The Rewatch Project: Season 4, Episode 5: First of His Name

Recap

Tommen is crowned by the High Septon. People come to bow for him and he makes eyes at Margaery, then Cersei steps between them. She and Margaery discuss Joffrey, Tommen and marriage.

Jorah tells Dany Joffrey's dead and they've taken the Meereenese Navy. They discuss if it's enough to take King's Landing. Barristan feels the time is right, but Jorah reminds her they need to take all of Westeros, not just King's Landing. They argue about what support she will have, but then Jorah tells her in Yunkai, the wise master's have retaken the city. And in Astapor a butcher has declared himself King. She asks all but Jorah to leave. He says Westeros has never been so vulnerable. She says she won't see those she's freed slide back into chains. She is going to stay and rule.

Petyr and Sansa arrive at the Vale. He tells her about the pass then introduces her at the gate as his niece Alayne. Sweetrobin is excited to see Petyr. Lysa greets Sansa sweetly. Lysa asks Robin to show Sansa to her chambers, then she mauls Petyr and insists they get married that night. She prattles on about the things she's done for him, including poisoning her husband and blaming the Lannisters. He tells her never to speak of it. He agrees to marry and she brings in the septon.

Cersei and Tywin discuss Tommen and Margaery's wedding. They talk about husbands and gold. Tywin admits the Lannister mines are done. They've been borrowing. He reinforces the importance of paying back the Iron Bank. Tywin refuses to discuss Tyrion's trial, so Cersei discusses the Lannister legacy.

Arya lists her names. The Hound tells her to shut up. It is her kill list and they discuss the Mountain. He tells her to get her list over with. She says one last name. The Hound.

Lysa brings food for Sansa and tells her of Cat's sweet tooth. Lysa wonders why Petyr cares so much for Sansa and freaks out, twisting Sansa's words, accusing her of letting Petyr do things to her body. She holds Sansa's hands painfully and Sansa finally convinces her nothing happened. Lysa then hugs her and says when she is widowed she will be free to marry Robin.

Brienne and Pod rid, Pod badly. Brienne keeps trying to put him off but he sticks with her.

Arya water dances. The Hound says that is no way to fight. She brags about her teacher Syrio Forrell but the Hound is not impressed by someone killed by Meryn Trant. He lets her try to stab him but his armor stops the blade and he hits her and takes her sword to prove a point.

Oberyn writes poetry in the gardens and Cersei comes to ask him to walk with her. They talk of daughters and gods and not being able to protect those they love. She shows him a boat and asks him to see it delivered to Myrcella.

Pod catches a rabbit on fire because he didn't know to skin it. He's never cooked. Brienne is fairly brutal to him as useless until he admits he killed a King's Guard who was trying to kill Tyrion. She asks for help with her armor.

Locke scouts Craster's Keep and finds Bran. Jojen tells Bran not to let anything stop him He talks of the great tree. He says this isn't the end. Locke reports back. Eleven men, mostly drunk. He tells them to steer clear of the hut he knows Bran is in, reporting it has hounds that aren't worth the danger. Karl come for Meera and is gross and suggestive. Jojen tells him if he lets her know, he can help, tell him about things that have not happened yet. “I saw you die tonight.” Then the shouting and fighting start. Locke comes to “rescue” Bran, cutting him to verify who he is. Bran wargs Hodor who breaks free and breaks Locke's neck. Hodor is distressed when Bran returns to himself, but Bran directs him to free the Reeds. Jojen convinces Bran not to call to Jon since he needs to go north. Jon finds Karl and fights him with the help of one of Craster's wives. Jon's crew lost four and killed ten. Rast has disappeared. But Ghost found him. Jon and Ghost have a nice reunion. Craster's wives want to go on their own, but burn Craster's and all the dead.


Review

This was a strong episode. Dany, Lysa and Brienne bugged me a little, but Lysa is SUPPOSED to be nuts and Brienne came around. It is just her personality to be sort of crusty. I always love Arya and the Hound, and the fight at Craster's was satisfying, especially the emotional roller coaster with Bran's crew. And the negatives were much less negative than the last couple episodes have had, even if there were no great moments of awe. Overall it was solid.