GAME OF THRONES: YOU WIN OR YOU DIE (TV)
Summary
One in this dramatic fantasy series, based on the book series by George R.R. Martin, about the warring royal families of Westeros. In this episode, Jaime talks with his father Tywin, who voices his anger that Ned is still alive and declares that Jaime will lead an army to Riverrun to attack the Tullys as vengeance for Cat's capture of Tyrion. Determined that the Lannister name must always be feared, he orders Jaime to rise above his position as a "glorified bodyguard" and finally prove himself. Ned informs Cersei that he knows that her children are Jaime's, not Robert's, and intends to tell the king so. Cersei does not deny it, bitterly recalling how Robert thought only of Lyanna on their wedding night, and seems unmoved by Ned's suggestion that she take her children and flee for her life. At one of his brothels, Baelish "instructs" Ros and another prostitute on pleasing their clients but declines to join in, musing that he has only ever loved one woman, a certain childhood friend for whom he fought and lost a duel and who then married another. A captured Osha is unimpressed by Theon's lofty claims of being a lord, and when Maester Luwin interrupts them, she states that she too has seen White Walkers in the woods.
Jon is upset when Benjen's horse returns to the Wall without him, and Ned learns that Robert has been grievously injured by a boar while hunting. Robert accepts his fate and bids farewell to his "son," and then instructs Ned to write out his final decree, which states that Ned should rule until Joffrey is old enough to do so, though Ned covertly writes "my rightful heir" instead of the boy's name. Varys reveals that Robert's squire, Lancel Lannister, deliberately plied him with wine during the hunt, suggesting that his injury was no accident. Ned then tells Varys to call off the plot to kill Daenerys, though Varys responds that it is likely too late. Elsewhere, Daenerys attempts to convince Drogo to cross the sea after all, though he is disinterested in the throne, and Jorah points out that Aegon "won" the kingdoms thanks to his dragons rather than through rightful inheritance. He is then stunned to receive a royal pardon from Varys, and then spots a merchant urging Daenerys to sample a certain wine and intervenes, leading to the would-be assassin's capture. At Castle Black, Jon is outraged when he is assigned to be Mormont's steward rather than a ranger, sure that Alliser is getting his revenge on him. Sam, however, points out that Mormont is likely planning to train him as the next Lord Commander.
Renly finds Ned and urges him to quickly capture Cersei and her children before Robert dies, declaring that he himself is better suited to rule than his cold-hearted older brother Stannis is, but Ned remains convinced that Stannis is the true heir. Baelish, however, argues that he should make peace with the Lannisters and wed Sansa to Joffrey as planned, telling him to reveal the secret of his parentage only when it is most advantageous. Ned refuses, stating that war is now inevitable, and hints that he needs Baelish to bribe the Goldcloaks to turn against the Lannisters. Sam and Jon take their Night's Watch vows at a heart tree in the woods, and Ghost suddenly appears carrying a severed hand. Drogo, enraged by the attempt on Daenerys' life, decides to cross the sea on "wooden horses" after all and gives a fiery speech to his khalasar about his plans to reclaim the Iron Throne for his son. Ned learns that Robert has died and that Renly has fled, and he is summoned before "King Joffrey," who demands a speedy coronation. Ned presents the letter bearing Robert's final orders, but Cersei destroys it and orders Ned to bow down to his new king. Ned openly declares that the boy has no rightful claim to the throne and orders the guards to capture him and his mother, but the Goldcloaks abruptly slaughter all of his men, revealing that Baelish has, characteristically, betrayed him.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: May 29, 2011 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:03
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 110004
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Drama, action/adventure; LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV series, 2011-2019
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Benioff … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- D.B. Weiss … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Vince Gerardis … Co-Executive Producer
- Ralph Vicinanza … Co-Executive Producer
- Guymon Casady … Co-Executive Producer
- Carolyn Strauss … Co-Executive Producer
- George R.R. Martin … Co-Executive Producer, Based on the books by
- Mark Huffam … Producer
- Joanna Burn … Producer
- Frank Doeleger … Producer
- Greg Spence … Co-Producer
- Jonathan Brytus … Associate Producer
- Chris Newman … Line Producer
- Guy Tannahill … Line Producer
- Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor … Visual Effects Producer
- Paddy Kelly … Visual Effects Producer
- Sarah Mooney … Visual Effects Producer
- Daniel Minahan … Director
- Ramin Djawadi … Music by
- Sean Bean … Cast, Eddard 'Ned' Stark
- Mark Addy … Cast, Robert Baratheon
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau … Cast, Jaime Lannister
- Michelle Fairley … Cast, Catelyn Stark
- Lena Headey … Cast, Cersei Lannister
- Emilia Clarke … Cast, Daenerys Targaryen
- Iain Glen … Cast, Jorah Mormont
- Aidan Gillen … Cast, Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish
- Kit Harington … Cast, Jon Snow
- Alfie Allen … Cast, Theon Greyjoy
- Jack Gleeson … Cast, Joffrey Baratheon
- Rory McCann … Cast, Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane
- Donald Sumpter … Cast, Maester Luwin
- Conleth Hill … Cast, Lord Varys
- James Cosmo … Cast, Jeor Mormont
- Owen Teale … Cast, Alliser Thorne
- Charles Dance … Cast, Tywin Lannister
- Ian McElhinney … Cast, Barristan Selmy
- John Bradley … Cast, Samwell Tarly
- Peter Vaughan … Cast, Maester Aemon
- Julian Glover … Cast, Grand Maester Pycelle
- Gethin Anthony … Cast, Renly Baratheon
- Dominic Carter … Cast, Janos Slynt
- Natalia Tena … Cast, Osha
- Esmé Bianco … Cast, Ros
- Mark Stanley … Cast, Grenn
- Josef Altin … Cast, Pypar
- Luke McEwan … Cast, Rast
- Amrita Acharia … Cast, Irri
- Roxanne McKee … Cast, Doreah
- Elyes Gabel … Cast, Rakharo
- Dar Salim … Cast, Qotho
- Robert Sterne … Cast, King's Landing Page
- Simon Lowe … Cast, Wine Merchant
- Sahara Knite … Cast, Armeca
- Graham Charles … Cast, Varly
- Brian Fortune … Cast, Bowen Marsh
- Jeffrey O'Brien … Cast, Jaremy Rykker
- Dennis McKeever … Cast, Othell Yarwyck
- Phil Dixon … Cast, Tomard
- Tristan Mercieca … Cast, Little Bird
- Jason Momoa … Cast, Khal Drogo