‘Game Of Thrones’ Episode 3 Recap: Who Loses A Hand In ‘Walk Of Punishment’?

'Game of Thrones' season 3 seems like it has finally picked up after 2 introductory episodes, episode 3 "Walk of Punishment" has been the best episode of the season thus far. So let's recap and find out what is going on in the Seven Kingdoms, who is winning this Game of Thrones, who lost a hand, and who gained an army?

Let us start with dear Daenerys who is gaining more confidence and more power. Dany is currently in Astapor and she is inquiring about the Unsullied slave soldiers, she is contemplating purchasing them and decides to walk down the "Walk of Punishment." This slave are condemned and left to die on a crucifix. After negotiations with the slave translator Missandei, Dany declares to buy ALL 8,000 Unsullied soliders and those still in training for the price of A DRAGON! Dany also takes Missandei as a sign of a gift for a bargain well struck.

We saw how last episode Jamie and Brienne were captured by Bolton soldiers who are loyal to the Starks and the King of the North. Now we see that he and Brienne are traveling somewhere together, Jamie warns 'the wench' as he calls her, that she will be raped multiple times when they make camp for the night. In an odd display of his more gentle nature Jamie convinces Locke, the group leader that Brienne "is worth her weight in sapphires." After stopping Brienne's rape, Jamie attempts to baragin for some small comforts of his own, unfortunately though the tables turn on him. Locke seems to be willing to please the Kingslayer until he slaps his chained hand up on a stump and chops his sword hand off!

Let's check up on the other Lannisters. Tyrion enters into a small council meeting with Tywin, Varys, Littlefinger, Cersei, Maester Pycelle and his father Tywin. After a hilarious power hungry game of musical chairs, Littelfinger informs us how he will be marrying Lysa Arryn and going to the Vale which leaves Tyrion to be named the Master of Coin in his absence. While this seems like it may be an honor, it is meant to take any small amount of power Tyrion had left.

As for the Starks, Arya is a "captive" traveling with The "Brotherhood Without Banners," while they insist they are not holding her against her will, she is at least relatively safe with them. They are still holding the Hound as prisoner and they are gearing up to leave the inn, unfortunately plump Hot Pie stays behind to help bake brown bread in the inn. Gendry is still with Arya, and after a sweet goodbye with hot Pie he gives Arya a wolf shaped bread that she exclaims is "really good!"

Catelyn and Robb are at Riverrun for Lord Hoster Tully's funeral. We also meet more of Catelyn's family for the first time, her brother, Edmure is now the Lord of riverrun but other than that he apparently can't do anything properly. A part of his father's funeral procession is a flaming arrow being cast down upon a boat, he misses three times causes his uncle to intervene. Catelyn's uncle is known as the Blackfish and he seems pretty brutish and tough. The episode infers that Lord Hoster and his brother were always at odds with another, cat cries about her lost sons, reminisces on her now lost father, but her Uncle tells her she must be strong for Robb.

Our last Stark in this episode is Jon Snow, Mance Ryder, Jon Snow, Ygritte, Orell and Tormund have arrived at the Fist of the First Men to see dismembered parts of their horses arranged in an artistic spiral. The conclusion is determined that either there are 300 more others or an undefended Castle Black, which Mance wishes to take advantage of. Mance sends his men including Jon to climb the Wall and take Castle Black while Mormont is either dead or weak.

As for the rest of the Night's Watch, they have finally arrived as some source of salvation. Mormont brings the survivors to shelter at Craster's Keep, where Gilly has gone into labor and is screaming loudly. Unfortunately, it's a boy and he'll be sacrificed it to the Others.

And last but not least, the mysterious movements of Theon Greyjoy. He is my least favorite character in the series, always boasting then being beat, then whimpering. A man appears and says he help him escape because he has been sent by his sister, Theon does in fact escape the prison only to be ridden down again by his captors. But lucky for him, his gallant rescuer is dangerous with a bow. The captors are struck down with arrows while they attempt to rape Theon as punishment for his escape.