The Wolf and the Lion

Sigh. I know I’m a broken record, but Ned. Oh Ned.

I get it, CSI: King’s Landing was more appealing to you than the tournament being thrown in your name, but maybe if you weren’t so outwardly hostile to everyone and more suspicious of Littlefinger, then things wouldn’t go so badly in the end. I mean, probably not, but hey, a girl can hope
At least he convinces Robert not to compete in the tournament, not just because his armour is too small for him now, but because surely someone in the Queen’s pocket would figure out how to kill him. I mean, his outward hostility to Lancel Lannister is probably what gets him killed a few episodes later, and might be why Lancel becomes one of the sparrows later on (if I remember all of this correctly, which I may not, as previously mentioned, I haven’t watched these episodes in an age)

Instead of Robert making a fool of himself, we get the introduction of Ser Loras, and oh man, I can’t believe how much I forgot about this show. All I can see now when I see the Knight of the Flowers is the fact that he’s Iron Fist, it’s very distracting. I’m sure I’ll get over it shortly, but man, that hair, that smug face. Littlefinger goads Renly about his relationship with Loras, which seems awfully hypocritical coming from the guy who’s lusting after a CHILD in Sansa, but this is GoT, so I guess we can’t be that surprised.
Anyways, Loras proves that he’s not just a pretty face by beating the Mountain, who then decapitates his horse (yes, I mixed this up and thought it was in the last episode, I watched them back to back, lesson learned) and tries to go after Loras. The Hound stops him and we get the first round of the Cleganebowl, something I’m SO looking forward to in season 8.
I enjoy later on when Loras and Renly are together and get a little glimpse that plotting for the throne comes from all areas. It’s shocking to think how many people want to sit on that uncomfortable throne made of melted weapons. However, it’s interesting to see Loras’ argument to have Renly on the throne, when he says, ”Where is it written that power is only made for the worst?” Renly is good and would, ostensibly a far more frugal king than Robert, who thought being king meant being able to do what he wanted, and leaves the running of the kingdom the small council as opposed to getting involved directly.
EXCEPT! When it comes to the Targaryens. News arrives that Daenerys is pregnant and Robert’s complete and utter hatred for the house that took away the one thing that he truly wanted, Lyanna Stark, brings him to a meeting to demand Ned have her killed. Assassinating a pregnant young woman a world away is a step too far for the honourable man from the North. It’s the excuse he’s been waiting for to throw in the towel and head back to the far less intriguing North. He gives up his position as Hand. We all know it’s a big mistake, especially considering what his wife is up to, but alas.

Catelyn heads to see her sister, and finds her changed. Apparently, spending time in the capital is bad for everyone. The image of her sitting up on that high seat, breast-feeding an eight-year-old Robin is QUITE the introduction for Lysa. Between that and the cadence of speech that both Lysa and Robin have just makes them so damn creepy. It makes you feel extra sympathy for Tyrion. Catelyn was unwise enough to bring him there, something that she starts to see for herself very quickly, but being thrown in that cell with no back wall? YIKES. It’s no WONDER the Eyrie is such a valuable piece of real estate in the Game of Thrones board game.

Up in Winterfell you also get another glimpse Theon’s increasing frustration with his lot in life. Oh Theon, be careful what you wish for. Things are going to get SO much worse for you. Bran also demonstrates some of the frustration that I have in Catelyn. She’s so convinced that she’s doing the right thing that she seemingly forgets that she has two young children that need her attention back in Winterfell, not just Bran, who’s recovering from an injury, but Rickon as well.

Back in King’s Landing, we get Arya training, trying to catch a cat. And if that’s one of the requirements for becoming a sword fighter, then I’m well on my way, ‘cause I’m an excellent cat catcher. However, her efforts due lead her to several interesting discoveries. Firstly, that the skulls of the dragons weren’t destroyed like Viserys thought they were, they’ve just been moved underground. The second thing is far more important, that Jon Arryn was killed because he started asking questions, just like his father has been. She gets the kind of direct proof of all the overt plotting that’s going on against the throne. However, she’s unable to identify the men, and stumbles over her words, and is ultimately interrupted by Yoren’s arrival with the news that Catelyn’s taken Tyrion prisoner.

In between this and Ned’s discovery of another one of Robert’s bastards right before the slaughter of his men, we get a surprisingly touching scene between Cersei and Robert, laughing about their marriage and how it’s kind of a mess. It’s two people who stay married for appearances but seemed to know from the beginning it would never be a happy one. Considering all her actions later on in the show, it’s so hard to tell if Cersei is sincere here, but I’d like to think she was. She didn’t seem to become quite so power hungry until after Robert dies.

Finally we get the end of the episode, the first true indication that everything isn’t going to work out for the family we so want to cheer for (even though they make so many bad decisions). Ned’s honour yet again is the thing that gets him into the most trouble, when he claims that he was the one that ordered Tyrion’s capture, not letting Catelyn take the blame. While Jamie may not be able to act out against Robert directly over all the small slights he takes against the Lannister family, he certainly feels like he has the right to defend his family honour when Robert’s friend captures his brother without just cause. Obviously, I think he takes it a step too far by killing the Stark bannermen, but then again, this is Game of Thrones and that’s how the game is played, by taking as many players off the board as you can at once.

The Mountain’s horse, decapitated by the Mountain
Kurleket, killed by Hill Tribesmen
Willis Wode, killed by Hill Tribesmen
Wyl, killed by Lannister guardsmen
Heward, killed by Lannister guardsmen
Jory Cassel, killed by Jamie Lannister
Four unnamed Hill Tribesmen, killed by Bronn
One unnamed Hill Tribesman, killed by Tyrion
Two unnamed Hill Tribesmen, killed by Rodrick Cassel
One Lannister guardsman, killed by Ned Stark
Three Lannister guardsmen, killed by Jory Cassel

image created by Robert Ball for HBO’s Beautiful Death series