Ned is still in the dungeon. He knows his goose is cooked and his only friend is Varys who regales him with tales of castration. Not really what a condemned man needs to here.
Varys also tells him Robb is coming. The last time Ned say Robb he was a beardless boy. Varys wants Ned to bend the knee to Cersei but dopey Ned and his honour won't have it. He's a soldier. A man of the north.
The twins. The home of Walder Frey. Run away Starks. Please run away.
Good jesus he's a nasty durty old bastard. Father to a load of sons, all of whom he hates. He's not to be trusted but the Stark's have no choice. They need to get south fast and crossing the river on Walder's bridge is the only way to do it.
Dealing with the White Walker has earned Jon the respect of Commander Mormont. He gifts him a sword. One made of Valeryan steel. Valeryan steel can kill everything. EVERYTHING.
What was discovered at the wall has to be spread south. Not that anyone will believe it. Not just yet.
It's not only Mormont Jon has the respect of. The other Rangers are starting to look up to him as well. His good time is cut short as soon as he finds out about Robb heading to war though. Happiness doesn't last long at the wall.
A deal has been struck with Walder Fray. A promise that Arya will marry Walder's son and that Robb will narry his daughter. Robb has no intention of keeping that promise though. A decision that will have hideous consequences for the Stark future.
Watching this knowing what's going to happen would give you an awful knot in your guts.
But he has no choice. It's this or face Tywin head on. A battle they cannot win.
Back at the wall Jon's working with Maester Aemon. Time for a bit of night's watch lore. God it's a miserable place.
Jon is starting to realise that working at the Wall is for life. And that Maester Aemon is a Targaryen. His first contact with them. But not his last. Oh no.
In Vaes Dothrak Khal Drogo isn't looking too well. His wound from his last battle is starting to smell. The only thing that can fell the mighty warrior is a tiny germ. His men are losing respect for him fast. Loyalty doesn't exist in the world of the Dothraki.
Back in the Lannister camp Tywin is preparing for battle and is starting to realise that Robb mightn't be that easy to beat. He's going to make Tyrion earn his keep too. Tyrion on a battlefield. He doesn't stand a chance.
Back in his tent we get to meet Shae. The woman Tyrion will grow to love. A prostitute procured by Bronn but there's far more to her than meets the eye.
Gratuitous nudity klaxon!!! Tyrion might be facing death on the battlefield but goddamnit he's going to enjoy his last night on Earth.
Poor Drogo is in rag order. This does not look good. Not for Daenerys either. If he dies she will be prey for the Dothraki. Jorah Mormont knows what time it is and wants to get her out. But Daenerys is a stubborn one and asks help from a witch rescued from a pillaged village. A bad idea if there ever was one.
Bloodmagic. It just sounds wrong doesn't it. The Dothraki can sense it's all about to go wrong. So can the poor horse about to get it's guts spilled. I'd say PETA hate this show.
Now we get to see what Ser Jorah is made of. And how ill prepared the Dothraki are for battle against men in armour. All this stress pushes Daenerys into labour. THE DRAMA OF IT.
Tyrion has fallen for Shae instantly. Him, Shae and Bronn are chilling out before battle. Despite it all Tyrion is happy. A new friend and a new love.
That is until he tells him a story about how much his Da really hates him. The story of his first love Tysha. Grim as hell.
These quiet moments are great. We get to see what makes people tick. Loads of back story packed in in a way that never feels forced. Now i feel sorry for Tyrion. Never thought much of him until now. effective stiff.
Battle time. And a nuisance that plays out until season 4. Hearing about battles but never seeing them. Suffice to say Tyrion and Bronn survive.
The Stark's have been beaten but only 2000, a tenth of their army turned up. Where are the rest???
Oh they only snuck up on Jaime's forces down in Riverrun, defeated them and captured Jaime. Nice. Now they have a pawn. Robb Stark's a smart one. 2000 men died to capture Jaime and it's playing on Robb's mind.
King's Landing. This is it, the most talked about scene in series one. Arya is still running loose after the Lannister coup.
She's there to witness Ned's judgement. Will he bow before Cersei or will he stand tall? It's the first time she's seen him in an age. He spots her in the crowd. Oh christ it is fucking heartbreaking. He tells Yoren to grab her so he can shield her from all this.He can't shield Sansa though. She's going to get a close up view of her father's shame.
Joffrey accept's Ned's supportive words. But decides it's time for Ned to go. The boy has no mercy. The bollix. Even Cersei knows this will turn the common people against them.
The most honorable man in Westoros loses his head in front of his two daughters. A truly brutal moment.
A magnificent episode in which we realise anything goes in the Seven Kingdoms. No one is safe. Everyone is expendable.
Next up - Fire And Blood
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