Directed By: Brian Kirk / Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

Original Airdate: May 15, 2011

At King’s Landing, incensed over news of Daenerys Targaryen’s pregnancy and alliance with the Dothraki across the Narrow Sea, King Robert Baratheon orders a preemptive strike on the Targaryens that drives a wedge in his  relationship with his Hand, Eddard Stark. Elsewhere in the capital, Sansa Stark is charmed by the dashing Ser Loras Tyrell, the “Knight of Flowers”.  While following her teachings from the Braavosi swordsman Syrio Forel, Arya Stark overhears a plot against her father. At Winterfell, Bran Stark still grapples with the repercussions of his fall that has left him crippled. Along the Eastern Road, a captive Tyrion Lannister helps Catelyn Stark but still receives a cold reception at the Eyrie from her sister, Lysa Arryn. 

main cast

THE VALE of arryn

Tyrion Lannister has his blindfold removed and finds that Catelyn Stark’s party, augmented by several knights and the sellsword Bronn from the Crossroads Inn, is on the Eastern Road en route to the Vale of Arryn. Lady Catelyn had been saying that they were riding for Winterfell  often and very loudly as part of her ruse. Tyrion congratulates Catelyn on her cunning, while pointing out that his father Lord Tywin Lannister will give out a handsome reward for his safe return, a point that clearly piques Bronn's interest. Tyrion asserts to Catelyn that her sister, Lady Lysa Arryn, has gone mad since her husband Jon Arryn’s death and will try to kill him if they arrive at the Eyrie. He demands his innocence be known in the attempt on Bran Stark's life and points out he'd have to be an idiot to give the assassin his own blade. Before Catelyn can answer, the party comes under attack from one of the hill tribes of the Vale. Despite taking several losses, the party is able to drive off the attackers. Though having the opportunity to escape, Tyrion fights, killing his first man in the skirmish, and in doing so, saves Catelyn's life.

Riding through the Vale, Catelyn's party is met by a group of knights, led by Ser Vardis Egen. Vardis asks why Tyrion is with them and Catelyn replies that he is their prisoner. They ride towards the Eyrie. Tyrion, impressed, states that the castle is supposedly impregnable. Bronn laughs and says that with ten good men and climbing spikes, he’d impregnate the bitch. Tyrion laughs and says he likes Bronn. In the high hall of the Eyrie, Lady Lysa Arryn gives her new guests a frosty reception. She is annoyed that Catelyn brought Tyrion to the castle without permission, endangering all of them. Tyrion and Catelyn are distracted by the unedifying sight of Lysa's young son Robin Arryn – and the titular Lord of the Vale – still sucking at her breast despite being many years too old for it. Lysa is furious that Cat has endangered them all by bringing Tyrion to the Vale. Tyrion points out that if he is harmed, there will be war with House Lannister, but Lysa is unconcerned about his threats, as the Vale is strongly-defended and the Eyrie is impregnable. She orders him sent to the sky cells: three-sided cells with the fourth open to a sheer drop down the mountainside. This forces Tyrion to huddle in a corner and try not to roll out to his death during sleep.

winterfell

In Winterfell, as Theon Greyjoy practices archery, Bran Stark is angry about his mother's absence. Maester Luwin tries to set his mind at rest, to no avail. However, when Bran gets frustrated at not being able to practice archery hismelf, Luwin suggests that he could learn to use a shortbow, of the kind used in mounted combat by the Dothraki, a notion which pleases Bran. Afterwards, Theon invites the prostitute Ros to his room for the night and notices a gold necklace around her neck and guesses Tyrion Lannister gave it to her. He asks her about Tyrion's prowess in bed and Ros replies that he's surprisingly good. When asked if he is jealous Theon asserts that the Greyjoys have been Lords of the Iron Islands for three hundred years and there isn’t a house in Westeros that can look down on them. Ros then asks about the  Starks. Theon says he’s been Eddard Stark's ward since he was eight, but Ros points out that that is just another word for a hostage. Angry, Theon says that his father fought for his people. Ros teases him, saying he's a very serious boy. Theon says he doesn't want to pay for it, so Ros tells him to get himself a wife.

king’s landing

King Robert Baratheon is preparing for the tournament as his squire, Lancel Lannister, is unable to fit his armor onto him. Eddard Stark arrives and tells Robert that he is too fat for his armor. Robert laughs, then tells Lancel to go and get the "breastplate-stretcher". After he leaves, Robert and Eddard wonder how long it'll take Lancel to realize there’s no such thing. Ned then tells Robert he has no business being on a horse, as Robert insists on hitting something. Eddard argues that it's a waste of time because no-one would risk harming the king. Robert, incredulous, asks if he means that his opponents would let him win and Eddard replies yes. Deflated, Robert admits that he is too fat for his armor. Eddard asks about Lancel and Robert tells him that Queen Cersei Lannister insisted on foisting her young cousin onto him as a squire. Robert had Jon Arryn to thank for the marriage, with his advice that a match between himself and House Lannister would be important after the rebellion. Robert gloomily notes that he thought as king he’d be able to do what he wanted. He and Eddard go out to watch the day’s jousting.

Eddard sits next to his daughter Sansa Stark as the competitors arrive for the first joust: Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Loras Tyrell, the youngest son of the powerful House Tyrell and already a famed tournament knight. Ser Loras gives Sansa a red rose and exchanges a look with Renly Baratheon in the stands, who then takes a bet against Littlefinger who favors Clegane. The joust begins and Loras unseats Gregor, whose horse falls to the ground. Renly cackles in delight while Littlefinger then puts his hand on Sansa's shoulder, then removing it at a look from Eddard, and tells her it was clever of Loras to ride a mare in heat, as it threw Gregor’s stallion into confusion. Ser Gregor finally gets up. Furious, he summons his squire with his sword and then decapitates his horse in a rage. He smashes Ser Loras off his horse and attacks him with his sword. Loras is barely able to raise his shield in time. Before he can be overwhelmed the Mountain's brother, Sandor Clegane, jumps in the way and the two exchange blows for several moments before the king orders them to stop. Sandor immediately kneels and the Mountain storms off the field in anger. Ser Loras thanks Sandor and holds his arm aloft to be cheered by the commons over their shared victory.

Meanwhile in the Red Keep, Eddard is visited by Lord Varys, who closes the door to ensure they cannot be overheard. He enquires about Bran's health and Eddard replies that he will never walk again. Varys then tells him that the king is a fool and will soon be dead unless Ned can save him. Ned wants to know why Varys is telling him this now. Varys tells him he had to be sure Ned could be trusted. He calls Ned an honorable and true man, maybe the only one in the city. He also confirms that Jon Arryn was assassinated with a poison called the Tears of Lys because he "started asking questions". Later, Arya Stark is chasing cats in accordance with her sword training. She chases one into the dungeons under the castle, where she finds the great dragon skulls of the Targaryens in storage. She hears two men talking: Lord Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis  of Pentos. Varys says that events have been set in motion and the lion and the wolf will soon be at each other's throats. War is almost upon the Seven Kingdoms, as they planned, but it has come too soon. Khal Drogo will not invade Westeros until his son is born and pronounced healthy, which is still many months away. Illyrio suggests assassinating Eddard to forestall the war, but Varys refuses. After they leave, Arya escapes through a stairway leading downwards into the bowels of the keep.

Afterwards, Lord Varys finds Petyr Baelish in the Great Hall staring at the Iron Throne. Varys reveals that he knows about Littlefinger's assistance in Eddard's investigation of Jon Arryn's death and reminds Littlefinger of the consequences that may befall him should the Lannisters discover his involvement. In response, Littlefinger reveals that he already knows about Varys having met with both Eddard and Illyrio just earlier that day, implying he knows of Varys's allegiances across the Narrow Sea. Their conversation is interrupted by Renly, who informs them that Robert will be joining them at their small council meeting. Meanwhile, Arya escapes from the dungeon and tries to warn her father about what she overheard but has garbled it up: Eddard found a bastard, wolves are fighting lions and something is going on with a savage. Eddard is bemused. They are then interrupted by Yoren, who has ridden without stopping from the Crossroads Inn to bring Eddard forewarning of Catelyn's arrest of Tyrion Lannister. Ned keeps the information to himself, while Arya asks Jory Cassel about the state of her father's household guard. Jory tells her she does not have to worry about her father's safety.

At the meeting of the small council, King Robert informs Eddard that Daenerys Targaryen is pregnant and her son will have a claim to the throne. He wants her, as well as her brother Viserys Targaryen, killed as soon as possible. Eddard states that this act would be dishonorable and beneath their dignity. Robert then explodes in fury, asserting to Eddard that he has Seven Kingdoms to rule and honor does not come into it, as fear and blood is what keeps the peace. Eddard notes that this course of action makes them no better than the Mad King, infuriating Robert even more as he is incredulous that Eddard's conclusion is that they do nothing. He asks the council to speak their advice to Eddard.However, the other members of the council: Grand Maester Pycelle, Renly, Littlefinger and Lord Varys, all concur that Daenerys must die for the good of the realm. King Robert orders Ned to enact the order. Eddard tells Robert that he will not support this. He followed Robert into war twice with no doubts or hesitation, but he will not follow him into this. Robert angrily snaps that Eddard is the King's Hand; he will do as commanded or Robert will find another. At that, Eddard removes his badge of office and leaves it on the table. A furious Robert orders him to leave and go back to Winterfell before he takes his head as a traitor. As Ned is packing, Littlefinger arrives and offers to take Ned to the last place Jon Arryn went before he "fell ill". Eddard agrees.

Afterwards, the knight from the tourney, Ser Loras Tyrell, visits Lord Renly’s quarters as he shaves Renly’s chest for him. Renly informs the Tyrell knight about the small council meeting and King Robert’s decision to kill Daenerys Targaryen. He adds that his brother will calm eventually and not punish Lord Eddard after all, as he loves the man. Loras thinks Renly is jealous, however, as the youngest Baratheon sibling insists that Robert and their older brother Stannis Baratheon believe that no-one is a man unless they've been to war. Renly adds that Robert was rather distasteful with the decision to kill Daenerys, and could swear when he talked about killing her the table lifted six inches. Loras says it's a shame he cannot muster the same enthusiasm for his wife. Renly grants that the Lannisters do have an outrageous amount of money, despite being unpleasant in every other respect. Renly then dismays as Robert is going to be taking him hunting and last they went out, they were in the cold and wind for two weeks while Robert looked for something to kill. As he starts undressing Renly to provide sexual favors, Ser Loras tells Renly that he would make a wonderful king. His father, Lord Mace Tyrell, could bankroll the claim and Loras would fight for him, however, Renly points out that he’s fourth in line of the succession. Loras assures Renly that he is kind and just, but also resolute when needed and does not love killing for the sake of it.

Meanwhile, Queen Cersei joins King Robert in his chambers as they share a rare drink together while discussing the looming Targaryen threat. Cersei asks Robert if it was wise move to lose Eddard Stark over this plan of action against Daenerys. She adds that without a Hand of the King, the realm will fall to pieces. Robert asks if this is the part where she suggests her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, for the job. Cersei replies no, that Jaime is not serious enough and adding that for all of Stark's other qualities, Eddard was serious enough for it. Robert admits that he doesn’t know if it was worth it, however, does know that if the Dothraki horde eventually invade Westeros, he doesn't think they have the power stop them. Cersei asserts that they outnumber the Dothraki, but Robert explains that one real, experienced army who are united behind one leader and one purpose is worth more than five different armies fighting for different leaders. He adds that their unity died with the Mad King and now all the Lords want something different: citing Cersei’s father Tywin Lannister, who wants to own the world, while Eddard Stark wants to bury his head in the snow. Robert then admits that all he wants is a drink. Their discussion then moves to Eddard’s deceased sister, Lyanna Stark, which surprises Robert, as in seventeen years Cersei has never once asked about his former betrothed. Robert tells her that Lyanna's death left in him a void that Seven Kingdoms could not fill. He then notes that his marriage to Cersei never stood a chance for success because of the hold Lyanna's memory still has on him, though he bitterly adds that he can barely remember what she looked like now. Cersei states that she had felt something for Robert for quite a while, even after they lost their first boy. She then asks Robert if there was ever any chance for their marriage, “ever a time, ever a moment? ” He matter-of-factly says “no,” then asking Cersei if that makes her feel better or worse. The queen takes a moment before stating that “it doesn’t make me feel anything.” With that, Cersei departs from Robert’s chambers.

Elsewhere in the capital, along the Street of Silk, Littlefinger brings Eddard to the last place Jon Arryn went before falling ill, which happens to be his own brothel. Inside, Eddard meets another one of Robert's bastard children, a baby girl who is being held by her mother, a prostitute named Mhaegen. The young mother remarks that her child has Robert's nose and black hair. Eddard asks Lord Baelish why Jon Arryn was searching for Robert's bastards, as Littlefinger suggests that perhaps the former Hand was tracking them down in order to see if they were taken care of, as the king might have developed a “fatherly love” from afar. Eddard, however, is not at all convinced by this reasoning.

After leaving the brothel, Lord Eddard, Jory Cassel, and the two guards that accompanied them are confronted by a large group of guardsmen that are led by Jaime Lannister. Ser Jaime has heard of his brother Tyrion's arrest at the hands of Catelyn Stark, whom Eddard protects by falsely declaring the arrest was made on his orders. Jaime then threatens to kill Eddard but Ned points out that if he does, Tyrion will die as well. Jaime acknowledges that this is true, so he declares that he will settle for killing Eddard's men instead. Ned's two guards are swiftly killed and in response, Eddard and Jory fight and kill six of the Lannister soldiers. Jory then engages with Jaime in combat but is quickly killed when Jaime stabs him through the eye with a dagger. Furious, Eddard then crosses swords with Jaime. Athough he is an even match for Jaime, a Lannister guard eventually steps in during the fight and stabs Eddard through the leg with a spear. An angered Jaime then departs from the scene on horseback, demanding to Eddard that he wants his brother Tyrion returned to the capital.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki