Ep 7. The Bear and the Maiden Fair

In episode 7 of season 3 of Game of Thrones, The Bear and the Maiden Fair, the plot thickens as various characters make significant moves in their quest for power.

The episode starts with Jon Snow and the Wildlings continuing their march towards the Wall. Jon is still captive, but his bond with Ygritte seems to deepen as they ride side by side. Meanwhile, Samwell Tarly and Gilly are headed in the opposite direction, trying to reach Castle Black before the Wildlings do. They end up stopping at an abandoned Night's Watch stronghold, where they unknowingly encounter two unexpected guests.

Back in King's Landing, Tywin Lannister is trying to force Cersei into another marriage, this time with Ser Loras Tyrell. However, Cersei refuses and turns to her brother Jaime for comfort. The two share a tender moment, but there are hints of trouble brewing as Jaime realizes his hand has started to ache, indicating that something is seriously wrong.

In the Riverlands, Robb Stark and his army continue to make their way towards Harrenhal. However, they encounter a group of Frey soldiers who are clearly not happy with Robb's previous actions regarding his marriage to Talisa. The tension mounts as it becomes clear that Robb may have destroyed any hope of forging an alliance with the Freys.

One of the most dramatic and unsettling scenes of the episode occurs when Ramsay Snow, the bastard son of Roose Bolton, hunts and tortures Theon Greyjoy. Theon's fate seems all but sealed as Ramsay toys with him and takes great pleasure in causing him pain. However, there are hints that Theon's story is far from over.

Finally, the episode comes full circle as it ends with Barristan Selmy, Jorah Mormont, and Daenerys Targaryen watching a slave being auctioned off. Barristan is distressed by what he sees and convinces Daenerys to purchase the slave, revealing his true identity and pledging his allegiance to her. The episode closes as Daenerys takes the newly freed slave under her wing, setting the stage for what is sure to be an epic showdown between her and the slave traders of Yunkai.

Overall, The Bear and the Maiden Fair is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the internal struggles of many of the main characters. As the various plotlines converge and new conflicts arise, it becomes clear that no one is safe in the world of Game of Thrones.