Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 2, “Stormborn,” sees a few minor characters meet their end, primarily during the intense sea battle between Euron Greyjoy’s fleet and Yara Greyjoy’s ships. However, the most significant death is that of Obara Sand, one of the Sand Snakes, who is killed by Euron himself.
The Carnage of “Stormborn”: Unpacking the Fatalities
While “Stormborn” lacks the staggering body count of some later episodes, it sets a brutal tone with its opening naval skirmish. Euron Greyjoy, fueled by Cersei’s promise and his own sadism, launches a devastating attack, leaving chaos and death in his wake. The episode serves to thin the ranks of Daenerys’s allies and demonstrate the ruthlessness of her enemies. The focus isn’t necessarily on sheer numbers, but rather on the impactful demise of a somewhat established character like Obara Sand, highlighting the challenges facing Daenerys as she prepares to claim the Iron Throne.
Obara Sand: A Grim End to a Vengeful Warrior
Obara Sand, the eldest of the Sand Snakes and daughter of Oberyn Martell, meets her end in a particularly brutal manner. After her ship is boarded, she fights valiantly but is ultimately overpowered by Euron Greyjoy. He impales her on her own spear, mirroring the fate of her father, Oberyn Martell, who was famously killed by Gregor Clegane during a trial by combat. This mirroring is a deliberate callback, emphasizing the cyclical nature of violence and vengeance within the world of Westeros. Her death signifies not only a blow to Daenerys’s alliance with Dorne but also a significant loss for the Sand Snakes, leaving their already diminished ranks further weakened.
Other Casualties: The Unseen and the Unnamed
Beyond Obara, the episode showcases numerous unnamed soldiers and sailors on both sides of the battle falling victim to Euron’s surprise attack. The sea battle is visually chaotic, with ships burning, men screaming, and the general destruction of naval warfare. While these deaths lack the personal impact of Obara’s, they are crucial in illustrating the scale and brutality of the conflict. They underscore the point that war is not a glamorous endeavor and that many die without ceremony or recognition. The episode emphasizes the high cost of war for ordinary people, reinforcing the human toll of the game of thrones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who exactly is Obara Sand, and why is her death significant?
Obara Sand is the eldest of the Sand Snakes, illegitimate daughters of Oberyn Martell. She is a skilled warrior, known for her prowess with a spear. Her death is significant because it represents a loss of a key ally for Daenerys Targaryen. The Sand Snakes were meant to be a strong force supporting Daenerys’s claim to the Iron Throne, and with Obara’s death, their power is significantly diminished. More broadly, her demise highlights the vulnerability of even skilled fighters in the face of overwhelming force and the constant threat of death present in Westeros.
2. How does Obara’s death compare to the deaths of other Sand Snakes?
Obara’s death is strikingly similar to her father’s – impaled by a weapon. This parallel underscores the theme of generational trauma and the cycle of violence within the Martell family. Compared to Nymeria Sand (also captured in “Stormborn”), Obara’s death is more immediate and visceral. While Nymeria’s fate is uncertain at the time of the episode’s airing, Obara’s is definitively sealed. The deaths of these Sand Snakes contribute to the overall narrative of loss and the challenges faced by those who seek power in Westeros.
3. What role did Euron Greyjoy play in Obara’s death?
Euron Greyjoy is directly responsible for Obara Sand’s death. He leads the assault on Yara Greyjoy’s fleet, personally engaging in combat and ultimately killing Obara. His victory is a significant one for Cersei Lannister, as it weakens Daenerys’s alliances and demonstrates Euron’s ruthlessness and military prowess. He is portrayed as a major antagonist, and his actions set the stage for further conflicts in the season.
4. How does Obara’s death affect Daenerys’s plans for Westeros?
Obara’s death represents a significant setback for Daenerys Targaryen. The alliance with Dorne was crucial for securing support in Westeros, and the loss of Obara and the capture of Nymeria diminish the strength of that alliance. Daenerys now faces a more challenging path to claiming the Iron Throne, as she must contend with a weakened army and a more emboldened enemy in Cersei Lannister. She begins to seriously reconsider her strategy in Westeros as a result, realizing the stakes are higher than ever.
5. Were there any other named characters who died in Season 7 Episode 2?
Aside from Obara Sand, no other established named characters die in Season 7 Episode 2. The focus is primarily on the sea battle and the capture of Yara Greyjoy and Ellaria Sand. While numerous unnamed characters perish, their deaths serve primarily as a backdrop to the more significant events and highlight the casualties of war.
6. What was the significance of the sea battle in “Stormborn”?
The sea battle is significant because it demonstrates Euron Greyjoy’s naval power and his commitment to Cersei Lannister. It also serves to weaken Daenerys’s forces and establish Euron as a formidable threat. The battle’s outcome forces Daenerys to re-evaluate her strategy and consider alternative approaches to conquering Westeros. The battle demonstrates the importance of naval warfare in the overall conflict.
7. How did the show visually depict Obara’s death scene?
The death scene is depicted as brutal and swift. The visuals emphasize the mirroring of Oberyn’s death, reinforcing the cyclical nature of violence. The close-up shots highlight Obara’s struggle and her ultimate defeat, emphasizing the ruthlessness of Euron Greyjoy. The scene’s choreography is designed to be impactful and memorable, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking within the world of Game of Thrones.
8. Why was Obara’s death not a more drawn-out or emotional scene?
The lack of a drawn-out scene highlights the often-abrupt and unceremonious nature of death in Game of Thrones. It emphasizes that even skilled warriors can be killed quickly and unexpectedly. This unpredictability is a hallmark of the series and contributes to its realism. While Obara’s death is significant, the narrative focus is broader, encompassing the larger strategic implications of the sea battle.
9. What impact does the capture of Ellaria Sand have, considering Obara’s death?
With Obara dead and Nymeria’s fate uncertain, the capture of Ellaria Sand is a devastating blow to Dorne and Daenerys’s alliance. Ellaria is now at the mercy of Cersei Lannister, who is likely to seek revenge for the murder of her daughter, Myrcella. This further weakens Daenerys’s position and strengthens Cersei’s, setting the stage for a more challenging and complex conflict in the episodes to come. The loss of both Obara and Ellaria greatly diminishes the Dornish influence and effectively removes Dorne from being a major player in the war.
10. Did the books foreshadow Obara’s death in Season 7 Episode 2?
While George R.R. Martin’s books provide the basis for Game of Thrones, the show has diverged significantly from the source material. Obara Sand’s storyline differs greatly in the books, and her death as depicted in Season 7 Episode 2 is unique to the television adaptation. The books have yet to explore these specific events.
11. How did the deaths in “Stormborn” affect the overall tone of Season 7?
The deaths in “Stormborn” set a darker and more ruthless tone for Season 7. They highlight the escalating conflict and the high stakes involved in the game of thrones. The episode demonstrates that no character is safe and that even skilled warriors can fall victim to violence and betrayal. The episode also showcases the growing threat posed by Euron Greyjoy and the challenges faced by Daenerys as she attempts to conquer Westeros.
12. What is the legacy of Obara Sand within the Game of Thrones narrative?
While Obara Sand’s role might have been limited compared to other major characters, her death serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the cyclical nature of violence. Her demise underscores the fact that even those seeking justice and revenge can fall victim to the same brutal forces that they are fighting against. She represents the complexities of Dorne and the challenges faced by those who seek to break free from the constraints of power and tradition. She is a symbol of failed vengeance.