Man With a Plan: What game has Littlefinger been playing in Game of Thrones season 7?

7×04: “The Spoils of War”

This episode was especially interesting for anyone who wants to see how Littlefinger works. Showing a surprising straight-forwardness, Petyr Baelish visits with Bran and gives him a Valyrian steel dagger, the same one used to try and kill him back in season 1. Bran responds by quoting one of Littlefinger’s signature lines back to him and creeping the master manipulator out something fierce.

What was the point of this? Was it to find favor with one of the Stark brothers after angering Jon in the previous episode? Was Littlefinger trying to wedge himself between the siblings? As near as I can tell, he was trying to forge a relationship with Bran like he tried to do with Jon. But it’s Bran. And Bran isn’t Bran anymore.

In this episode, Littlefinger doesn’t actually talk to Sansa, although he does watch her as she watches Arya and Brienne face off in the Winterfell courtyard. The display upsets Sansa, which pleases Littlefinger. I interpreted her worried look as one of suspicion that Brienne, who is sworn to protect both of Lady Catelyn’s daughters, would prefer Arya to her, since Brienne so obviously enjoyed her sparring session. She could also be worried about how Arya had changed during her travels.

In short, Littlefinger sees unrest in the Stark house, something he’s been waiting for.