Game of Thrones S6 E8: No One

“A Girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell and I am going home.”

With that fist-pumping declaration, Arya finally leaves behind her dead-end job with Jaqen at the House of Black and White and reclaims her birthright. Finally, the smug and annoying Waif is gone. Arya was masterful in the way she trapped the Waif, purposely smearing blood on the wall to lead her to that little room, and then snuffing out the candle to leave the two in the dark. The dark is Arya’s element after she spent all that time training while blind, and she finally proved herself as superior to her rival.

So what was the point of Arya’s long dalliance in Braavos? I guess it was to have her hone her fighting skills and rediscover who she is. Maybe the way the show cut away from Arya killing the Waif was the show’s way of saying she’s matured and doesn’t need to seek constant vengeance. Maybe that maturity is the same reason she spared Jaqen.

Cersei, however, is not over vengeance and chose violence, siccing the Mountain on the High Sparrow. It turns out she should have had a backup plan because Tommen forbade trial by combat so the Mountain won’t be able to get her out of a jam. How deeply is the king indoctrinated? He didn’t even give his mother the courtesy of a good seat in the audience. (I loved the hand informing Cersei at the last second that there will be a meeting right now in the throne room.)

What are Qyburn and Cersei up to? What rumor turns out to be more than true? Is this new information or something I just didn’t pick up on? I also wonder how much of a parallel we should draw between what happened to Lady Crane and what will happen to Cersei, or if there’s a parallel between Crane messing up her rival’s face and what Cersei will do next.

The overthrow of the Blackfish at Riverrun was easier than expected thanks to a dimwitted soldier who didn’t realize that letting Edmure enter the castle was a trap. Jamie basically engineered all this by force of his personality and his love for Cersei. He professes his lust for his sister but clearly has feelings of some sort for Brienne. Giving her his sword was moving and she has certainly earned it by her loyalty. I loved Brienne starting to tear up when she left and the wave between her and Jamie as she sailed away.

Another interesting tidbit: Jamie says Cersei reminds him of Catelyn because they both love their children. Make of that what you will.

I was entertained by the Hound bargaining with the Brotherhood Without Banners to be able to kill as many men as possible. I was also amused by Tyrion getting Missandei and Grey Worm drunk and making them tell jokes. Grey Worm finally gets a laugh by deadpanning “That’s the worst joke I ever heard.”