GAME OF THRONES SEASON 3 EPISODE 3 TV RECAP

Things start to heat up as Jaime learns he can’t buy his way out of everything, Robb’s camp starts to unravel and Dany gives away a dragon.

Game of Thrones, Season 3, Episode 3, “Walk of Punishment”—The episode began with Robb Stark, his mother Catelyn, and his wife Talisa attending the funeral of his grandfather, Lord Hoster Tully. After the ceremony, Robb reprimands his uncle for ignoring orders: Edmure attacked a mill near where Gregor Clegane was garrisoned, upending Robb’s strategy to draw him out. Edmure defends his decision, which yielded two young Lannister hostages, but Robb and the Blackfish know that these Lannister hostages are useless to Tywin. Robb’s plans aren’t going too well at this point and we see that he’s starting to buckle under pressure.

At King’s Landing, Tyrion attends a meeting of diabolic minds with his father Tywin, Cersei, Littlefinger, Maester Pycell, and the Spider. Tyrion, finds out about his new title, “Master of Coin” previously held by Littlefinger and is appalled at his new duties, especially when he finds out that the kingdom is not just in debt to Lord Tywin, but also to the Iron Bank of Braavos.

Littlefinger’s story gets cranked up as he’s tasked with traveling to the Eyrie to court Lady Lysa Arryn (Catelyn’s crazy sister), marry her and get her on board with the Lannisters. But just looking at Littlefinger, who many underestimate, you just know there’s something cooking behind those devilish eyes.

North of the Wall, fantasy meets reality. Still undercover with Mance Rayder and the Wildings, Jon Snow and co. reach the Fist of the First Men and find horse corpses placed strategically in circle. This seems to trouble Mance who instructs his team, including Jon, to climb the Wall and hide around Castle Black planning a great attack against those South beyond the wall. How will Jon get himself out of this one? And, how will he warn his brothers? While he is left to figure things out, the rest of the Night’s Watchmen stuck beyond the wall find shelter at the creepy Craster’s Keep. Sam witnesses one of his daughter’s, Gilly, give birth to a boy to her horror. She knows it will be sacrificed.

Out East in Astapor, Daenerys shocks Jorah and Barristan Selmy with her intention to pay for the 8,000 Unsullied army with one of her dragons. Daenerys also takes Missandei as part of the deal as well. Will Dany really give up one of her dragons?

Back in Westeros, Theon breaks away from his captures, with the help of the mysterious boy, and rides towards Deepwood Motte. Just when he thinks he’s making a getaway soldiers catch up to him and beat him. Just when he’s about to be tortured, the mystery boy arrives on horseback and kills the torturer.

Still hostages with Roose Bolten’s men, Brienne and Jaime continue to spar with each other. But Jaime begins to show emotional layers, and genuine concern for Brienne’s safety. Jaime warns Brienne that she’ll be raped. When Brienne is taken aside, Jaime tells one of the men, Locke, that Brienne hails from Tarth, and that he can get her weight in Sapphire for her life. Locke decides to let Brienne go and further engages Jaime in conversation. Feeling increasingly confident that he has bought Locke’s favour, Jaime asks to be unchained and Locke agrees. Locke allows Jaime to join in dinner, but instead Locke chops of his sword hand.

—Toni-Marie Ippolito