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"Stormborn"
Game of Thrones episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 2
Directed byMark Mylod
Written byBryan Cogman
Featured musicRamin Djawadi
Cinematography byP. J. Dillon
Editing byTim Porter
Original air dateJuly 23, 2017 (2017-07-23)
Running time58 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Dragonstone" 		Next →
"The Queen's Justice"
Game of Thrones season 7
List of episodes

"Stormborn" is the second episode of the seventh season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 62nd overall. The episode was written by Bryan Cogman and directed by Mark Mylod. It first aired on HBO on July 23, 2017.

The episode's main plot focuses on Daenerys planning her conquest of Westeros; at the behest of Melisandre, she orders Tyrion to summon Jon Snow, who agrees to meet with her despite the objections of Sansa and several other supporters. In King's Landing, Cersei Lannister warns her bannermen about Daenerys's impending invasion. Meanwhile, in the Narrow Sea, the Greyjoys and Sand Snakes are attacked by Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet, with Yara Greyjoy and Ellaria Sand being taken as hostages. The title of the episode refers to both Daenerys Targaryen, who was born during a terrible storm, and Euron Greyjoy, who declares himself to be "the storm". The episode received praise from critics, who considered Euron Greyjoy's raid on Yara's Iron Fleet, the assembly of Daenerys' allies at Dragonstone, and Arya's reunion with her direwolf Nymeria as highlights of the episode. In the United States, it achieved a viewership of 9.27 million in its initial broadcast.

This episode marks the final appearance of Keisha Castle-Hughes (Obara Sand) and Jessica Henwick (Nymeria Sand).

Plot

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At Dragonstone

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Daenerys confronts Varys over his previously shifting allegiances. Varys declares he is loyal to the people of the realm, and Daenerys makes him swear to be always honest with her, threatening to burn him alive if he ever betrays her.

Daenerys grants an audience to Melisandre, who urges her to meet Jon Snow. Tyrion vouches for Jon and recommends the Starks as allies. Daenerys instructs Tyrion to summon Jon to bend the knee.

During a war council, Yara Greyjoy and Ellaria Sand support an overwhelming offensive on King's Landing. Unwilling to win the war at the cost of innocent lives, Daenerys instead adopts Tyrion's plan to have her Westerosi allies besiege King's Landing, while the Unsullied will take Casterly Rock. Olenna Tyrell advises Daenerys to trust more in her own instinct than counsel of her advisors.

Before departing to lead his army, Grey Worm reveals to Missandei he never feared before loving her. Missandei is moved by his words and they make love.

In Oldtown

[edit]

Archmaester Ebrose tells Sam that Jorah's greyscale is now untreatable, Jorah has about six months of sanity left, and suicide is his only alternative to exile in Valyria. Sam discovers a treatment; Ebrose tells him it is forbidden because it risks transmission, but Sam performs the agonizing procedure in secret.

At Winterfell

[edit]

Jon receives Daenerys' message. Sansa and Davos advocate refusal, but Davos notes that dragonfire can stop the undead. After receiving Sam's information about dragonglass on Dragonstone, Jon decides to go, despite uniform opposition from his loyalists. Jon names Sansa as regent, surprising her, and threatens Littlefinger to stop pursuing Sansa when he tries to ingratiate himself with Jon.

In the Riverlands

[edit]

Arya goes to an inn where she encounters Hot Pie. After he tells her that Jon has retaken Winterfell, she decides to head north. She's beset by a wolfpack, the leader of the pack being her direwolf Nymeria, whom she drove off years earlier ("The Kingsroad"). Arya invites her north but Nymeria instead leaves her be with Arya stating, “That’s not you.”

In King's Landing

[edit]

Cersei appeals to the lords of Westeros, including House Tyrell's former bannermen, for support against Daenerys, who Cersei portrays as a dangerous foreign invader. Jaime offers to make Randyll Tarly Warden of the South if he becomes Jaime's second-in-command. Randyll argues that his house has been always loyal to Olenna and the Tyrells. Qyburn shows Cersei a scorpion, a projectile weapon able to pierce dragon skulls.

In the Narrow Sea

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Euron's fleet attacks Yara's navy. Euron kills Obara and Nymeria Sand; his men abduct Ellaria and Tyene Sand, while he takes Yara prisoner. Theon, triggered by the violence, jumps overboard, abandoning Yara.

Production

[edit]

Writing

[edit]
Bryan Cogman wrote the episode.

"Stormborn" was written by Bryan Cogman. Cogman has been a writer for the series since its beginning, previously writing nine other episodes. The title of the episode, "Stormborn", is a reference to Daenerys Targaryen, who was born in the midst of a great storm, earning her that nickname. In the "Inside the Episode" segment published by HBO following the initial airing of the episode, co-creators and executive producers of the series David Benioff and D. B. Weiss were interviewed, saying "We last saw Nymeria when Arya made her run away because she wanted to save Nymeria's life, - She knew Cersei was going to kill her if she found her, and when she finally finds Nymeria again — or Nymeria finds her — she of course wants Nymeria to come back home with her and be her loyal companion again. But Nymeria's found her own life." They continued noting that the line "That's not you" was a direct reference to what she said to Ned Stark back in the first season, when he was telling her that she will be a "lady of a castle and marrying some lord and wearing a nice frilly dress", which Arya responded by saying "That's not me". Weiss continued, "Arya's not domesticated. It makes total sense the wolf wouldn't be either. Once the wolf walks away, at first she's heartbroken to have come this close, but then she realizes the wolf is doing exactly what she would do if she was that wolf."[1]

Casting

[edit]

The episode featured the return of Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie, who was last seen in season 4's "Mockingbird". Hawkey spoke about his return to Entertainment Weekly, saying that he did not expect to ever come back. Prior to getting the script and to avoid the return of character to be leaked, the producers gave Hawkey a code name when communicating by email. He continued by saying that the scene was "really nice" and was a "perfect little Hot Pie scene".[2] "Stormborn" was also the last episode for Keisha Castle-Hughes and Jessica Henwick, as Obara and Nymeria Sand were killed. The episode introduced new recurring cast member Tom Hopper as Dickon Tarly, replacing Freddie Stroma, who briefly portrayed the character in Season 6.[3]

Filming

[edit]

"Stormborn" was directed by Mark Mylod, his first of two episodes for this season. He joined the series as a director in the fifth season, his first episode being "High Sparrow", which was followed by "Sons of the Harpy". John Bradley spoke about what went into shooting the Jorah Mormont greyscale scene with actor Iain Glen. Before filming Iain had to sit on the prosthetics trailer for around five hours while the make up department "applied these really detailed and intricate greyscale prosthetics, piece by piece." He continued "I was basically peeling the plastic latex prosthetic off of Iain's actual body. He was kind of in a suit - It was the same as pulling away a prosthetic. It was a very, very big technical job for the prosthetics department. There were about five or six guys on set that day that you can't see but were just out of the camera line, there with pumps and buckets of pus."[4]

Nathalie Emmanuel discussed her character's love scene with Grey Worm, saying that the characters have shown "interest in each other", we have seen them "express it for each other, but not really say it - This point is the climax and they physically act upon it", much due to them facing "the prospect of never seeing each other again". Emmanuel went on to praise the relationship that has developed between these two characters, stating that it's "something sweet and pure and beautiful".[5]

Gemma Whelan said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the kissing scene by Yara Greyjoy and Ellaria Sand before the battle sequence at the end was improvised. She stated that "It wasn’t directed that we would kiss, - It just seemed like something we should do".[6] The scenes with the Sand Snakes was originally planned to be a more "drawn out storyline", but due to Jessica Henwick's schedule filming her scenes as Colleen Wing in Iron Fist and The Defenders, she would have had to go back and forth to shoot both shows.[clarification needed] Speaking about the battle sequence, Henwick said "normally there’s a lot of CG and you watch it on screen and you see a massive epic battle, but when you’re filming it’s all quite tame by comparison. For this, the audience can’t feel the heat on their face from the pyrotechnics going off or feel the wave machine trying to knock us off our feet, or the sweat dripping off our faces."[7]

Mylod also discussed his direction for the battle sequence, saying that "We agreed that the violence should be brutal and feel un-choreographed, that it shouldn't feel structured". Stunt coordinator Rowley Irlam also stated that they were inspired by riots when it was being choreographed. Mylod decided to put much more of the focus to Theon, Yara and Euron Greyjoy, rather than people around them.[8]

Reception

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Ratings

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"Stormborn" was viewed by 9.27 million total viewers on its initial viewing on HBO. The episode also acquired a 4.33 rating in the 18–49 demographic, making it the highest rated show on cable television of the night.[9] In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 2.770 million viewers on Sky Atlantic during its Simulcast, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Stormborn" has received high praise from critics. It has a 96% rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes from 38 reviews with an average score of 8.2 out of 10.[11] The site's consensus reads "While necessarily setting up the events for the season, "Stormborn" features compelling strategic discussion, and a cracking action sequence to end the episode with a bang."[11]

Ed Power of The Daily Telegraph said "It's been a cautious start to 'Game of Thrones' season seven. But, following further, patience-testing re-arranging of the chess pieces, episode two went out in a literal blaze of glory."[12] Matt Fowler of IGN described the episode as "amazing", saying "With Daenerys now in Westeros, war is imminent and worlds were colliding in this week's big episode." He gave the episode a 9 out of 10.[13] Ben Philippe of New York Observer also gave a positive review, saying "'Stormborn,' proves that the table setting always pays off in Game of Thrones by giving us a sample platter of everything that the show does best."[14]

Nina Shen Rastogi of New York Magazine similarly gave praise to the episode, writing "All of this prologue is what made the final scene land so hard, and so well. The shipboard battle between the Greyjoys was very good GOT, in my mind: dramatic, unexpected, and authentic on a character level."[15] Sean T. Collins of Rolling Stone praised the battle sequence at the end, writing "It ends with a naval battle as grandiose as any we've seen in the series. But the strong second chapter of Game of Thrones' seventh season - 'Stormborn' - navigates even more treacherous waters."[16]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2017 Hollywood Post Alliance Outstanding Editing Tim Porter Nominated [17]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Stormborn

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Stormborn" is the second episode of the seventh season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series , and the 62nd overall. The episode was written by and directed by . It first aired on July 23, 2017, on in the United States, running for 58 minutes. In the episode, receives an unexpected visitor; faces resistance; Tyrion plans the conquest of Westeros; Cersei gathers her allies; and Arya reunites with old friends. The title refers to , known as "Stormborn" for her birth during a great storm on Dragonstone, and to Euron Greyjoy, who dubs himself "the storm" during his attack on the Greyjoy and Martell fleets.

Synopsis

At Dragonstone

The episode opens amid a fierce storm battering Dragonstone, Daenerys Targaryen's ancestral stronghold, evoking her title as Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, bestowed due to her birth during a similar tempest on the island. Inside the chamber housing the Painted Table, Daenerys confers with her close advisor on the formidable challenge posed by , who has effectively propagandized Daenerys as a barbaric foreign invader to the smallfolk of Westeros, thereby complicating her campaign for the Iron Throne. The arrival of , the red priestess of the , interrupts the discussion; she has journeyed to Dragonstone to offer counsel to Daenerys. Melisandre invokes the ancient prophecy of the Prince that was Promised—a savior destined to combat the encroaching darkness of the Long Night—and posits that Jon Snow, recently proclaimed King in the North, may embody this figure, highlighting his pivotal role in the existential threat posed by the beyond . While not explicitly disclosing Jon's lineage, her words carry broader implications for his heritage and destiny within the prophetic framework. Melisandre urges Daenerys to summon Jon to Dragonstone for a meeting, a suggestion Missandei supports by clarifying that the High Valyrian term for "prince" is gender-neutral, thus potentially encompassing Daenerys herself as the prophesied leader. Prior to the full council, Daenerys directly confronts about his shifting allegiances across multiple rulers, including his service under . Varys defends his loyalty as one devoted not to crowns or individuals but to the welfare of the and the stability of the , pledging absolute honesty to Daenerys and warning her of any missteps in her rule. Daenerys accepts his oath but sternly declares that any future betrayal would result in his execution by dragonfire. Daenerys then assembles a strategic war council comprising Tyrion Lannister, Varys, Ellaria Sand as envoy from Dorne, Olenna Tyrell representing the Reach, and Yara Greyjoy and Theon Greyjoy as leaders of the Ironborn fleet, formalizing alliances with these Westerosi houses to bolster her invasion. The group debates tactics for deposing Cersei without razing King's Landing and its inhabitants; Ellaria advocates an immediate, fiery assault on the capital using Daenerys's dragons, while Yara proposes a bold naval strike to overwhelm the city from the sea. Tyrion counters with a plan for calculated conquest: dispatching the Unsullied legions to seize Casterly Rock, the Lannister seat, while the allied forces from Dorne, the Iron Islands, and the Reach encircle King's Landing in a prolonged siege to compel Cersei's surrender without widespread bloodshed. To explore diplomatic avenues, Tyrion further proposes convening a parley with Cersei at the Dragonpit, the ruined Targaryen coliseum near the capital, where neutral ground could facilitate negotiations or expose her deceptions. Influenced by Melisandre's and Tyrion's endorsement of as a trustworthy ally against the —stemming from their prior camaraderie beyond —Daenerys authorizes the summoning of Jon Snow to Dragonstone. She insists he must bend the knee to affirm her rightful claim as the last Targaryen heir, while emphasizing the imperative of northern forces in the fight against the undead army, thereby linking the political conquest of Westeros to the survival of its people. Tyrion drafts the message, underscoring the shared peril and the need for immediate unity.

In Oldtown

In the Citadel at Oldtown, Samwell Tarly discovers that Jorah Mormont's greyscale has progressed significantly, with the infection spreading across much of his body and arm. During an examination by Archmaester Ebrose, the disease is deemed incurable in its advanced stage, with Ebrose estimating Jorah has only months before it affects his mind, leading to inevitable exile among the "stonemen" in the ruined city of Valyria. Sam pleads with Ebrose to allow an experimental treatment drawn from a restricted text by the long-dead Archmaester Pylos, titled On Rare Diseases, which describes a method involving the removal of infected tissue followed by application of a salve made from pine resin, bark from elder twigs, beeswax, and olive oil. Ebrose reluctantly considers the idea but ultimately refuses approval, citing the procedure's untested nature on advanced cases and the ethical risks involved, including potential transmission to Sam himself; he insists Jorah prepare for exile the next day. Defying the archmaester's orders, Sam secretly performs the forbidden procedure that night in Jorah's cell, first offering him rum to dull the pain and instructing him to bite down on a leather strap to remain silent. The treatment entails meticulously scraping and cutting away layers of the hardened, greyscale-infected skin with a small knife, exposing raw, oozing tissue beneath in a gruesome and intensely painful process that underscores the themes of personal sacrifice and the pursuit of within the scholarly confines of . Jorah endures the ordeal with stoic resolve, his face contorted in agony but his determination unwavering as Sam applies the to the wounds, though the outcome remains uncertain at the scene's close. Prior to the procedure, Jorah entrusts Sam with a message for , asking him to convey his enduring love for her should the treatment fail, a poignant reflection of his loyalty amid . In a parallel development highlighting the Citadel's role as a repository of arcane lore, arrives at the ancient walls with Meera Reed, demanding access to the high tower in pursuit of deeper mystical insights. Following the risky intervention, Sam accesses the Citadel's restricted sections and steals several forbidden volumes, including texts on dragonglass weaponry and the nature of , which he intends to send north to aid Snow's efforts against the growing threat beyond . This act of scholarly rebellion emphasizes the ethical tensions between institutional caution and the urgent need for knowledge in times of existential peril, as Sam's actions bridge the Citadel's isolation with the broader perils facing Westeros.

At Winterfell

In Winterfell, Jon Snow and oversee the training of young Northerners in archery, emphasizing the need to prepare for the threats ahead. They receive a raven from , Daenerys Targaryen's Hand, inviting Jon to Dragonstone to discuss an alliance against and the . Sansa expresses skepticism, warning that the invitation could be a trap similar to the one set by Daenerys's father, the Mad King, who killed their grandfather Rickard Stark, and questions trusting a southern ruler amid the North's hard-won independence. counters by highlighting Daenerys's record in abolishing across Essos, suggesting her dragons could provide crucial firepower against the undead, though he acknowledges the risks. Jon convenes a council of Northern lords in the Great Hall, including Lyanna Mormont of Bear Island, Yohn Royce of the Vale, Robett Glover, and . He shares a separate raven from at confirming vast deposits of dragonglass beneath Dragonstone, essential for arming against the . Lyanna Mormont staunchly defends Jon's leadership, reminding the assembly of their oath to him as King in the North during the onset of winter. Despite opposition from lords wary of Targaryens and Lannisters, Jon announces his decision to travel south with to secure the dragonglass and forge an alliance, stressing the growing as an existential threat beyond Northern borders. He names Sansa as in his absence, affirming her authority over the Northern houses to maintain unity and defense. Under and Sansa's governance, the Stark siblings demonstrate justice by freeing the young heirs of Houses and Karstark, previously held as hostages by , thereby honoring past loyalties and fostering reconciliation among the Northern bannermen. This act underscores their commitment to restoring House Stark's rule through mercy rather than vengeance, even as Jon departs, leaving Sansa to assert control amid lingering distrust of southern entanglements.

In the Riverlands

In the war-torn Riverlands, arrives at the Crossroads Inn, a modest establishment serving as a rare hub of activity amid the region's lingering desolation from years of conflict. There, she reunites with her former traveling companion Hot Pie, who has taken up baking and recognizes her immediately as "Arry." Over a meal of wolf pie—crafted with browned butter for enhanced flavor—Hot Pie shares recent news from the North: have been defeated in the , and Arya's siblings Jon Snow and now rule Winterfell as King in the North and Lady of Winterfell, respectively. This revelation prompts Arya to abandon her southward journey to King's Landing for vengeance against , instead deciding to head north to reunite with her family. Continuing northward through the scarred landscape of the Riverlands—marked by abandoned villages, frost-covered fields, and encroaching snow—Arya sets up camp in a dense, snowy . Her solitude is interrupted when her horse startles at the approach of a large wolf pack, led by the massive direwolf Nymeria, Arya's long-lost companion separated from her since childhood. Nymeria recognizes Arya, approaching cautiously as the pack halts their advance. Arya calls out, "Nymeria, it's me, Arya. I'm heading north, girl. Back to Winterfell, I'm finally going home. Come with me," extending her hand in invitation. However, after a tense moment, Nymeria turns and leads her pack away into the woods, prompting Arya to reflect aloud, "That's not you," acknowledging their parallel paths of independence forged by hardship—Arya through her Faceless Men training and Nymeria through leading her wild pack. This encounter underscores Arya's evolving sense of identity, as she murmurs that her true pack is now herself alone, mirroring Nymeria's choice to roam free.

In King's Landing

In King's Landing, convenes the lords and bannermen of the realm in the throne room of the Red Keep to shore up her support amid mounting threats from Daenerys Targaryen's invasion. She delivers a rousing speech, attributing the realm's recent turmoil to the Faith Militant and House Tyrell, portraying them as betrayers who weakened the crown and allowed foreign hordes to threaten Westeros. Cersei's rhetoric focuses on the barbarity of Daenerys's Dothraki forces and Unsullied army, urging the assembled nobles to unite under her rule to preserve their way of life against these perceived savages. To underscore the peril of Daenerys's dragons, Qyburn, Cersei's Hand of the Queen, leads her and the lords to a chamber beneath the Red Keep, where he unveils a map revealing extensive caches of hidden throughout the city. He explains that these volatile caches, remnants from the Mad King's era, could be ignited to devastate any attacking force, including dragons, serving as a powerful deterrent against on the capital. The demonstration highlights the strategic leverage Cersei holds, transforming the city's underbelly into a potential inferno while evoking the explosive destruction previously unleashed on the Great Sept of . Later, Cersei receives Euron Greyjoy, who pledges his Iron Fleet to combat Daenerys's armada in exchange for a alliance after defeating her and elevation to high lordships, such as Master of Ships on her small council. Euron arrives with theatrical flair and proposes the terms; Cersei demands he first prove his loyalty by eliminating her foreign advisors, specifically requesting the head of , and references Daenerys's assembling fleet at Dragonstone, positioning Euron's ships as the key to intercepting it before it reaches the mainland. Euron agrees and departs. In a private moment, voices his growing doubts to Cersei about the wildfire strategy's viability, warning that igniting the caches could consume King's Landing itself if the winds shift unfavorably. He also questions the sustainability of their rule, isolated in a depopulated Red Keep with dwindling allies and mounting debts to the Iron Bank, revealing fractures in their united front. Visually, the episode emphasizes Cersei's precarious confidence through wide shots of the cavernous, sparsely occupied Red Keep, underscoring her solitary command amid echoing halls and shadowed .

In the Narrow Sea

In the episode "Stormborn," Yara Greyjoy's fleet, led by her flagship Black Wind, sails across the Narrow Sea at night, transporting , her daughter Tyene Sand, and the Sand Snakes—Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene—toward Sunspear in Dorne to rally support for Daenerys Targaryen's cause before proceeding to Dragonstone. The group engages in tense banter aboard the ship, with the Sand Snakes arguing over their roles in the impending conflict and Ellaria flirting with Yara, while remains visibly uncomfortable. Suddenly, Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet launches a surprise ambush, with his silent ship The Silence ramming and boarding Yara's vessel amid a barrage of flaming arrows that ignite sails and plunge the scene into fiery chaos. Euron's Ironborn warriors, embodying their notorious ferocity, engage in brutal close-quarters combat, swinging from ropes, hacking with axes, and overwhelming the defenders in a whirlwind of sword fights and ship-to-ship clashes. The battle's choreography emphasizes raw, disorienting violence, with ships colliding and warriors grappling on blood-slicked decks under the glow of fireworks-like explosions. During the melee, two of the Sand Snakes meet gruesome ends at the hands of Euron's men: Obara is impaled by Euron himself with her own spear after a fierce , while Nymeria is strangled with her signature by Euron's mute brother Aeron. Below decks, Euron's forces capture Ellaria and Tyene Sand without resistance, binding them as prisoners. Euron personally subdues in a tense standoff, holding a to her throat and mocking her as he takes her captive, along with the surviving members of the Dornish delegation. Theon initially fights valiantly, killing several Ironborn attackers and even confronting Euron, but his trauma from past torments resurfaces amid the carnage, leading him to freeze in horror. Overcome, Theon jumps overboard into the dark sea, abandoning to her fate and swimming desperately away as the Iron Fleet claims victory in the episode's climactic action sequence.

Production

Writing and development

"Stormborn," the second episode of the seventh season of , was written by , marking his return to individual episode scripting after "The Gift" in season 5. As the series had surpassed the published novels in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series by this point, the episode consists entirely of show-original content, allowing the writers to craft new narrative developments independent of the source material. In developing the script, Cogman incorporated key elements to advance multiple arcs, including Melisandre counseling on her claim to the Iron Throne. These integrations heighten the episode's focus on Daenerys's vulnerability upon arriving in Westeros, a theme underscored by the title "Stormborn," which originates from her birth during a raging storm on Dragonstone as recounted in the . Cogman structured the 59-minute runtime around parallel storylines in Dragonstone, the North, Oldtown, and the Narrow Sea, converging on the formation of precarious alliances amid escalating threats. Thematically, storms serve as metaphors for the political and personal upheavals facing the characters, with literal tempests mirroring the turmoil of betrayals and battles. Cogman balanced these intense dialogue-driven council scenes—such as Daenerys's war deliberations and Sansa Stark's Northern advisory meetings—with bursts of action, including the , to propel the season's momentum toward its endgame. The title directly evokes Daenerys's moniker, symbolizing her resilience forged in adversity, much like the tempests that both threaten and define her path.

Casting

The casting for "Stormborn," the second episode of Game of Thrones season 7, included key new additions to the ensemble alongside select returning performers, emphasizing characters central to the episode's political and strategic plotlines. Danish actor portrayed Euron Greyjoy, the opportunistic and ruthless Ironborn king, infusing the character with a chaotic and menacing intensity that highlighted his pirate-like unpredictability. Asbæk, known for roles in Borgen and , was cast in September 2015 specifically to embody Euron's villainous rivalry within the Greyjoy family, though his debut was delayed until season 7. Oscar-winning British actor debuted as Archmaester Ebrose, the senior scholar at whose authoritative yet eccentric demeanor guided pivotal discussions on dragonglass and . Broadbent, celebrated for performances in Iris and Moulin Rouge!, was selected in August 2016 for this "significant" season 7 role due to his proven ability to convey intellectual gravitas with subtle humor, aligning with the character's professorial oversight in Oldtown scenes. Among returning cast members, reprised Hot Pie after an absence spanning seasons 5 and 6, marking his first appearance since season 4's "The Children." Hawkey's brief but impactful reunion with provided crucial updates on northern events, underscoring the character's role as an unlikely informant. returned as , the Dornish ruler, joined by as her daughter Elia Sand, in sequences advancing alliances against . Varma, previously seen in seasons 5 and 6, and Sellers brought intensity to the Sand Snakes' portrayal, with their storyline in season 7—including this episode—culminating in dramatic conclusions later in the season. No major recasts occurred for "Stormborn," maintaining continuity with the established ensemble while integrating these fresh dynamics.

Filming

Filming for "Stormborn," the second episode of ' seventh season, occurred as part of the broader season production block, which ran from August 31, 2016, to February 2017, primarily in , , and . Director oversaw the shoot, balancing intimate character-driven dialogues—such as Daenerys' council at Dragonstone and Jon's confrontation at Winterfell—with sequences of escalating action, including night shoots for Arya's tense encounter in the Riverlands. The production faced logistical challenges from weather, particularly in , where heavy rains and cold conditions delayed outdoor scenes in but serendipitously echoed the episode's storm theme. Key location shoots utilized diverse international sites to capture the episode's varied settings. Dragonstone interiors were filmed on soundstages at Titanic Studios in , , while exteriors, including Daenerys' arrival on the beach, were shot in Spain's Basque Country at sites like Itzurun Beach and Muriola Cove near . King's Landing scenes, featuring Cersei's war council and Euron's return, were primarily lensed in , , leveraging the city's medieval walls and harbor. Winterfell exteriors drew from in , , for the great hall and courtyard assemblies, while Oldtown's Citadel sequences combined soundstage work in with exterior shots in . Arya's Riverlands travel was captured in rural Northern Irish landscapes during night shoots to convey isolation and peril. The episode's climactic Narrow Sea ambush, depicting Euron's assault on Yara Greyjoy's fleet, relied heavily on practical effects and on-location ingenuity despite logistical hurdles. Rather than open water, the sequence was staged in a car park transformed into replica ship decks, where green screens simulated the stormy sea and vessel movements; crew members endured simulated rain, wind, and fire effects to heighten realism. Stunt coordinator Rowley Irlam directed the choreography for the brutal, close-quarters sword fights, limiting takes to under 10 seconds to manage fatigue amid the wet, chaotic conditions while emphasizing the Ironborn's savage, style. In Oldtown, the graphic removal of Jorah Mormont's greyscale involved intricate prosthetics and practical makeup effects applied by the production's team, creating layers of diseased skin that were meticulously peeled away on set to depict the procedure's horror.

Visual effects

The visual effects for "Stormborn" significantly enhanced the episode's key sequences, blending practical footage with digital artistry to create immersive battles, medical horrors, and natural spectacles. Rodeo FX led the post-production for the Narrow Sea battle, delivering complex simulations that amplified the chaos of Euron Greyjoy's ambush on Yara and Theon's fleet. This included over 100 fully CG ships navigating turbulent waters, detailed destruction sequences for splintering hulls and sinking vessels, advanced water simulations using particle-based fluid dynamics for realistic wave interactions and splashes, and layered fire effects that extended on-set pyrotechnics with digital flames and embers for nighttime realism. In the Oldtown scenes, the depiction of Jorah Mormont's greyscale removal procedure relied on digital post-production to achieve its visceral impact, with VFX artists applying custom skin texturing techniques to simulate the disease's stony, cracked surface and animating the peeling layers during the surgical excision. This involved in software like Houdini to generate organic tissue deformation and for the exposed, raw flesh, ensuring the sequence's gruesome realism without relying solely on prosthetics. The hybrid approach allowed for seamless integration of practical gore elements with animated details, heightening the procedure's intensity. Environmental extensions played a crucial role in setting the episode's moody tone, particularly through the addition of stormy skies over Dragonstone's council chambers and cliffs. Digital matte paintings and volumetric cloud simulations created brooding, lightning-laced atmospheres that reinforced Daenerys's "Stormborn" moniker, using ray-traced lighting to blend seamlessly with location footage from Spain's . Similarly, the reunion with Nymeria in the Riverlands featured CGI augmentations for the wolf pack, where from trained animals informed simulations and crowd multiplication algorithms to depict a larger, group emerging from the woods, evoking a of wild freedom through dynamic pelt rendering and environmental interactions. The episode's budget, drawn from the season's approximate $10 million per-episode allocation, devoted around 10%—or roughly $1 million—to these efforts, prioritizing a practical-digital hybrid to maintain the show's grounded authenticity amid escalating spectacle. This investment focused on high-fidelity integrations rather than overt CGI, allowing effects to support narrative beats like isolation and . A primary challenge for the VFX teams was synchronizing green-screen elements captured during filming off Croatia's Adriatic coast with fully simulated oceanic elements. Practical boat footage required meticulous and matchmoving to composite against Houdini-generated waves and debris, ensuring the storm's ferocity matched the episode's titular motif while avoiding visual artifacts in the dynamic, low-light conditions.

Music

The original score for the episode "Stormborn" was composed by , who developed new cues specifically for the intense Narrow Sea battle, where Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet ambushes and Theon's ships; this sequence blends percussion-heavy Ironborn themes with chaotic strings to capture the disorienting violence of the raid. Recurring motifs from prior seasons are woven throughout, including variations of to underscore Cersei's manipulative conversations in King's Landing, evoking her precarious power. A subtle rendition of the "Stormborn" theme accompanies Daenerys's introspective moments at Dragonstone, augmented by thunderous synths that echo the episode's titular storm and her inner turmoil.) Sound design plays a crucial role in building atmospheric tension, with Foley artists creating scraping sounds for the greyscale removal procedure in Oldtown's and distant howls during Arya's journey through the Riverlands; these elements were mixed at to integrate seamlessly with the score. The episode features about 30 minutes of original score, highlighted by a choral piece during the Red Priestess Melisandre's arrival at Dragonstone, which infuses the scene with mystical undertones. Djawadi's composition process for season 7 involved on-set visits for inspiration and recordings with expanded orchestral ensembles in May 2017, allowing him to heighten emotional intensity in sequences like Theon's harrowing trauma amid the Ironborn assault.

Reception

Ratings

The episode "Stormborn" drew 9.27 million viewers in the United States during its initial broadcast on , achieving a 4.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This represented a slight decline from the season 7 premiere's 10.1 million live viewers but marked an increase of approximately 4% from the season 6 finale, reflecting sustained post-hiatus interest. Internationally, the episode attracted 2.77 million viewers in the on . Global viewership estimates exceeded 20 million within the first week, incorporating streaming and syndication platforms worldwide. Including DVR and on-demand viewing, the live-plus-seven day total in the U.S. reached 12.37 million viewers. These figures were bolstered by effective marketing emphasizing Daenerys Targaryen's strategic maneuvers and alliances, alongside the absence of significant pre-air leaks that had plagued prior seasons.

Critical reception

"Stormborn" garnered widespread acclaim from critics, earning a 96% approval rating on based on 57 reviews, with an average score of 8.2/10. The episode's consensus highlighted its compelling strategic discussions and thrilling action climax. Critics praised the pacing and action sequences, particularly the Dragonstone council scene for its sharp dialogue among Daenerys's allies. lauded the sea battle as an epic culmination delivering fire, blood, and casualties with visceral intensity. Vanity Fair highlighted the emotional resonance of Arya's reunion with Nymeria, noting its deeper implications for her character's independence and connection to her direwolf pack. Some reviewers pointed out flaws, including rushed alliances that strained narrative credibility and underutilization of characters like during the Ironborn raid. Vox critiqued the episode for budgetary constraints leading to abbreviated scenes and uneven focus, while sparking debates on the treatment of female characters, such as the brutal dispatch of the Sand Snakes. Notable reviews included Entertainment Weekly's description of the episode as densely packed with converging plots, reunions, and twists akin to a . IGN awarded it a 9/10, commending its balance of political intrigue and explosive action. The overall consensus positioned "Stormborn" as a strong return to form following the season premiere, effectively advancing key Season 7 arcs through strategic developments and high-stakes confrontations.

Accolades

"Stormborn" earned a nomination at the 2017 Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Awards for Outstanding Editing in a Half-Hour or Hour Television Series, credited to editor Tim Porter. This recognition underscored the episode's technical prowess in post-production, particularly its editing that balanced introspective council scenes with high-stakes action sequences. The episode contributed to the broader acclaim for Game of Thrones season 7 at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, where it served as one of the submitted exemplars for Outstanding Drama Series consideration. Season 7 amassed 22 total nominations across Primetime and Creative Arts categories and won Outstanding Drama Series, though no wins were episode-specific; supporting elements from "Stormborn" supported submissions in drama categories. In other honors, season 7 received nominations at the , including Best Series. As of 2025, no additional episode-specific accolades have been awarded, though the season's contributions, including "Stormborn," continue to be highlighted in retrospectives for their role in the series' technical and narrative achievements.

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