Sunday, 12 June 2011
9 PM Eastern/Pacific
This is the episode I’ve dreaded all season long. Can’t wait to see out it plays out on screen. Though I am upset that Ned’s flashback dreams aren’t making an appearance. They seem to have forgotten all about Lyanna Stark and what part she played in how things got the way they are since Robert died.
Ned - [spoiler] Why’d he puss out? If he had stuck to his guns he’d be a noble martyr but now? Now he’s just a chump. An idiot. And a chump. Stupid honorable jackass. [/spoiler]
I don’t think these are spoilers, it’s just about the episode and everything that has aired, but just in case:
[spoiler]I don’t know. To be fair, everyone - even Cersei, Varys, the entire court, none of whom are chumps and understood the necessity of keeping Ned alive to shut down the war/for their own interests - expected Joffrey to follow his mother’s wishes, which all blew up in their faces. So Ned wasn’t the only chump, even if he was the one to pay for it with his head. Guess the lesson for the schemers is that one shouldn’t underestimate Joffrey’s immaturity and idiocy (which, btw, was a nice contrast with Robb’s burgeoning leadership skills and maturity in his decision not to kill Jaime, and acknowledging his sacrifice of 2000 men. Joffrey’s a boy. Robb’s a man).
For me, this was the one moment where Ned was finally making a practical and smarter choice over his previous honor bound choices (like Varys pointed out, Ned’s choice, even if it all worked out, would result in Stannis being the rightful heir, and Stannis doesn’t sound like someone who’d be a great benevolent king either. I don’t know if I’d consider Ned to be a noble martyr even if he stuck to his gums and didn’t confess to a false statement. Technically, the Baratheons aren’t the rightful heirs either), but alas, too little, too late, and I think it made his death even more impactful for me precisely because he made the choice to suck in his honor and confess. I would be more disgruntled with Ned if he did die the ‘noble martyr’.
But anyway, this episode was DABOMB, and the first and last scenes (and basically everything in between) impressed me so much. I was bawling like a baby at the end. Very, very strong penultimate episode. Can’t believe we’re almost done with S1. I need MOAR. 
[/spoiler]
Besides what coco said, I also believe that it is important what Maester Aemon told Jon. Sometimes the “love” for somebody will make you abandon the “honor” code you have followed all the time before and you make a questionable choice.
[spoiler]Basically because they said if he didn’t admit guilt they would kill his daughter in his place.[/spoiler]
Well he should have thought about that before he made every other dumb decision
Ned is a fighter not a politician. He never really wanted to play the “game of thrones” it was forced upon him. He went about things as a warrior would head first into battle. Luckily Robb got his mothers skills at strategy.
I think the only truly dumb decision Ned made was telling Cersei that he knows the truth and not have done something immediately.
great point. that is the one theme that ties this episode together.
It was an interesting thread that they tied through nearly all of the decisions of the main characters, including that made by Dany in her efforts to save Drogo.
Having read the book, I knew what was going to happen, I still had a hope that that somehow it would turn out different. But, I was happy that Ned made a decision for love and family. His decisions based on honor are what brought him to the Baelor in the first place.
I get the feeling that Varys is looking for a return of the Targareans to the Throne.
Lord Frey’s flock of kids look so tired about him. They must have great inner strength to not have murdered him already. lol
Missed it the 1st time: Once they did a good continuity with Jon’s burned hand.
This guy they scared off in his sleep with Ghost, I see that he’ll be a problem in the future.
I expected The Twins to be a bigger city. His demands are hilarious. Arya wedding some dude, yeah SEVEN HELLS!
Ahh, now I caught the splitting of Robb’s forces.
Wow, I was totally caught off surprise by Maester Aemon’s speech. Very powerful stuff!
These Maltese cliffs the Khalassar is riding on, maybe I wandered the same path last year as they did.
I wonder since Dany is pregnant, did they enhance the size of her boobies?
Tyrion…always looking for the wine. And there is also a delicious pork. lol
Tywin looks like he wants his youngest son to get killed. So sneaky putting him in the vanguard.
“…Ginger C*nt, three tents down.” Bronn’s casual attitude is hilarious.
During that spine-shot of Shae getting it on with Tyrion, I expected it to glow red like on another well known show. 
When someone tells you that “Death is cleaner” you fraking don’t push them to use Blood Magic!! :mad:
Jorah asking Dany “What have you done??!!!” reminds me of Padme asking the same to Anakin on Mustafar.
Dude!! There are numerous other tents where she can deliver the baby! Why do you take to the Witchy tent?!!
Since Shae doesn’t want to play Tyrion’s game, there must be something interesting in her past!
Tyrion in his shiny armor. He really had luck getting knocked-out, or was it the will of the Gods?
I was upset that we didn’t get to see the battles in this episode. Well, maybe in the finale then. At least there were some Wilhelm Screams.
Nice speech! goosebumps
I thot Arya would have left King’s Landing. Why didn’t she?? Maybe her Bookchapter will shed light on it.
Sansa looks like Cersai hatehersomuch If she doesn’t have her eyes opened after this scene, to hell with her!
Even Varys runs to Prince Douchleroi to argue with him.
Adios Lord Eddard. I’m accustomed to main characters dying since LOST, so I can’t understand people who threaten to stop watching Game of Thrones. Yes, Ned was a prominent character, but there are so many more!
I loved Jorah’s fight. I remember him having an discussion about the merits of armour. And here he is, while obviously not as good a fighter as his opponent, knowing how to use his armour, he off the dude almost with an graceful ease.