The Rewatch Project: Season 4, Episode 6: First of His Name

Recap

Davos and Stannis visit the Iron Bank of Bravos. They are kept waiting and the beginning doesn't go well, but in the end Davos convinces them Stannis is the man to bet on for paying them back as King of Westeros. Davos finds Salidor Saan at a brothel and gives him money for his assistance with Stannis.

Yara leads a troop of me for a rescue of Theon as Ramsay and Miranda have a romp. The Iron Born arrive and use grappling hooks to storm the Dreadfort. They find Theon in the kennels but Theon is too far gone—confused and sure it is a trick of Ramsay's. As Yara tries to drag Theon out, Ramsay and some men arrive for a fight, then Yara and her men flee as Ramsay releases the hounds.

Ramsay gives Reek a reward—a bath. Ramsay helps, kindly, which is more terrifying than torture, then Ramsay tells Reek he needs his help, but he will need to play a role—pretend to be Theon Greyjoy.

A goat herder and his flock are accosted by a dragon and several goats are burned. Dany holds court and she promises to pay the herder three times their worth. Hizdhar then comes telling of his old proud family. Turns out his father was one of the slavers crucified. He asks to bury his father. Dany defends her actions, then allows him to bury his father.

Oberyn complains of the early hour for the small council meeting. Tywin begins. They determine a price on the Hound's head—one hundred silver stags. Varys gives a report on Danaerys. Cersei dismisses every detail about her. Tywin says she must be dealt with and has Mace Tyrell fetch quill and paper.

Oberyn and Varys speak in front of the Iron Throne. They speak of Oberyn's travels and Oberyn asks Varys about his story, sexuality and ambition.

Jaime visits Tyrion. It's time for the trial. Tyrion is led in and chained. Tommen recuses himself. Tywin asks if Tyrion killed Joffrey. He says no. Tywin asks if Sansa did. Tyrion says not that he knows of. Ser Meryn tells of Tyrion's threats and namecalling of Joffrey. Pycelle tells of the poisons stolen from his stores and the poison used to kill Joffrey, traces of which were found in the necklace Sansa wore at the wedding. Cersei testifies about Tyrion threatening that her joy would turn to ashes in her mouth, and then Varys tells of the threat Tyrion made at the small council meeting. Tywin calls for a recess.

Jaime confronts Tywin about the farce they are putting on, then offers to take up his role as heir if Tyrion can live. They reach an agreement. Jaime tells Tyrion the plan and the trial resumes.

Shae is called as a witness and gives a terrible spin to everything that happened between them, then lies and says Tyrion and Sansa plotted Joffrey's murder together. Tyrion says he wishes to confess, then gives a brilliant speech about wishing he'd killed Joffrey and wishing he'd let Stannis sack King's Landing. He then says he'll get no justice there and demands a trial by combat.



Review

I really like this episode. Dany's position and the weight of dragons in society weigh heavily. Oberyn's charm is on display when he questions Cersei about Tyrion's threat. And Tyrion's speech at this farce of a trial is one of my favorite scenes of the series. I even liked Tywin playing Jaime so skillfully. The only read detractor was the travesty that never should have happened. Yara's rescue attempt was just stupid. They all had weapons—running when the dog cage is opened? Yeahno. I guess it was so Ramsay would have something to reward Reek over, but that scene really is terrible. So one of the best scenes and one of the worst. I suppose at least they ended on a high note.