Directed By: Daniel Minahan / Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

Original Airdate: May 22, 2011

In King’s Landing, once reinstated as Hand, Eddard Stark sits in for the king  while Robert Baratheon is on a hunt. He seises the opportunity to issue a  decree that could have long-term consequences throughout Westeros. Prince Joffrey Baratheon apologizes to Sansa Stark for his behavior after the incident along the Kingsroad with her sister Arya Stark’s direwolf. At the Eyrie, the imprisoned Tyrion Lannister confesses to his "crimes," and demands that Lysa Arryn give him a trial by combat. Deep in the woods near Winterfell, Bran Stark tests the riding saddle that was gifted to him from Tyrion, only to be surrounded by a group of wildlings. Over the Narrow Sea, Viserys Targaryen receives from Khal Drogo his final payment for sister Daenerys.

MAIN CAST

KING’S LANDING

Beneath a canopy of netting, Eddard Stark is lying on a bed, wounded after being attacked by Jaime Lannister and his men. Sweating profusely, he opens his eyes. Groggy with blurry vision, he sees Cersei Lannister and Robert Baratheon standing by his bed, looking down at him disapproving and concerned respectively. Cersei is furious with Eddard's acts in having her brother Tyrion Lannister arrested and attacking Jaime in the street. She wants Robert to take action against him, but Robert refuses to condemn him without hearing Eddard's side, and tells her to be silent. When Cersei protests further, and calls Robert a woman, he hits her. She says that she will wear the bruise with honor. He tells her to be silent, or he will honor her again, and Cersei leaves in anger. Afterwards, Robert restores Eddard to his position as Hand, and tells him not to quit again, or he will give the position to Jaime. He tells Lord Eddard to end the animosity between House Stark and House Lannister, as strife between these two powerful houses could lead them into war. He is leaving on a hunt and wants the realm at peace by the time he returns.

Meanwhile, though Arya Stark has another "dancing" lesson with Syrio Forel, she isn't in the mood due to Jory Cassel's death. Syrio tells her that she may need to fight at any time, not just when she's in the mood. He wisely reminds her that being prepared to fight is more important in times of sadness than in peaceful times of happiness. Syrio knows that she is worried about her father and asks her if she prays to the Gods. When Arya replies that she prays to both the Seven and the Old Gods, Syrio tells her that, for a warrior, there is only one God, and his name is Death. And the only thing you have to say to Death is: "Not today". Tossing her the sword again, they begin.

Later, King Robert is out hunting, accompanied by his brother Renly Baratheon, as well as the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy, and his squire Lancel Lannister. Robert, being supplied with wine by Lancel, becomes drunk and nostalgic, longing for the days of young knights trying to make a name for themselves and when enemies stood openly in opposition (instead of being hidden schemers). Robert brags about all the women he has bedded, but Renly becomes irate when he begins to question him about his history with women. Renly calls him a fool and remarks that the past had its share of violence that Robert is conveniently ignoring. Renly storms off, leaving Ser Barristan to look on with concern, as Lancel continues to top up King Robert's wine supply.

Meanwhile, in the throne room, a group of refugees come to tell of how their villages have been destroyed. Eddard hears tales of a huge knight ravaging the Riverlands. He realizes that it's Ser Gregor Clegane, who is likely under Lannister orders to punish the Riverlands - which are held by House Tully, the former House of his wife Catelyn Stark, who now holds Tyrion captive. Even though King Robert told him to make peace with the Lannisters, Lord Eddard could not bring himself to let this injustice stand. Eddard strips Gregor Clegane of his knighthood, land, and titles, and sends Lord Beric Dondarrion with a retinue of one hundred knights to arrest and execute him in the king's name. He also orders Grand Maester Pycelle to send word to Casterly Rock, demanding Lord Tywin Lannister's presence in court to explain his bannerman's actions or be branded an enemy of the crown and a traitor to the realm. Petyr Baelish and Pycelle are both concerned with the harshness of these orders and Eddard's actions against the Lannisters, but Eddard wants to see justice done.

Sansa Stark and Septa Mordane sit on the balcony of their rooms in the Tower of the Hand  doing embroidery. Mordane comments that Sansa's new hair styles make her look like a lady of the south, but what she is trying to say is that Sansa is changing and not for the better. Sansa then questions Septa Mordane about her hair and about where she originally comes from and when Mordane responds Sansa stops her mid-sentence and announces that she doesn't care. Joffrey Baratheon then arrives with an apology for his recent behavior and a Lion of Lannister necklace, which he asks permission to put around her neck. Sansa is overjoyed, the necklace is the same as the one Queen Cersei wears, which Joffrey believes is only right since Sansa will be a queen someday. He asks her to forgive him and, also, paints a picture of their future, when she as his lady love will marry him before all the lords and ladies of the land and reign at his side. He swears to never be cruel nor disrespect her again and even uses the words from the marriage vows, "from this day unto my last day". Joffrey seems to be sincere, but he had been instructed by Cersei to make things right with Sansa. When Joffrey kisses her, Sansa is completely in love. Septa Mordane, watching the scene, is not convinced. She purses her lips and looks down. The prospect of Sansa marrying Joffrey doesn't find favor with the septa any longer.

That evening, walking heavily on his cane, Lord Eddard walks over to the bed on which his daughters Sansa and Arya are sitting. Without declaring any reasoning behind his decision, he informs them that he is sending them both back to Winterfell. Arya wants to know if they are going home because Eddard is dying from his injured leg, but he assures them that safety concerns are the reason. Both Stark sisters begin arguing with him, as Sansa doesn't want to leave Prince Joffrey, and Arya is finally seeing results in her training with Syrio Forel. Sansa protests that no one cares about Arya’s trivial dancing instructor, still unaware of what her sister is training in. Sansa then notes that they are talking about breaking her betrothal to Joffrey. Lord Eddard insists that he will find someone else for her to marry. However, Sansa refuses, asserting that she is going to marry Joffrey and have lots of golden-haired babies. This statement suddenly gives Eddard pause. Afterwards in his quarters, Eddard returns to the lineage book that Jon Arryn was looking at before his death. As Eddard consults the book's entry on House Baratheon, Lord Eddard finds that every time a Baratheon has married, the children have had black hair…right up until Cersei and Robert's children, who are all blond. Eddard then realizes why Jon Arryn took such an interest in Robert’s bastards, as Prince Joffrey is not his true-born heir.

the north

In Winterfell, Bran Stark has another dream with the raven, in which it flies into the castle's crypts. He then wakes up to find that Hodor has brought the finished saddle designed by Tyrion Lannister. He goes on a ride with his brother Robb Stark as well as Theon Greyjoy through the Wolfswood near Winterfell. They have had word from King's Landing about Eddard's injury,  Jory's death and Tyrion's capture. Theon thinks that Robb should prepare the North for war, but Robb is determined to make his own decision for when that time has come, and until then will follow his parents' orders to remain in Winterfell. They discover that Bran has wandered off on his horse and go looking for him. Robb finds a group of  wildlings threatening Bran and trying to steal his horse. Robb kills two, but another wildling holds Bran with a knife to the throat. Theon shoots him from behind, angering Robb by endangering Bran. The remaining wildling, a woman named Osha, yields and begs for her life. Robb agrees to take her as a prisoner.

Some time later, Theon is riding a horse along the road from Winterfell, when he comes upon Ros riding on the back of a turnip cart. He calls for the driver to stop. Ros tells him that she is going to White Harbor to take a ship for King's Landing. Surprised that she is able to afford the expense, Ros informs him that some of her patrons are more generous than others. Theon recognizes the criticism against him, and starts making dire predictions of what she will find in the capital. He tells her that she will be one of many there just trying to make a living. He says that she will stop being popular the day she runs into a drunken lord who, blaming his impotence on her, will damage her looks. Ros laughs these concerns aside. Ros asks what reason she would have for staying. Theon would certainly never be making her Lady Greyjoy, mistress of the Iron Islands. He tells her to stop talking foolishness. She goes on to say that she has heard that Lord Stark had been attacked, adding that all the fit men would soon be marching off and many would never be returning. There is nothing worth staying for in Winterfell. She tells the driver to continue. As she is riding away, Theon throws her a coin and asks to see under her skirt one last time. Ros laughs as she complies. He says that he will miss her, and she agrees. He watches with sadness as she leaves.

the EYRIE

At the Eyrie, after a few failed attempts at bribing a simple-minded guard named Mord, Tyrion Lannister stands in the center of the High Hall and acknowledges that he wishes to confess his crimes. Lysa Arryn is pleased, commenting to Catelyn Stark that he has been broken by the sky cell. However, when he begins, the crimes he confesses to are merely those of lying, gambling, cheating, encouraging violent behavior, whore-mongering, and playing nasty practical jokes. Lysa loses patience with this, as Catelyn asks him to speak directly on the charges of which he has been accused, conspiring in the murder of Jon Arryn and the attempted murder of Bran Stark. Tyrion repeats that he is innocent of these charges and is accused without benefit of a trial. Lysa explains that there will be a trial and, if found guilty, Tyrion will die. Tyrion then announces he wants his innocence proved in a trial by combat. There is scattered laughter from the court and after several appeals by an increasingly nervous Tyrion, just when it seems that no-one will fight for him, the sellsword Bronn  volunteers with a shrug. Two men turn the wheel that opens the moon door as Ser Vardis Egen, Bronn’s combatant, lowers the visor on his helm. Robin Arryn rises from next to his mother on the weirwood throne and swings his knife to the cry of "Fight!" to begin the combat. They come together with blows and sword swings, but almost immediately, Bronn starts to give ground, leaving Vardis to swing repeatedly while he retreats. The combat leads them back to the moon door where Ser Vardis tries to throw Bronn over the edge. Bronn manages to push him back and cuts Egen across the back of the knee. Ser Vardis can only rise with great difficulty, and he tries again to attack, but Bronn dodges aside and trips him. Bronn kicks away Egen's heavy shield and, at his next strike, Bronn catches his arm. Bronn looks Lysa in the eye as he plunges the sword in under Vardis' helm. There are gasps of horror from the court as Ser Vardis' limp body falls through the moon door, plummeting to the ground far below. Tyrion nods his approval. Lysa is disgusted and accuses Bronn of having fought without honor. Bronn agrees that he hadn't, but assures her that Ser Vardis had as Tyrion then has his shackles removed. Robin Arryn wishes to know if the fight is over, and if he can make the little man fly now. Tyrion says that will have to be another little man, as he is going home. Tyrion bows to Catelyn and Bronn follows him out the front door of the hall.

vaes dothrak

Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen is in her tent in Vaes Dothrak, holding one of her dragon eggs. She looks up at the smoking brazier and considers it. Daenerys walks over, and she sets the egg down on the burning coals. As she stares down at it, her handmaiden Irri walks in carrying a basket. When nothing happens, a disappointed Daenerys reaches in and lifts the egg back out. A concerned Irri rushes over and takes the egg from Daenerys, dropping it almost immediately. She turns Daenerys' hands over and is amazed to see they are white and unharmed. While Irri's own hands, which held the smoldering egg for just a second, are both scalded. Daenerys shows concern that Irri is hurt, Irri herself looks dumbfounded.

Some time later, Daenerys is summoned for a ritual by the Dosh Khaleen, the wives of khals that have been slain in battle. With her face covered in blood, Daenerys lifts a horse's heart and bites into it. She kneels on the dais in the center of the Dothraki temple while the Dosh Khaleen are chanting. Khal Drogo sits to the side looking on with pride, as she forces it down. Her brother,  Viserys Targaryen, stands in the crowd with Ser Jorah Mormont and questions him about the ceremony. She must eat the whole horse's heart without bringing any back up, and the Dosh khaleen will make a prophecy about her unborn child. She manages to keep it down and the priestess announces that Daenerys will give birth to the "stallion who mounts the world", who will conquer all the known lands. Daenerys proclaims his name will be Rhaego. Drogo then carries her around the temple as the crowd chants "Rhaego". Viserys witnesses the adulation of the Dothraki people and it dawns on him that they love her. Jealous of the tribe's worship of his sister, Viserys storms out of the tent and is later discovered in Daenerys' tent by Jorah, trying to steal Dany's dragon eggs. Viserys tells Jorah that to rule one must be feared or loved, and he has never been loved as the Dothraki love Dany. He wants the eggs so he can hire an army, but as he can't get past Ser Jorah Viserys leaves without the eggs.

That evening, large platters of meat are being carried into the Dothraki feast. Dancers circle the center firepit, where a pig is roasting. Khal Drogo sits to one side with his bloodriders, while a laughing Daenerys sits to the other, with Ser Jorah, Doreah and Irri. A drunk Viserys  stumbles in calling for Daenerys, and Dany sends Jorah to intercept him. Viserys announces that he has come to the “whore's feast.” Viserys then states that he does not consider this the place for a king, but Drogo, who has by now learned a little of the common tongue, points out that Viserys is no king. That enrages Viserys, who draws his sword and threatens those around him, which is punishable by death. As Viserys places the tip of the sword directly against Daenerys' pregnant stomach he demands the crown that Drogo promised him. When Drogo answers, it is Daenerys who translates for Viserys stating that Drogo will give him "a golden crown that men shall tremble to behold". Drogo's bloodriders then come up behind Viserys, breaking his arm to make him drop his sword in agony. Drogo goes to the firepit, unbuckling his belt of gold medallions and drops it into a pot sitting over the fire. Once melted Drogo carries it over to Viserys and pours the liquid gold over Viserys' head, while pronouncing it "a crown fit for a king". Viserys shrieks as the molten gold cooks his brain. Drogo bends in front of Viserys and watches him die as he falls lifeless to the ground, burned, but with no blood spilled, as per Dothraki custom. Daenerys coldly stares at her dead brother stating that Viserys could not have been a dragon, for if he were, fire could not have killed him.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki