'Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Episode 3 Full Recap: High Sparrow

Episode 3 of the HBO original series “Game of Thrones” is entitled “High Sparrow” and as expected, the spiritual leader known as the High Sparrow makes his first appearance this episode. It is also a time at the Wall where Jon Snow makes his first moves as Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. The Stark girls Sansa and Arya also pursue their respective missions on episode 3.

The High Septon, just like many septons, maesters and noblemen before him, has developed a liking towards the capital’s many brothels. He has made a habit out of visiting one of Littlefinger’s brothels and in this episode, he is caught in the middle of a particularly compromising position by a contingent of sparrows. The sparrows are a new group of highly spiritual individuals that have come to the capital to protect the people’s morality and expose the wrongs of society.

The High Septon is paraded around the city in all his naked glory and is humiliated in front of the people. He then approaches the Queen Mother, Cersei to seek justice. Naturally, Cersei isn’t too keen on punishing the High Sparrow because the High Septon was in fact caught enjoying the company of whores. Nevertheless, she speaks to the High Sparrow and tries to form some kind of alliance with him to protect both of their intentions.

Way up in the North, Lord Stannis is disappointed to hear that Jon Snow refuses to be declared a legitimate Stark and Lord of the North. Stannis knows that this is a big blow to his campaign to reclaim the Iron Throne. However, he respects Jon’s honourable decision.

Meanwhile, Jon has just become Lord Commander and chooses his archenemy Alliser Thorne to become first ranger. He then sends Janus Slynt to restore one of the abandoned structures guarding the gates of the wall. When he refuses, Jon is forced to show authority and strength by chopping off Slynt’s head.

In Winterfell, Roose Bolton is facing the same problem as Stannis. The Lords of the North will not bow down to him as Warden of the North because everyone still recognises the Starks as their leaders. He forges a deal with Littlefinger to wed his newly legitimised son, Ramsay Bolton to Sansa Stark.

When Sansa hears about Littlefinger’s plan, she threatens to kill herself before marrying a Bolton. After all, Lord Bolton himself killed her brother Rob. The Boltons with the help of the Freys, killed Rob, Sansa’s mother and hundreds of Northern men during the Red wedding. Bolton is now married to a Frey which makes her union with Ramsay even more appalling.

Littlefinger knocks some sense into Sansa by reminding her of all the horrors that her family has faced. He also reminds her of how meekly she just accepted everything when her family was being murdered around her. He tells her that it is now time for her to avenge them. Sansa listens to him and heads home to meet her future husband.

While Sansa has found her way home, her sister Arya has never been further away from it. Across the narrow sea, she has entered the House of Black and White with her old friend Jaqen H’ghar. She is hoping to start training to become a master assassin with no identity. To her dismay, the training is not exactly what she expected and she is forced to let go of everything that ties her to her identity as Arya Stark.

Also across the narrow sea, Tyrion has reached the city of Volantis. He is starting to go out of his mind after being cooped up for weeks with Lord Varys. He decides to visit a brothel against Varys’ better judgement. While there, he mourns the loss of his lover Shey. He becomes careless and is spotted by Jorah Mormont who is drowning his sorrows after being rejected by Daenerys. Jorah kidnaps Tyrion and vows to bring him back to Daenerys to get back in her good graces.

The action is expected to pick up as the season continues. Who will die next and who will eventually end up in power? The drama and intrigue continues when “Game of Thrones” airs every Sunday at 9 pm on HBO.

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