We are now up to episode six, “A Golden Crown”, in HBO’s adaptation of “Game of Thrones” so let’s take a look at the episode with brief character recaps and a couple of clips mixed in followed by a few discussion points before turning it over to you for your take on what went right and what didn’t. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) didn’t appear in this episode, but you’d better believe winter is still coming.
Lord Stark (Sean Bean), King Robert (Mark Addy) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey)
Lord Stark is greeted as he wakes by The King and Queen. Cersei is just as upset about her brother’s abduction as Jaime is, and she attempts to lobby her husband, King Robert, to punish the former Hand. We get a slight bout of domestic violence and then The King and Lord Stark are left alone to discuss matters. King Robert once again tries to unscramble the egg that is the Lannister – Stark blood feud. He restores Stark’s position as The King’s Hand before heading out for a nice hunt (killing things clears his mind). One final note: they still disagree on what should happen to Daenerys, and The King still advocates assassination.
The hunt goes pretty well for The King, plenty of wine and fond remembrances, though his brother Renly doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself. Back at King’s Landing, Lord Stark hears the testimony of a man whose village has been attacked by The Mountain, Gregor Clegane. Ned Stark makes The Mountain an outlaw, sentences him to death, and basically tells the Lannisters he’s very upset with them.
Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen)
Bran’s wacky dreams continue, and Hodor brings him a saddle. Theon makes a case for Bran’s older brother, Robb Stark, to attack The Lannisters, but Robb demurs. Bran is set upon by petty thugs before Robb and Theon break it up. Between this and last episode’s attack on Tyrion and Lady Stark, we can see that crime is a real issue for The Seven Kingdoms.
Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Lady Stark (Michelle Fairley) and Lysa Arryn
Speaking of, Tyrion attempts to reason with his simpleton jailor. It doesn’t start out too well.
For his second attempt, Tyrion gets a message to Lady Arryn. He wishes to confess his crimes. This works, and instead of rotting away in a sky cell he’s brought before Lady Arryn, where he “confesses” all variety of crimes. He begins to win the audience over. Lady Stark attempts to get the trial back on track, but it doesn’t go particularly well. Tyrion points out that The Vale’s justice isn’t terribly fair, which gets him a trial. And then, for his masterstroke, he asks for a trial by combat. If you’re keeping score at home, Tyrion has played Lady Arryn like a fiddle.
Tyrion’s champion, who was with him on the road to The Vale, chooses to go without armor against Lysa Arryn’s champion. This makes him lighter, more agile, and gives him more stamina. Then he plays the ol’ rope-a-dope, finishes him off, and Tyrion is free! Lady Stark realizes her terrible miscalculation of 1) counting on her sister and 2) underestimating Tyrion’s guile.
Arya (Maisie Williams), Joffrey and Sansa
The sword training continues, and Syrio teaches her about the one God, death. And what do you tell death? “Not today.”
Joffrey comes to Sansa and begs forgiveness. What a peach.
A critical moment comes later in the show as Lord Stark tells Sansa and Ayra that they are to be sent home to Winterfell for their safety, and Sansa complains because she wants to marry the lovely Joffrey, and give him beautiful blond sons. But, wait a beat, aren’t The Baratheon’s black of hair? Indeed.
Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd)
Daenerys does a very curious thing, putting a dragon egg in the fire, and we learn that she’s immune to heat. Interesting, eh?
In the next scene Daenerys gamely tries to eat a horse heart. She keeps it down, and what a source of protein for that baby growing inside of her! Viserys realizes, belatedly, that the Dothraki love their new queen. So, he does what any scoundrel would É he tries to jack the dragon eggs and flee. We’ve all been there. Luckily, Ser Jorah stops him in his tracks.
Viserys later crashes Khal Drogo’s feast, brings a sword, and threatens Daenerys and her pregnancy. He figures he’s safe because The Dothraki can’t shed blood in their holy city, but they get around this in a pretty elegant manner. First, they break Viserys’ arm. And then? A crown of gold, though a magma-level hot crown, which kills him. Finally!
Best Moment of The Show:
It’s a tie between telling Death “Not today” and Viserys “golden crown”.
Discussion Points
- Were you sad to see Viserys go?
- Is Tryion the smartest character in the show?
- What makes Joffrey so creepy?
