill.” — Sandor Clegane
The Hound may have died, but Sandor Clegane is back. After being defeated by Brienne and abandoned by Arya, somehow the youngest Clegane managed to cheat death. After being found by Brother Ray and his peaceful people, Clegane seemed to have put the pain and violence of his past life behind him. However, when Ray and the rest are murdered by the Brotherhood Without Banners, something tells me that Clegane will no longer be giving peace a chance. As the lynchpin in two popular fan theories — the battle of the Clegane brothers and the entrance of Lady Stoneheart — this storyline is one to watch in the coming episodes.
“We’re not clever like you southerners. When we say we’ll do something, we do it.” — Tormund Giantsbane
As Jon and Sansa make their way through the Northern houses looking for allies, things do not go as well as they could have hoped. While House Glover may have turned their backs on the remaining Starks (oh Robb, screwing up even in death) and House Mormont’s offering being smaller than expected (though quite mighty!), the wildlings are proving to be Jon’s greatest allies. While they have been long denigrated as the savages of Westeros, Tormund and the rest are proving to be the ones that Jon should keep the closest. Having seen what’s beyond the Wall, they know more than anyone that winter is coming.