The Old Gods and the New (6 May 2012)

Theon seizes control of Winterfell. Jon captures a wildling, named Ygritte. The people of King's Landing begin to turn against King Joffery. Daenerys looks to buy ships to sail for the Seven Kingdoms.

Director:

David Nutter

Writers:

George R.R. Martin ("A Song of Ice and Fire" by), David Benioff (creator),

Stars:

Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Michelle Fairley

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Dinklage	...	Tyrion Lannister
Lena Headey	...	Cersei Lannister
Michelle Fairley	...	Catelyn Stark
Emilia Clarke	...	Daenerys Targaryen
Aidan Gillen	...	Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish
Kit Harington	...	Jon Snow
Charles Dance	...	Tywin Lannister
Isaac Hempstead Wright	...	Bran Stark
Richard Madden	...	Robb Stark
Sophie Turner	...	Sansa Stark
Maisie Williams	...	Arya Stark
Alfie Allen	...	Theon Greyjoy
Jack Gleeson	...	Joffrey Baratheon
Sibel Kekilli	...	Shae
Rory McCann	...	Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane

Storyline

In a surprise attack, Theon Greyjoy captures Winterfell demanding an oath of loyalty from everyone there in return for their lives. He is chastised however by the locals for turning on the family that raised him. The execution of a Stark family retainer shows just how serious Theon is. Robb Stark can't believe what's happened and swears to get his revenge. He is also growing fonder of Lady Talisa. At King's Landing, Tyrion knows better than most that war will devastate them and makes arrangements for Cersei's daughter, Myrtelle, to be send away to marry. On returning to the palace after seeing her off, King Joffre and others of the royal court learn exactly was the public thinks of them. North of the wall, Jon Snow and others are on patrol looking for wildlings. They kill a few but one of the survivors is an attractive young woman, Ygritte. At Harrenhall, Arya continues to work as Lord Tywin Lannister's cup bearer. She's taken aback however when a visitor from King's Landing - someone...

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Plot Keywords:

brutality | beheading | soldier | gang rape attempt | spear | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 May 2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Vík, Iceland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Television 360, Grok! Studio

Technical Specs

Runtime:

54 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the novel, it was not Ser Rodrik Cassel but Farlen the kennel-master who was beheaded by Theon. Theon falsely accused Farlen of killing three of his men (who were actually killed by Ramsay Snow at Theon's command), and sentenced him to death. Neither Dagmer nor any of Theon's men talked him into killing Farlen.

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Quotes

Tyrion Lannister: [to Joffrey] We've had vicious kings and we've had idiot kings, but I don't know if we've ever been cursed with a vicious idiot boy king!

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Soundtracks

"Main Title"
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Ramin Djawadi

User Reviews

Best episode yet, but a lot of changes too

Right, so this was (together with 'Garden of Bones'), in my opinion, the best episode of the second season. On the other hand, though, this was the one with the most changes, and really a LOT. It was the first time they came up with many new things and changed the story of a book in quite a few places. The outcome will be the same, but the journey towards it has been altered. Now, I expected this, since the producers probably want to leave their own mark as well, and not only copy the books. And I thought the changes were for the better. I have read the books, and don't mind them as long as they improve the story. The execution of Rodrik showed the pressure Theon has when he took Winterfell and how he took drastic decisions (more coming) which doomed him, and made him lose his last shred of honor. The fact that Dany's dragons were stolen will ,probably, lead to her going to the House of the Undying to get them back. Now, Dany's storyline in the 2nd book kind of bored me. This was a welcome change which definitely adds more tension and interest to her storyline. All in all, a great episode, with a few welcome changes which, I repeat, won't change the outcome but, in this case and from my point of view, make the story a bit faster paced, more emotional and better.