It was either that, or the fact that the series has finally picked up speed after six episodes of somewhat slow pace. But let’s focus on the big Clegane return.

The title of Episode 7 in Season 6, “The Broken Man”, probably symbolizes Sandor’s inner peace after being broken when he discovers that the village was massacred and Ray was hanged. Angered and armed with an axe, the Hound is out for revenge, presumably against the Brotherhood Without Banners.

Up in the North, Jon, Sansa and Ser Davos commence their quest of establishing alliances in order to reclaim Winterfell from Ramsay. After successfully negotiating with the Wildlings, Davos also wins the favor of young Lady Lyanna of House Mormont by warning her of the dangers posed by the White Walkers.

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But their luck stops there when Jon and his ineloquent request are unable to secure the allegiance of House Glover, with Robett pointing out that Jon’s half-brother, Robb Stark, failed to protect his home from the Ironborn. Could Lord Snow be in need of a crash course in diplomacy?

Back at King’s Landing, Queen Margaery Tyrell, who is now a devout follower of the Faith, tries to convince her grandma, Lady Olenna Tyrell, to go back to Highgarden. Margaery slips a parchment with a rose, the Tyrell sigil, into her grandma’s hand as a way to tell her that she is still loyal to her House and is not the devout Faith follower she might seem.

The episode also spared some time for Arya Stark. During a walk along the streets of Braavos, she is approached by a smiling old woman, who turns out to be the Waif in disguise.

Like when the unsuspecting Snow White is given a poisoned apple by the old hag, Arya suffers a dagger wound to her stomach, a reminder of what happened to Robb Stark’s wife at the Red Wedding. Fortunately, Arya is able to pry herself free from the Waif’s grip and plunges into a canal under a bridge.

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The stabbing scene commandeered the internet as fan theories arose of how Arya and the Waif might be the same person. With visions of time travel à la Bran Stark in previous episodes, the theory could be true. But then again, the internet is dark and full of spoilers and unproven theories.

Will critically wounded Arya make it to meet Lady Crane? Will we see Daenerys again? Will the Hound and Brienne have a reunion anytime soon — and make Tormund Giantsbane jealous? Game of Thrones fans had better hold onto their seats as the season has finally returned to its thriller-action nature and is moving forward with momentum. (asw)

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A self-proclaimed book geek, foodie and lexicon lover, Sabrina Hartono is a 17-year-old student living in Jakarta. She loves history, literature, chemistry and waffles. An aspiring writer, her pilot project is Forgotten Voices, which you can find out more about at jakartatreasures.com.

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