Gendry Is Off The Boat And Ready To Fight The White Devils

We can thank Sir Davos Seaworth for finally answering the one question we’ve had since Game of Thrones Season 3. Robert Baratheon’s bastard son Gendry is no longer rowing the boat.

Gendry returned in Game of Thrones Season 7 episode 5 . Davos had to smuggle Tyrion into King’s Landing to meet with Jaime. The plan was for Tyrion to convince Jaime to convince Cersei to agree to a ceasefire until they deal with the white walker threat. Tyrion knew Cersei would execute him, but Jaime might be willing to listen.

Since Davos was headed to King’s Landing, he finally had a moment to investigate what happened to Gendry. Davos finds Gendry working as a blacksmith and the two are happy to see each other. Joe Dempsie, who plays Gendry on the show, told HBO’s Making Game Of Thrones blog he knew his character would be back, but not when. Dempsie also got used to the “still rowing” jokes about Gendry.

“It sort of became part of my everyday existence,” Dempsie said. “I guess I have to accept some level of culpability for it. I tweeted ‘Still rowin’ at the end of Season 4, and it just became way beyond my control. There’s a lot that the internet has to answer for, but it’s been brilliant. When I shot my first scenes on Season 7, I’d been on Irish soil for about 10 minutes and someone got a snap of me walking through the airport in Belfast. Within 24 hours, that picture had done the rounds and someone had managed to Photoshop me carrying an oar. I’ve really enjoyed playing along with it.”

Now we know Gendry was doing more than just rowing. Apparently the guy leveled up and can fight with a warhammer. He also didn’t hesitate to leave King’s Landing when Davos offered him a way out. It was great to see Gendry’s storyline finally addressed, but it all happened so quickly. As soon as Tyrion was finished in King’s Landing, Gendry was out with him. Gendry meets Jon Snow, they seemingly bond quickly since their dads were BFFs. Then before you could even process Gendry’s return, he’s at the Wall with Jon, Jorah, Tormund and the Hound.

Seriously, the fast travel on the show is insane. They’ve built up the show to be the epic tale only to quickly tie up loose ends. We’re not mad at the speed at which major plot points are happening; it makes sense to cut out minor storylines to get to the big white walker battle. But Gendry was a little too quick to join Jon’s cause. And a boat ride from King’s Landing to Eastwatch-By-The-Sea happened in an instant.

But let’s not get too hung up on Gendry’s quick return. It’ll be interesting to see him reunite with Arya, if the show ever gives them a chance. Arya’s a little too dark and could use the reminders of what she’s actually fighting for. Seeing Jon and Gendry in Winterfell might do Arya some good. Dempsie told HBO’s Making Game Of Thrones blog his character has definitely thought about Arya since returning to King’s Landing.

“Over the course of the first three seasons, and probably in his life leading up to it, Gendry found himself to be very trusting of people — and sometimes the wrong people,” Dempsie said. “The events of Season 3 have hardened him a little bit; made him a little less naïve. I think with that in mind, he’d love to see Arya again. He senses she’s a good soul. I wouldn’t say he’s pining, because you have to toughen up and accept there are people who are going to drift in and out of your life. I’m sure he thinks of her every now and again and wonders how she’s getting on, and whether she’s crossed more names off that list.”

Game of Thrones Season 7 airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.