The Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his father's northern allies and heads south to war; The White Walkers attack the Wall; Tyrion returns to his father with s... Read allThe Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his father's northern allies and heads south to war; The White Walkers attack the Wall; Tyrion returns to his father with some new friends.The Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his father's northern allies and heads south to war; The White Walkers attack the Wall; Tyrion returns to his father with some new friends.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first episode in the series written by George R.R. Martin, and the first screenplay which Martin has written in almost a decade and a half (although the "Not today" lines and Drogo's fight scene were inserted by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss). On the commentary track, Martin relates that prior to Game of Thrones, he was never allowed to adapt his own work to the screen, since original authors are supposedly too close to their own material.
- GoofsWhen defending Arya from the Lannister henchmen, Syrio Forell handily dispatched the first attacker while the others were all several steps away. This gave him an opportunity to take the first henchman's sword to defend himself with steel, instead of ridiculously using wood. The First Sword of Bravvos would certainly have thought of this. Even though he knew he was a better swordsman than the Lannister men, he was greatly outnumbered and would never fall into the trap of arrogance by choosing to fight with a wooden sword in a contest of life and death.
- Quotes
Shagga: How would you like to die, Tyrion, son of Tywin?
[a pause]
Tyrion Lannister: In my own bed, at the age of 80, with a belly full of wine and a girl's mouth around my cock.
[Shagga bursts out laughing. Tyrion and Bronn smile]
- Crazy creditsThe sun tells an important part of the series back story, on its panels. It does so in three segments. First, as the credits start up, the sun depicts how the Targaryens and their dragons conquered Westeros. The second time the sun is shown, a dragon is depicted in a mortal struggle with 3 other animals: The Stag, the Lion and the Wolf. It is a very literal way to show how Robert Beratheon and Ned Stark rebelled, with Tywin Lannister reluctantly supporting them, in the end. Finally, the third time the sun is shown, before the series title enter the scene, a lion (among other animals) is shown "kneeling" to a triumphant Stag. Just as Robert was crowned King after winning the war.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Game of Thrones Quotes (2016)
This episode has the Lannisters asserting their power over the Starks. Ned Stark is rotting away in the dungeons, with the eunuch Varys as his only visitor. As least Varys keeps Ned in the loop and brings him bread and water in the process. It's not much better for the Stark girls. Arya is practicing with Sylvio when the Red Keep comes for her, but Sylvio forces her to run. Sansa is placed under arrest. Her engagement for Joffrey is still on and she still claims she loves him. However, she pleads for the release of his father. Joffrey promises her that he will not be killed if he admits he is the true king, and Cersei forces her to write a letter to her brother Robb to declare fealty of the new king.
This episode is the first time we really see Robb in action. Robb gathers a huge army and sits at the head with the goal to attack the Lannisters. Robb sets free a Lannister guard and tells him to go to Tywin to say that they are coming. Catelyn reunites with Robb, but she loses Tyrion in the process.
Speaking of which, Tyrion and Bronn escape from her clutches and ends up meeting a hill tribe bent on killing them. Through his sharp words, Tyrion manages to get the hill tribe to fight for the Lannister army. When arriving in Tywin's camp, Tywin looks less than pleased. But he may have a spot for the hill tribe after all.
In order to pay for the war against the Seven Kingdoms, Drogo and the rest of the Dothraki plunders and rapes a village while selling their people into slavery. Daenerys wants them to end their practices, and Drogo agrees. But one Dothraki is not happy and challenges Drogo. Drogo ends up wounded, but can a witch work her wonders on Daenerys's husband?
Finally, let's go to the North. Jon Snow is still not happy about his job assignment. Something has to make him spring into action, right? Maybe that thing could be.....a zombie! Yup, zombies (known as White Walkers) are "alive" and well beyond the wall. In a world without guns, it would be interesting to see how they adapt to killing these zombies. Luckily, Jon was able to save Commander Mormont from a gruesome death.
Overall, this is another amazing episode thanks to the screenplay by Martin and the skillful direction of Daniel Minahan. It is somewhat of a talkative episode, but everything moves at a fast pace. No heavy or long monologues. Most of the dialogue is short and straight to the point. And of course, Tyrion adds the humor that we all so desperately love. Also, props must be given to Jack Gleeson. I absolutely loathe his character and wish all the bad luck in the world on him, but he plays his character with gusto and I applaud him for that!
My Grade: A
- gab-14712
- Jul 4, 2019
Details
- Runtime59 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1