HBO
An interesting episode, with one big death. Let's dive in:
1) Distrust grows
The beginning of the episode was about healing after so many friends were lost. But Dany's desire to take the iron throne at all costs is beginning to sow seeds of distrust. Varys and Tyrion are having their doubts. Sansa believes the troops need rest. With just two episodes remaining, the stage is set.
2) Cersei is just smarter
Dany's tactics from a military perspective continue to be questionable. She got another dragon killed, and Missandei captured. Cersei and her allies have been a step ahead from the beginning. Simple question: Why did she not circle around and hit the Greyjoy ships from behind after the anti-dragon weapon worked? She could have toasted the fleet without risking Drogon. Instead, she lost yet another battle.
3) Jamie comes full circle
Jamie's character arc has been amazing. From absolute turd to likable, and it all centered around Brienne. The fact that they finally hooked up was predictable. But for Jamie to leave her to return to Cersei, to once again go back to being a turd...the entire character change seemed to be erased. We still have to think that his story is still to be determined.
4) Adios, Missandei
Another second-tier character bites the dust as Cersei executes Missandei. It serves as a plot point in that now the wrath of Dany and Grey Worm will be impossible to stop. Cersei's arrogance is born of victory after victory. She believes she is going to win, to the point she enjoys killing Missandei. It would be wholly unsatisfying, but at this point do you believe she won't win?
5) Big betrayal coming?
The episode set up something big for next week. Does Varys betray Dany? Will Tyrion? Does the Golden Company betray Cersei? The battle for the Iron Throne will likely be settled next week, and we still have no clue who it will be. Cersei? Dany? Jon? Dany's strategy has been terrible. Why not just dispatch Arya to assassinate Cersei? No battle, no war. Easy surrender. Instead we are likely to see another battle and thousands of innocent deaths. Cersei was always the biggest threat, more so than the Night King, because she is smarter than everyone else.
My only main beef is with the pacing of the show. Too many scenes are dragged out, while others seem rushed.
Still, this was a solid episode, and hopefully the next will be even better.
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Rumors have been swirling in recent days about the possible reunion between the Astros and Carlos Correa. Correa made the trade sound like an unlikely possibility on Wednesday, but now, it appears it's happening.
According multiple sources, including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, the Astros are trading for Correa.
Source: The Astros are have agreed to a deal to reacquire Carlos Correa in a trade with the Twins.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 31, 2025
With third baseman Isaac Paredes likely unavailable until next season, this move makes a lot of sense for a team trying to win a World Series this season.
Correa has already agreed to play third base, with Jeremy Pena remaining at shortstop. Carlos is guaranteed $96 million through the next three seasons.
Correa is slashing .267/.319/.386 this season, not exactly the numbers we expect from Correa. But he was terrific in 2024, so hopefully a change of scenery sparks more production.
However, a deeper look at the numbers shows Correa has been much better as of late. He's slashing .308/.373/.421 with 2 homers and 9 RBIs over his last 30 games.
What did the Astros give up?
Details of the trade are finally being released. The Twins are paying $33 million of Correa's remaining $103.42 million contract.
The Minnesota Twins are paying a whopping $33 million of Carlos Correa's remaining $103.42 contract.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2025
The Twins will receive LHP prospect Matt Mikulski, per Bob Nightengale.