Discussing Game of Thrones: Fire and Blood & Final Thoughts on Season 1

* Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen “Fire and Blood.”

Did That Really Happen in the Previous Episode?

Yes, yes it did. *still sobbing 4 seasons later over Ned's death* Yoren carries Arya away from the crowd and tells her to keep quiet and pretend she's a boy. To help her pass for one, he cuts her hair off.

A Sad Case of Dreams Coming True

At Winterfell, Bran tells Osha that he dreamed that his father was in the Winterfell crypt. They go down there and find Rickon with Shaggydog. The youngest Stark reveals that he had the same dream. Once back outside, Luwin is carrying the message with the news from King's Landing and has the very sad task of breaking it to Bran.

We'll Kill Them All

News has also reached Robb's camp, where the mood is terribly somber. The expression on Catelyn's face . . . just thinking about it makes me sad all over again. She finds Robb hacking at a tree with his sword. He swears that he'll kill all the Lannisters. His mother reminds him they still have his sisters, but once they get them back, then they will kill them all.

Joffrey's Reign of Terror Continues

He has a court singer's tongue cut out and then forces Sansa to look at her father's severed head. When Sansa gets smart with her mouth, Joffrey, not one to dirty his own hands, has Meryn Trant strike her in the face. After Joffrey and Trant walk away, the Hound, who gave her a cloth to wipe the blood from her mouth, advises Sansa to do what Joffrey says.

The King in the North

The Northmen are debating whether or not to support Renly, who's declared himself king, or Stannis. The Greatjon proposes the North rule itself with Robb as king, and soon everyone is kneeling before King Robb. Catelyn goes to see Jaime, who acts like a class A a-hole toward her. After smashing him in the face with a rock, she demands to know how Bran fell out the tower. He confesses to pushing the boy but stops short of revealing why.

Keeping It in the Family

So . . . Cersei is messing around with Lancel. Her cousin.

A New Hand of the King

Tywin is livid that Jaime is Robb's prisoner. In private, he admits to Tyrion that the latter was right—Ned was their bargaining chip to get Jaime back, and now, thanks to Joffrey, they've got nothing. Tywin is marching for Harrenhal, while a shocked Tyrion is ordered to King's Landing to be Hand of the King while his father wins the war on the battlefield. Tyrion is not, however, to bring Shae to Court.

Daenerys Faces Her Losses

Daenerys wakes up to the sad news that her son did not survive. Mirri Maz Duur reminds her of the bargain she made to save Drogo. Daenerys demands to see him, and once outside of her tent, discovers that most of the khalasar is gone. Drogo is only a shell of a man. Daenerys confronts Mirri Maz Duur about knowing exactly what would happen when they made their deal.

Jon's Late Night Trip

Jon is deserting the Night's Watch to find Robb and fight with him. Sam tries to stop his friend, but Jon is determined. It's not long, though, before Pyp, Grenn, and Sam, led by Ghost, catch up to him. The three remind him of the vows that he took.

A Heartbreaking Decision

Daenerys tries talking to Drogo, hoping for a response, but there is none. She finally accepts that he'll never be himself again and smothers him with a pillow.

A Day in the Life of Grand Maester Pycelle

We learn a few interesting things about the old geezer: he likes the company of prostitutes and he's spry enough to do squats!

Déjà Vu

It's time for another Littlefinger/Varys conversation/insult-fest!

Arry, the Orphan Boy

Arya is preparing to leave King's Landing for the Wall with the other boys and men destined for the Night's Watch. Two of the boys, Hot Pie and Lommy Greenhands, notice Needle and try to wrest the sword from her. She threatens Hot Pie with the weapon until Gendry, who's also part of the group headed for the Wall, shows up and chases the boys off.

Badass!

Mormont knows about Jon's midnight near-flight. The White Walker situation is getting very serious, and Mormont wants Jon and Ghost, if Jon's loyalty is truly to the Night's Watch, to ride out with the party that the Lord Commander himself is leading beyond the Wall to assess the threat. I just love that shot of the Night's Watch riding off!

Badass Dragons!

Daenerys stands before a funeral pyre for Drogo. The dragon eggs are going into the fire, and so is she. Jorah begs her not to do it, but she insists that she knows what she's doing. And wow, is she ever right! The next morning, she emerges from the ashes miraculously unburnt and with three baby dragons!

Final Thoughts on Season 1

Rewatching the first season four years after the show premiered has only made me appreciate it and love it even more than when I first saw it. In only ten episodes, a whole lot of story gets covered; not exactly easy to pull off, but it's done extremely well here.

The characters are superbly cast, and I really, really, really miss Sean Bean as Ned Stark. I can only imagine what it was like for viewers who didn't know Ned's fate beforehand and found out when they watched the "Baelor" episode.

It's hard for me to choose a favorite episode, because really, each one was just amazing. But I'll tell you what one of my favorite scenes was—in Episode 10, "Fire and Blood," when Jaime says, "There are no men like me. Only me." I realize that he's pretty despicable at this point, but I still love that line.

Time to start binge rewatching Season 2!

Peeps We Said Goodbye to This Season

RIP: Ned Stark, Robert Baratheon, Lady, Jory Cassel, Khal Drogo, Viserys Targaryen, Ser Waymar Royce, Will, Ser Vardis Egen, Ser Hugh of the Vale, Septa Mordane, Mycah the butcher's boy, the Mountain's horse. (And anyone else I forgot)

Discussing Game of Thrones: Baelor

* Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen “Baelor.”

Varys Is No Hero

Varys pays another secret visit to Ned in his dungeon cell and informs Lord Stark that Sansa pleaded for his life in front of Joffrey and the Court. Ned asks the Spider what he wants; Varys replies peace and urges Ned to swear fealty to Joffrey. Cersei will probably then let him live out his days with the Night's Watch.

The Twins

Theon is shooting down ravens leaving the Twins, the home of Lord Walder Frey, so that his lordship doesn't betray Robb's position to the Lannisters. Robb is desperate to cross the Trident, but no one trusts Lord Frey. Catelyn volunteers to see him since she's known him since childhood and is greeted by Argus Filch, uh, I mean Lord Walder, and his many, many children and grandchildren. Catelyn asks for a private word with him, and all of the Frey spawn are dismissed. Lord Frey brings up past instances in which Catelyn's father insulted him. She asks him to let Robb cross and reminds him of his duty to her father as a bannerman. Ha—as if the geezer knows the meaning of the word "loyalty."

Longclaw

Mormont presents Jon with a sword named Longclaw, a weapon that had been intended for his exiled son, Jorah. Jon says he'll bury the hatchet with Ser Alliser Thorne, but Mormont tells him that Thorne has been sent to King's Landing with the severed hand. In the mess hall, Jon's friends want to see his new sword with the exception of Sam, who is unusually quiet. When Jon finally gets him to talk, Sam reveals that Robb is marching south with an army to free Ned.

Be Careful of What You Promise Walder Frey

Robb's crossing is secured, but with conditions, of course. Arya is to marry a Frey when they're old enough, and Robb is to take a Frey wife. He's none too thrilled with the terms of the deal, but his need to get across the Trident is dire.

Maester Aemon's Big Reveal

He is a Targaryen! His chat with Jon is meant to get the latter to really consider the consequences of any future action he takes, like riding off to King's Landing.

A Khalasar Divided

Drogo's wound is infected, and he falls from his horse. This is a HUGE sign of weakness to the Dothraki, and they won't follow a khal who can't ride a horse. Daenerys calls for Mirri Maz Duur.

The Lannisters Talk Strategy

Word has reached the Lannister camp that Robb has been joined by additional troops from the Twins. Tywin orders Tyrion and his new friends he picked up in the Vale to lead the vanguard. Later we're introduced to Shae, who will have quite the impact on Tyrion's life.

The Scary Kind of Magic

Drogo's condition has become critical, and Jorah tells Daenerys that the khal will die that night. Jorah also urges her to run because fighting will break out among the Dothraki once Drogo is gone. Daenerys, however, refuses to leave him. She begs Mirri Maz Duur to do whatever she must to save him, including using blood magic. Daenerys is ordered out of the tent and finds an extremely tense gathering. One of the bloodriders shoves her to the ground, and an armored Jorah steps in, eventually killing the Dothraki. Daenerys goes into labor, but none of the Dothraki midwives will help her because they think she's cursed. At Rakharo's suggestion, Jorah carries her to Mirri Maz Duur, not knowing that entrance into the tent is forbidden.

The Battle . . . That Wasn't

During some quiet time before the war gets underway, Tyrion recalls his marriage that turned out to be a cruel trick. The next morning, Bronn wakes him and tells him that he's missing the war; the northerners have arrived early. Poor Tyrion doesn't even have a squire. He gives his tribesmen a rousing pep talk, but when they rush into battle, Tyrion gets knocked unconscious and wakes just in time to find out he missed the fighting. Lord Tywin informs him that the scout was wrong, and there were only 2,000 Stark men. The rest are with Robb.

A Most Prized Capture

Catelyn is anxiously waiting for her son to return from battle. He does, and he's caught an extremely valuable prisoner: Jaime Lannister. Robb feels guilty about sending the smaller host as a decoy to face Tywin's army and reminds his men that one victory means nothing.

There Are No Words

Arya is wandering around Flea Bottom, a very sketchy area in King's Landing, as the bells of the sept ring out. She finds out that Ned is being brought there and takes up a spot by the statue of Baelor the Blessed. Ned is dragged out in front of the hostile crowd and spots Arya. As he passes by Yoren of the Night's Watch, he draws Yoren's attention to Arya's position. Ned confesses to treason and proclaims Joffrey the one true king. Pycelle asks Joffrey how Ned is to be punished. Sansa is sure Joffrey is going to be merciful, but Joffrey orders Ser Ilyn Payne to execute Ned. Yoren grabs Arya in the crowd and tells her not to look as her father is beheaded with his own sword. I'll never, ever, forget reading this in the book and being unable to react for quite some time because . . . the hero doesn't die! And he just did! Oh, and this episode originally aired on my birthday, lol.

Discussing Game of Thrones: The Pointy End

* Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen “The Pointy End.”

The First Sword of Braavos Does Not Run

Arya is practicing with Syrio as all of the Stark household staff and guards are killed. Sansa is with Septa Mordane and the latter, sensing imminent danger, makes Sansa run. Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard comes for Arya. She doesn't want to leave Syrio, but the Braavosi, armed only with a freaking wooden sword, cuts down all of Trant's men. Syrio urges Arya to go and she reluctantly does, leaving her dancing teacher to face Trant alone. Sansa's flight is much less successful, as she runs straight into the Hound. Outside, Arya sees the family possessions strewn about and frantically looks for Needle. A stable boy spots her and is going to turn her in to the Queen for money. The boy gets too close and gets run through with Needle.

Ned Can't Catch a Break. At All.

Varys pays a secret visit to Ned in the dungeons, and Ned asks about the girls. Arya has escaped but Cersei has Sansa. Varys asks Ned why he told the Queen he knew the truth about her children. Ned thought he was showing her mercy; Varys says it was his mercy that got Robert killed, and the Starks no longer even have a bargaining chip because Catelyn has lost Tyrion as a prisoner.

We Need Fire and Lots of It

The bodies of two dead rangers are brought back to the Wall; Benjen isn't among them. Sam notes that the bodies don't smell, which is odd. Jon suggests they be burned. A raven from King's Landing arrives with news of Robert's death and Ned's arrest for treason. Mormont breaks the news to Jon and warns him not to do anything stupid.

Sansa Gets Manipulated

Cersei and the Small Council bully Sansa. The Queen wants her to write to Robb and tell him to come to King's Landing and swear fealty to Joffrey. Or else.

Call the Banners

Robb receives said letter at Winterfell. Luwin tells Robb that Sansa may have written it, but the words belong to the Queen. Robb orders the banners to be called; if he's going to King's Landing, it's going to be with an army at his back. Theon asks him if he's afraid, and Robb reveals a shaking hand. Theon says it's a good sign because it means Robb's not stupid.

Sisterhood Only Goes So Far

Catelyn has received the news of Ned's arrest at the Eyrie. Not only did Lysa take her sweet time about getting the message relayed to Catelyn, but Lady Arryn refuses to send any of the men of the Vale to help because that would leave her son unprotected.

It's Shagga, Son of Dolf

Tyrion and Bronn are on their way back south, and Bronn reminds him that he's not Tyrion's friend. During a break from their travels, they're surrounded by one of the mountain clans—the Stone Crows, led by Shagga, son of Dolf. Tyrion, son of Tywin, promises to arm them handsomely if they let him go and give him their allegiance.

Jon Does Something Stupid and Something Smart

Thorne can't help needling Jon about Ned's arrest. Jon rises to the goading and has to be restrained by his friends. Mormont walks in on the scene and confines Jon to quarters. Later, Ghost senses something wrong and leads Jon to Mormont's quarters. Othor has risen as a White Walker! Jon's weapons do absolutely nothing against him. Mormont shows up to investigate and Jon, thinking fast, grabs the Lord Commander's lantern and throws it on Othor.

Mago Will Never Be Tongue-Tied Again

The Dothraki are pillaging a village and will sell their captives into slavery. Daenerys doesn't like what she sees at all, but Jorah reminds her that the gold will buy ships to sail to Westeros. Daenerys takes a stand to save a group of women from being raped. A Dothraki named Mago complains to Drogo that he was robbed of his spoils. Daenerys makes her case and Drogo won't hear anymore on the subject. Mago draws his weapon and challenges the khal. Drogo is injured but still kills Mago. Daenerys worries about Drogo's wound, and one of the Lhazareen women volunteers to treat it. The Dothraki distrust Mirri Maz Duur's magic, but Daenerys allows her to tend to Drogo.

Your Meat Is Bloody Tough!

Ah, Lord Umber, AKA the Greatjon. His sonorous voice can probably be heard from Winterfell to King's Landing. He demands to lead the vanguard or he won't go to King's Landing at all. Robb casually tells him he'll just hang him as an oathbreaker when he returns. Grey Wind rips off a few of the Greatjon's fingers, and it all ends in laughter. In the middle of the night, Robb says goodbye to Bran, who asks if he can go with. But, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. After Robb leaves, Rickon enters Bran's room. Bran tries to assure his little brother that everyone will return, but Rickon says they won't.

Hodor Forgets Something Important

Um . . . like, his clothes? LOL. Otherwise, this a rather serious scene in which Osha tells Bran that the old gods have no power in the south; the weirwood trees have all been cut down. She also warns that all of the armies on the move are heading the wrong way; they should be traveling north instead.

No Pressure or Anything, Robb

Ser Rodrik and Catelyn find Robb's camp. I love the Greatjon; he knows not what an inside voice is and just bellows all the time. He clears everyone out of the tent so Robb and Catelyn can speak privately. Robb shows his mother Sansa's letter; Catelyn knows it's Cersei's handiwork, too. Catelyn worries that there's no mention of Arya and tells Robb that if he loses against Tywin, everyone is dead.

All That Lannister Crimson

Next we see the Lannister camp, which is mighty big. Tyrion walks in on a discussion between his father and uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister. Tywin isn't necessarily happy to see his son alive and makes it clear that going to war against the Starks was done more to preserve the family's rep than actual concern for Tyrion's welfare. Tyrion introduces his new buddies from the Vale, plus Bronn, and gets an update on everything that's happened, including Robert's death. A messenger announces that the Northmen are on the move. Tywin promises the mountain clans handsome rewards if they back him, and Shagga agrees so long as Tyrion fights alongside them.

Which Way to Go

In Robb's camp, there's a discussion about whom to go after: Jaime at Riverrun or Tywin. A Lannister scout is captured and brought before Robb. Against everyone's advice, Robb lets him go with a message for Tywin. The Greatjon is beside himself with anger over Robb's mercy.

Like Carving a Cake

In a flurry of appointments, Janos Slynt is named Lord of Harrenhal and Tywin is named Hand of the King. Ser Barristan Selmy is fired; Jaime is to take his place as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan does not take his dismissal kindly and throws down his sword. Sansa pleads for her father's life before Joffrey; the little sh*t demands that Ned say he is the king or there will be no mercy for Lord Stark.

Discussing Game of Thrones: You Win or You Die

* Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen “You Win or You Die.”

Oh Deer

The Lannister host is assembled, and here's our first look at Lord Tywin Lannister himself. He's gutting a deer and talking to Jaime about the family legacy. Talk about multi-tasking! Tywin is not pleased that Jaime attacked Ned Stark, but nonetheless, Jaime is to lead half of the army to the Riverlands. It can't be purely coincidental that Tywin is casually cutting up a deer and the symbol of House Baratheon is a stag . . . .

When You Play the Game of Thrones

You tend not to win against the Lannisters. Ned confronts the Queen about the twincest. He's going to tell all to Robert when the King returns from hunting, and Ned advises Cersei to flee King's Landing with her children before then. Cersei doesn't look especially worried about her situation.

Is There Something of Note Going on Here?

Ros has joined Littlefinger's "staff" and is engaging in some "job training" while Littlefinger reveals that he still carries a torch for Catelyn Stark. Couldn't he have just said that in a lovely garden or something? Ah, but that's just how GoT rolls.

Leave Osha Alone

Theon is being a total and utter jerk to Osha until Luwin catches him. The maester inquires as to why she's south of the Wall, and the answer is: White Walkers.

A Rider-Less Horse

At the Wall, a horse returns to Castle Black but without its rider. The animal is identified as Benjen Stark's horse, which begs the question: where's Benjen?

Taken Down by a Boar

Robert has been fatally wounded by a boar while hunting. As his final minutes tick by, he asks to speak to Ned alone. Ned is appointed Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm until Joffrey comes of age. Ned does NOT write Joffrey's name on the parchment but instead writes "my rightful heir," who would be Robert's older brother, Stannis. Robert admits that Ned was right about Daenerys and to let her live if it's not too late to stop the assassination. Outside of Robert's chamber, Ser Barristan blames himself for what's happened to the King. Robert had been drinking from a wine skin given to him by his squire, Lancel Lannister. File this bit of info away under "Very Important." Ned tells Varys to call off the assassin, but the Spider says it's probably not possible.

Yup, Varys Was Right

Daenerys tries talking to Drogo about the Iron Throne. At the market, Jorah sneaks off to see Varys's messenger—Jorah has been pardoned and can return from exile if he so wishes. Daenerys approaches a wine merchant with Jorah watching from a distance. He intercepts a cask of "special" wine that the merchant gifted her. Of course Jorah knows that the wine has been poisoned. The merchant makes a run for it after his cover is blown, but Rakharo nabs him.

I Always Wanted to Be a Wizard

The newest graduating class of the Night's Watch is about to take their vows. First, though, there's the matter of assignments, and Jon Snow is not pleased to be appointed a steward. He looks like he's been bitch slapped while Thorne smirks. Jon is to be the Lord Commander's steward, but that doesn't make a difference to Jon, who mouths off at Maester Aemon. Pyp and Sam try to bring Lord Snow down off his high horse.

The Succession Is About to Get Messy

Renly wants Joffrey to be separated from Cersei, but really, it's wayyyy too late to groom that turd into a semi-decent king. Little brother Renly reveals his kingly ambitions even though he still has a living, and older, brother. Ned sends off a message to said older brother, Stannis, at Dragonstone and reveals to Littlefinger that Robert left no true heir. As if Littlefinger didn't already know that. Littlefinger advises Ned to just let Joffrey take the throne and make peace with the Lannisters. Ned is such a stickler for the honorable thing to do, however, and is determined to see the rightful successor to the Iron Throne, Stannis, crowned. To aid his cause, Ned asks Littlefinger to buy the loyalty of the City Watch to help even the numbers against Cersei's guards.

Um, Thanks, Ghost?

Jon and Sam take their vows in front a weirwood tree and all is lovely until Ghost brings Jon a severed human hand.

Boat Trip!

Drogo thanks Jorah for saving Daenerys and promises her that he will lead the Dothraki across the sea.

Ned's Honor Backfires Spectacularly

Ned is summoned before Joffrey in the throne room. Renly has fled King's Landing. Ned hands over Robert's last request to Ser Barristan, who proclaims the King's seal to be authentic. Cersei rips up the parchment. Ned refuses to swear fealty to Joffrey and mayhem breaks out. Unfortunately for Ned, the City Watch turns on his men and kills them, and he ends up with a knife held to his throat by none other than a lying and traitorous Littlefinger.

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (78): What Would Your Boggart Be?

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts. The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/films/J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! A list of upcoming topics can be found here.

This week's topic is:
What Would Your Boggart Be?

My boggart would be very similar to Hermione's because I do have a terrible fear of failure—I've always been an extreme perfectionist. I don't know if my boggart would also take the form of Professor McGonagall, lol, but it would definitely be someone telling me that I was a failure at everything. :/