King Robert Baratheon finally decides that Daenerys Targaryen must die, a decision that causes the friendship between him and Ned Stark to basically shatter. The rift between the two has been growing since the beginning of the story and only worsened with Ned becoming the Hand of the King. Incensed by his King’s latest decision, Ned resigns as Hand, a decision that will end up costing hi dearly by episode’s end. As for the Stark daughters, Sansa has eyes on Ser Loras, the Knight of Flowers, who is nearly slain by The Mountain in the tournament and is later revealed to be having an illicit affair with another Baratheon. Arya, hiding in the skull of a dragon, overhears a plot against her father. Once Ned hears of this, his suspicions about his family’s well-being in King’s Landing taking a downturn grow and are confirmed later. Meanwhile, in the throne room, Pycelle and Petyr Baelish have a verbal confrontation that reveals much about the cunning of both men.
Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
To the north, a captive Tyrion Lannister proves to Lady Catelyn Stark that he may have no culpability in the assassination attempt on Bran. Cat still decides to take the imp to her sister, Lysa, at the Eyrie for trial. En route, Tyrion makes an important new acquaintance. At the Eyrie, both Catelyn and Tyrion are somewhat stunned to see the strange relationship between Lysa and her six year old son. Lysa automatically declares Tyrion guilty of murdering her husband and previous Hand of the King although she has no proof. That and her son’s gleeful request to “make the little man fly” off the mountain top Eyrie make Catelyn and Tyrion both realize that Tyrion’s fate is more or less sealed. Back in Winterfell, we gain a little bit ore insight into the Starks’ hostage/ward, Theon Greyjoy.
This is again another astonishingly great episode. We see Ned Stark’s growing sense of despair at his situation and Sean Bean continues to play him beautifully. Stark is taught a painful lesson, at the expense of the life of a dear friend, and Bean wonderfully plays the moment as he goes from momentary anguish to hateful outrage. Michelle Fairley does a tremendous job as poor Catelyn Stark begins to doubt Tyrion’s guilt and then witnesses the bizarre mental state of her sister and her nephew. It’s heartbreaking seeing both Cat and Ned realizing that their respective situations may be leading to their doom. I’ve always liked the fact that the Starks appear to be the only good and virtuous people in this series, but am saddened by the mounting tragedies that occur to this stalwart family as situations beyond there control force them to venture beyond the walls of Winterfell. It’s almost as if that northern kingdom is the last bastion of truth and decency in Westeros. Also, this episode gives more reasons why Tryion remains my favorite character in the books and in the TV series.
Once again, I implore you to pay close attention to what happens in this episode and especially to many of the conversations that happen. The menace-filled barb trading between Pycelle and Baelish is of particular import and make note of where they face each other. Will Tryion leave the Eyrie by air? Can Ned restore honor to the King and keep his family safe? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions and much, much more.
