Tyrion Lannister's trial by combat finally arrives, with Oberyn Martell fighting Gregor Clegane to settle two grudges at once — Tyrion's life and the decades-old rape and murder of Oberyn's sister Elia. Around it, four other plots tighten: wildlings sack Mole's Town and put Castle Black next on Mance Rayder's road, Theon Greyjoy is forced to impersonate his old self to deliver Moat Cailin to the Boltons, Daenerys exiles Jorah Mormont after Barristan intercepts proof he once spied for King Robert, and at the Eyrie, Sansa Stark drops the Alayne cover, lies for Petyr Baelish about Lysa's death, and steps out as a co-conspirator. The duel itself turns on Oberyn's need for a public confession — he gets too close, and Gregor crushes his skull while admitting to everything.

The hour is built around two characters making themselves over by choice. Sansa stops being a hostage and becomes a player; Theon proves Ramsay has hollowed him out so thoroughly he can wear his old identity as a costume. Meanwhile the Mother of Dragons loses her moral compass over a years-old betrayal, the Boltons gain the North, and Tywin Lannister — without pause — sentences his son to death. By the closing credits, Tyrion's path to execution is set, the wildling army is at the Wall's door, and the Vale, Meereen, and the North have all shifted hands or allegiances in a single episode.