This week saw some great moments of character and story, picking up the pace last week with a fast moving pace and several brilliant set pieces, tied up in a great conclusion. Game of Thrones continues where it left off, with Ned Stark awakening from the attack by Jaime Lannister, with a war brewing between the Stark and Lannister houses. In the first scene we see Cersei accuse Ned of kidnapping Tyrion and provoking Jaime into a fight while Robert is caught between the two. Rob insists that Ned remain Hand of the king, because of his bond to him, and instructs him to fill in on his kingly duties while he's absent. The main focus was on Ned sitting in for the King while he was hunting, dealing with the Lannisters' crimes in the countryside. Learning that Lord Lannister's knight, Ser Gregor, aka "The Mountain" has been terrorizing villages, Ned strips him of his titles and orders him to be arrested. If Lord Lannister refuses, then he is to be killed. The scene with Ned promising the villagers justice and giving Gregor and Lord Lannister their sentencing was a character defining moment and an awe-inspiring moment. It shows how fearless Ned is, ignoring the king's advisers and Lannister's wealth and power, doing something that the King would never have done while fully aware of the consequences. Tyrion has already been kidnapped, and with Ned, acting as king, ordering for Lannister's arrest, that's just asking for trouble. Ned also realises, after consulting the book of lineage, that Prince Joffrey is the only Baratheon who does not have black hair and thus can't be Robert's son. How much has he worked out? Jon Arryn was last seen tracking down the King's bastard children, possibly looking for the rightful heir. The moment of Ned's realisation as to why Jon Arryn died is another watershed moment in the series as the pieces start to fit together, which leaves the audience satisfied.
Else where, Lord Tyrion, having been captured by the Tully sisters in the previous episode, tricks his way to a trial, a "combat trial", as it happens, where a champion fights for each side of the case. The mercenary Bronn volunteers to fight for Tyrion's freedom and duels with a knight of the Vale in a excellent choreographed fight scene. Of course, Bronn wins and Tyrion is set free, much to Catelyn and Lysa's chagrin. Tyrion has become my favourite character of the series, besides Eddard. The scene where he gives his "heartfelt" speech about his crimes was golden and how he talked Lysa into giving him a trial is hilarious another character-defining scene. Here is this arrogant rich lord who may have killed someone, yet he is so charming that he could possibly get away with anything with his wit and likeability. He has me won over.
Finally, after a one-episode hiatus, we return to the Dothraki, where Dany, impervious to fire, like a true dragon, undergoes a ritual where she eats a horse's heart. Seeing how Dany has gained the Dothraki's love, Viserys throws a jealous wobbler and, after attempting to steal Dany's dragon eggs, gatecrashes a feast in this week's final scene and threatens to take Dany away if Khal Drogo doesn't give him an army to rebel against Robert. When Viserys threatens to cut the baby out of Dany, Khal agrees to give him a "golden crown", by pouring molten gold over his head, burning him to death. This scene is genius for numerous reasons. Firstly, it's a scene where Dany realises that her brother only cares about power and not for her at all. She also realises that he's weak and not worthy of leading an army. As she coldly says in one of the best lines of the series, "He was no dragon, fire cannot kill a dragon." This truly is a quotable episode, and Khal Drogo's first English words are also unforgettable: "You are no king." Just about sums it up. Finally, Harry Lloyd plays Viserys' breakdown perfectly. Simply, he's just a child, a human and sympathetic child who's been cast aside by society and now his family. His final moments were heartbreaking and Lloyd never went into cartoon villain territory. Very well done.
This was an episode where a lot happened, but it wasn't about that. It was the little things, the character moments, that made it so great. There were so many great moments and quotes. A real gem. Next week, will Rob have his wish and kill Dany? How will the Lannisters react to Ned's orders? And what will Ned do now that he knows the truth of Jon Arryn? I know how I'll find out.
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