Arya and Syrio spar as King's Landing battles. Septa Mordane sends Sansa to her room and faces the guards. And then Meryn Trant and three Lannister men come for Arya. Syrio has enough presence of mind to SEE... why would Lord Eddard send Lannister men for his daughter? He tells Arya to run to her father but she is mesmerized, watching Syrio take out the Lannister men. Syrio's wooden sword is cut off as he says, “What do we say to the god of death?” Arya finally runs, repeating “not today.” She uses her senses—noises above, so down she goes, to the landing where their cart was being loaded to leave. She digs for Needle as an unfortunate (ass of a) boy tries to capture her for the queen. Arya puts her sword through his belly (kill #1 for Arya—justified, though maybe she coulda just hamstrung him)
Varys visits Ned in the black cells. He tells Ned Arya has escaped and Sansa is still engaged to Joffrey. Ned accuses Varys of just standing by and Varys explained his position, unarmed and not a fighter. Varys asks why Ned told the queen what he'd found out (come on, we all were thinking it) Ned said “Mercy”. Ned asks Varys whom he truly serves. “The realm. Someone must.”
Jon, Sam and company arrive back at the wall with the two dead they found. Sam notices they don't stink and haven't rotted. Jon says they should burn them and no one disagrees, though Mormont wants Maester Aemon to examine them first. A raven has arrived and Mormont tells Jon to get himself an ale first, then lets Jon read... Lord Stark has been imprisoned for treason. Mormont warns him not to do anything rash.
The small council bully Sansa, Pycelle as bad cop, Littlefinger and Varys as good. Cersei pretends to listen but this is all part of a show to coerce Sansa into writing to Robb to tell him to come to King's Landing and swear fealty.
Lewin recognized her letter, arriving by the worlds only supersonic raven, as Cersei's words. Robb calls the banners and hundreds of Ravens fly out of Winterfell to bring all loyal to come help Robb free Ned.
Catelyn confronts Lysa who has withheld the raven for a while. Lysa will not be sending men from the Vale to help Robb. Tyrion and Bronn are found by the hill tribes and Tyrion talks his way out of it, convincing them men he will pay them with “the Vale” if they deliver him to his father's camp.
Ser Alliser is an ass to Jon (do I say this every episode? I think I might), Jon tries to attack. He is confined to his quarters. There, Ghost hears something and Jon follows him to Mormont's quarters where one of the dead men is rummaging around. Jon fights him, but a sword through his belly won't keep him down. Finally Jon throws a lantern at him and he burns.
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| Even holding a tongue he's hot |
The Dothraki are pillaging and raping. Dany can't stand watching so takes several women under her protection. The men complain and when Drogo proudly proclaims Dany's ferocity is his son inside her, one of his riders challenges him. He drops his blades, steps into the blade of his challenger, and then with his bare hands and opponents arak, rips the guys tongue out through his throat. Dany calls for a healer for Khal Drogo's cut and Mirri Maz Durr volunteers.
Greatjon Umber postures about not following Glover. He threatens to leave and Robb threatens treason. Greatjon pulls a knife and Grew Wind attacks... this is the test. Robb owns it. (see quotes) The next morning, very early, Robb comes in to say good-bye to Bran. When Robb is gone Rickon comes out saying none of them will come back.
The next day Bran prays for them all in the gods wood. Osha says the gods are answering. Sadly, Bran does not speak tree. Then Naked Hodor appears...
At the wall they are burning dead. Sam knows it was white walkers who touched them and only fire can stop them. Catelyn and Roderick arrive at Robb's camp and there is a lovely mother son moment. She warns that they will all die if they lose and Robb points out that that makes it simple then.
Tyrion and his Mountain tribes arrive at his father's camp. Tyrion apologizes for disappointing his father (by not dying) and explains the promises he's made (good steal all around). His father promises they will get all that and more if they fight with him. They agree, provided Tyrion fights by their side.
Robb and his advisers discuss strategy. It is clear they need to cross the river at the Twins. As they discuss, they are interrupted when a Lannister scout is dragged in. Robb asks what he's seen (20K men) and Robb lets him go with a message for Tywin... 20,000 Northmen are riding south to see if Tywin Lannister really shits gold.
Sansa comes to court to make a plea. Before it is her turn Cersei and Joffrey let Ser Barristan go from the King's Guard. Everyone seems to be enjoying Barristan's humiliation except Sansa. Sansa then makes her plea to Joffrey for mercy.
Places and Faces
Robb's camp and bannermen were introduced. Greatjon Umber stands out the most.
Notable Quotes
Varys: Ah, the children. It's always the innocents who suffer. It wasn't the wine that killed Robert, nor the boar. The wine slowed him down and the boar ripped him open, but it was your mercy that killed the king.
Robb: My lord father taught me it was death to bare steal against a liege lord. Doubtless the Greatjon just meant to cut my meat for me.
Greatjon: Your meat... is bloody tough.
Osha: Who do you think sends the winds if not the gods?
Foreshadowing and those Stark boys
Do you suppose Rickon's just a pessimist or might he be a green seer. Is he maybe ahead of the curve on all that northern magic?
And Bran... TRYING to understand the tree here... when eventually he will totally understand the trees...
It is notable that the court has descended into true ugliness Barristan is known as a true knight of honor, yet the nobles sit by and enjoy his shame. It really is understandable why he would seek out Daenerys when the Barratheon Court has become this.
The pace continues at full throttle, though it is pretty tense for the characters I care most about at this point.
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