I have tried to write this so many times, and it becomes too long and convoluted and mixed in with stuff from the book, that I am going to massively shorten it. I have to say, having read the book, my heart breaks as the series continues, and those who have not read the books, will eventually understand.
But to those of you who have not read the books, Jon is a very important character, so it is amazing that he is played by someone who emulates the character from the book.
So this was a great episode, but I think that I will summarize each location and it's events. There was a lot of back and forth, so it is easier to write about if I do it that way. So, with that said let's begin at the wall, with my favorite character, Jon Snow.
The Wall
My boy Jon, pretty much looked like this for the entire episode:
An angry young man, who is in shock at how crappy the Wall is and how he had nothing in common with his brethren. So he's breaking noses, and bullying the recruits, until he gets cornered by them, as he is putting the swords away. Well, Jon, ends up getting cornered by his brothers with a knife to his throat when Tyrion stops by and saves his ass. Yes Tryion Lannister saves his adorable northern ass, by telling his lovely brethren that he will absolutely inform the Queen, his loving sister, of their behavior and have their heads on spikes adorning Kings Landing. So, that ended that!
Jon is all whiney about how he's the bestest! Tyrion, clearly not one for a pity party, because that is not what he is about, actually gives Jon a bit of background on his new brothers. He tells Jon that he has been asking around, hint, hint, you should be doing the same. These young men did not have the good fortune that he has had being the son of a powerful Lord. They were there for stealing food to feed their sister, or were just poor souls with no home. And they definitely could not use a sword like he can.
He also learns a lesson from Uncle Benjen, who has asked that Jon meet him on the wall. I have no idea how the poor recruits survive, as the wealthy ones have furs and blankets, and it looked scary and cold up there. They really get the essence of the Wall on this show, as it is just as I imagined it would be.
Uncle Benjen tells Jon he is leaving, as he is head ranger. Jon says he is ready, and won't let him down! So young Jon learns another lesson, which I think he knew, but he was just really, really angry, and was acting out. Uncle B says you earn what you get here, and it is not given to you. Then says, what all the men on this show say, when they have things seemingly important to say: " We will speak when I return", or as Ned said " When we see each other again".
So what do we see when we see Jon in the yard the next day? Teaching the same guys he was beating the crap out of, to use a sword. He is a lot like Dany in this way, he takes his situation, and starts to turn it around, and make it better for himself, and even start to like it. Tyrion even gives him a slight nod of approval.
Eventually Tyrion decides to leave, and I have to say, he and Jon have bonded. Jon learned more about accepting ones self and having pride in just that, from Tyrion than anyone else in his life. They also share the news of how Bran will never walk again. Wise words again from Tyrion" It is better to be a rich cripple than a poor one". Jon asks that he tell Bran that he says hello and that he would visit him if he could. Oh, and as he promised Jaime, he did pee off the wall.
To Kings Landing; Land of the Vipers and Weasels
Ned, and his girls have finally reached the palace, and the first thing he has to do is go to a meeting with a bunch of weasels. Oh, but on his way, he must walk through the throne room, and see the beautiful Jaime L. lounging on the steps of the throne. He yells something sarcastic about how good it will be to have him there, and then feels the need to reminisce. You know I have read the books, so I get Jaime L now, but it took 4 books and almost 2000 pages to do it, so his being a real prick, is right on target at this point. However, I love how when he talks to Ned, he follows him with his head, and eyes; like he's seeing right through him, or he is saying "I know you, you fool".
I digress, so those 17 years ago, when he, and as he says "500 men", watched Brandon die, and his father burn, while the Mad King was laughing, he knew killing the Mad King was justice. Ned is just scowling, and is basically like you guarded a King when it was easy, (ouch!), and also implying that he knew that was not the only reason he killed the King. So he and Ned have some spat about that, and he leaves Jaime standing there, all confused. Also hating Ned because he is so moral and annoying.
Now, in the books, when Jaime sees the way the king kills the Starks, he knew the king had to die. Ned, who found Jaime in the Throne Room after he kills the King, assumed he was taking the throne for the Lannisters, as he happened to be sitting on the throne. It was not true, but knowing the Lannisters as you all do so far, why wouldn't he think that? But we have to remember, that he was part of the Kingsguard, as he is today, sworn to protect the King. They are like the opposite of the Nightswatch, as they give up all of the same things they do.
So off he goes to a meeting, which we already know he hates having, and only hugs Renly Baratheon; Robert's younger brother. PS: who is very handsome, and is the youngest of the Baratheons. Varys, the CIA of the kingdom, is a Eunuch, and is sucking up to Ned, and who Ned delights by saying that he should feel sorry for the Butcher's Boy, and not their troubles on the road. Petyr Baelish, who has a scar from Brandon (Catelyn's betrothed prior to his death), foolishly fought for her hand and Petyr is head of the Treasury, and weasel #2. So they all kiss up to Ned, and he is all fired up because the kingdom is in debt to the Lannisters; which makes things worse. They also want to have a tourney in his honor! No, not that! Ned tries to do the right thing by running things by Robert, who I am sure he will see could care less. In fact Renly says that he calls it "counting coppers".
The Stark Girls
Off we are to dinner where Arya (we love her) is jamming her knife into the table, pretending that she is stabbing the Prince for killing her friend. Naturally, Sansa yells at her, Arya calls her a liar and other sorted names that sisters do when they fight. Septa Mordane, is sending Arya to her room, when Ned shows up, still dirty and dusty. Is he always greasy? So Arya leaves, and poor Ned, he tries to give Sansa a gift for losing her direwolf, and naturally it is one for a girl who is much younger. The clueless Dad....
I love seeing Ned with his children, as it makes him sexier and sexier, no matter how dirty he is. When he goes to speak to Arya, and sees her with Needle, he is so wonderful. Arya won't give up Jon, as the one who gave her the sword. Ned gives her a little life lesson about how dangerous it is there, and reminds her "winter is coming". Naturally, Arya says she hates everyone, and she feels guilty about the butcher boy. She especially hates Joffrey, ( who called her the "c" word by the way), because she sees him for the monster that he truly is...and then she asks her father, why he would marry Sansa to someone like that? Ned has no answer for her....but lets her keep her sword.
Arya is considered to look and behave a lot like Lyanna, and in the book, Ned, in fact reminds her of that fact, and what happened to her as a result of her rash behavior. So, it makes this moment really special, as Lyanna's death haunts Ned, and her kidnapping by Rhaegar (or running away with, we don't know), caused the death of her father, brother, and in the end her own. Arya has a special place in Ned's and Jon's heart because she is so different, and owns it.
The Twins
From there we see a weird little love scene w/Jaime and Cersei, where she is screaming at him about pushing Bran out the window. Whatever Cersei, suddenly you have a conscience? Which is why Jaime is like, are you kidding me with this? Okay, so they have banter, he says they can outsmart a 10 year old. Jaime is such a confident bastard, but he commands respect because no one can wield a sword like he can. His whole identity is wrapped around his love for Cersei (as sick as it is),and his gift as a warrior and swordsman. So he says something about a ballad being written about them, he uses the "c" word, and she slaps him. Then they have a moment where he grabs her and says he will kill everyone until they are they only 2 left in the world, if that is what he has to do. I would say this would be hot, if they were not identical twins.
Cersei and Joffrey
Next we see Cersei tending to Joffrey's wounds, and she tells him to stop whining. She tells him that Kings need scars. He says that he does not want to marry Sansa because she saw him be humiliated when he was attacked by Arya and the wolf. Mom says tough, and all he has to do is make princes and princesses, and he can screw whomever he'd like.
Cersei also adds, that he fought off the direwolf, and killed the beast (thus why she had lady killed). When he is king the truth can be what he wants it to be--damn she is cunning. That is Cersei for you, she is always a master manipulator and fiercely protective of Joffrey, and her other children.
Then they have a little lesson about how Joffrey would rule the kingdom. Namely he thinks the Starks have too much power, and he would take Winterfell and install Uncle Kevan as its' leader. But Cersei says what about all the men who live there and see their land being attacked? The north is too wild and big to be tamed she says, and he must learn that a king must choose his battles. She also gives him some heartwarming advice that "Everyone who isn't us, is an enemy."
As a side note: Joffrey is just as insane and cruel as Viserys in my eyes. Hey, that can be a product of incest?! The only difference being that Joffrey is younger and it has not manifested fully as of yet, and he is not unchecked.
To conclude the events of Kings Landing: Arya is given a teacher so she may learn to properly use a sword. A swordsman of Braavos, who know the art of swordplay; not like a knight. Catelyn comes to town, and slimey Baelish and Varys tell her that the knife that was used by the assassin who tried to kill Bran, belongs to Tyrion Lannister. She and Ned also meet up and discuss the lack of proof that the Lannisters tried to kill Bran. She says she knows in her bones that they are behind it. She and Ned make out (at least they are a real couple), and say good-bye, and he wells up a bit. I just know he thinks that this is the last time they will see each other.
Winterfell
Bran is up listening to stories from his Nan, about how scary and fierce the long winter was and will be. This is reinforced by Master Aemon at the Wall who warns that "Gods help us all" if they are not ready as it will be long and it will be bad. Robb comes in, and says that he has never, ever seen him fall; in rain, snow whatever. But Bran says he remembers nothing, and the he wishes he was dead as he can no longer use his legs.
Daeneyrs Stormborn, aka Khaleesi
She is now in full Khaleesi mode, learning the language, and apparently pregnant. She and the Khal have also fallen in love, and she tells him she thinks that she will give him a son. Ser Jorah finds out and suddenly has to go to another city but will meet up with them later. Huh? Anyway, I love how she is starting to have more confidence in her new life.
So she and Ser Jorah are riding together, and she tells him to tell everyone to stop, and that the Khaleesi says so. She jumps off of her horse and walks in to a clearing, where her brother rides in, screaming about sluts and savages giving him orders. I mean he is all about crazy, with bulging eyes, and his sword at her throat. Well her bodyguard shows up, and whips him around the neck and starts choking him. She says let him live, (sadly), but he has to walk, and not ride, (not her idea) as punishment for attacking her.
That's it! Next up is 1.04!
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