| 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 | |
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, Myrcella, to be send away to marry. On returning to the palace after seeing her off, King Joffrey and others of the royal court learn exactly what 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 - ... Written by garykmcd
The Old Gods and the New is another good episode for this season, but it's not without some small flaws that I might have to over a bit. Some of the editing particularly in the beginning is a bit terrible and the pacing did drag a bit long. However, this episode overcomes those flaws by maintaining the show's greatest strengths.
The performances are still great, the story is still good, the script (despite the terrible editing) is still well-acted, the scenery is still gorgeous, the relationships continue to shine, and the music score is still beautiful this time around. So, overall not a great episode, but despite it's small flaws, it's still very good.