The short version is that he made his power play with Ned and got shot down. If he backs Ned, but Ned doesn’t trust him with any position of authority, then he’s lost, as far as he’s concerned. This way, he makes himself valuable to the Lannisters. And Lannisters always pay their debts.
From what I’ve read, the goal is to air season 2 next year, and to basically do a season per year. I saw something which quoted GRRM saying that they would do A Clash of Kings next year, then split A Storm of Swords, A feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons (which is still allegedly coming out next month, as far as I know) into two seasons each, by which time he thinks will have completed books 6 and 7.
I’m sure it helps them that, at least for the first several seasons, they can script the episodes out well ahead of time.
On a similar note, I thought Ned’s objection to the Council’s plotting to kill her was also very “modern” (good word!) as well. His whole “but she’s just a child!” sensibility didn’t ring true to me: she’s the pregnant wife of a warlord and a threat to the kingdom. Ned’s supposed to be a good soldier, and a good soldier kills or disarms any threat to his king and kingdom.
I thought the whole “moon of my life” / “my sun and stars” thing was sweet in a not-too-sappy sort of way.
I’m starting to wonder if I need a new TV. I didn’t see Hodor’s wang, and I didn’t see Loras’s either, in that scene with Renly. (I watched twice and looked for it the second time.)
What was up with that brief scene with Ned, when Varys (or someone) put a torch near his face and then left? There was no dialogue. Was it to remind us Ned was still alive?
I wonder if they’re going to change the name to A Clash of Kings next year (then keep changing each year) or just keep Game of Thrones for the entire series.
No spoiler so it should work, but I’m currently reading A Clash of Kings and I think it’s even better than the first novel. I’m hoping his quality lasts.
G.R.R. Martin said that at signings some people have actually told him they named their child after one or another of his characters. He’s told a couple “I really wish you hadn’t done that because… you may not like him/her so much after the next book.” His advice is if you’re going to name a child after one of his characters, wait until the character’s dead.
My first thought upon finishing this episode was that I felt disappointed. After last week’s one-two punch, it felt like there was a lot of running in place in this episode and not a lot of forward movement of the plot.
It did feel a bit like gathering of ends didn’t it? I think most shows have an episode like that right before the end of the season though. Something that wraps up the stuff that needs to be taken care of so that they can focus on the season end with the last couple of episodes.
I wondered about that too.
It was just a guard checking if Ned was still alive.
That’s what I thought, too.
Syrio was terrific - disarming all those Lannister dudes with just a wooden sword. Hope he’s not dead.
Best dialogue was Tyrion when he was walking along the country road with Bronn. “I like… living!”
The scenes with Syrio was very badass, I hope he’s alive and becomes a major character.
It’s good to see some of the other kingsguard, even if Barristan does not hold them in very high regard.
Same here.
Me too.
BUT… It kind of irked me that he didn’t pick up one of those real swords after downing those men. If he winds up dead because of that, I’m gonna be upset. Still, it was my favorite scene of the episode. He’s so cool, and so badass, please let him stay alive!
Just say “NOT TODAY” to death, Syrio!
I’m a little confused. I thought that when Ned resigned from the Handship, he immediately packed the girls off to Winterfell, and only after that was he attacked by Jaime and forced to unresign. So what were they still doing in King’s Landing?
He and Drogo can start a “Too Badass For Metal Weapons” club together.
Sweet baby Jesus but I wanted to punch Joffrey at his whole “Your sweet words have moved me” routine. And Peter Dinklage continues to steal every scene he’s in - boy, is he fun to watch as he eats up this role.
The balance of a rapier is totally different from that of a broadsword, and the fighting styles used with the two weapons are also completely different. I don’t see how picking up a weapon he’s never trained with and doesn’t know how to use properly would have helped Syrio much. Sadly, I think the fellow was destined to be toast as soon as he decided to cover Arya’s escape. But at least he got to go out with style!
You don’t think he’d be better off with a longsword over a broken stick?
His wooden sword wasn’t a rapier anyway.
I remember a scene where she’s pleading with her father not to leave…then Ned goes to see one of the..um…mothers of Robert’s bastards…then Jaimie attacks Ned…then Ned wakes up in jail, I think. Without Ned, maybe the girls were just at Cercei’s mercy, and of course she would want to keep the poor children close by and…safe…
Seeing as how he easily dropped about five guards with real swords with his wooden training one i think he was better off sticking with what he knows.
You think he practices fighting with a broken wooden sword often?