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GAME OF THRONES: BLACKWATER (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, Davos and his son Matthos sail towards King's Landing, preparing to soundly defeat Joffrey in favor of Stannis, and a nervous Tyrion spends the night in bed with Shae. Pycelle hesitantly gives Cersei a vial of fatal nightshade, though Bronn seems unconcerned about the forthcoming battle as he relaxes at a pub and talks with the Hound, who informs him that they are both heartless killers. Podrick helps Tyrion to dress for battle as Varys arrives with a map of the city's tunnels, reminding Tyrion that Stannis is involved with dark magic and cannot be allowed to take the throne. Bronn and Tyrion say their farewells, and when Joffrey summons Sansa and orders her to kiss his sword, she slyly asks if he will be at the front of the battle, as her "pretender" brother would surely be. Joffrey is outraged and Stannis' men are pleased to see that the King's Landing fleet is gone except for one empty ship, though Davos immediately suspects a trick. Sansa joins a resentful Cersei and the other women in a hold within the castle and is disturbed to see that Ilyn Payne, her father's killer, is there for their "protection."

On Tyrion's command, Bronn fires a single flaming arrow into the ship, which is filled with wildfire, and the huge explosion takes out several of Stannis' ships and kills many men. Undeterred, Stannis orders his remaining men to land and attack. Joffrey's soldiers fight fiercely as Stannis' men storm the gates, though Lancel is hit with an arrow. Inside, Cersei forces Sansa to drink wine and mocks her for praying to the gods, coldly stating that all of the women are in danger of rape if Stannis takes the city. She complains that she and Jaime were raised differently despite being identical and then spots Shae, immediately suspicious of her presence. Lancel enters and tells her of Stannis' advances, and she orders Joffrey to be taken off the front lines to safety. The Hound, fearful of the fire, decides that he is through fighting for a king he hates and quits the battle, and when Joffrey abandons the fight on his mother's orders, Tyrion realizes that he himself must lead the troops. He gives a rousing speech to the men about defending their home from invaders, though Lancel is sure that the battle is lost now that the men have seen their king give up. Sansa tries to reassure the women, but Shae urges her to hide and protect herself. The Hound soon finds Sansa and invites her to escape to Winterfell with him, but she refuses, sure that Stannis will not harm her.

Tyrion uses the tunnels recommended by Varys and attacks Stannis' men from behind, but he is then cut deeply across the face by Ser Mandon, who is then killed by Podrick. Sure that they are lost, Cersei tells Tommen a tale about a lion cub and his many enemies as she prepares to give him a deadly dose of nightshade. On the battlefield, a dazed Tyrion is shocked by the arrival of many reinforcements seemingly led by Renly's ghost, but it is then revealed to be Loras Tyrell, wearing his lover's armor. An enraged Stannis is dragged to safety by his men, and Tywin strides into the throne room and announces to a deeply relieved Cersei that they have won the day.

Details

  • NETWORK: HBO
  • DATE: May 27, 2012 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:54:40
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: 110022
  • 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

  • Carolyn Strauss … Executive Producer
  • Frank Doeleger … Executive Producer
  • David Benioff … Executive Producer, Created by
  • D.B. Weiss … Executive Producer, Created by
  • Vince Gerardis … Co-Executive Producer
  • Guymon Casady … Co-Executive Producer
  • Vanessa Taylor … Co-Executive Producer
  • Alan Taylor … Co-Executive Producer
  • George R.R. Martin … Co-Executive Producer, Writer, Based on the books by
  • Bernadette Caulfield … Producer
  • Greg Spence … Co-Producer
  • Chris Newman … Co-Producer
  • Jonathan Brytus … Associate Producer
  • Oliver Butler … Associate Producer
  • Christine Carr … Digital Intermediate Producer
  • Lisa McAtackney … Line Producer
  • Steven Kullback … Visual Effects Producer
  • Neil Marshall … Director
  • Ramin Djawadi … Music by
  • Peter Dinklage … Cast, Tyrion Lannister
  • Lena Headey … Cast, Cersei Lannister
  • Charles Dance … Cast, Tywin Lannister
  • Liam Cunningham … Cast, Davos Seaworth
  • Jack Gleeson … Cast, Joffrey Baratheon
  • Sophie Turner … Cast, Sansa Stark
  • Rory McCann … Cast, Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane
  • Stephen Dillane … Cast, Stannis Baratheon
  • Jerome Flynn … Cast, Bronn
  • Conleth Hill … Cast, Lord Varys
  • Sibel Kekilli … Cast, Shae
  • Roy Dottrice … Cast, Hallyne
  • Julian Glover … Cast, Grand Maester Pycelle
  • Eugene Simon … Cast, Lancel Lannister
  • Kerr Logan … Cast, Matthos Seaworth
  • Finn Jones … Cast, Loras Tyrell
  • Sahara Knite … Cast, Armeca
  • Tony Way … Cast, Dontos Hollard
  • Wilko Johnson … Cast, Ilyn Payne
  • Stephen Swift … Cast, Singing Lannister Soldier
  • Callum Wharry … Cast, Tommen Baratheon
  • Daniel Portman … Cast, Podrick Payne
  • Gordon Mahon … Cast, Imry Florent
  • James Doran … Cast, Mandon Moore
  • Kieran Cunningham … Cast, Baratheon Officer
  • Michael Grennell … Cast, Captain of the Archers