6 Quotes (And 1 Telling Moment) From ‘Stormborn’ To Keep In Mind Heading Into Episode 3

After a premiere that was long on exposition, the second episode of Game of Thrones‘ penultimate season, “Stormborn,” really started to put things into place for what we can all assume will be a barn-burning batch of episodes. With the stage nearly set for an inevitable war for the Iron Throne, along with additional setup for the also inevitable war with the army of the dead, here are six quotes (and one telling moment) from this week’s Game of Thrones to get you ready for Sunday’s episode.

“But you didn’t serve him long. You turned against him.” – Daenerys 

As a storm rages down on Dragonstone, Daenerys briefly recalls the night she was born before seeming to turn on Varys. She questions his involvement in the attempt on her life, along with his motives in general. Varys, for as deceptive as he is, can be quite candid, as he is with her. He explains that her father was called The Mad King for a reason, and while he served under King Robert after him, he intended to bring Daenerys’ brother, Viserys, to power.

He swears his loyalty, (of course), as well his intention to be frank with her and not conspire behind her back, Daenerys doesn’t seem entirely convinced. Though she takes him at his word, or at least appears to. But it does imply she’s not quite willing to take anyone at their word — particularly someone with Varys’ decidedly tentative loyalty.

“You don’t belong down here.” – Jon Snow

Speaking of mistrust, when Jon Snow gets word from Tyrion to come to Dragonstone and bend the knee, Sansa distrusts the message, thinking it to be a trap. Jon, however, is more open to the idea, especially after Davos points out that her dragons could prove to be a critical weapon against the coming army of the dead. Along with the mountain of Dragonglass buried underneath Dragonstone, there lie two critical ingredients to the war with the Night King. Even though Daenerys’ war is little more than an inconvenience for him, he believes he’s doing the right thing for the north.

The biggest reveal, however, comes when Littlefinger tries to lay his smarmy charms on Jon Snow in the crypt below Winterfell. Jon’s reaction is swift and threatening, particularly after Littlefinger fishes for a “thank you” for saving him at the Battle of the Bastards, courtesy of the Knights of the Vale. While it might have seen a bit out-of-character for Jon, it harkens back to a similar encounter Littlefinger had with Ned Stark midway through the first season. With Sansa’s constant reminder of how their brother, father, and grandfather have all been betrayed despite their noble intentions, it’s a telling callback that Jon would react with striking similarity to his (adopted) father.

“We are currently at work on a solution, my lord.” – Qyburn

While Jamie Lannister pleads with Randyll Tarly to become a general in “the war to come,” as well as his allegiance to the crown, Cersei’s hand, Qyburn, reveals a weapon that could be used to put a stop to Daenerys’ dragons. Potentially. After a line that harkens back to the first Predator movie, Qyburn shows her a crossbow capable of piercing a dragon’s skull — assuring her that the finest blacksmiths are working tirelessly to build more. Granted, while the logistics of getting a clean shot at a dragon seems… difficult, it shows that Cersei’s most trusted sycophant is also working overtime to reassure her confidence in maintaining power.

“I’ve known a great many clever men. I’ve outlived them all.” – Olenna

As Tyrion outlines Daenerys’ plan to lay siege on King’s Landing using Dornish and Tyrell armies, with the Unsullied and Dothraki tasked in taking down Casterly Rock, the center of the Lannister’s true power, she follows it up with a frank discussion with Lady Olenna. Daenerys knows her presence is simply there out of hatred of Cersei over any kind of loyalty to her, Targaryan or otherwise, but Olenna nonetheless urges her to show force when trying to reclaim the Iron Throne. Aside from Daenerys’ own skepticism towards Varys, whether she’ll be willing to take advice from a newfound ally could prove vital in her upcoming plans.

“Rum. Drink it all, please, I’m afraid this is going to hurt.” – Samwell

With all the energy spent on the inevitable war brewing, the fact that we’re getting so much from Jorah Mormont’s struggle with grayscale — and Samwell’s desire to stop it — indicates this will all play a significant part in the rest of the season (and possibly the eighth and final season next year). Especially considering that Jorah, despite being twice exiled by Daenerys, continues to show undying devotion, as evidenced in the letter he was writing her in his cell. Add to that Samwell’s determination to cure him, this has all the makings of one of Game of Thrones‘ most potently unexpected surprises.

“Nymeria?”

One of the most unexpected and bittersweet reunions in the show’s run, Arya’s long-lost direwolf, Nymeria, finds her campsite, with a new pack of wild dogs in tow. While Arya had just learned that the Boltons no longer held Winterfell, and that the Starks once again held court, she intends to divert her plans to head to King’s Landing and head back north to the castle she once called home. Of course, Nymeria, after years roaming roaming wild, had no interest in following her, which begs the question: will Arya herself ever really be able to go back home?

Theon. Fucking Theon.

The plan for Yara to escort Ellaria back to Dorne to mobilize their fleet gets derailed as soon as Yara’s uncle, Euron, attacks their convoy, laying waste to their ships, their soldiers, and two of the three Sand Snakes. As Euron holds a sword to Yara’s neck, egging Theon on to do something about it, Theon — a character so consistently and thoroughly proving himself as unredeemable — does what’s expected and jumps overboard.

Granted, he may not have seen a lot of choice in the matter, and in theory he could (somehow) get back to Dragonstone and relay what’s happened to Daenerys and company, until that happens, he’s simply living up to his complete lack of expectations.