Bran's dreaming about 3-eyed crows and is awaken by Theon for a guest. Robb is rude to Tyrion, but Tyrion gives Bran plans for a saddle anyway.
Outside Tyrion goads Theon about being a prisoner of the Starks.
During a workout at the wall, Sam arrives. He is hopeless, Ser Alliser is an ass, and Sam admits he is a coward. Later, atop the wall, after admitting he also doesn't see well and is scared of heights. Then he tells the sad story about his father not giving him a choice.
Jorah tells Dany why he sold men into slavery as they arrive at Vaes Dothrak, then Doreah and Viserys talk dragons in the bathtub. Viserys is almost not a prat for about two minutes and then he is again.
Sansa and Septa Mordane talk history in the throne room and we get a hint about the Starks when Sansa says “My grandfather and uncle died here, didn't they?” Meanwhile, Ned is at a small council meeting irritably discussing the tourney. Ned gives Janos more men to keep the city safe, then after the meeting talks to Pycelle and takes the book John Arryn was asking after. Ned suggests Lord Arryn might have been poisoned and Pycelle takes pains to suggest Varys.
Arya is balancing and spouting the wisdom of Syrio Forrell. They discuss Bran's future, and then Arya's. When Ned says she will be a great lady and mother to a lord, she disagrees. “That's not me.”
Petyr asks about the book, then tells Ned about Ser Hugh and a certain armorer. He points out the vast array of spies and warns Ned to be careful—send someone rather than going himself.
Ser Hugh is an ass to Jory. Then Jaime is an ass to Jory. It's not Jory's day.
The armorer introduces Ned to Gendry and Ned recognizes him for Robert's bastard.
Jon forbids anyone picking on Sam, which pisses off Alliser who thinks bullying is better. Sam makes it clear the celibacy portion of the Night's Watch vows seem unreasonable.
Viserys drags Doreah by her hair then he and Dany argue. He hits her and she slams a gold belt across his face. She and Jorah then have a talk about the fitness of Viserys to rule the seven kingdoms. He will never rule. The tourney begins and in the first joust Ser Hugh is killed with a lance through the throat. At the cross roads the annoying singer bugs Catelyn and Roderick, then Tyrion comes in. Cat compliments all the houses who are allies of her father than calls for Tyrion's arrest.
Themes
The disillusionment of Sansa Stark. Sansa has seen that her beautiful prince has anything BUT a beautiful personality. And now she sees that the gallantry of a tourney is not all chivalry, bravery, and ceremony. There is also a graphic horrible potential.
Identity. Arya is asserting who SHE is. Dany is FINDING who SHE is. Jon is growing into who HE is.
Misplaced Trust/Distrust. Ned trusts Petyr and shouldn't. Catelyn distrusts Tyrion when she should. These Starks are pretty bad at knowing who to trust.
The Mystery. The seed is strong. Was John Arryn murdered? What did Ser Hugh know? What was John looking for in the book of lineages? Why was he attending to Robert's bastard?
Notable Quotes
Grand Maester Pycelle: "For all the weight they're given, last words are usually as significant as first words.”
Daenarys: "I am a Khaleesi of the Dothraki. I am the wife of the great Khal and I carry his son inside me. The next time you raise a hand to me will be the last time you have hands.”
Assessment: The pace has picked up now that we all sort of know the characters. The changes in Dany and the Mystery of John Arryn in particular are moving at a very satisfying pace. I love the changes in Dany as she finds her strength. The mystery is a bit more frustrating since I know what's coming... if I could leap through the TV and stop Ned trusting Littlefinger
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