Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of Game of Thrones. It is the forty-sixth episode of the series overall. It premiered on May 17, 2015. It was written by Bryan Cogman and directed by Jeremy Podeswa.

Plot
Arya trains. Jorah and Tyrion run into slavers. Trystane and Myrcella make plans. Jaime and Bronn reach their destination. The Sand Snakes attack.

In Braavos
Arya Stark is further tested by the faceless men and unable to prove that she can effectively lie in a test. Later on however, a grieving father brings his sickly daughter to the House of Black and White. He explains to Arya that she is suffering and needs to find peace. Arya sits besides the girl and tells her a short false story, persuading the sickly girl to drink the poisoned water from the temple fountain. The water gives the peace of death to the sickly girl, and Arya, having successfully proven that she can lie, is brought to a secret chamber by the Faceless Man, where she discovers thousands of faces taken from the corpses that the acolytes wash in the temple. The Faceless Man then asks Arya if she is ready to give up who she is to become no one. After a silence he then states that she is not ready to become no one (she is too attached to her past as a Stark), but that she is ready to become "someone else".

In Slaver's Bay
On the western side of Slaver's Bay, Tyrion Lannister and Jorah Mormont are still making their way to Meereen (on the far opposite eastern side of the region) on foot, after losing their boat passing through the Smoking Sea and the ruins of Old Valyria. Tyrion is annoyed that they didn't find any villages to steal a boat or supplies from as Jorah had hoped, so they're slowly walking and only have berries and roots to eat. The topic of just why Tyrion was even in Volantis comes up, and Tyrion is surprised that Jorah did not ask earlier: he explains that he actually fled from Westeros because he killed his own father Tywin. He says he did it because his father tried to have him executed for a crime he didn't commit, and then he found his father screwing the woman he loved - Jorah nods, as this seems as likely a motivation for Kinslaying as any. Tyrion then says that for all of the bad luck Jorah has had in life, at least he can say that he had a good father. Jorah asks how he could have known his father Jeor Mormont, but Tyrion explains he visited The Wall once and met him: he was a great leader who seemed to genuinely care about all of his men, a rare thing in the world, but now as the eulogy for Night's Watch members goes, "The world will not see his like again." Jorah is shocked to realize he means that his father is dead. Tyrion becomes apologetic and says he thought that Jorah knew already. Jorah asks how he died: Tyrion says he only knows the report he heard, but that his father led an expedition beyond the Wall, but there was a mutiny, and Jeor was murdered by his own men. Jorah wordlessly processes this in silent grief, then changes the subject by saying they have to keep moving.

As they walk, Tyrion asks why Jorah would support Daenerys Targaryen and how she would be better than any other rulers - or why Westeros would even support her, given that her father was the Mad King. Jorah explains that he never used to believe in things like destiny and was very cynical, but after seeing Daenerys emerge from the flames unharmed with baby dragons, he believes in her now, and that she will make a great ruler.

Just then Jorah pulls Tyrion to the ground, as they spot a slaver-ship off a nearby cliff, whose crew must have come to shore for water. Just as they realize this, the slavers emerge from the trees behind them and take them captive. The lead slaver, Malko, intends to return to them back to their destination in Volantis. Tyrion, however, manages to successfully persuade him that Jorah is one of the most skilled knights in Westeros, and would fetch a better price being sold to the fighting pits in Meereen which have just reopened. Though not in the circumstances they hoped, Tyrion and Jorah are once again quickly heading towards Meereen and Queen Daenerys.

In Dorne
Bronn and Jaime approach the Water Gardens, wearing the robes they stole from the Martell soldiers they killed. Bronn wonders what Jaime will do once they get inside and find Myrcella, to which Jaime replies that he likes to improvise; Bronn sarcastically remarks "That explains the golden hand." Meanwhile, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes are already inside the Gardens; she sends them out to abduct Myrcella, telling them to do it "for Oberyn."

Myrcella herself is enjoying another stroll with her betrothed Trystane Martell, watched by Trystane's father Prince Doran Martell and his bodyguard Areo Hotah. Doran comments that they look lovely together, but that they don't realize how dangerous their betrothal is, and that he and Areo must protect them. He remarks that Areo hasn't had to use his longaxe for quite a while. Areo assures him he still remembers how to use it.

Jaime and Bronn infiltrate the Water Gardens and soon come upon Myrcella kissing Trystane. Jaime tries to convince Myrcella to come with him, but Trystane interferes, quickly growing suspicious of the bloodstains on Bronn and Jaime's Dornish robes. When Trystane tries to draw his sword, Bronn quickly knocks him down, to Myrcella's horror. Jaime tries to lead her away, but they are suddenly attacked by the Sand Snakes. Bronn fights against Tyene and Nymeria (during which Tyene nicks his arm with her poisoned dagger), while Obara attacks Jaime with her spear, driving him away from Myrcella. Obara orders Nym to break away from Bronn and take Myrcella prisoner, but as Nym tries to pull her away, they are cut off by Areo and Prince Doran's guards, who surround them and force them all to drop their weapons. Jaime, Bronn, Ellaria and the Sand Snakes are all taken into custody.

In King's Landing
Petyr Baelish arrives in King’s Landing and is on his way to meet Cersei when he is confronted by Brother Lancel and some other Sparrows. Lancel warns Baelish that they have purged King's Landing of its corrupt ways, and the new King’s Landing will not tolerate his prostitution business. Baelish dismisses these threats.

Cersei, meeting with Baelish, continues to deny her involvement in Loras Tyrell’s arrest by the Faith Militant. Baelish is not fooled and warns that House Tyrell will not tolerate this insult. Cersei claims that she is the insulted one since Ser Loras, who was promised to her, prefers the company of men – even Baelish seems slightly thrown that Cersei is playing that card. Cersei then gets to the reason for which she summoned Baelish; she is suspicious where his loyalties truly lie and asks him whether she can rely on the Knights of the Vale to fight for the Throne if the time comes. Baelish assures her that young Robyn heeds his advice and he will always counsel loyalty to the Throne. Baelish then reveals that Sansa is back in Winterfell, where Roose Bolton has arranged for her to marry Ramsay. Cersei is infuriated by the Boltons’ betrayal. To add fuel to the fire, Baelish adds that marrying the last remaining Stark gives the Boltons a stronger hold over the North than an alliance with a hated southern house. Baelish recommends that Cersei be patient and let the Boltons and Stannis, who is currently marching towards Winterfell, fight each other and when the victor is still recovering from the battle, step in and defeat him. He thinks that Cersei’s uncle Kevan Lannister could muster a force or even Jaime Lannister could lead an army to the North. Cersei contemptuously claims that her uncle doesn’t have the courage to lead an army, while Jaime is away on a “sensitive diplomatic mission.” Baelish proposes that the soldiers of the Vale could fight instead but Cersei is unsure of Baelish’s ability to lead an army. Baelish convinces her, stating that he "lives to serve". All Baelish wants in return is to be named Warden of the North. Cersei agrees to talk to the King about this.

Olenna Tyrell returns to King’s Landing after learning of her grandson’s arrest. Olenna tries to talks Cersei down into releasing Loras. Cersei sticks to her claim that it was the Faith Militant who arrested Loras and she had nothing to do with it. Olenna warns Cersei that her actions have endangered the Lannister-Tyrell alliance – the very alliance that is supplying the capital with food. Cersei informs Olenna that the High Septon has called for a preliminary hearing to determine whether the charges against Loras have merit and expresses confidence that Loras will be acquitted.

The High Sparrow interrogates Loras first who refutes the accusations against him. He then questions Margaery, who also denies any knowledge of it. The High Sparrow then calls in Olyvar, in character as Loras’s "squire", who claims that the accusations against Loras are in fact true. Olyvar also admits that Margaery walked in on them once, but didn’t seem surprised. To support his testimony, Olyvar tells the High Sparrow of a birthmark Loras has that is shaped like Dorne, much to Loras' shock and fury. Deciding that this is more than enough evidence for a trial, Loras is arrested. Since Margaery bore false witness before the Gods, she is arrested too. As Margaery, who is forcefully dragged away, calls out for Tommen, the King watches on helplessly while Olenna sadly regards Cersei's barely contained smug expression.

In the North
At Winterfell, Sansa is joined by Myranda in her room. She requests to help Sansa take a bath, so she is presentable to Ramsay during the wedding. While she is washing Sansa's back, Myranda mentions the many girls Ramsay has been with, how they all bored him after a while and how Ramsay then victimised them. Knowing that Myranda is trying to frighten her, she coldly counters by calling her relationship with Ramsay out, and mentioning that no one can frighten her in her own home.

Later, when Theon comes to fetch Sansa for the wedding, she refuses to hold Theon’s arm, even after he pleads her to, saying that Ramsay will punish him if she doesn’t. Reek then gives Sansa away to Ramsay, and they wed in front of the Godswood. After retreating to the bedroom, Ramsay asks Sansa to take her clothes off. Reek is about to leave but Ramsay tells him he must stay. Ramsay quips to Reek:, "You grew up with her as a girl, now watch her become a woman." Annoyed by Sansa's hesitance, he pushes her face-down over the side of the bed and angrily rips open the back of her dress. As he unbuckles his clothes, Sansa obediently remains still but begins crying softly. Reek is visibly distraught and begins silently crying himself, as Ramsay proceeds to roughly consummate his marriage.

First

 * Joss
 * Ghita
 * Malko

Deaths

 * Ghita

Cast
Starring
 * Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
 * Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister
 * Lena Headey as Queen Mother Cersei Lannister
 * Aidan Gillen as Lord Petyr Baelish
 * Natalie Dormer as Queen Margaery Tyrell
 * Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand
 * Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
 * Sophie Turner as Lady Sansa Stark
 * Jerome Flynn as Ser Bronn
 * Alfie Allen as Theon "Reek" Greyjoy
 * Michael McElhatton as Lord Roose Bolton
 * Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton
 * Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar
 * Dean-Charles Chapman as King Tommen Baratheon
 * with Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont

Guest Starring
 * Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell
 * Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow
 * Alexander Siddig as Prince Doran Martell
 * DeObia Oparei as Captain Areo Hotah
 * Keisha Castle-Hughes as Obara Sand
 * Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand
 * Jessica Henwick as Nymeria Sand
 * Finn Jones as Ser Loras Tyrell
 * Will Tudor as Olyvar
 * Eugene Simon as Lancel
 * Faye Marsay as The Waif
 * Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Malko
 * Toby Sebastian as Prince Trystane Martell
 * Nell Tiger Free as Princess Myrcella Baratheon
 * Charlotte Hope as Myranda
 * Elizabeth Webster as Walda Bolton
 * Michael Yare as Slaver 1
 * James McKenzie Robinson as Joss
 * Hattie Gotobed as Ghita

Cast notes

 * 15 of 27 cast members for the fifth season appear in this episode.
 * Starring cast members Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Conleth Hill (Varys), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Hannah Murray (Gilly), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) and Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane) are not credited and do not appear in this episode.

In the books

 * See: Differences between books and TV series - Season 5


 * The episode is adapted from the following chapters of A Feast for Crows:
 * Chapter 2, The Captain of the Guards: In fear that Obara, Nym and Tyene will draw Dorne into a war against the Lannisters, Prince Doran commands Areo Hotah to imprison the Sand Snakes.
 * Chapter 21, The Queenmaker: On Doran’s orders, Areo puts a stop to the plot to use Princess Myrcella to spark a war.
 * Chapter 22, Arya II: The Faceless Man warns Arya that the Many-Faced God will take all her body parts, and her hopes and dreams and loves and hates as well. He wonders if Arya can allow that, yet answers for her —he doesn't believe she can.
 * Chapter 39, Cersei IX: Cersei forces an entertainer to admit to sleeping with an accused Tyrell.
 * Chapter 43, Cersei X: Cersei conspires for the Faith Militant to imprison Queen Margaery, who is set to stand trial.
 * The episode is adapted from the following chapters of A Dance with Dragons:
 * Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell: Reek gives Ramsay’s “Stark” bride away during the wedding ceremony before the heart tree in the Godswood. Later, during the bedding, Ramsay rapes his new wife and forces Reek to watch.
 * Chapter 38, The Watcher: Cersei’s Kingsguard arrives in Doran’s court.
 * Chapter 40, Tyrion IX: Tyrion and Jorah are spotted by slavers.
 * Chapter 45, The Blind Girl:The Waif teaches the lying game to Arya: she lies about her background and asks Arya if she can spot the lies, and encourages her to try and do the same.
 * Chapter 47, Tyrion X: Tyrion and Jorah are captured by slavers, to be sold in Meereen and perform in its fighting pits. Tyrion convinces their captors of his and Jorah's usefulness.
 * Chapter 67, The Ugly Little Girl: The Faceless Man tells Arya she must don a new face and identity, and so he leads her down to the Hall of Faces, a hidden room where the walls are covered with the faces of those who die at the temple.