Kit Harington
'Jon Snow' actor Kit Harrington arrives for the world premiere of the television fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" series 5, at The Tower of London, March 18, 2015. Reuters/Toby Melville

Season 5 of the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” has hit the midway point and the tension is building up. Barristan Selmy is dead and Daenerys Targaryen needs to make a move against her enemies. Jon Snow is also facing some tough decisions in the early days of his tenure as Lord Commander. Stannis Baratheon finally marches to Winterfell where Ramsay Bolton is causing all kinds of turmoil. Here’s what takes place in episode 5 entitled “Kill The Boy.”

Meereen

After a massive ambush staged by the Sons of the Harpy in the previous episode, Daenerys Targaryen is presented with the body of her adviser and Queen's Guard Ser Barristan Selmy. Her other adviser Grey Worm, the captain of her Unsullied Army, is gravely injured.

Daenerys is livid and she calls for the arrest of the leaders of every major family of the masters of Meereen. She knows that the attackers are among the masters so she teaches them a lesson by feeding one of them to her dragons.

After some consultation with Missandei, Daenerys decides that it won’t do her any good to kill off all the heads of the Meereenese families. Instead, to foster peace, she decides to build an alliance with Meereenese nobles. She plans to do this by promising to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq, one of the heads of the noble families in Meereen. Likewise, she also agrees to open the fighting pits for the benefit of the free men who wish to enjoy the sport and to make a living out of it.

Castle Black

In the North, Jon Snow is conflicted about his plan of action now that enemies are coming at him from the north and the south. He asks Maester Aemon for advise and the wise old man tells him to kill the boy inside him and allow himself to become a man now that he’s the Lord Commander.

Jon decides to speak to Tormund Wolfsbane and seeks his help to rally the wildlings together. He knows that he will need every able-bodied person in order to survive a winter against the White Walkers. More so, he knows that every wildling killed beyond the wall could be another one that rises up from the dead to become another enemy.

Many brothers from the watch are opposed to the idea pointing out that wildlings have killed so many of their brothers. Jon says that the Watch has done the same to the free folk and right now, they should all be more concerned about the common enemy that is approaching with the winter.

Jon sends Tormund to rescue the other wildlings left behind in Hardhome, a settlement North of the Wall close to Eastwatch by the Sea. Tormund agrees but only if Jon comes with him so that the wildlings will believe that the Night’s Watch will allow them to settle south of the Wall.

Meanwhile, Stannis is getting ready to take Winterfell but he is also keeping one eye on the North. He knows that the White Walkers are coming so he enlists the help of Sam Tarly. Stannis asks Sam about dragon glass and makes him research more about how dragon glass can defeat White Walkers.

Winterfell

Brienne is unable to approach Winterfell but manages to send Sansa a message. She asks some Northerners for help and they manage to tell Sansa that should she need any help, she must light a candle at the topmost window of the broken tower of the castle.

Meanwhile, Sansa is still dreading her impending marriage to Ramsay Bolton.His lover Miranda isn’t too happy with the prospect either. She tries to befriend Sansa and shows her Theon Greyjoy who is now being held captive in the dungeon as Reek.

Theon tells Ramsay that Sansa saw him so Ramsay decides to let it all out in the open. He asks Theon to serve at the table during dinner and taunts Sansa with his presence. He reminds Sansa of Theon’s betrayal of her brother Rob. More so, Ramsay makes Theon apologise for killing Bran and Rickon, At this point, Sanso does not know that Ramsay actually killed two farm boys and made everyone believe that it was Bran and Rickon Stark that were murdered.

Lord Bolton isn’t pleased with Ramsay’s rash actions so he puts him in his place by announcing the impending birth of a new son. Ramsay is shaken and fears for his position as his father’s heir. With his position threatened, Ramsay is agitated and starts to show his unreasonable menacing side once more.

Valyria

On the way back to Meereen to see Daenerys, Jorah Mormont takes Tyrion through the old city of Valyria. The two of them reminisce about the city’s former glory and gape in awe at the ruins left behind. What brings more awe is the sight of a dragon flying right over them. Jorah isn’t shocked after having seen them with Daenerys but Tyrion is left speechless.

Tyrion does not have much time to gape in amazement as their small boat is attacked by stonemen. These are men afflicted with the Grayscale disease that turns skin into rock. They engage the stonemen and Tyrion almost drowns. They manage to reach shore alive but Jorah discovers that he has been afflicted with the contagious disease.

“Game of Thrones” returns next week with episode 6 entitled “Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken.” The series airs every Sunday night at 9 pm on HBO.

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