Game of Thrones season 7 episode 5: Explaining why Davos brought Gendry back into the fold during 'Eastwatch'

And not because of his claim to the throne

Another week, another episode of Game of Thrones for us to decipher, this week featuring a surprise [redacted], and a mysterious [redacted], and the return of [redacted].

**Spoilers for ‘Eastwatch' ahead**

For months, rumours had swollen around Gendry finally returning to Game of Thrones, the actor — Joe Dempsie — discussing as much at the LA premiere earlier this year.

Finally, five episodes into the seventh season, we saw the true Baratheon return and, importantly, offer to fight alongside Jon Snow.

Now, there are a couple of reasons Davos brought back Gendry, the main one being because of his claim to the Iron Throne. Could the Onion Knight, untrusting of Dany, want Gendry to claim what is arguably his?

Probably not. At this stage, not being a legitimate child of Robert’s basically means there’s very little Gendry can actually claim. Plus, that’s hardly Davos’s style, to undermine Jon by bringing someone who could possibly uproot all their plans.

Really, Davos probably wanted Gendry to keep his heritage secret because there’s zero interest in it. Instead, the knight wants Gendry there because of his steelwork, or, more importantly, his ability to craft Valyrian steel.

As we know, Valyrian steel can cut through White Walkers, much like Dragonglass. However, as Jaime points out to his father, Tywin, during season four when ordering Ned Stark’s sword to be melted down for two new blades: “No one’s made a Valyrian steel sword since the Doom of Valyria.”

Tywin, though, says there are three blacksmiths capable of working the special material. One of them, Tobho Mott, is the person Tywin employs in the books, and also Gendry’s former master.

​Tobho, though, doesn’t actually craft from Valyrian, he reworks a former Valyrian sword; Gendry has those same skills and would likely be able to do something similar.

However, whether the blacksmith could forge a new weapon remains to be seen. Chances are, though, Davos understands that if anyone can help make Jon some White Walker slaying weapons — whether from Valyrian or Dragonglass — the Baratheon is the person to do it.

Meanwhile, also during the episode, we may have accidentally discovered that Jon Snow is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.