This week’s episode opens once again with Arya, as we bear witness to her training as a faceless man. But, if you are expecting a montage of swords play or acrobatics, prepare to be disappointed as Arya is doing nothing more but sweeping the floor of the temple. Well maybe it could be a Mr. Miyagi wash-on/wash-off kind of training? The thought is not lost on Arya as she proceeds to complain to Jaqen H’ghar, who at that moment was busy giving a bowl of water to a temple goer.

Jaqen is unperturbed, and simply gives a cryptic speech and tells Arya that she needs to be “no one.” More riddles of course, maybe she truly is getting the  Mr. Miyagi training?

Meanwhile, back at King’s landing, Cersei is on her way to the Sept of Baelor for her son’s wedding. Aboard her palanquin, the soon-to-be Dowager Queen is disturbed by the people calling out Queen Margaery’s name. Things aren’t better when she is in the Sept as Cersei stares coldly at her son King Tommen being married to her replacement.

This is in stark contrast to how the young king was feeling that wedding night. Having likely lost his virginity to the more able and experienced Margaery, Tommen enjoys himself with teenage vigor and tells his new bride that it is something that he wants to do all the time. Margaery is wise enough to pace herself, and to uses pillow talk as a way to subtly manipulate the young king into sending his mother back to Casterley Rock.

Of course the impressionable Tommen thought that it may be a good idea. And he broaches the subject with Cersei. His mother is all smiles, but is fully aware of what is going on. She rushes to confront Margaery, and the two women are painfully polite. But deep behind their kind words are icy daggers waiting to be released. And Cersei leaves Margery with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Up north in Winterfell, Lord Roose Bolton is not amused at his son’s brutal tactics of skinning nobles who refute him. He admonishes him for it and tells him that, in order for them to retain control of the North, he has to marry.

Nearby at Moat Cailin, Sansa learns that she is to marry Ramsay Bolton. She is horrified, of course, as the Boltons helped in the betrayal and murder of her brother and mother. But Petyr convinces her that it’s all for the better good, and the she should acquire the position that marriage brings in order to avenge her family. Sansa sees the sense of this. And she and Petyr proceed to Winterfell.

On a cliff, Brienne and Podrick watch the convoys move. Having guessed where Baelish and Sansa are going, Brienne decides to take an alternative route . She and Podrick break for camp, and she learns to appreciate her loyal squire more. She tells him that from now on, she will train him to be a knight, his ultimate dream.

In a moment of tenderness, the warrior narrates to Podrick why she was loyal and loved Renly Baratheon. She tells of a story where the young lord saved her from embarrassment from a ball thrown by her father. She ends her tale with a vow to avenge her former master’s death by killing his brother Stannis.

Meanwhile in the far North on the Wall, Stannis faced disappointment as Jon Snow finally refuses his offer to be a legitimate Stark and to retake Winterfell from the Boltons.

Far to the east in Braavos, Arya having been asked by Jaqen H’ghar on why she has Arya’s things if she is no one, has chosen to let go of her personal belongings, by flinging them to the sea. But when it came to Needle, the sword her beloved brother Jon Snow gave her, she tears up and cannot let it go. She hides the sword under a pile of rocks. Then goes back to the House of Black and White to proceed with her bizarre training.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa finally arrives. At first her glance is steely at the man who had stabbed her brother. But mustering all her self control she manages a smile and a curtsy. She is then introduced to Ramsay, and is all smiles. This is one girl who is used to being betrothed to crazy, young, powerful men.

Further North on the Wall, Jon Snow has his first test of leadership. As Ser Janos Slynt bluntly refuses to obey an order and insults the new Lord Commander, Jon executes him, swinging the blade with his own hands to set an example. And Stannis looks on with silent approval.

In King’s landing, the High Septon is accosted by Westeros’ version of the tea party. A group of religious fanatics who refer to themselves as Sparrows have caught the religious leader inside Lord Baelish’s brothel. They force him to walk naked in the streets while being whipped.

The High Septon then complains to Queen Cersei and the small council. Cersei sees this as an opportunity. She goes to meet the leader of the religious fanatics known as the High Sparrow. She finds him feeding the poor in bare feet. Instead of arresting the fanatic, she offers him the position of High Septon and tells him that the previous one has been placed in the dungeon. She implies that she will need his cooperation and support.

Far to the East at Volantis, Cersei’s brother Tyrion has gotten tired of being cooped up inside a wagon all the time. He goes outside and is accompanied by Varys in a tavern and whorehouse. He is able to charm one of the prostitutes working there but surprisingly he has no more appetite for debauchery. He leaves her, but unbeknownst to him, Ser Jorah Mormont is watching from the shadows. The old Knight captures our favorite imp when he is unaware, and tells him that he is bringing him to the “Queen.”

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