See The Hound Wield His Axe (Video)

Last week’s dramatic cold open heralded the return of a character we had nearly given up for dead: the Hound. But although we saw our favorite Westerosi dog break free of his pacifist leash and head out, axe in hand, to find those who did in gentle Brother Ray and his commune, that wasn’t the only thing that thrilled book-readers.

It was the return of the Brotherhood Without Banners, as personified by Lem Lemoncloak, after we heard they were back two weeks prior at the Frey’s dinner. The Brotherhood Without Banners, Jaime and Brienne all in the Riverlands, all at the same time? Could we finally be back on our book plot, and be about to meet the character that some have been howling for since the end of Season 3: Lady Stoneheart?

SPOILERS AHEAD

And so spoilers can wait
she knows it’s too late as we’re walking on by
Her soul slides away,
“But don’t look back in anger,” I heard you say

What are these “spoilers” you speak of?

Last time we saw the Brotherhood Without Banners before this season, it was *allllll* the way back in Season 3, when Arya and Gendry were traveling with them. At the time, their leader was Beric Dondarrion, who had a tendency to die. But Thoros of Myr would bring him back to life over and over again, foreshadowing Melisandre’s ability to revive Jon Snow this season.

The last time we saw either Beric or Thoros was in the episode “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” which is when Arya ran away from their camp after they sold Gendry to the aforementioned Red Priestess. Since they we’ve wondered and waited for them to return.

Why? Because in the books, not long after that, the Red Wedding happens, and Beric, Thoros, and company come upon the body of Catelyn Stark. Beric uses whatever magic animates him to revive her. He then drops dead, finally at peace, while the resurrected Catelyn, now known as Lady Stoneheart, takes over the Brotherhood, with a new agenda focusing on her own vengeance.

https://vine.co/v/iLvQjuFjaTL

So now that the Brotherhood is back, who is in charge? Will it finally be Stoneheart’s time to shine?

https://vine.co/v/iLvEw3XQtnF

NO! When The Hound finally tracks his prey to the Brotherhood, he finds they are hanging the ones who killed his friends…and they are still being run by Beric!

https://vine.co/v/iLv9HndzMUW

At least without Stoneheart, the Hound won’t find himself strung to that tree….