Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • God of War Laufey
  • PlayStation State of Play
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • New Games 2026
  • Summer Game Fest
  • Best gaming tech
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Action Shows

Game of Thrones season 3 recap - everything you need to know

Features
By David Roberts published 12 July 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Ahh, Game of Thrones. That fun, feel-good family-friendly show filled with backstabbing both political and physical. If you've found yourself impervious to the show's brand of heartbreak through season 2, well, season 3 might be the one that finally does you in. You'll see. Get caught up with our handy recap before the show returns with Game of Thrones season 7 this week.

Westeros is still in turmoil - because of course it is - but after Stannis' failed attempts to attack King's Landing, the Lannisters continue to hold on to the Iron Throne. King Joffrey is now betrothed to Lady Margaery Tyrell, and he continues to be really weird and creepy about it.

Sansa Stark, now dumped and possibly in danger now that she has no political reason to be kept alive, is attempting to flee King's Landing. She confides in Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish - who, unbeknownst to her, is one of the people responsible for her father's death and has a thing for her mom, Catelyn - and he's also really weird and creepy about it.

Luckily, before Creeperson can make a move on Sansa, Tywin Lannister promotes him to Lord of Harrenhal and decrees that he sail off to the Eyrie to marry Lysa Arryn. He then promotes Tyrion to Master of Coin in his stead and forces him to marry Sansa. Neither of them are very happy about this - Sansa just wants to stay alive, while Tyrion is madly in love with someone else. He gets blindingly drunk on his wedding night.

Over in Essos, Daenerys is building her army, buying then freeing several thousand Unsullied (i.e., eunuch slaves who are brutally trained in combat). Well… buying is a nice way to put it. She sells one of her dragons to the slave owners, then has it rain hellfire on the city to get her dragon back. She then uses those soldiers to sack numerous cities and free their slaves, who all voluntarily join her exponentially increasing army.

You may like
  • House of the Dragon House of the Dragon season 3 release date, cast, plot, and more news
  • Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones Game of Thrones play cast announcement confirms fan favorite characters will return in the new story
  • Matt Smith as Damon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3 Final House of the Dragon season 3 trailer sees dragons descend on King's Landing

Dany gonna fuck your day up, for real.

Up in the north, Jon Snow continues to be pretty useless. He spends much of season 3 getting to know the Wildlings and their leader, but his cover gets blown when he's unable to kill a few innocent people at the Wildlings' request. Ygritte shoots him with a few arrows (but doesn't kill him because she actually likes the dingus), but he escapes and falls at Castle Black's doorstep.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Nope. Still doesn't know a goddamn thing.

Bran Stark continues to make his way toward the Wall, and is haunted by disturbing visions. Along the way, he meets Meera and Jojen Reed. Jojen has similar powers to Bran, and has sought him out to protect him. Bran learns that he is a warg, able to control the minds of animals and less-intelligent humans.

Osha takes Bran's younger brother, Rickon, to hang with the Umber family while they head past the Wall in search of the three-eyed raven Bran sees in his dreams.

You may like
  • House of the Dragon House of the Dragon season 3 release date, cast, plot, and more news
  • Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones Game of Thrones play cast announcement confirms fan favorite characters will return in the new story
  • Matt Smith as Damon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3 Final House of the Dragon season 3 trailer sees dragons descend on King's Landing

Brienne of Tarth continues her journey toward King's Landing with Jaime Lannister in tow. They end up captured by the Boltons, and Jaime gives them a hand…

...not voluntarily, of course.

Lord Bolton is pissed that his own men have maimed a highborn Lannister, and frees Jaime on the condition that he won't tell anyone the Boltons were responsible for his, uh, injury. They keep Brienne under arrest, though, and force her to fight a bear. Jaime leaps into the pit to save her.

The escape the pit together, and both are free to return to King's Landing.

Meanwhile, war rages on as Robb Stark continues his assault on the Lannisters. Robb has led his troops to several victories, but loses momentum due to a series of poor decisions, and has to call upon House Frey for assistance. You know, the house he betrayed when he went back on his promise to marry one of Lord Frey's daughters. They meet for dinner to celebrate their newly forged alliance when...

Oh…

Oh, God…

*hurk* Well, that's it. I guess the show's over then - wait, there's more after this??? But all the nice people are dead!!!

Oh, that's right! Arya! She's been running around trying to rejoin her family, eventually finding the unlikely assistance of a big brute known as The Hound, and is moments away from a touching reunion when she stumbles upon this whole mess. Luckily, she's able to get away without getting caught.

Let's not forget about poor ol' Theon Greyjoy. He got knocked the hell out in season 2, and is now in the hands of Ramsay Snow, the deranged bastard son of Lord Bolton. Theon is tortured, castrated, and beaten until he submits to his new name: Reek.

This is a fun show, you guys! Aren't we having fun? Stay tuned for season 4, where this series continues onward.

David Roberts
David Roberts
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

David Roberts lives in Everett, WA with his wife and two kids. He once had to sell his full copy of EarthBound (complete with box and guide) to some dude in Austria for rent money. And no, he doesn't have an amiibo 'problem', thank you very much.

Read more
House of the Dragon
Fantasy Shows House of the Dragon season 3 release date, cast, plot, and more news
 
 
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones
Fantasy Shows Game of Thrones play cast announcement confirms fan favorite characters will return in the new story
 
 
Matt Smith as Damon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3
Fantasy Shows Final House of the Dragon season 3 trailer sees dragons descend on King's Landing
 
 
House of the Dragon
Fantasy Shows House of the Dragon season 3 trailer is a moody warning that doom and ruin is coming for our favorite Targaryens
 
 
Daenerys in Game of Thrones
Fantasy Shows Upcoming Game of Thrones movies and TV spin-offs in 2026 and beyond
 
 
Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3
Fantasy Shows House of the Dragon season 3 trailer cleverly sets-up a major tragedy to come from George R.R. Martin's book
 
 
Latest in Action Shows
Nic Cage in Spider-Noir, holding a mask
Marvel TV Shows Nicolas Cage doesn't know if Spider-Noir will return for season 2 "We’ll see what happens"
 
 
Andrew Garfield
Marvel TV Shows Spider-Noir star Nicolas Cage has revealed his favorite live-action Spider-Man, and it's not who I was expecting
 
 
Charlie Cox as Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again season 2
Marvel TV Shows Marvel fans celebrate anniversary of one of the "top 5 casting[s] in the MCU"
 
 
Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir
Marvel TV Shows Spider-Noir star Nicolas Cage was "adamant" about not doing TV, until he watched Breaking Bad
 
 
Nic Cage in Spider-Noir, holding a mask
Marvel TV Shows Marvel fans think there's a nod to Spider-Verse in the first few minutes of Spider-Noir
 
 
Wilson Bethel as Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again season 2
Marvel TV Shows Wilson Bethel says Bullseye will "resemble the comic book version a little bit more" in season 3
 
 
Latest in Features
A man with glasses stand behind someone else in Until Dawn 2, with the orange GamesRadar+ Summer Preview 2026 frame
Horror Games Until Dawn 2's campy teen slasher vibes proves there's nothing like old-school horror
 
 
Faye stands on a cliff overlooking Everwhen holding a sword with a ribbon attached and standing next to a jelly cube in key art for God of War Laufey, with the orange GamesRadar+ Summer Preview 2026 frame
God of War God of War Laufey is exactly how I want the series' combat to evolve, from classic air combos to ruthless soul-punching
 
 
God of War Laufey protagonist Laufey lying on a stone altar surrounded by butterflies, shown during the June State of Play which is recapped in this article
PlayStation 5 State of Play announcements that stole the stream
 
 
God of War Laufey
Games God of War Laufey: Everything we know about the new adventure game
 
 
Captain America leads Thor, Ant-Man, Wasp, Hulk, and Iron Man into battle
Tabletop Gaming I may not like mixing MTG Marvel Super Heroes with classic Magic, but from what I've seen it deserves a chance
 
 
Collage image of gaming hardware accessories split with white lines, including a headset, controller, ZX Spectrum, and keyboard
Hardware The best gaming tech we've reviewed in May 2026
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Faye stands on a cliff overlooking Everwhen holding a sword with a ribbon attached and standing next to a jelly cube in key art for God of War Laufey
    1
    There's more to God of War Laufey's cube than your small brain can possibly understand
  2. 2
    Marvel's Wolverine isn't an open-world game like Spider-Man, it's a "linear single-player adventure"
  3. 3
    Final Fantasy and Star Wars have the same problem, says ex Square Enix exec: fans are getting old
  4. 4
    Splinter Cell designer Clint Hocking says "I don't think I could ever do better" than Chaos Theory
  5. 5
    8 years after Take-Two's CEO went shirtless with his 8% body fat physique, he's now in WWE 2K26

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...