SPOILER ALERT! Tamed Hound? Sandor Clegane seeks a life of peace as he makes Game Of Thrones comeback... as Arya tries to buy passage home to Westeros

He was arguably the most cynical and ferocious man in the whole of Westeros.

So fans were surely shocked when they discovered The Hound wanted to enjoy a life of peace as he made his long-awaited Game Of Thrones comeback on Sunday.

Thankfully his life of seeking spiritual enlightenment was not to last, as The Brotherhood Without Banners came and butchered the religious community he had become an indispensable part of.

Forget Jon Snow: Seasoned Game Of Thrones fans were surely more excited at the dramatic return of Sandor Clegane on Sunday's episode

Forget Jon Snow: Seasoned Game Of Thrones fans were surely more excited at the dramatic return of Sandor Clegane on Sunday's episode

And the sight of an angry Sandor Clegane grabbing an axe he had been previously using to chop wood to help build a church surely warmed the heart of even the most jaded of the show's fans.

The sight of Rory McCann's grizzled warrior chopping wood at the start of the show was surely a shock for fans. 

Way back in season four he had been left to enjoy a long and lingering death by Arya Stark after he lost a fight with Brienne Of Tarth, though to be fair he was badly fatigued due to an infected bite wound at the time.

Lovejoy legend Ian McShane played Ray, a septim of The Seven who had found Clegane and nursed him back to health in The Vale, and he could not hide his mirth when his famously ferocious friend told him his near death experience came after he had been beaten by 'a woman.'

Lovejoy's latest antique: Fans discovered Ian McShane's holy man Ray had nursed The Hound back to health

Lovejoy's latest antique: Fans discovered Ian McShane's holy man Ray had nursed The Hound back to health

Tree-mendous performance: Not only did Rory McCann's character show he was still tough as old boots by chopping down trees with ease, but it also established the fact he is handy with an axe

Tree-mendous performance: Not only did Rory McCann's character show he was still tough as old boots by chopping down trees with ease, but it also established the fact he is handy with an axe

And as the cynical former bodyguard of King Joffrey questioned the priest's belief in a higher power, he was given a surprisingly direct answer.

Ray told him: 'I don't know gods, I don't even know their real names. Maybe it's the Seven, or the Old Gods, or the Lord Of Light or something else.

'What matters is there's something greater than us and whatever it is its got plans for Sandor Clegane.'

However his friend is still something of a Doubting Thomas, replying: 'You didn't know me back in my time. You don't know the things I've done. If the gods are real why haven't they punished me?' 

Food for thought: Sandor mulled over spiritual matters and questioned why he had not been punished for his past misdeeds if the gods did exist

Food for thought: Sandor mulled over spiritual matters and questioned why he had not been punished for his past misdeeds if the gods did exist

Spiritual refreshment: But Ray insisted that he had been saved for a purpose and that he had already paid for his sins during his agonising near death experience

Spiritual refreshment: But Ray insisted that he had been saved for a purpose and that he had already paid for his sins during his agonising near death experience

At peace: It seemed  some people would get to enjoy a life of happiness and fulfillment for once in Westeros

At peace: It seemed some people would get to enjoy a life of happiness and fulfillment for once in Westeros

But the holy man, who he later learns was a soldier himself, before his shame at committing war crimes made him turn to religion, say, 'You have.'

Sadly Sandor's life as a hard-working missionary are to come to a shocking end, which is foreshadowed when a menacing trio from the Brotherhood Without Banners ride up and demand tribute from the small band.

Ray, who had just told his followers how he slit a 'boys throat myself as his mother screamed and my fiends held her back,' during his shameful military days told them they had nothing to give them, though he said they were welcome to stay and share their supper.

Sermon on the hillock: Ray explains he turned to religion due to his shame at slaughtering children as a soldier

Sermon on the hillock: Ray explains he turned to religion due to his shame at slaughtering children as a soldier

Three wise men? Sadly for the religious collective they are Brotherhood Without Banners bandits

Three wise men? Sadly for the religious collective they are Brotherhood Without Banners bandits

'Stay safe the night is dark and full of terrors: The brigand refuses the offer for a bowl of soup and gives a threatening farewell

'Stay safe the night is dark and full of terrors: The brigand refuses the offer for a bowl of soup and gives a threatening farewell

Tactical disagreement: The Hound tells Ray he should ready the people for a fight but he is overruled
Tactical disagreement: The Hound tells Ray he should ready the people for a fight but he is overruled

Tactical disagreement: The Hound tells Ray he should ready the people for a fight but he is overruled

That was not enough for the brigands, with The Hound even trying to warn his friend that they would be coming back, but his fears were batted away.

Ray said: 'I'm done with fighting. Fighting is a disease - you don't cure it by spreading it to more people.'

His battle-hardened pal gave him one last warning however, countering: 'You don't cure it by dying either.'

And hours later his worst fears came true, as while he was off chopping wood in a nearby forest he heard screams coming from the construction site.

Ears of a Hound: Sandor is shocked when he hears screams in the distance as he chops trees

Ears of a Hound: Sandor is shocked when he hears screams in the distance as he chops trees

Butchered: He comes back to find the bustling building sight is a scene of devestation

Butchered: He comes back to find the bustling building sight is a scene of devestation

When he raced back, the floor was strewn with bodies, while Lovejoy himself was hanging by a noose from the spire frame they had been erecting as they worked to build a place of worship.

Sickened at the brutal murder of his new friends, the episode closed with the almost peerless warrior walking to a tree stump and grabbing an axe.

With The Hound back in fighting health, and with a cause other than filling his own pockets with gold to fight for, it looks like the outlaw group could have finally trifled with the wrong peasants at last.

Underlining the point, executive producer Bryan Cogman said: 'Ray recognises in Sandor a bit of himself. The Hound, apart from being grateful, starts to open up to him. He’s the first and only friend he’s ever friend in his life.'

Does this mean no Lovejoy revival? He is shocked to find his saviour handing from the church roof frame

Does this mean no Lovejoy revival? He is shocked to find his saviour handing from the church roof frame

Gods' plan: It seems Sandor is meant to commit more killing as he purposefully walks towards a chopper

Gods' plan: It seems Sandor is meant to commit more killing as he purposefully walks towards a chopper

They're going to regret this: A homicidal Hound carrying an axe is worth a dozen normal warriors

They're going to regret this: A homicidal Hound carrying an axe is worth a dozen normal warriors

But his comeback was far from the only exciting moment on what was arguably the finest episode of the season so far.

For Arya seemed set to be returning home after her attempt at become a Faceless Man, successfully buying passage on a cargo ship.

But it seems she may be staying on Braavos for some time yet, as she was viciously sliced and stabbed in the abdomen by her long-running nemesis The Waif. 

Farewell Titan steadfast and true: Arya Stark goes on one last sightseeing tour as she readies to return home

Farewell Titan steadfast and true: Arya Stark goes on one last sightseeing tour as she readies to return home

Sweet old ladies aren't what they used to be: Arya is attacked by a seemingly good matured septuagenarian 

Sweet old ladies aren't what they used to be: Arya is attacked by a seemingly good matured septuagenarian 

Sliced: She takes a hard knife swip to the torso as she turns round to speak to the woman

Sliced: She takes a hard knife swip to the torso as she turns round to speak to the woman

Not the pointy end: Arya is shocked as she is viciously stabbed several times in the stomach

Not the pointy end: Arya is shocked as she is viciously stabbed several times in the stomach

Surprise, surprise: She did not need Cilla Black to tell her she had been attacked by her nemesis The Waif

Surprise, surprise: She did not need Cilla Black to tell her she had been attacked by her nemesis The Waif

As she gazed at the famous Titan from a vantage point on a bridge, a scarily pleasant old woman came towards her and called her a 'sweet girl.'

Which was of course revealed to be The Waif, but only after she slashed her gut, the rammed a dagger into her abdomen and twisted the knife.

Thankfully Arya managed to fight her off before plunged into the water below.

However her future seems far from certain, as she groggily stumbled around the streets after she dragged herself from the river. 

Whee: Arya managed to push her attacker off and leap over the bridge

Whee: Arya managed to push her attacker off and leap over the bridge

Water way to go: She made a massive splash as she sunk down into the river

Water way to go: She made a massive splash as she sunk down into the river

Job well done? The Waif seemed satisfied as she waited several seconds to see if Arya survivied

Job well done? The Waif seemed satisfied as she waited several seconds to see if Arya survivied

Blunder: But she might be the one who pays with her life for failure after Scrappy Stark made it back on land

Blunder: But she might be the one who pays with her life for failure after Scrappy Stark made it back on land

Street walker: Arya manages to make her way up the stairs and starts stumbling around the city 

Street walker: Arya manages to make her way up the stairs and starts stumbling around the city 

It would certainly be the perfect time for her old fencing teacher Syrio Forel to be the latest character to make a shock comeback and finally give her the tuition she needs to become a fearsome Water Dancer.

Meanwhile Jaime Lannister was sickened by the ineptitude of the forces 'sieging' at the Riverrun, with the Freys attempting to strongarm the Brynden 'Blackfish' Tully into giving up the castle.

Unfortunately they tried this by threatening to execute his nephew Edmure Tully, whose ineptitude had led to Robb Stark's death in the first place.

The fearless old man calls their bluff, and they are forced to make an humiliating climbdown, in front of the Lannister army no less.

It beats Kings Landing: Jaime got to stretch his legs by going on a siege-lifting mission with the Lannister army and his old chum Ser Bron

It beats Kings Landing: Jaime got to stretch his legs by going on a siege-lifting mission with the Lannister army and his old chum Ser Bron

Calling their bluff: One of the Frey sons tried to force the Blackfish to surrender by threatening his nephew but the gamble backfired
Calling their bluff: One of the Frey sons tried to force the Blackfish to surrender by threatening his nephew but the gamble backfired

Calling their bluff: One of the Frey sons tried to force the Blackfish to surrender by threatening his nephew but the gamble backfired

Thwack: The Kingslayer's metal hand came in handy as he smacked the brother on the face for his insolence

Thwack: The Kingslayer's metal hand came in handy as he smacked the brother on the face for his insolence

Making a meal of it: He ordered Edmure be given food and a warm bath

Making a meal of it: He ordered Edmure be given food and a warm bath

After smacking on of Walder Frey's sons on the face with his metal hand, he orders them to, 'Have (Edmure) bathed and fed unless you want to take his place. The siege is now under my command. 

'Next time Blackfish looks out he'll see an army at his gates.'

The intrigue continued when Tully agreed to meet with Jaime to discuss possible terms of surrender, with Lannister insisting it is not worth resisting as The War Of The Five Kings was now over.

But Blackfish told him: 'As long as I'm standing the war is not over. This is my home. I was born in this castle and I'm ready to die in it. 

'You can attack or try and starve us out. We have provisions for two years - do you have two years Kingslayer?'

Something Blackfishy going on: Later Jaime went to the hold for a peace negotiation with 

Something Blackfishy going on: Later Jaime went to the hold for a peace negotiation with 

Chinwag: Instead of accepting terms the old warrior uses the meeting as a way to taunt his younger foe

Chinwag: Instead of accepting terms the old warrior uses the meeting as a way to taunt his younger foe

The series could be over by then: He tells Jaime he has enough provisions to last a two year siege

The series could be over by then: He tells Jaime he has enough provisions to last a two year siege

He then rubbed in the insult by explaining that the only reason he met with him was so he could size him up and to break the boredom of the siege, adding, 'Now I have I'm disappointed.'

Meanwhile Theon and Yara Greyjoy are shown having a whale of a time in Volantis, with the latter, despite her equivalent character having a boyfriend in the novels, indulging in horseplay with a female prostitute.

She manages to bring her broken brother out of his shell, and after he swears to assist in retaking their father's kingdom from their uncle Euron she reveals her grand plan.

Yara said: 'We're going to sail to Meereen. We'll make a pact with this Dragon Queen and we're going to take back the Iron Islands.'

Shocker: Fans of the novels will be surprised to discover Yara has been turned into a lesbian on the show

Shocker: Fans of the novels will be surprised to discover Yara has been turned into a lesbian on the show

You Reek? She manages to persuade Theon to throw off the persona he was given by Ramsay Bolton
You Reek? She manages to persuade Theon to throw off the persona he was given by Ramsay Bolton

You Reek? She manages to persuade Theon to throw off the persona he was given by Ramsay Bolton

Cunning plan: She then explains she plans to execute exactly the same scheme to befriend Daenerys her uncle detailed in the previous episode

Cunning plan: She then explains she plans to execute exactly the same scheme to befriend Daenerys her uncle detailed in the previous episode

This, of course, depends on Daenerys being willing to ignore the fact Euron has been voted ruler of said kingdom, will have a navy of his own and the fact the alliance is his idea in the first place.

In the North it was very much a case of one step forward, two steps back for Jon Snow and Sansa Stark, as they tried to muster forces to retake Winterfell.

Jon managed to persuade the Wildings to use their 2,000 strong force to spearhead the assault, though not without some difficulty.

Jon and whose army? Snow begged his Wildling allies to fight for him as he tries to retake Winterfell

Jon and whose army? Snow begged his Wildling allies to fight for him as he tries to retake Winterfell

Skeptical: But they are unsure if fighting the well armed Bolton forces is a good idea

Skeptical: But they are unsure if fighting the well armed Bolton forces is a good idea

Snow bother: But the intervention of giant Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg swings the argument his way

Snow bother: But the intervention of giant Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg swings the argument his way

A trip to House Mormont was successful, but it only added a mere 62 soldiers to the fighting force.

But in a moment that would melt even the Night King's heart, the adorable little Lady Lyanna Mormont assured them, 'We are not a big house, but we are a proud one. Every man from the Bear Islands fights with the strength of 10 of the main landers.' 

Less successful was a trip to House Glover, with the leader pointing out that they had only managed to retake their home from the Iron Born with the help of the Boltons.

I was pals with your uncle: Jon appealed to the young Lady of House Mormont's sentimental side

I was pals with your uncle: Jon appealed to the young Lady of House Mormont's sentimental side

Enough to melt the Night King's heart: And the adorable Lady Lyanna came to his aid with 62 warriors

Enough to melt the Night King's heart: And the adorable Lady Lyanna came to his aid with 62 warriors

Good cop, bad cop: Jon Snow appealed to reason while Sansa tried to pull rank on House Glover
Good cop, bad cop: Jon Snow appealed to reason while Sansa tried to pull rank on House Glover

Good cop, bad cop: Jon Snow appealed to reason while Sansa tried to pull rank on House Glover 

Stark reality: But an enraged Lord Glover tells Sansa her calls to his loyalty will go unrewarded

Stark reality: But an enraged Lord Glover tells Sansa her calls to his loyalty will go unrewarded

He added: 'Where was King Robb when the Iron Born attacked this castle, when they threw my wife and children in prison and brutalised and killed our subjects?

Taken up with a foreign whore getting himself and those who followed him killed. I served House Stark once, but House Stark is dead.'

Meanwhile Margaery, who has gained the trust of the High Sparrow, managed to warn her grandmother Olenna Tyrell that she must leave the capital at once, or else she could be arrested.

As she was preparing to flee, Cersei begs Olenna to stay and fight the Faith Militant.

However Olenna smartly observes that the war is already lost now they have the loyalty of the king, and adds: 'The people despise you, you're surrounded by enemies in the thousands. You've lost Cersei. It's the only joy I can find in all this misery.'

Making like a tree: Olenna Tyrell was planning to leave King's Landing after being warned by Queen Margaery

Making like a tree: Olenna Tyrell was planning to leave King's Landing after being warned by Queen Margaery

Looking on the bright side; But she told Cersei she took some comfort on her being surrounded by enemies
Looking on the bright side; But she told Cersei she took some comfort on her being surrounded by enemies

Looking on the bright side; But she told Cersei she took some comfort on her being surrounded by enemies

That stung: The Queen Mother was disappointed her rotten behaviour had came back to haunt her

That stung: The Queen Mother was disappointed her rotten behaviour had came back to haunt her

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