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Transcript

  • Episode begins with three men on horseback, Gared, Waymar, and Will, waiting for a gate to open, before riding through the opened tunnel. The three men make it to the end of the tunnel, where another gate opens before them, as the emerge from the tunnel, which is shown to be constructed within a large snowy rock wall. The men ride into the forest on the outside of the wall, before splitting up in different directions. Will notices smoke in the distance, getting off his horse to get a closer look. Will crawls along the snowy ground, inching closer to the site of the smoke. Will makes it to a snowbank overlooking the site of the smoke, to find the remains of a campfire with human body parts scattered around, with severed heads impaled through spikes. Will shoots to his feet and turns to run, before coming face-to-face with the corpse of a young girl, pinned to a tree by a branch embedded in her abdomen. Will runs to his horse and rides away from the site. The mutilated body parts are shown to be arranged in a ritual-like circle. Scene changes to Will, Waymar, and Gared, as Will has just told them what he had seen*

Waymar: What do you expect? They’re savages. One lot steals a goat from another lot, before you know it they’re ripping each other to pieces. Will: I never seen Wildlings do a thing like this. I never seen a thing like this, not ever in my life! Waymar: How close did you get? Will: Close as any man would. Gared: We should head back to the wall. Waymar: Do the dead frighten you? Gared: Our orders were to track the Wildlings. We tracked them. They won’t trouble us no more. Waymar: You don’t think he’ll ask us how they died? Get back on your horse. Gared: *sighs and mumbles*

  • Will walks up to Waymar*

Will: Whatever did it to them could do it to us. They even killed the children. Waymar: It’s a good thing we’re not children. You want to run away south, run away. Of course they will behead you as a deserter. If I don’t catch you first. Get back on your horse. I won’t say it again.

  • Will walks away, towards his horse. Waymar leads his horse into the forest by its reins. Scene changes to Waymar, Will, and Gared walking up to the site of the smoke, brandishing swords, only to find none of the mutilated body parts that were there before*

Waymar: Your dead men seem to have moved camp. Will: They were here. Gared; See where they went.

  • Will walks further into the forest. Gared kneels down to examine something in the snow*

Waymar: What is it? Gared: It’s…

  • A large figure, with blue, luminescent eyes, rises behind Waymar*

Gared: …!

  • Waymar turns around as the figure swings it’s sword at him. Will walks through the forest, before hearing a scream. The horses frantically run past Will from the site of the smoke. Will turns around, noticing a young girl in the distance. The young girl turns around, revealing herself as the corpse that Will had seen earlier, now with bright blue eyes*

Will: …!

  • Will runs away from the girl, through the forest. Gared runs through the forest, as snarling figures chase him on either side. Will and Gared run up to each other, in a small clearing. Will looks behind him, before turning back to Gared, as the blue-eyed figure from before places his large hand on Gared’s head. The blue-eyed figure decapitates Gared in a single stroke of his sword. Will falls to his knees, as the figure throws Gared’s decapitated head in front of him. Scene changes to will walking down a grassy hill, as several men on horseback ride towards him, surrounding him on every side. Two of the men point spears at him. Scene changes to Winterfell, Robb Jon, and Rickon watch as Bran shoots an arrow at a target, missing and hitting a barrel to the left. Jon places his hands on Bran’s shoulders*

Jon: Go on. Father’s watching.

  • Bran turns around to see his father, Eddard, and mother, Catelyn watching him. Eddard smiles and nods at Bran, who nods back. Bran nocks an arrow and aims at the target Scene changes to Sansa and Arya, and several other girls practicing needlework under Mordane’s tutelage. Mordane kneels beside Sansa and examines her work*

Mordane: Fine work as always, well done! Sansa: Thank you. Mordane: I love the detail that you’ve managed to get in these corners.

  • Arya hears the strike of an arrow as the scene changes to Bran. Bran shoots an arrow at a target, but overshoots it by a lot*

Jon: *laughs* Rickon: *laughs* Eddard: And which one of you was a marksman at 10! Keep practicing Bran. Go on. Jon: Don’t think too much, Bran. Robb: Relax your bow arm.

  • Bran aims an arrow at the target, as an arrow suddenly flies through the air and hits the middle of the target. Bran turns around to find Arya, holding a bow. Arya bows, as Bran runs after her*

Jon and Robb: *laugh* Rodrik: Lord Stark!

  • Rodrick walks up to Eddard and Catelyn, with Theon by his side*

Rodrik: M’lady. The guardsmen just rode in from the hills. They’ve captured a deserter from the Night’s Watch. Eddard: Get the lads to settle their horses.

  • Theon nods and walks off*

Catelyn: Do you have to? Eddard: He swore an oath, Cat. Rodrik: Law is law, M’lady. Eddard: Tell Bran he’s coming too.

  • Rodrik nods and walks off*

Catelyn: Ned. Ten is too young to see such things. Eddard: He won’t be a boy forever. And winter is coming.

  • Rickon, Robb, and Jon recover the fired arrows and place them back into a quiver. Catelyn glares at Jon from above. Scene changes to outside of the castle of Winterfell, as two men bring Will before Eddard*

Will (Muttering): White Walkers. I saw the White Walkers. White Walkers. The White Walkers, I saw them. *pants* Will: I know I broke my oath. And I know I’m a deserter. I should have gone back to the wall and warned them, but…I saw hat I saw. I saw the White Walkers. Eddard: … Rodrik: … Will: People need to know. Jory: … Will: If you can get word to my family…Tell them I’m no coward. Bran: … Robb: … Will: Tell them I’m sorry. Theon: … Eddard: …

  • Eddard nods, as the two guards force Will to his knees, pushing his head into a gap within a log. Robb, Bran, and Jon stand beside each other, watching. Eddard pulls a large sword out of a sheath, carried by Theon*

Will (whispering): Forgive me, Lord. Eddard: In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, the first of his name… Jon: Don’t look away. Eddard: …King of the Andals and the first men… Jon: Father will know if you do. Eddard: …Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, I, Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and warden of the north, sentence you to die. Bran: …

  • Eddard lifs his sword and swings it down on the bent-over Will, decapitating him in a single motion*

Bran: *winces* Rodrik: … Robb: … Jon: You did well.

  • Robb turns to Bran and leads him away. Eddard walks up to Bran*

Eddard: You understand why I did it? Bran: Jon said he was a deserter. Eddard: But do you understand why I had to kill him? Bran: “Our way is the old way”? Eddard: The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. Bran: Is it true he saw the White Walkers? Eddard: The White Walkers have been gone for thousands of years. Bran: So he was lying? Eddard: A madman sees what he sees.

  • Eddard walks away, as they all get on their horses and ride into a forest. A dead deer is shown, as Jon and Theon stand, staring at it. Eddard gets off his horse and approaches it, it’s organs exposed and on the ground,*

Jon: What is it? Theon: Mountain lion? Eddard: There are no mountain lions in these woods.

  • Eddard walks down toward a creek, as everyone follows. Eddard kneels down beside the bloodied corpse of a massive wolf, as several of its pups, Lady, Grey Wind, Nymeria, Summer, and Shaggydog, whine by it*

Robb: … Jory: … Jon: … Theon: It’s a freak! Eddard: It’s a direwolf.

  • Eddard looks up at Rodrik*

Eddard: Tough old beast.

  • Eddard pulls an antler out of the wolf’s body*

Robb: There are no direwolves south of the wall. Jon: Now there are five.

  • Jon picks up a direwolf pup*

Jon: You want to hold it?

  • Jon hands the pup to Bran*

Bran: Where will they go? Their mother’s dead. Rodrik: They don’t belong down here. Eddard: Better a quick death.

  • Theon quickly pulls out a dagger*

Eddard: They won’t last without their mother. Theon: Right. Give it here. Bran: No!

  • Theon takes the pup from Bran*

Robb: Put away your blade. Theon: I take orders from your father, not you. Bran: Please, father! Eddard: I’m sorry, Bran. Jon: Lord Stark? There are five pups…one for each of the Stark children. The direwolf is the sigil of your house. They were meant to have them.

  • Theon and Robb look at Eddard*

Eddard: You will train them yourselves. You will feed them yourselves.

  • Theon sheathes his dagger*

Eddard: And if they die, you will bury them yourselves.

  • Jon grabs the pups and hands them to Robb, who hands them to Theon*

Bran: What about you? Jon: I’m not a Stark. Get on.

  • Jon notices whimpering*

Robb: What is it?

  • Jon finds a sixth, pure white, pup, Ghost*

Theon: The runt of the litter…that one’s yours, Snow.

  • Scene changes to King’s Landing, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms. A man rings four large bells, causing them to ring out throughout the capital. In a room, several robed men walk around Jon Arryn’s corpse laid out on an altar, momentarily stopping to bow, before continuing to circle the altar. Cersei watches from above as Jamie approaches her*

Jamie: As your brother, I feel it’s my duty to warn you. You worry too much. It’s starting to show. Cersei: And you never worry about anything. When we were seven and you jumped off the cliffs at Casterly Rock, 100-foot drop into the water, and you were never afraid. Jamie: There was nothing to be afraid of until you told father. “We’re Lannisters Lannisters don’t act like fools.” Cersei: What if Jon Arryn told someone? Jamie: But who would he tell? Cersei: My husband. Jamie: If he told the King, both our heads would be skewered on the city gates by now. Whatever Jon Arryn knew or didn’t know, it died with him. And Robert will choose a new Hand of the King, someone to do his job while he’s off fucking boars and hunting whores, or is it the other way around? And life will go on. Cersei: You should be the Hand of the King. Jamie: That’s an honor I can do without. Their days are too long, their lives are too short.

  • Scene changes to Winterfell, as a crow flies to the wall with a parchment tied to its leg. Catelyn walks through the town and into a forest, where Eddard sits by a pond, cleaning his sword*

Catelyn: All these years and I still feel like an outsider when I come here. Eddard: You have five northern children. You’re not an outsider. Catelyn: I wonder if the old gods agree. Eddard: It’s your gods with all the rules. Catelyn: I am so sorry, my love. Eddard: Tell me. Catelyn: There was a raven from King’s Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. A fever took him. I know he was like a father to you. Eddard: Your sister, the boy? Catelyn: They both have their health, gods be good.

  • Catelyn crouches down beside Eddard*

Catelyn: The raven brought more news…The King rides for Winterfell…with the Queen and all the rest of them. Eddard: If he’s coming this far north…There’s only one thing he’s after. Catelyn: You can always say no, Ned.

  • Scene changes to several people preparing a banquet in the hall of a room, as Catelyn and Luwin walk in*

Catelyn: We’ll need plenty of candles for Lord Tyrion’s chamber. I’m told he reads all night. Luwin: I’m told he drinks all night. Catelyn: How much could he possibly drink? A man of his…stature? Luwin: We’ve brought up eight barrels of ale from the cellar. Perhaps we’ll find out. Catelyn: In any case, candles.

  • Scene changes to Robb having his beard shaved by a man, Tommy, with a knife, as Theon and Jon stand watching*

Jon: Why is your mother so dead set on us getting pretty for the King? Theon: It’s for the Queen, I bet. I hear she’s a sleek bit of mink. Robb: I hear the prince is a right royal prick. Theon: Think of all those southern girls he get to stab with his right royal prick. Robb: Go on, Tommy, shear him good. He’s never met a girl he likes better than his own hair. Robb and Theon: *laugh*

  • Jon sits in front of Tommy, who begins cutting his hair. Scene changes to Bran sitting atop the wall of a rampart tower, watching the arrival of the King and his men. Bran climbs down the side of the rampart tower. Catelyn and Luwin walk through the area, as they pass by Bran’s direwolf pup, Summer*

Catelyn: Gods, but they grow fast.

  • Catelyn notices Bran climbing down the side of a tower*

Catelyn: Brandon! Bran: I saw the king. He’s got hundreds of people. Catelyn: How many times have I told you no climbing? Bran: But he’s coming right now…down our road. Catelyn: I want you to promise me, no more climbing. Bran: I promise. Catelyn: Do you know what? Bran: What? Catelyn: You always look at your feet before you lie. Bran: *chuckles* Catelyn: Run and find you father. Tell him the King is close.

  • Bran runs off, as Summer follows him. The King and his men arrive, while Arya pushes through a crowd of people, while wearing a helmet. Arya climbs atop a wagon to watch the arrival of the King. Bran, Sansa, Robb, Eddard, Catelyn, and Rickon stand waiting to greet the King, as Theon and Jon stand behind them*

Catelyn: Where’s Arya? Sansa, where’s your sister? Sansa: *shrugs*

  • Rodrik, Jory, Luwin, and Hodor stand alongside the Starks, waiting for the King. Arya runs towards the Starks*

Eddard: Hey, hey, hey, hey. Arya: Ohh. Eddard: What are you doing with that on?

  • Eddard takes the helmet off Arya’s head*

Eddard: Go on. Arya: *groans* Move!

  • Arya pushes Bran out of her way and lines up alongside the others. Robert enters on horseback, while the Starks and everyone else bow to him. Two servants bring a wooden block and place it beside Robert’s horse, which he uses to help him get down from the horse. Robert walks up to Eddard and motions for him to stand*

Eddard: Your grace. Robert: You’ve got fat.

  • Eddard motions at Robert’s figure with his eyes*

Robert and Eddard: *laugh*

  • Robert and Eddard hug*

Robert: Cat! Catelyn: Your grace.

  • Robert hugs Catelyn and rubs Rickon’s head*

Robert: Nine years…why haven’t I seen you? Where the hell have you been? Eddard: Guarding the north for you, your grace. Winterfell is yours.

  • Cersei emerges from a carriage*

Arya: Where’s the imp? Sansa: Will you shut up? Robert: Who have we here? You must be Robb.

  • Robert and Robb shake hands. Robert walks by Sansa*

Robert: My, you’re a pretty one.

  • Robert walks up to Arya*

Robert: Your name is? Arya: Arya.

  • Robert walks up to Bran*

Robert: Oh, show us your muscles.

  • Bran flexes his bicep*

Robert: *laughs* You’ll be a soldier.

  • Jamie takes off his helmet*

Arya: That’s Jamie Lannister, the Queen’s twin brother. Sansa: Would you please shut up?

  • Cersei walks up to the Starks and places her hand in front of Eddard, who bends over to kiss it*

Eddard: My Queen.

  • Catelyn bows to Cersei*

Catelyn: My Queen. Robert: Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects. Cersei: We’ve been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait. Robert: Ned.

  • Robert and Eddard walk off*

Arya: Where’s the imp?

  • Cersei overhears Arya and looks at her, before walking back to Jamie*

Cersei: Where is our brother? Go and find the little beast.

  • Scene changes to Robert and Eddard walking down a tunnel, lit by many candles*

Eddard: Tell me about Jon Arryn. Robert: One minute he was fine and then…Burned right through him, whatever it was. I loved that man. Eddard: We both did. Robert: He never had to teach you much, but me? You remember me at 16? *chuckles* Eddard: *chuckles* Robert: All I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls. He showed me what was what. Eddard: Aye. Robert: Don’t look at me like that. It’s not his fault I didn’t listen. *laughs* Eddard: *laughs* Robert: I need you, Ned…down at King’s Landing, not up here where you’re no damn use to anybody. Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King.

  • Eddard looks around, before eventually kneeling*

Eddard: I’m not worthy of the honor. Robert: I’m not trying to honor you. I’m trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink and whore my way to an early grave. Damn it, Ned, stand up. You helped me with the iron throne, now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. If your sister had lived, we’d have been bound by blood. Well, it’s not too late. I have a son, you have a daughter. We’ll join our Houses.

  • Scene changes to Jamie walking outside of a house*

Ros: *moans*

  • In the house, Tyrion drinks from a mug*

Tyrion: *moans* Ros: *sucks*

  • Ros, a prostitute, rises up in front of Tyrion*

Tyrion: It is true what they say about the northern girls. Ros: *giggles*

  • Tyrion leads Ros to a bed*

Ros: Did you hear the King’s in Winterfell? Tyrion: I did hear something about that.

  • Ros kneels in front of the bed and removes Tyrion’s shoes*

Ros: And the Queen and her twin brother. They say that he is the most handsome man in the Seven Kingdoms. Tyrion: And the other brother? Ros: The Queen has two brothers? Tyrion: There’s the pretty one, and there’s the clever one. Ros: Mmm, I hear they call him the iimp. Tyrion: I hear he hates that nickname. Ros: Oh? I hear he’s more than earned it. I hear he’s a drunken little lecher, prone to all manner of perversions. Tyrion: Clever girl. Ros: We’ve been expecting you, Lord Tyrion. Tyrion: Have you.

  • Tyrion motions down to something with his eyes*

Ros: Already? Tyrion: Oh! Ros and Tyrion: *laugh*

  • Ros straddles Tyrion*

Tyrion: The gods gave me one blessing.

  • Jamie enters the house*

Ros: … Jamie: Don’t get up. Ros: My Lord. Tyrion: Should I explain to you the meaning of a closed door in a whorehouse, brother? Jamie: You have much to teach me, no doubt, but our sister craves your attention.

  • Jamie shuts the door*

Tyrion: She has odd cravings, our sister. Jamie: A family trait.

  • Jamie pours himself a drink*

Jamie: Now the Starks are feasting us at sundown. Don’t leave me alone with these people. Tyrion: I’m sorry, I’ve begun the feast a bit early. And this is the first of many courses. Ros: *laughs* Jamie: I thought you might say that. But since we’re short on time…

  • Jamie opens the door, as several prostitutes enter the room*

Jamie: Come on, girls.

  • Jamie spanks them as they walk by, while they jump onto the bed with Ros and Tyrion*

Prostitutes: *laugh* Jamie: See you at sundown.

  • Jamie leaves*

Tyrion: Close the door!

  • Scene changes to the crypt where Robert stands in front of a grave*

Robert: Did you have to bury her in a place like this? She should be on a hill somewhere with the sun and the clouds above her. Eddard: She was my sister. This is where she belongs. Robert: She belonged with me. In my dreams, I kill him every night. Eddard: It’s done, your Grace. The Targaryens are gone. Robert: Not all of them.

  • Scene changes to Pentos, across the Narrow Sea, as Daenerys stands on a balcony overlooking the sea*

Viserys: Daenerys!

  • Viserys enters the room*

Viserys: Daenerys. There’s our bride-to-be. Look, a gift from Illyrio.

  • Viserys holds out a piece of clothing*

Viserys: Touch it. Go on, feel the fabric. Mmm. Isn’t he a gracious host? Daenerys: We’ve been his guests for over a year and he’s never asked us for anything. Viserys: Illyrio’s no fool. He knows I won’t forget my friends when I come into my throne. You still slouch. Let them see.

  • Viserys undresses Daenerys*

Viserys: You have a woman’s body now. *sighs*

  • Viserys explores Daenerys’ body*

Daenerys: … Viserys: I need you to be perfect today. Can you do that for me? Daenerys: … Viserys: You don’t want to wake the dragon, do you? Daenerys: No.

  • Viserys nods and turns to leave the room*

Viserys: When they write the history of my reign, sweet sister, they will say it began today.

  • Viserys leaves. Daenerys gets into a steaming bath*

Servant: It’s too hot, my lady.

  • Daenerys sits in the steaming water, while giving no expression. Scene changes to Illyrio, Daenerys, and Viserys waiting for Drogo’s arrival*

Viserys: Where is he? Illyrio: The Dothraki are not known for their punctuality.

  • Drogo and several of his men, Qotho and others, arrive on horseback*

Illyrio: Athchomar chomakaan, Khal vezhven. May I present my honored guests? Viserys of House Targaryen, the third of his name, the rightful king of the Andals and the first men, and his sister Daenerys of House Targaryen. Viserys: Do you see how long his hair is? When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braids so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated. He’s a savage, of course, but one of the finest killers alive. And you will be his Queen. Illyrio: Come forward, my dear.

  • Daenerys walks up to Drogo. Drogo and Daenerys stare at each other for some time, before Drogo rides off with his men*

Viserys: Where is he going?! Illyrio: The ceremony is over. Viserys: But he didn’t say anything. Did he like her? Illyrio: Trust me, your Grace, if he didn’t like her, we’d know.

  • Scene changes to Illyrio, Viserys, and Daenerys, standing and overlooking the sea*

Illyrio: It won’t be long now. Soon you will cross the Narrow Sea and take back your father’s throne. The people drink secret toasts to your health. They cry out for their true king. Viserys: When will they be married? Illyrio: Soon. The Dothraki never stay still for long. Viserys: Is it true they lie with their horses? Illyrio: I wouldn’t ask Khal Drogo. Viserys: Do you take me for a fool? Illyrio: I take you for a King. King’s lack the caution of common men. My apologies if I’ve given offense. Viserys: I know how to play a man like Drogo. I give him a Queen and he gives me an army. Daenerys: I don’t want to be his Queen. I want to go home. Viserys: So do I. I want us both to go home, but they took it from us. So tell me, sweet sister, how do we go home? Daenerys: I don’t know. Viserys: We go home with an army. With Khal Drogo’s army. I would let his whole tribe fuck you…all 40,000 men and their horses too if that’s what it took.

  • Viserys kisses Daenerys’ forehead. Scene changes to Winterfell, where Sansa sits in a room while Catelyn does her hair*

Sansa: Do you think Joffrey will like me? What if he thinks I’m ugly? Catelyn: Then he is the stupidest prince that ever lived. Sansa: He’s so handsome. When would we be married? Soon? Or do we have to wait? Catelyn: Hush now. Your father hasn’t even said yes. Sansa: Why would he say no? He’d be the second most powerful man in the kingdoms. Catelyn: He’d have to leave home. He’d have to leave me. And so would you. Sansa: You left your home to come here. And I’d be Queen someday. Please make father say yes! Catelyn: Sansa… Sansa: Please, please! It’s the only thing I ever wanted.

  • Scene changes to a feast*

Robert: Fill that up! Boys, Rodrik, come on. Come on!

  • Robert grabs the woman pouring his drink by the waist, as Cersei and Catelyn watch from the main table. Robert kisses the woman*

Cersei: …

  • Scene changes to Jon striking a dummy with a sword. Benjen rides in on horseback*

Benjen: Is he dead yet? Jon: Uncle Benjen. *laughs*

  • Benjen and Jon embrace*

Benjen: You got bigger. Rode all day. Didn’t want to leave you alone with the Lannisters. Why aren’t you at the feast? Jon: Lady Stark thought it might insult the royal family to seat a bastard in their midst. Benjen: Well, you’re always welcome on the wall. No bastard was ever refused a seat there. Jon: So take me with you when you go back. Benjen: Jon… Jon: Father will let me if you ask him. I know he will. Benjen: The wall isn’t going anywhere. Jon: I’m ready to swear your oath. Benjen: You don’t understand what you’d be giving up. We have no families. None of us will ever father sons… Jon: I don’t care about that! Benjen: You might, if you knew what it meant. I’d better get inside, rescue your father from his guests. We’ll talk later.

  • Benjen walks away*

Tyrion: Your Uncle’s in the Night’s Watch. Jon: What are you doing back there? Tyrion: Preparing for a night with your family. I’ve always wanted to see the wall. Jon: You’re Tyrion Lannister, the Queen’s brother? Tyrion: My greatest accomplishment. And you…you’re Ned Stark’s bastard, aren’t you?

  • Jon turns and walks away*

Tyrion: Did I offend you? Sorry. You are the bastard though. Jon: Lord Eddard Stark is my father. Tyrion: And Lady Stark is not your mother, making you the bastard. Let me give you some advice, bastard. Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor…and it can never be used to hurt you. Jon: What the hell do you know about being a bastard? Tyrion: All dwarves are bastards in their father’s eyes.

  • Tyrion walks away, while Jon goes back to hitting a dummy with his sword. Scene changes back to the feast, where Benjen walks up to Eddard*

Benjen: You at a feast…it’s like a bear in a trap. Eddard: The boy I beheaded…did you know him? Benjen: Of course I did. Just a lad. And he was tough, Ned, a true ranger. Eddard: Pfft. He was talking madness. Said the Walkers slaughtered his friends. Benjen: The two he was with are still missing. Eddard: Hmph. A wildling ambush. Benjen: Maybe. Direwolves, south of the wall, talk of the Walkers, and my brother might be the next Hand of the King. Eddard: *chuckles* Benjen: Winter is coming. Eddard: Winter is coming. Benjen and Eddard: *chuckle* Robb: Uncle Benjen. Benjen: Robb boy.

  • Robb and Benjen embrace*

Benjen: How are you? Robb: I’m good.

  • Robert embraces the woman pouring his drink, before slapping her bottom, as Catelyn and Cersei watch from the main table*

Catelyn: Is this your first time in the north, your Grace. Cersei: Yes. Lovely country.

  • Jeyne and Sansa sit at a table talking, as Sansa meets Cersei’s gaze*

Catelyn: I’m sure it’s very grim after King’s Landing. I remember how scared I was when Ned brought me up here for the first time.

  • Sansa walks up to Cersei*

Cersei: Hello, little dove. But you are a beauty. How old are you? Sansa: 13, your Grace. Cersei: You’re tall. Still growing? Sansa: I think so, your Grace. Cersei: And have you bled yet?

  • Sansa looks at Catelyn*

Sansa: No, your Grace. Cersei: Your dress, did you make it?

  • Sansa smiles and nods*

Cersei: Such a talent. You must make something for me.

  • Sansa nods and walks away*

Cersei: I hear we might share a grandchild someday. Catelyn: I hear the same. Cersei: Your daughter will do well in the capital. Such a beauty shouldn’t stay hidden up here forever. Catelyn: …

  • Sansa sits back in her seat, before meeting Joffrey’s gaze. Jamie walks in front of Eddard*

Eddard: Your pardon. Jamie: I hear we might be neighbors soon. I hope it’s true. Eddard: Yes, the King has honored me with his offer. Jamie: I’m sure we’ll have a tournament to celebrate your new title…if you accept. It would be good to have you on the field. The competition has become a bit stale. Eddard: I don’t fight in tournaments. Jamie: No? Getting a little old for it? Eddard: *chuckles* I don’t fight in tournaments because when I fight a man for real I don’t want him to know what I can do. Jamie: Well said.

  • Arya launches food from her spoon into Sansa’s face*

Sansa: Arya! Arya: *laughs* Sansa: It’s not funny! Robb: *laughs* Sansa: She always does this.

  • Robb meets Catelyn’s gaze, as she motions for him to do something*

Sansa: This was my favorite dress. She always does it and it’s not funny!

  • Robb walks up to Arya and grabs her*

Robb: Time for bed. Arya: *groans*

  • Scene changes to later that night, as Eddard and Catelyn are lying in bed*

Eddard: I’m a Northman. I belong here with you, not down south in that rats’ nest they call a capital. Catelyn: I won’t let him take you. Eddard: The king takes what he wants. *huffs* That’s why he’s King. Catelyn: I’ll say, “listen, fat man.” Eddard: *laughs* Catelyn: “You are not taking my husband anywhere. He belongs to me now.” Eddard: How did he get so fat? Catelyn: He only stops eating when it’s time for a drink. *laughs*

  • A man knocks on the door*

Man: It’s Maester Luwin, my Lord. Eddard: Send him in.

  • Luwin enters the room*

Luwin: Pardon, my Lord, my Lady. A rider in the night…from your sister.

  • Catelyn gets out of bed and grabs a sealed parchment from Luwin*

Eddard: Stay. Catelyn: This was sent from the Eyrie.

  • Luwin closes the door, as Catelyn reads the parchment*

Catelyn: What’s she doing at the Eyrie? She hasn’t been back there since her wedding.

  • Catelyn looks at Luwin, before throwing the parchment into the fireplace*

Eddard: What news? Catelyn: She’s fled the capital. She says Jon Arryn was murdered. By the Lannisters. She says the King is in danger. Eddard: She’s fresh widowed, Cat. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. Catelyn: Lysa’s head would be on a spike right now if the wrong people had found that letter. Do you think she would risk her life…her son’s life…if she wasn’t certain her husband was murdered? Luwin: If this news is true and the Lannisters conspire against the throne, who but you can protect the King? Catelyn: They murdered the last Hand. Now you want Ned to take the job? Luwin: The King rode for a month to ask for Lord Stark’s help. He’s the only one he trusts. You swore the King an oath, my Lord. Catelyn: He’s spent half his life fighting Robert’s wars. He owes him nothing. Your father and brother rode south once on a King’s demand. Luwin: A different time. A different King.

  • Scene changes to Pentos, as the Dothraki celebrate while Drogo and Daenerys receive wedding gifts from various people. A man brings a box containing several snakes*

Daenerys: *gasps*

  • Viserys and Illyrio sit away from Drogo and Daenerys*

Viserys: When do I meet with the Khal? We need to begin planning the invasion. Illyrio: If Khal Drogo has promised you a crown, you shall have it. Viserys: When? Illyrio: When their omens favor war. Viserys: I piss on Dothraki omens. I’ve waited 17 years to get my throne back.

  • A Dothraki man thrusts against a Dothraki woman in the middle of the celebration, before another Dothraki man pushes him off before doing the same to the woman. The first man punches the second in the face, knocking him down. The first man picks the second man up before swinging on him, as the second man strikes the first in the abdomen, before staggering him with a headbutt. The second man grabs a sword and swings down on the first, who ducks under it. The second man swings the sword at the first, who again ducks under it, before picking the second man up and slamming him into several other Dothraki*

Drogo: *says something in Dothraki*

  • The first man swings his sword down on the second, who blocks the strike with the blade of his sword. The second man swings his sword at the first’s back, as the first positions his sword behind him to block the strike. The first then strikes the second in the face with the back of his fist, causing him to stagger backward. The men clash their swords against each other, before the first man swings his sword towards the second’s head, who ducks under the strike before slashing the first man across the abdomen, revealing his entrails. The second man cuts off the first’s braid, as the first man falls motionless to the ground*

Dothraki: *cheer* Illyrio: A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is considered a dull affair. Viserys: *laughs*

  • Two Dothraki women embrace the victor of the fight. Jorah appears before Dorgo and Daenerys with a gift*

Jorah: Jadi, zhey jorah andahil! Khal vezhven. A small gift, for the new Khaleesi…songs and histories from the Seven Kingdoms.

  • Jorah hands Daenerys three books*

Daenerys: Thank you, Ser. Are you from my country? Jorah: Ser Jorah Mormont of Bear Island. I served your father for many years. Gods be good, I hope to always serve the rightful King.

  • Jorah turns to Viserys. Jorah walks away. Two men bring a box containing dragon eggs before Daenerys*

Illyrio: Dragon’s eggs, Daenerys, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai. The ages have turned them to stone, but they will always be beautiful. Daenerys: Thank you, magister.

  • Drogo stands to his feet, before looking at Daenerys, who does the same. Drogo walks away as Daenerys slowly follows. Drogo stands by a white horse, waiting for Daenerys*

Daenerys: She’s beautiful. Ser Jorah, I don’t know how to say thank you in Dothraki. Jorah: There is no word for thank you in Dothraki.

  • Drogo picks Daenerys up and places her on the back of the horse. Drogo gets on his horse beside Daenerys, as Viserys walks up to her*

Viserys: Make him happy.

  • Drogo and Daenerys ride off. Scene changes to Drogo looking at Daenerys standing on a beach at sunset. Drogo approaches Daenerys and begins to undress her*

Daenerys: *cries*

  • Drogo wipes her tears with his finger*

Drogo: No. Daenerys: Do you know the common tongue?

  • Drogo continues undressing Daenerys*

Drogo: No. Daenerys: Is “no” the only word that you know? Drogo: No.

  • Drogo takes off Daenerys’ dress, as she holds her arms in front of her chest. Drogo removes her arms from her chest, before positioning her on the ground. Scene changes to Winterfell, as Tyrion sits outside with Sandor*

Sandor: Rough night, imp? Tyrion: If I get through this without squirting from one end or the other it’ll be a miracle. Sandor: I didn’t pick you for a hunter. Tyrion: The greatest in the land…my spear never misses. Sandor: It’s not hunting if you pay for it.

  • Theon walks up to Eddard, who’s sitting on his horse, and hands him a pair of gloves. Robert approaches Eddard on his horse*

Robert: Are you as good with a spear as you used to be? Eddard: No, but I’m still better than you. Robert: *laughs* I know what I’m putting you through. Thank you for saying yes. I only ask you because I need you. You’re a loyal friend. You hear me? A loyal friend. The last one I’ve got. Eddard: I hope I’ll serve you well. Robert: You will. And I’ll make sure you don’t look so fucking grim all the time. Come on, boys, let’s go kill some boar!

  • Bran stands by a wall watching everyone depart, as Eddard nods at him before he leaves. Summer runs up to Bran and nips his ankle*

Bran: Come on, you.

  • Benjen and Robb ride behind Eddard while conversing. Bran climbs up the wall of a tower. Bran momentarily stops climbing after noticing a noise*

Cersei: *moans*

  • Bran looks through an opening in the wall of the tower, to find Jamie and Cersei having sex. Cersei notices Bran*

Cersei: *gasps* Stop! Stop.

  • Bran moves to leave, as Jamie runs and grabs him*

Jamie: Are you completely mad? Cersei: He saw us. Jamie: It’s all right, it’s all right. Cersei: He saw us! Jamie: I heard you the first time.

  • Jamie looks down towards the ground, where Summer paces*

Jamie: Quite the little climber, aren’t you? How old are you, boy? Bran: 10. Jamie: 10.

  • Jamie unhands Bran and looks back at Cersei*

Jamie: The things I do for love.

  • Jamie pushes Bran from the wall of the tower, causing him to fall tens of meters to the ground. Episode ends*

Episode Rating

Story & Pacing (9.5/10)

  • The episode effortlessly juggles multiple perspectives, from the mystical horror beyond the Wall to the political drama in Winterfell and King’s Landing, all the way to the Dothraki customs across the Narrow Sea.
  • The cold open with the White Walkers immediately establishes the true threat of the series, setting up a foreboding sense of doom.
  • Ned Stark's execution of Will serves as both a crucial worldbuilding moment and a brilliant character-defining scene—showing Ned's honor-bound pragmatism while foreshadowing his eventual fate.
  • The direwolf pups scene is a fantastic symbolic moment, linking them to the Stark children and setting up their importance.
  • Bran’s fall at the end is one of the best cliffhangers in TV history, ensuring that audiences immediately want to watch the next episode.

Characterization & Dialogue (9.6/10)

The episode does an incredible job introducing and defining key characters, many of whom will drive the series forward.

  • Eddard Stark – The Moral Anchor
    • Honorable, wise, but too rigid—his execution of Will shows his belief that justice must be personal, a foreshadowing of his own execution later.
    • His reluctance to become Hand of the King already sets up his doom, as he will be dragged into a world he is not suited for.
  • Robert Baratheon – A Fallen King
    • Once a great warrior, now a drunken, womanizing wreck, his scene in the crypt is one of the most emotionally charged moments, showing his undying love for Lyanna Stark and his hatred for the Targaryens.
    • His offer to join Houses with Ned sets up Sansa and Joffrey’s doomed betrothal.
  • Cersei & Jamie Lannister – The Power Couple (and Incestuous Villains)
    • Their conversation about Jon Arryn’s death immediately sets up the core mystery of the season.
    • Jamie’s arrogance and confidence are well-established, making his last line ("The things I do for love") before pushing Bran one of the most iconic moments of the series.
    • Cersei’s cold and calculating nature is evident, but her fear about Jon Arryn’s death shows that even she has vulnerabilities.
  • Jon Snow – The Outsider
    • His alienation is immediately clear, from Catelyn’s cold glare to his own frustration at being left out of noble affairs.
    • His interaction with Tyrion is one of the best scenes, with Tyrion’s advice ("Never forget what you are. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you") shaping Jon’s journey.
  • Tyrion Lannister – The Clever Outsider
    • His intelligence and sharp wit are established immediately, with him effortlessly owning Jon in a conversation.
    • His love for whores and drinking is also highlighted early, ensuring that audiences understand his vices and pleasures.
  • Daenerys Targaryen & Viserys – The Power-Hungry Siblings
    • Viserys is a fantastic early villain, showing his desperation, arrogance, and cruelty in how he physically and emotionally abuses Daenerys.
    • Daenerys’ complete lack of agency at the start is painful to watch, but her stepping into the boiling bath without flinching is the first hint of her true power.
    • Her forced marriage to Drogo is uncomfortable, but it sets up her eventual transformation into a powerful ruler.
  • Benjen Stark & The Night’s Watch Foreshadowing
    • Benjen warning Jon about the Watch being a lifelong commitment is important foreshadowing for Jon’s eventual internal struggle as Lord Commander.

Action & Tension (9.4/10)

  • The opening scene with the White Walkers is brilliantly shot horror—silent, eerie, and punctuated by terrifying blue eyes.
  • The execution scene carries a weight of inevitability, reinforcing the harsh reality of this world.
  • Bran’s fall is a shocking and unexpected climax, proving that no character is safe.

Worldbuilding & Themes (9.6/10)

  • The White Walkers’ return is a huge setup for the series’ overarching plot.
  • The North’s cultural traditions (the Old Gods, executions, direwolves) contrast sharply with the political scheming of King’s Landing.
  • The Wall and the Night’s Watch are brilliantly introduced, making it clear that it is a place of exile and harsh duty.
  • The Dothraki culture is heavily focused on strength, war, and brutality, making their customs seem alien and terrifying to outsiders.
  • Political Intrigue Begins:
    • Jon Arryn’s mysterious death is the catalyst for the season’s plot.
    • Robert and Ned’s dynamic sets up a clash between loyalty and corruption.
    • The Lannisters’ secret sets them up as early antagonists.

Themes & Symbolism (9.6/10)

  • "Honor vs. Pragmatism"
    • Ned represents honor, while Robert, Tyrion, and the Lannisters represent pragmatism.
    • Ned’s refusal to play politics will cost him dearly.
  • "The Burden of Leadership"
    • Robert doesn’t want to rule, Ned doesn’t want to rule, but both must play their roles.
  • "The Outsider’s Struggle"
    • Jon as a bastard, Tyrion as a dwarf, Daenerys as an exiled princess—all must carve out their own identity.
  • "The Cycle of Violence"
    • The White Walkers return, foreshadowing that the world’s petty struggles are meaningless in the face of true horror.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10 – A Masterclass Pilot Episode

This episode does everything right—introducing a massive world, a complex cast of characters, deep conflicts, and an overarching mystery—all while delivering thrilling moments, subtle foreshadowing, and shocking twists.

  • Strengths:
    • ✔️ Brilliant worldbuilding
    • ✔️ Strong character introductions
    • ✔️ Tense political drama
    • ✔️ Thematic depth
    • ✔️ Shocking ending (Bran’s fall)
    • ✔️ White Walker horror opener
  • Weaknesses:
    • ❌ Some may find Daenerys’ storyline uncomfortable (though it is essential for her arc)
    • ❌ A lot of names and lore to take in at once

This episode set the gold standard for fantasy TV pilots and immediately hooked audiences worldwide.