The third episode of Game of Thrones‘ seventh season, “The Queen’s Justice,” saw the stars continuing to align for Cersei, who’s gone from a ruler surrounded by enemies to a powerful and (quite possibly) well-funded leader as she forges further into war with Daenerys. Who, speaking of, went from what seemed like a fool-proof plan to a character who appears to have resumed her status of a frustrated, isolated would-be ruler. Here’s a rundown of the most telling quotes before heading into this season’s midway point this weekend.
“The high road may be pretty, but you’ll have a hard time marching your army down it.” – Roose Bolton
Sure, this one may be five years old, but it speaks to Daenerys deeply flawed strategy. While she wants to take the Seven Kingdoms justly, and concocts a strategy to avoid the deaths of innocents, it proves fundamentally flawed, as her adversary is clearly not above a ‘by any means necessary’ approach to keeping her power. While Daenerys has proven she can be a cold, ruthless leader, it’s likely she’ll need to find that part of her once again if she aims to ever sit on the Iron Throne.
“You’ll be ruling over a graveyard.” – Jon Snow
The long-anticipated meeting between ice and fire finally happened last week, and was a little underwhelming. While Daenerys expected Jon Snow to bend the knee, swearing allegiance to her and her cause, Jon was there strictly to plead with her on much more important matters — namely the Night King leading the army of the dead south. Thanks to Tyrion, the two were able to come to a tentative agreement, namely giving Jon permission to mine Dragonstone for his much-needed dragonglass. However, with Daenerys’ allies all captured or killed, the two will need to work out a more productive relationship if either hope to accomplish their respective goals.
“I have to die in this strange country. Just like you.” – Melisandre
The most ominous quote came from Melisandre, who despite bringing Jon Snow before Daenerys, sits out their meeting, knowing she’d be an unwelcome presence in front of Davos Seaworth. When Varys talks with her overlooking the cliffs, he asks why she doesn’t simply return to her homeland. Her response unsettles him a good deal, and raises a lot of questions that may or may not end up answered by the season (or series) finale.
“You wouldn’t be here if you’d tried.” – Ironborn sailor
After Theon abandons his sister after Euron’s siege, he’s rescued by some surviving members of the Ironborn still loyal to his sister, Yara. Despite his sputtering claim that he did what he could, it’s obvious no one believes him, and begs the question what his role will ultimately play in the war between Cersei and Daenerys.
“If you turn on us, they’ll cheer to see your head on an iron spike.” – Jaime Lannister
While Euron celebrates his victory, and the crowd and King’s Landing cheers him on as he brings Ellaria and Tyene to Cersei’s feet, Jaime’s quick to remind him that the masses are easily roused. Specifically, how these very people were recently cheering when Cersei was paraded through the streets naked. Game of Thrones is notorious for its moments of foreshadowing, and Euron doesn’t exactly seem like the most loyal guy, it’s yet to be seen if Jaime’s prediction ends up ringing true.
“A Lannister always pays their debt, but how do slaves, or Dothraki, or dragons?” – Cersei Lannister
It’s been a good couple weeks for Cersei, who’s seen major victories in her war, was able to get revenge on Ellaria for killing her daughter, Marcella, but her most promising moment was when she secures funding from the Iron Bank. Channeling her late father, Tywin, Cersei manages to make a pretty solid case on why she should be bankrolled through what still might end up being a long and expensive war. While Cersei’s always been manipulative and cunning, to see her utilize these skills from a real position of power is something to behold — as despicable a character as she is.
“Everything that happens will be something you have seen before.” – Littlefinger
At long last, Littlefinger ends up giving out some worthy advice, right up there with warning Ned Stark not to trust him way back in season one. Though it may be cryptic, his words to Sansa provide a window into how he really sees the world, parsing through all possible options until he lands on the one that will benefit him the most. Also prescient: the fact that he gives her this advice just before Bran returns to Winterfell, who can quite literally see everything that can and will happen. Though it’s strange, and more than a little tone-deaf, that Bran would choose to try and explain his role as the Three-Eyed Raven to his sister by using quite possibly the worst moment of her life.
“Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me.” – Olenna Tyrell
Finally, Lady Olenna meets her fate after the Lannisters manage to outsmart Tyrion by diverting their armies away from Casterly Rock and take the castle at Highgarden instead. As Jaime makes his way through the carnage to Olenna’s chambers, she seems disappointed in the outcome, though not at all surprised. Then, as Jaime presents her with a glass of wine filled with poison, she gulps it down, but before it takes hold, she manages to work in a few choice insults to the Lannisters in general, before revealing that she was the one behind Joffrey’s murder.
Moreover, she knows she’s talking to Joffrey’s father, and makes no effort whatsoever to hide her disdain. While it’s sad to see one of the most outspoken characters go down, Olenna managed to handle it with her usual snide charm. Though it’ll be interesting to see if this revelation will have any impact on Jaime taking the Tyrell’s gold back to King’s Landing, which is still imperative to paying off the crown’s debt to the Iron Bank, and could have a drastic impact on whether or not they choose to continue bankrolling her in the war to come.
