Episode 9 Recap: The Rains of Castamere
Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 9 opens in the North Wall where Gilly and Sam carry on their march to the south. Sam informs Gilly that he wants them to cross the wall using the entrance at the Nightfort. On the other side of the wall, Bran and his group decide to take shelter at an abandoned mill. The wildling party, including Jon, attacks an elderly horse breeder’s home and takes his horses and gold. While still in the mill, Bran and Jojen Reed start discussing how they will cross the wall, and Meera sees the old man on a horse riding by and captures him. Hodor gets scared by the thunder and begins to yell. Bran uses his warg abilities and enters Hodor’s mind knocking him out.
Outside, Tormund wants to kill the old man but Orell has him tell Jon to do it to prove his loyalty. Jon tries but is unable to kill the man. Ygritte then kills the man with an arrow. When he realizes where Jon loyalty lies, Tormund commands his men to kill him but Jon out powers them all. Ygritte moves in to defend Jon, but he knocks her to the ground, preventing her from being killed as he fights with Orell. Bran gets into the mind of his dire wolf summer in order to help Jon. Jon eventually kills Orell and steals a horse to escape leaving Ygritte behind. Later in the night, Bran tells Osha to take Rickon to last hearth, and they leave shortly after.
Daario and Daenerys are still planning their invasion of Yunkai. Daario informs her of a rear gate into the city where they can sneak in and open the main gate for her army. Ser Jorah becomes suspicious of Daario and his plan but relaxes when Daenerys seeks the opinion of Grey Worm. At nightfall, Jorah, Daario and Grey worm turn up at the gate where Daario goes ahead of them, pretending to be a loyal Second Son commander still. After he gets inside, he motions for Jorah and Grey worm to follow him. Once they are inside, they are attacked by Yunkai slave soldiers but they overpower them, kill them and accomplish their mission. The group then returns to Daenerys to inform her she is now in control of the city at camp.
Catelyn talks to her son Robb about the alliance that he plans with Lord Walder Frey and the assault on Casterly Rock, which is the homeland of the Lannistrers. Later that night, Waldre walks his daughter Roslin down the aisle to Edmure Tully. At the celebration feast, Walder initiates the wedding ceremony and the couple heads to their chamber. However, after this, things turn sour. The Rains of Castamere, a song about Lannister triumph, begins to play. At this point, Robb, Talisa, Catelyn and Robb’s direwolf are all killed. Arya arrives just in time to witness Grey Wind’s body being shown triumphantly.