September 9, 2018

Dragons dance at Winterfell. Jon and Sam discuss their families. Tyrion offers political wisdom.

EXT. WINTERFELL COURTYARD - BLACKSMITH WORKSHOP - DAY

TYRION

Can you make these parts?

TYRION LANNISTER is showing Gendry a hand-drawn schematic of a large ballista resembling Qyburn's Scorpion. Gendry looks like he's been interrupted mid-work. He's shirtless, sooty, and holding his blacksmith's hammer in one hand.

Gendry looks over Tyrion's drawing with a critical eye.

GENDRY

(blunt)

It won't work.

17.

TYRION

No?

GENDRY

(pointing)

You're putting too much strain on one pin. The steel won't hold.

Tyrion frowns at his design.

TYRION

You may be right.

GENDRY

(returning to his work)

I am right.

Tyrion lifts his eyebrows at Gendry's bluntness.

TYRION

I can rework the design to avoid that problem. But aside from that, can you make these parts?

GENDRY

(without looking up)

Yes.

Tyrion watches him work. The steel sings under Gendry's hammer.

TYRION

You're Robert Baratheon's son, aren't you.

GENDRY

(slight pride)

I am.

TYRION

Are you proud that your father was a king?

Gendry looks up but says nothing, sensing a trap.

TYRION

Gods have mercy, you are. It will get you killed if you aren't careful.

Gendry gives Tyrion a dubious look, then makes a show of looking around the courtyard.

18.

GENDRY

(skeptical)

Who here wants to kill me?

TYRION

Nobody, as far as I know. All the same, as a noble bastard, you'll be better off if you can be convincingly unambitious.

GENDRY

"Unambitious?" Jon Snow is King in the North!

TYRION

(correcting)

Warden of the North, now. And he's far better at being a bastard than you are.

Gendry isn't sure how to take that. Tyrion regards him and tries a different tack.

TYRION

Did anyone ever tell you about King Robert's other bastards?

GENDRY

He had other bastards?

Tyrion makes an incredulous, pitying face: "oh you poor clueless boy."

TYRION

(very much so)

Yes, he did.

Gendry is silent, watching Tyrion's face with faint foreboding.

TYRION

(quiet)

Your master saved your life by sending you away. The rest were slaughtered. All of them, even the baby girl. They plucked her from her mother's breast and murdered her.

GENDRY

(horrified)

Why?

19.

TYRION

Because Joffrey was a vicious coward, and he judged you all to be dangerous.

GENDRY

(incredulous)

What could a king possibly have to fear from someone like me?

TYRION

It's an interesting thing about noble bastards. You're high enough to see power up close, and you're low enough to hate what you see.

Gendry absorbs that. He regards Tyrion for a moment.

GENDRY

What about you, m'lord? Do you think I'm dangerous?

Tyrion regards him with narrowed eyes. He smiles conspiratorially.

TYRION

(winking)

It's alright. I'm dangerous too.

EXT. WINTERFELL - BROKEN TOWER - DAY

Outside the Broken Tower, Dany and Jon stop walking, both looking up at the sky.

Rhaegal and Drogon wheel overhead, riding the wind.

Dany raises one arm high in the air.

DANY

Rhaegal!

An answering cry echoes down. Rhaegal soars in a wide circle above them, then banks and begins to angle down toward them.

Rhaegal's POV: Jon and Dany are two tiny little creatures, standing side-by-side in the snow, staring up at us.

Dany's POV: Jon stares up at the approaching dragon. Without taking his eyes from Rhaegal, he slowly removes his gloves and tucks them into his belt.

20.

Rhaegal's wingbeats kick up a blizzard of snow as he comes in close to land. The snow swirls in a vortex around Jon and Dany, like snow in a snow globe.

Rhaegal lands, nearly on top of them. He sits tall, head held high atop his long neck, looming over them. Jon and Dany's heads are craned back as they look up at him. Dany looks sideways at Jon.

Jon is wide-eyed, taking deliberate, steadying breaths. His common sense is screaming for him to be elsewhere, but even so, part of him is undeniably captivated.

Very deliberately, Dany takes a step backward and starts retreating away. Jon catches her movement in his peripheral vision and his eyes dart to hers in surprise and alarm: "what, by myself??" She returns him a look of stubborn insistence: "all you, baby."

Rhaegal cocks his head to one side to get a better look at Jon, like a bird of prey, peering down with one fiery eye. He rumbles with curiosity. What's this? Friend or food?

His long neck snakes down to inspect Jon more closely. Jon shifts his footing slightly but otherwise remains perfectly, carefully still. Rhaegal sniffs at him from various angles. He snorts, ruffling Jon's hair with his hot breath.

Rhaegal pulls his head up high again and looks at Dany, who's standing some distance away now. Then his head snakes down again, coming down behind Jon this time. He bumps Jon with his snout from behind, making him stumble forward a step.

Looking back over his shoulder at Rhaegal, Jon tremulously raises his right hand to just above shoulder height. Rhaegal snorts again. Then his snout noses up against the back of Jon's hand, hide to skin.

Jon lets out all the breath he's been holding. He stands still, trembling, letting Rhaegal nose at his hand.

Dany is witnessing this with intense, watchful focus. The significance of this moment is written all over her face. Fierce pride, and a deep kinship that throws into relief all her lonely years as the last Targaryen. She has family now, for the first time since Viserys. For the first time in her life, in a way.

Rhaegal seems to have satisfied himself that Jon is friend, not food. He moves forward on all fours. He's so large that his body passes right over Jon, though Jon has to duck and dodge a bit to avoid the dragon's wings and feet. Jon emerges from under Rhaegal and turns to watch as the dragon stretches his wings and launches into the air again, kicking up another swirling snowstorm around them.

21.

Jon watches as Rhaegal climbs back up into the sky. Then his eyes shift down and meet Dany's. They share a wordless gaze.

If they hadn't just broken up, this would be the moment for a big romantic embrace. The tension between them is palpable, and they're visibly struggling with it.

Finally, Jon breaks eye contact and looks back up at Rhaegal circling high above.

INT. DANY'S CHAMBER - DAY

Tyrion frowns deeply, thinking hard. He grimaces.

TYRION

It appears you should marry him after all.

Dany gives him a quizzical look.

DANY

I thought your advice was to not marry anyone.

TYRION

That was before we had this... new information. Now?

He shakes his head.

TYRION

We certainly can't risk him marrying someone else. Luckily for us, he does seem positively predisposed to you.

Dany's eyes go sad, and she looks away. Tyrion reads her expression and understands.

TYRION

He won't share your bed anymore.

Dany says nothing.

Tyrion leans forward in his chair. His voice is sympathetic.

22.

TYRION

Between rulers, intimacy is always politics. But politics is not always intimacy. A marriage is a strategic alliance. It doesn't have to be more than that.

DANY

I don't think he'll agree to that.

TYRION

Well then, we do have a problem.

DANY

He's promised to support my claim.

TYRION

I'd figured as much, seeing as you are still on speaking terms.

(beat)

Well, he is true to his word, as we all know painfully well. He believes in you.

(beat)

What if he stops believing in you? What if you make too many decisions he doesn't agree with, and he betrays you?

DANY

He wouldn't.

Tyrion gives her a sad and slightly incredulous look, a sort of "oh, you kids" expression.

TYRION

But you must admit, this gives him tremendous power over you. Every move you make now will have to pass the Jon Snow test.

(beat)

Or the... Jon Targaryen test. That doesn't sound right...

DANY

His name is Aegon.

TYRION

Ah. The Conqueror.

(dry)

He may well be the least aptly-named secret non-bastard who ever lived.

23.

Dany smiles sadly.

TYRION

It's not the worst test to hold yourself to. But. It does make my job more complicated. Now, to maintain your reign, I have to stop you from being too ruthless, and I have to stop him from being too stupid. You should pay me double.

DANY

I don't believe I pay you anything.

TYRION

Then I shall consider it granted.

Tyrion raises a goblet in toast.

TYRION

To you and your nephew.

EXT. WINTERFELL COURTYARD - BLACKSMITH WORKSHOP - DAY

JON

It needs dragonglass, not steel.

Jon and Gendry are conferring together near Gendry's forge. Gendry is showing him a giant steel ballista bolt, fresh-forged.

GENDRY

Dragonglass would shatter on impact. We need steel to pierce the scales.

JON

But steel won't kill it, you know that.

24.

Ext. WinterFELL COURTYARD - day

Sam is wandering through the courtyard, clearly looking for someone or something. He's carrying a heavily wrapped sword in one hand.

[N.B.: the sword is Heartsbane, and it's wrapped the same way it was the last time we saw Sam carrying it, in 610.]

Sam spies Jon talking to Gendry and hurries over to them.

Ext. WINTERFELL COURTYARD - BLACKSMITH WORKSHOP - CONTINUOUS

GENDRY

Maybe I could inset dragonglass blades along here--

Sam

Jon.

(Jon turns)

Bran said he's told you?

A loaded silence as Jon and Sam share a look. Gendry frowns, confused about what they're talking about.

Jon gives Gendry a parting thump on the shoulder.

JON

(to Gendry)

I'll leave you to your work.

(to Sam)

Come on.

Jon walks off, and Sam follows after him.

Int. Jon's OFFICE - day

SAM

I transcribed his diary myself.

Jon ushers Sam into the room and locks the door behind them. Sam takes a seat, carefully laying the wrapped sword on Jon's table as he does.

Jon

(chiding, good-natured)

I can't believe you didn't tell me.

SAM

Well, I... I thought it would be best if Bran told you. Given the family aspect.

25.

Jon

(sitting down too)

Mm.

SAM

(tentative)

How do you feel?

A complicated question. Jon contemplates.

JON

Wish I could talk to my father.

SAM

Rhaegar?

JON

Ned.

(beat)

The last time I ever saw him, he promised to tell me about my mother, the next time we saw each other.

Sam watches Jon with sympathetic pain.

JoN

I used to hate that he wouldn't tell me. I thought he must be terribly ashamed of her.

Sam

But now you know.

JON

Now I know.

A somber beat. They stare into the fire together. Then Sam's eyes shift over to Jon.

SAM

Jon.

(Jon looks at him)

You're a prince .

Sam's statement hangs in the air, full of gravity and significance.

26.

Then Jon's expression turns sheepish. There's an absurdity to the whole situation, and he starts to laugh.

Sam's not sure how to react -- he hadn't meant it as a joke. He smiles uncertainly and offers half-hearted chuckles as Jon continues laughing. It takes a while to pass. Jon has a strange sense of humor.

SAM

Listen. If you send a raven to the Citadel, the Archmaester can look up the High Septon's diary and confirm what I found. He can sign a statement saying that your parents were (indeed married, and--)

JON

What would I want with that? I believe you.

SAM

Well yes, of course, but when it comes time to present your claim--

JON

(are you serious)

My claim?

SAM

Jon, you're the heir to the Iron Throne.

JON

That doesn't mean anything. I swore an oath to Daenerys.

saM

Jon, listen to me.

JON

(warning)

Don't.

SAM

You didn't want to be Lord Commander either. But you did the job, (and you--)

JON

(sharp)

Aye, and how did that turn out?

27.

Sam looks at him. They haven't talked about this yet. Sam casts his eyes downward -- there's something in Jon's gaze that's difficult to meet.

SAM

(quiet)

I heard.

Jon shakes his head bitterly.

JON

Fifty men. I was Lord Commander of fifty men, and I couldn't even keep command of them.

SAM

It wasn't your fault...

JON

(snapping)

Everything was my fault, that's what command means .

Sam looks pained, but doesn't argue.

Jon

Daenerys has proper experience. She brought all of Slaver's Bay to heel. She knows how to rule. That's what the realm needs.

A conflicted look comes over Sam's face. He looks like he wants to say something, but can't. Jon notices.

JON

What.

SAM

I... I want to show you something.

Sam takes the heavily wrapped sword from the table and begins unwrapping it. This seems a bit of a non sequitur to Jon, but he waits and watches without comment.

The last of the wrappings come away, revealing Heartsbane in its sheath.

SAM

(tremulous)

This is Heartsbane. My family's sword.

Jon still doesn't understand where Sam is going with this.

28.

JON

Sam?

SAM

(fighting tears)

Tyrion told me...

(gathers himself)

My father and brother fought against Daenerys on the battlefield.

A seed of dread takes root in Jon's expression.

JON

I'm sorry, Sam.

SAM

My father hated me. I hated him back, but I didn't want him to die , not like that . And Dickon...

Sam wipes tears from his eyes.

JON

I'm sorry for your loss. War is a terrible thing.

SAM

(snapping)

She burned them with her dragon, Jon.

Jon goes still. He looks at Sam, keeping his expression carefully neutral.

SAM

After the battle was over, after she'd already won. She burned them alive.

Sam looks up at Jon, searching for some sort of reaction from him, but Jon is still wearing his guarded deadpan. There's a heavy silence. It stretches for a long time. Finally:

29.

JON

(quiet)

She was at war.

Sam looks betrayed.

SAM

You think it was justified!

JON

Sam, I wasn't there.

SAM

It was wrong!

JON

(raising his voice)

I wasn't there!

Sam stares at him.

JON

Maybe it was wrong of her. Maybe not. I don't know. I do know that none of this is easy.

Sam does not look mollified. Jon heaves an agitated sigh.

JON

Someone once told me that leadership means getting second-guessed by everyone. But if the leader starts second-guessing himself, that's the end.

SAM

Who told you that?

JON

Alliser Thorne.

The surprise of that shocks Sam and interrupts the tension of the conversation. He gives Jon an incredulous look.

SAM

Alliser Thorne put a knife in your heart!

JON

(deadpan)

We had philosophical differences.

30.

Now it's Sam's turn to laugh unexpectedly at the absurdity of it all. Jon offers a pained smile. Then Sam looks down at Heartsbane in his lap and grows serious again. He runs his thumb over the Tarly huntsman on its hilt.

SAM

My father vowed that I would never have this sword.

(beat)

I stole it from him. He went to war without it.

JON

(quiet)

It wouldn't have saved them.

SAM

You really think she'd be a better queen than you?

Jon looks at him.

SAM

(realizing his slip-up)

A better... ruler.

JON

(quiet but firm)

I do.

Sam looks at him mournfully, then back down at Heartsbane.

JON

You don't have to agree with me. But this is what I choose.

This is painful for Sam. But he finally nods his assent.

He hands Heartsbane to Jon. Jon hesitates in confusion as he takes it.

SAM

Find a good home for this, will you?

JON

Sam?

SAM

It's Valyrian steel. I'm hopeless with a sword, you know that.

31.

JON

Sam... this is your family sword.

Sam stands up to leave.

SAM

My family's dead.

Int. HaLLWAY OUTSIDE JON'S OFFICE - DAY

Tyrion walks along the corridor. He arrives at Jon's door and raises his hand to knock just as the door opens. Sam nearly collides with him.

SAM

(reflexive)

Oh, pardon.

TYRION

No, no, after you.

Tyrion steps to the side and gestures for Sam to exit. Sam registers who Tyrion is and hesitates for half a beat. This is awkward... the last time they'd spoken, Sam had stormed away after Tyrion told him what happened to his family.

Tyrion picks up on that tension and eyes him warily as Sam walks away.

Jon appears in the doorway, holding Heartsbane in one hand, staring at Sam's back. Tyrion looks up at him.

TYRION

May I speak with you?

INT. JON'S OFFICE - day

TYRION

I hope you appreciate how much trust our queen is placing in you. Most rulers in her position would have had you assassinated immediately.

Tyrion takes a seat, while Jon lays Heartsbane upon his mantel.

JON

She wouldn't do that.

32.

TYRION

Indeed! Because Daenerys is not like most rulers. That was my point.

Jon comes and takes a seat opposite Tyrion.

TYRION

To be fair, most rulers in your position would have kept this information to themselves.

Tyrion gives Jon an appraising look.

TYRION

Let me offer you a free bit of political wisdom: information is power. Secret information doubly so. And information like this ...

(shakes his head)

I must say, advising the two of you is a very interesting job.

JON

You're not my Hand.

TYRION

(let's be real)

Yes, but I do advise you.

Jon decides to humor him.

JON

So what do you advise?

TYRION

This won't stay secret for long. Especially now that you've begun openly petting dragons.

(beat)

It's too big. Too many people already know. Sooner or later, word will get out. And then everyone will hear of it.

33.

Tyrion puts his wine goblet down and leans toward Jon with a very serious expression.

TYRION

It's better if they hear it from you. And as soon as possible.

JON

(surprised)

You want me to tell everyone?

TYRION

Rumors and gossip are dangerous. Conspiracy has a life of its own. You must publicly reassert your support for her claim, and nip it in the bud.

JON

There won't be any conspiracy.

TYRION

No? There's nobody at all who would prefer to see you on the Iron Throne?

Jon's eyes flit to Heartsbane on the mantel, ever so briefly. But Tyrion doesn't miss a thing.

TYRION

(pointed)

I hope I wasn't interrupting anything when I came to see you.

Jon knows there's no use denying it.

JON

I told him I don't want the Iron Throne, I told him Daenerys is my queen. He won't conspire.

TYRION

He's your best friend. I imagine you trust him with your life. Do you trust him with hers? Does he know that you've told her?

Jon hesitates.

TYRION

I know that you are loyal to our queen. But you're in the great game now, Aegon Targaryen . You never asked for it. But with a name like that, you can never escape it.

34.

Jon is listening intently.

TyRION

Let me tell you a story. Tomorrow, someone overhears Bran discussing this matter with Sam. They tell someone else what they heard, and the gossip spreads. And as it spreads, people begin to wonder why you have not made this knowledge public. One of the someones supposes that it's because you are in fear for your life from the queen. A very reasonable assumption, as we've just discussed.

(twisting the knife)

And what happens if that someone is an ambitious or overly protective sort? They'll bring you her head. A gift, if you will. To their new king.

A subtle spasm of horror crosses Jon's face.

TYRION

Gather your bannermen. Gather your family. Gather everyone of importance, and tell everyone at the same time, direct from your own mouth. Publicly reaffirm your support for her claim. Make it absolutely clear that you will not tolerate conspiracies on your behalf, and that you will punish it as treason.

Jon stares wordlessly back at him as Tyrion's words slowly sink in.