Game of Thrones season 7 episode 5: 8 references and callbacks you may have missed in 'Eastwatch'

From Jon and Tyrion's heritage to the letter planted by Littlefinger

Game of Thrones only has two episodes remaining before its seventh season ends and the latest episode set in motion several events that are sure to come into play in what is sure to be a dramatic finale.

** Spoilers for 'Eastwatch' ahead **

As always, the show's latest episode contained numerous references to past events and the books, ranging from the obvious to things you completely missed.

Luckily, keen-eyed individuals across the Internet have broken down many of the secrets you may have missed.

The letter

Most fans were left scratching their heads after the scene which saw Littlefinger plant a letter for Arya to read, one that left her visibly shaken. Following the episode, it was swiflty pointed out what the letter said:

“Robb, I write to you with a heavy heart. Our good king Robert is dead, killed from wounds he took in a boar hunt. Father has been charged with treason. He conspired with Robert's brothers against my beloved Joffrey and tried to steal his throne. The Lannisters are treating me very well and provide me with every comfort. I beg you: come to King's Landing, swear fealty to King Joffrey and prevent any strife between the great houses of Lannister and Stark.”

Now, diehard Thrones fans will remember this is the letter Sansa was forced to write by Cersei, however, Baelish has clearly noticed the strains showing in their relationship between the Stark sisters (earlier in the episode, Arya chided the Lady of Winterfell for sleeping in their deceased parents' chambers) and will be completep roof that Sansa would betray her brothers. What the fallout will be remains to be seen but judging by Littlefnger's smirk after spotting Arya finding the letter, he can't wait to find out.

Jon's heritage

This week saw Gilly almost stumble upon a huge Westeros bombshell before being stopped dead in her tracks by frustrated former maester-in-training Samwell Tarly. Having mastered the art of reading, Gilly recounted a story written by a High Septon Maynard who had issued “an annulment for a Prince Ragger and remarried him to someone else at the same time in a secret ceremony in Dorne." Little did they know she was actually speaking about Jon Snow's parents - namely Rhaegan Targaryen - confirming he is (most likely, anyway) Dany's nephew which probably explains why Drogon was happy to sit back and let the King in the North stroke his snout (just like his brothers did with another character last season - more on that below).

It turns out Tarlys don't bend the knee "like everyone else"

Speaking of house Tarly, this episode saw the end of Randall and his son - and Sam's brother - Dickon - after they refused to bend the knee and accept Daenerys as their rightful queen. This was a callback to Robert Baratheon in season one who recalled how his first kill was a "stupid" Tarly boy. He adds that "now the Tarlys bend their knee like everyone else" - well, not for Dany which in turn caused her to permit Drogon to incinerate the two leaving Sam as the last surviving Tarly in Westeros.

Dragon stroking

This may be the first time Dany has seen her dragons respond in this way to a stranger, but that's not the case for the audience - this scene perhaps inadvertently addresses the long-standing theory that Tyrion Lannister is, in fact, not a Lannister but a Targaryen destined to ride the third of Dany's dragons as predicted in George R.R. Martin's source material. In season six, when Dany and Drogon had flown away from Meereen leaving behind Rhaegal and Viserion chained underground, angry and refusing to eat, we see Tyrion - clearly terrified - unchaining them, feeding them and (wait for it) stroking them.

Lions, wolves and sheep

A line spoken by Jaime was a callback to several other quotes to have been peppered throughout the series. Before Olenna necked the poison in episode two, she said: “Are you a sheep? No, you're a dragon” which in itself was a callback to Arya's earlier line - while donning the face of Walder Frey: “Leave one wolf alive, the sheep are never safe.” Jaime echoed his and Cersei's father Tywin's season one line of dialogue by saying: “A lion does not concern itself with the opinion of sheep” Lions are, of course, Lannister while a wolf is the emblem of the Starks.

Jorah and Thoros

This episode featured a multitude of reunions with characters traversing locations quicker in a matter of scenes than they have in entire seasons. The end of the episode saw several characters thrust together for the expedition beyond the wall to acquire a White Walker. While Gendry caught up with Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr - the duo who handed him over to Melisandre (placing them firmly on Arya's kill list - Jorah's history with Thoros has only been previously mentioned; in season three, he recounted how they had fought together during the Siege of Pyke during Balon's First Rebellion which led to Jorah's knightood. During the story, he mentioned Thoros' flaming sword which, going by the trailer for episode six, will come into play in the battle against the White Walkers.

Gendry and Jon = Robert and Ned

This episode could have seen the start of a new friendship between Jon Snow and the newly-returned Gendry, the (presumed) illegitimate sons of old pals Robert Bararheonand Ned Stark? The two sparked an instant camaraderie after Ser Davos' introduction them with Gendry himself fashioning a warhammer witha Baratheon emblem just like the one his father used to brandish.

Kevin Eldon

British comedian Kevin Eldon (Brass Eye, Hot Fuzz) showed up int his week's episode as the corrupt Golcloak who was wiped out by Gendry's warhammer - but this is not the first time we've seen him. He showed up last season as an actor in Braavos cast in the play about the fight for the Iron Throne as none other than Ned Stark.

Game of Thrones airs in the US on HBO every Sunday where it is simulcast in the UK on Sky Atlantic at 2am. It is repeated that same evening on both Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.