As the fourth to the last episode of Season 5, "The Gift" comes right after the controversial episode that ended with Sansa Stark's rape on her wedding night at the hands of her new husband, Ramsay Bolton, as Theon/Reek watched. That episode sparked outrage, with quite a few groups announcing they would boycott future episodes.

That would have been a pity, if it has really happened, because in this episode, we see Sansa Stark, black and blue, but with a sense of dignity and determination about her. She does not ask for Theon to help her, she reminds him of who he is, Theon Greyjoy, son of Balon Greyjoy. Theon, on the other hand, is clearly a broken man. Sansa enlists his help to take a candle out to the tower, as a sign for Brienne of Tarth to rescue her. He sells Sansa out to Ramsay, proving once and for all, he is still Reek, Theon nowhere to be found.

Sansa shows her spark by planting in Ramsay's head that Roose's future child will have a stronger claim to his inheritance, that he was still a bastard and the King that legitimized Ramsay, Tommen, was himself a bastard. Ramsay was perturbed, definitely, but he also proved that he was still Ramsay, by flaying the old woman that was helping Sansa out, submitting her to torture, as was his usual way. But the take away in this episode is that Sansa Stark has some fire in her and she will not just bow down to Ramsay and her supposed fate. Sansa Stark, who started the series as weak, superficial and a victim, has finally found her backbone and fire.

Enroute to Winterfell, Stannis Baratheon's army encounters severe losses, because the men are not used to the harsh Northern snow. Tens perish, there is no food and horses die. Davos urges Stannis to go back to Castle Black to spend the winter there, but rightfully, Stannis says that by the time winter is over, everything will be over. Melisandre suggests a sacrifice, of someone with royal blood. That someone being Stannis' beloved daughter, Shireen. Obviously Stannis refuses.

Back in Castle Black, Aemon Targaryen dies, and with Stannis and his army moving towards Winterfell, and Jon Snow travelling to enlist the Wildlings, Sam Tarley and Gilly are in a precarious position, amongst people who mean them harm. Another would-be rape starts playing out as two crows try to have their way with Gilly, but Sam turns hero and tries to fight them, announcing that he has killed a White Walker and a Thenn and he would undoubtedly take his chances on the two. He gets beaten up, and thankfully, Ghost, Jon Snow's direwolf appears to save the day. Sam's heroics did not come to naught, however, since he and Gilly finally consummated their "romance."

In Dorne, Myrcella tells Jamie she refuses to go with him and that she was better off in Dorne, as she has obviously fallen in love with her intended, Trystane. Bronn also has some fun in this episode, as he shares jail space with the Sand Snakes. Tyene and Bronn get into a flirtatious encounter that includes getting poisoned (Bronn) due to a nick from Tyene's dagger and having him admit she was beautiful before she threw him the antidote. And all this while her sisters watch and roll their eyes.

In Mereen, the stage is set for the historic meeting of Tyrion and Danaerys. But first, we have to understand that Daenerys is still with Daario Nahaeris, while engaged to Hizdar. It is Hizdar that brings Daenerys to the lower pits where Jorah and Tyrion were scheduled to fight. Jorah defeats all his opponents, hoping that Dany will be glad that it was him when he removes his helmet. Daenerys was not pleased at the sight of him, until Jorah presents his "Gift" to her, in the person of Tyrion! Surely, Tyrion will add a lot of needed wit and color to the Meereen storyline. If only for that, fans are awaiting the next episode with bated breath.

In King's Landing, karma makes an appearance. Cersei gets what she deserves. With Lady Olenna tries everything to save her grandchildren, Loras and Margaery, from incarceration. She tried the threat card with the High Sparrow, only to be rebuffed. She then gets Littlefinger, who was her collaborator in the untimely death of Joffrey, to do something and he gave her a "gift" in Lancel Lannister—Cersei's cousin and one-time lover, and now die-hard Sparrow. Once Lancel spilled what he knew about Cersei to the High Sparrow, everything culminated in Cersei being captured, and being thrown in jail, a similar cell where she gloated over Margaery earlier.

There are three episodes left before the Season ends, and we can't wait to see how the stories will progress, specifically, Tyrion and Daenerys and how their dynamic would be.