Short Summary is an original series in which I write brief reviews of movies, TV shows, video games, books, and more. Spoiler alert, just in case!

“Stormborn”

Man, Game of Thrones is really going for the gag reflex with its transitions and parallels so far this season. I think my stomach actually rolled again this week. Yet isn’t that the point?

“Stormborn” not only continued the trend of gross imagery from “Dragonstone,” but this episode recalled a ton of previous happenings and conversations. It helps when characters are introduced to or reunited with each other. Even if they haven’t spoken before, there are characters that know of one another due to certain events. This serves as a reminder of the constant rippling effect that war, betrayal, and corruption have had on every living person in Westeros.

There’s so much verbal sparring and even some serious matters that need discussing after these alliances have been formed. It’s good that the showrunners address lingering doubts among all of the major players. Of course, some new doubts creep in as well. We can’t have everything wrapped up neatly when it’s only the second episode.

While there’s quite a bit of reminiscing going on, so much has changed. Most of the characters aren’t the same as they once were, and it’s hard to imagine them returning to their old lives or starting new, different ones without the past coming back to haunt them. That seems to be the underlying theme of “Stomborn” and a vital one to think about as Game of Thrones nears its end. What’s going to happen to everyone once they’ve gotten what they wanted? What will happen to the Seven Kingdoms as a result?

Things are certainly on a roll as Daenerys summons Jon to Dragonstone to bend the knee, and he leaves the North to Sansa. It’s going to be super tense and exciting to see those two meet, especially with the knowledge that Dany is Jon’s aunt. Meanwhile, I can only hope that Sansa keeps everything together with Littlefinger breathing down her neck. At least she has Brienne!

Arya chooses to go home instead of carry on to King’s Landing after learning that Jon has won back Winterfell. This was kind of a relief in the back of my mind. I worried that her dark path would keep her going toward her revenge, but her family is still the most important thing to her. Bran is the one Stark to be absent during this episode. Missandei and Grey Worm, uh… “consummate” their romance, which is simultaneously sweet and unsettling, only because I fear that it might be the last chance they have together. Yara and Ellaria are taken captive by Euron, and Theon makes his escape by literally jumping ship. And Sam is the ultimate man on a mission when he attempts an unsanctioned procedure on poor Jorah. Hopefully, Sam turns out to be the cure to greystone.

Episode 3 is going to be amazing simply because Jon and Dany will meet. Plus Jon and Tyrion as well as Ser Davos and Melisandre will meet again. I can hardly wait!