Back in March, Ian McShane, known to fans of good motherf*cking HBO shows as Al Swearengen from Deadwood, described his then-mysterious role on Game of Thrones as “an ex-warrior who has become a peacenik. So, I have this group of peaceful… sort of a cult, a peaceful tribe. I bring back a much loved character who everyone thinks is dead.” That character, as we learned in tonight’s episode, “The Broken Man,” is a septon who preaches tolerance.
Even to Sandor Clegane.
The last time we saw the Hound was in season four, when, after a brutal fight with Brienne, he’s left for dead by Arya. The Hound died — Sandor Clegane didn’t. He’s a new (scarred) man, a better (scarred) man who doesn’t feel he deserves redemption. At least until he meets the septon (not named on the show, but he’s Meribald in the books), who makes a grave mistake: He refuses to recognize the Brotherhood Without Banners as a threat, and pays for his blunder with his life. And the lives of everyone in his peaceful hippie cult. Except Sandor, who’s out to get some fiery revenge on his attackers.
The return of the Hound is one reason Game of Thrones fans are hyped — the possibility of Clegane Bowl (which we covered in detail here) is another.
looks like we are go for Clegane Bowl. I repeat Clegane Bowl is a go! #GOT
— Rick Edwards (@CaerwynFarm) June 6, 2016
Cleganebowl 2016, it's happening. #GameofThrones
— kellz (@paintedsnark) June 6, 2016
Omg fan theories were right, the Hound joins the Faith of the Seven, that means the Cleganebowl is coming! #GameofThrones
— Mamita, La Cholita Nuyorquina (@cholitaNYquina) June 6, 2016
The Hound got a lot of screen time this episode. Now can we have #CleganeBowl go down? #DemThrones #gameofthrones #thronesyall
— The Lit Bitch 📖 (@thelitbitch) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/crispythorin/status/739640518615797760
CLEGANEBOWL 5000000000000000000000000000000000000% CONFIRMED GET FUCKING HYPED
— Michael (@mikeyhaggard) June 6, 2016
GUARD ALL THE CHICKENS #GameofThrones #CleganeBowl pic.twitter.com/RiY6UIo5Ng
— Kevin Luparello (@In_the_Lupe) June 6, 2016
ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN! *CHOO CHOO* WHAT IS HYPE MAY NEVER DIE #Cleganebowl2k16 #Cleganebowl #Hype
— Banannelei (@Banannelei) June 6, 2016
cleganebowl confirmed!!!!
— Costin Moise (@necenzurat) June 6, 2016
CLEGANEBOWL HYPE!!!
— JimmyDean23 (@JimmyDean23) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/jetsby/status/739640336226627584
Said it once, said it a million times: CLEGANE BOWL. #GameofThrones #HYPE
— Lady Gabardine (@S_fletcher) June 6, 2016
COME ON DOWN ON SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY FOR THE #CLEGANEBOWL
*EXPLOSIONS, AIR HORN* pic.twitter.com/LI3VFqsgC8
— Ryan Missanelli (@WryToast) June 6, 2016
I've had this hanging in my bathroom for so long… what is hype may never die #GameofThrones #CleganeBowl pic.twitter.com/rQEJmLrf4e
— Rachel Burnett ❁ (@RayRayGotEm) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/hey_mika/status/739639409952325632
🎼Y'ALL READY FOR THIS?! #CleganeBowl #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/FYu2EKB0mo
— Mike T (@rhymeswithbeg) June 6, 2016
#CLEGANEBOWL CONFIRMED #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/Gvb3GX6368
— Mike T (@rhymeswithbeg) June 6, 2016
#CleganeBowl is in on and poppin baby.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/CharlieWisco/status/739624189456437248
We’ll have much more tomorrow during our “tits and dragons” recap.