No one is safe on Game of Thrones. Tonight's penultimate episode has left me with a feeling of dread for my favorite characters. At least, those that are still alive.
We must, of course, first deal with the untimely death of Ned Stark (Sean Bean), who I was sad to see go. Ned was informed early in the episode that Sansa had begged for his life, and Joffrey had agreed to grant him mercy if he would admit his treason and publicly confirm that Joffrey was the king. But Ned is an honorable man and was unwilling to lie in order to protect his life. Until Varys rightly reminded him that it wasn't only his life that hung in the balance: all of his children were threatened and he should take whatever means necessary to protect them.
In the end, Ned stood in the public square and lied in order to gain mercy for himself and his children. Sansa witnessed the confession from her place beside Joffrey and Cersei. We learned that Arya had obviously been living on the streets after escaping the palace in the previous episode. She ran to the square to see her father's confession. At the last moment it appeared that Joffrey would accept Ned's fealty and banish him to serve the rest of his life at the Wall, but he demanded Ned's head, against Cersei and Sansa's protests. Then Ned Stark was no more.
The question is what Robb will do when he learns of his father's death. Because Robb now has Jaime Lannister as his prisoner. A very expensive prisoner who came at a great price: nearly 2,000 of his soldiers.
The other family in danger is Daenerys, her son and Drogo. The witch's prediction from the previous episode had come to pass and Drogo's wound had become infected. After he collapsed and death was all but a certainty, Daenerys asked the witch to perform a bloodmagic spell - which involved the sacrifice of Drogo's horse - to save the Khal's life. But internal fighting over Daenerys' authority as Khaleesi and the succession of the position as Khal prompted Jorah to defend Daenerys' honor and kill one of the Dothraki. A moment later, Daenerys went into labor. But with the midwives refusing to help, Jorah had to go to the witch for help and, we were left to believe, disrupt the spell that was to save Drogo's life.
In next week's episode of Game of Thrones, it's clear that the Stark family is grieving over Ned's loss, but this makes them very dangerous. Tywin knows they have Jaime and he's concerned about his son's safety, while Catelyn swears to Robb that they will defeat their enemies and avenge Ned's death. Joffrey seems determined to marry Sansa, despite her pleading to be sent home. And Daenerys asks Jorah for his assistance.
The season finale of Game of Thrones will air on June 19. You can watch the promo for the season finale below.
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In this story creditability has been given to dishonor. Ned could have been killed honorably, but no, you had to allow the dishonorable ones win! Ned's honor was the entire story. Now it's gone. None of the other characters have the honor Ned has shown. After all, HBO has a very strong liberal agenda and Robb Stark has to be a good Liberal guy which means he cannot directly kill them all (Jamie, Cersei and Joffrey). I no longer care to watch the rest of Games of Thrones. It's dead to me. In this world of ours I'm tired of seeing the dishonorable continuing to win, so why must I also watch it on HBO?
Yeesh, a little butt-sore are we? It's a story, with great story telling. Sorry you can't have everything your way (if you did, maybe this story wouldn't be as compelling?) Yes, Ned was my favorite character too. Who carried much of the show/story on his shoulders. But it sounds like you don't have much faith in the man who wrote the book (and maybe you should pick them up and read them). Ned's son Robb appears to be a spinning image of his father, but with stronger qualities.. Again, it's a story. Relax Ron.
HBO has a liberal agenda? *laughs* What? This has nothing to do with HBO. That's how it is all written in the book! The show is based off a book, remember? Talk about an overreaction. And you do know the book is a very long series that isn't even finished so saying anyone "Wins" is heavily premature.
But in any case, blaming HBO is rather ignorant as they are going with the storyline of the book.
All I have to say is read the freaking book.. It's not about the 'liberal agenda' of HBO– It follows a story line already set in place!
Wow dude taking this a bit far are we? Remember this is based on books (those paper things that existed long before television). HBO is following the story laid out by books and sorry if its not the happy go lucky story of rainbows and unicorns you were hoping for. This whole first season is a setup for whats to come. Dishonor is a part of life and from turmoil can come greatness and more honor. If you can't see the big picture then maybe you should stick to watching shows on the Disney channel.
Cersei did mention something about winning or dying.
There's no middle ground, and I guess Joffery filled his mother's wishes better than she had expected… or worse.
Now, you will all fear for characters you like, and that is exactly the feeling the book gives you. GRRM is very brutal in this aspect. And that's what makes this book and series so damn good.
Does Daenerys not have honor?
You can always watch CAMELOT !!! ON STARS HAHAHAHAHAHA !!
You do know in the first Ep Stark did chop a man's head of for being honest in front of his son. What goes around comes around I think this is what the writer is trying to say. In reverse his daughter witnesses execution
Ron, The winter is coming….
Wow. "Liberals"? I can only think of one thing to say to this post: you're a total idiot. Go watch Fox News (for even more fantasy than Game of Thrones!)
You already knew that Ned was willing to lie in order to protect people he loved (he claimed Tyrion had been captured because of his command, instead on his wife's initiative), so I wonder why you think Ned lost his honor now, but not back then.
Ron, read the books, they were written some time ago,HBO didn't write them.
Ron, what a sad reaction you have to an excellent series. Go watch the smurfs if you want happy and fluffy, and leave serious TV shows to adults, which you obviously are not, regardless of actual age.
I understand what you're saying with the dishonorable continuing to win, but with dishonor brings courage, and motivation. Like they said in the promo though "Ned's death makes the Starks a whole lot more dangerous." Our society, our entertainment always pushes to get back up when you're down. Ya, Neds honor was his life but his family was too and it shows what you'll do to save the ones you love.
I think you're taking it too personally Ron…..
They are just following the storyline of the books.
I Think you will find HBO has very little control over plot development. As it pretty closely follows George RR Martins, Song of ice and fire books. They may value more characters but I dont think it portrays a liberal agenda.
Come on Ron, its a TV show!!!! Without the tension of good guys getting shafted, then shafted again before balancing the scales the show wouldn't be entertaining would it? Maybe you'd rather watch a show with no conflict whatsoever and where everyone gets along and lives honourable lives, a show like that would be exceptionally boring.
Sure its a shame about Ned but its not as if he is the only character worth following.
Its a little bit sulky of you to boycott the show because it isn't going the way YOU want it to go.
Grow up!!
Ron, 'ole buddy, hang in there. It hurt me immensely as well but I have faith that Ned's death will not have been in vain. This is the fuel the Starks need to rise up over this false prophecy. Just as Jaime is worth more alive than dead, so was Lord Stark. Notice how Cersai even protested against this foolish action. The Starks now have the upper hand. This kill was necessary in order for the tide to turn. It may hurt now, but like all else, this too shall pass. Long live the House of Stark!!
You definitely have to grow up ron, it's like hearing a child get upset at the story he is being read… sheesh…
Man no batle again im so disapointed with this episode… And ned dies i mean wtf with that…
@Rob… Put in your place now eh?
Ron* typo ha
….and that's what makes this whole series so damn great – no character, not even your favourite, is safe – just as in real life. Blink and you'll miss it. God I love Game Of Thrones
wow seeing how all of you got upset over this shows how amazing this show and book is
I thank all of you for you comments. They are all very well said. I do believe you all have convinced me not to hate so badly what happened to Ned. I believe I now can continue enjoying this story and looking forward to the next season.
Good to hear, Ron! Hey, look at it this way, Ned Stark's death had such a strong impact on you that you seriously considered to stop watching the show. Now THAT is strength of writing. It just proves how great Ned's character was and how good of an actor Sean Bean is. Plus, you must admit, it will be hard to not watch the series just to see how Ned's death affects the story. And I too must admit that I considered to stop watching the show because Ned's death was a slap in the face, but I quickly realized that's what it's supposed to be. And we're supposed to hate Joffery for it. I though Joffery was misguided and egotistical because of the family he was born into, now I realize there's something deeply wrong with him.
Also, Stark's sons are at least as noble and as worthy of being a title character as Ned. Give them a chance too. I haven't read the books but after the finale of this season I intend to read the first book. I won't read the second because I think I'd rather be surprised by the show and not know what happens, since shows like this are very rare.
JP, after the shock and I calmed down, I removed my straight jacket to see the results of an honorable man too stupid and naive to know the devious evil methods of his enemy, even after Funny Fingers and Cersei told him what their intentions are. Maybe my shock actually resulted from the writers creating an unrealistic attitude in Ned's character relative to his previous life experiences, he had in the story, where he obviously should have known better. We can see stupid honorable people everyday in life, but they are hardly ever successful in accomplishing much, let alone a leader of people. As a father, you can say Ned did what he did to save his daughter, but a smart warrior would know under the circumstances that his daughter is doomed no matter what. It is my opinion of bad writing in this episode. Will there be more?
Ron, it's actually realistic if you think about it. Ned understood his enemies well – they had no honour, but they had a great lust for power. He was hoping that Cersei would want fealty from the Starks more than she wanted his head – and if he, Lord Stark of Winterfell, bent his knee to Joffrey, then Robb would have to stop his war, Sansa could still wed Joffrey without having to see him murdered, Catelyn would know he was at least still alive, etc etc. I believe his decision was a natural parent's reaction – knowing his life was already forfeit, he would give up his honour if there were even the slimmest chance his "confession" could help his family, and that, I think, is truly honourable : sacrificing yourself for others.
In terms of writing/storytelling, GRRM used Ned's death to 1. undermine the Cersei Lannister's power by showing how little control she had over Joffrey, 2. spark off the hatred between Sansa and Joffrey, 3. shove Arya into ruthlessness, violence and isolation, 4. incite the Stark bannermen to name Robb the new King in the North. As "leader" of the Stark wolves, Ned's death also gives new meaning to the words : Winter is coming. The lone wolf dies, but the pack survies.
A word about GRRM's writing style : he often uses character death to allow for the succession of other characters into the foreground. When Ned dies, it's Arya and Sansa whose voices become much stronger. When Drogo dies, it is Jorah Mormont who comes more prominent in Dany's life and his role helps fulfill the prophecy of the Mother of Dragons. Since you have not read the books I will not spoiler the series anymore – suffice it to say that character killing is upsetting, but it tightens the reader's focus on new characters and plot developments.
Also, to dislike characters like the Lannister twins because they are "bad" is rather an injustice to GRRM's books, which never leave any character spotlessly good or bad (except for Joffrey, perhaps.) You'd be surprised at how deeply fleshed and human GRRM's characters are.
Look at Cersei, controlled all her life by men : despite being the oldest Lannister sibling, denied birthright and inheritance because she was female; loved Jaime, but was forced by her father into betrothal with Rhaegar Tagaryen; learned to love Rhaegar, who then dumped her for a living Lyanna; grew to love Robert, who dumped her for a dead Lyanna; forced by her father to marry Robert; after Robert's death, nearly forced by her father to marry a third time. Her kids were all she had left, and then Ned Stark wanted to force her whole family into exile. Yes, she was treacherous, cunning, but for all her dishonour, did she really "win", as you put it?
And Jaime? People fear him, people get out of his way, but he just got captured and he will be imprisoned for the next 6 months, he'll be losing everything he has – I don't think that's winning, either. The only person who actually won was Joffrey, whom nobody thinks is fit to rule anyway. His next two wives will be conspiring against him, his "uncles" have declared war on him, nobody in his small council actually believes in him.
ec: Thank you so much for the rest of the story. As you can see I'm coming from not knowing a thing about the book and from only episode 9. By telling me more of the story does keep my interest in it. I now believe, if I had read "the book", I would be more interested in the story. The production and graphics are excellent. And no matter what I think of the author's characters, all the actors do a great job acting their parts. I'll be looking forward to the next season, thanks to you :)
Poor Sean Bean always dead in the Good Sagas :(
Yeah! And Sean Bean has a very good "shocked and in pain" expression – Boromir when he got feathered with arrows, Ned when he got speared in his leg during his fight wih Jaime.
Sean also was killed early in the movie "Equilibrium" as well. It shocked me because I found him far more interesting than Christian Bale.
I cant beleive Ned's dead! It getting really interesting! can't wait to see the next eps!
Great, i can wait for the series finale next week. Thanks
E salve a Casa do Norte à (Família Stark).
it does sucks to see the best actor (xcept maybe the guys in the wall) leave. Ned is half the story, cause (in my opinion) the kids actors suck, and almost all the women are bad (and ugly XDD). in any case, its a pity (not the story, but the actors choice), cause u really feel for Ned's character.
I can't wait to see llittle jeoffry get his! I want to see the Lanastar's go down that's why I will continue to whatch. I love the show and can't wait to see the Starks get their revenge!!!!
I can't stand any of the Royalty in this show, including Ned. When he executed the conscript just for reporting what he saw (he was let go intentionally by the White Walkers), I lost all respect for Ned.
Go Bastard and Dwarf! The only real people fit to rule!
The man from the Night's watch was executed for deserting the Night's watch, thus breaking his oath for lifelong duty. He should have gone to report the white walkers to the Night's watch, but he instead fled south.
Jofferey is probably one of the most evil characters ever created in history.
That really sucked watching Ned go down. But I cant wait to see how this all plays out.I think Ill start reading the books if they are half as good as some of you say they are then they will be worth it. I have to admit I was dumbfounded when Ned lost his head I was kinda hoping somebody would shoot the executioner and then Joffrey but such is life. I don't think Ned lost his honor anywhere he executed the boy for deserting the watch not for telling the truth and as for fibbing about his treason I would do anything to save my family were I in his spot, and I think he would have beat Jaime Lannister if he hadnt been speared from behind but what do you expect from a Lannister soldier? Go Robb!!!
You must wait to see all the story!As the script goes on you will start to see some of the characters from another point of view!the only thing that i say is that in the second season more characters will die!Until now,no one knows what happens in the end because there are 3 more books to come,the first on july!Read the books!there are awesome!
Can't wait to read the books! I love the series and books are always better.
This game of thrones is still far from being a lord of rings, not Demerec rr. Martin even because I got to read the first four books, in which some of the characters in this first season of the HBO series is being displayed.
the plot and very good: lies, intrigue. But as Martin falls short of Starks made very weak. Besides the death of Ned fate followed by their children and without much feeling except for Rob
Ayra, white, sansa had different destinations over both weak.
Read A Feast for Crows and will understand what I say, it seems that none of them sought justice for the death of Ned Stark, simply accepted his death.
I expected a bright future for Ayra stark and stark white, so I also hoped that with the wolves had greater involvement in the plot. Where is the wolf Nimeria Arya? Ayra became a mercenary in the stark story of four books going by many names.
Bran Stark reluctant to stay alive even developing the ability to have visions and controlled, but dies at the end of the book A Feast for Crows.
jofrey who deserves to die a brutal and cruel or at least dying, poisoned later. For the same traitor ned stark.
Sansa becomes a punching bag for Jeffrey …
Sansa not because his father died along with honor as our friend Ron said it on top …?
In sum game of thrones was supposed to be unique and would be a supreme work of a medieval fantasy … At the point of overcoming lord of the rings, but do not wait for it.
I had never read the books until you see the first episode of the series, when I watch myself that I thought would be the only movie since I already went years without seeing anything decent since the release of Lord of the Rings.
However now comes to the conclusion that games of thrones can be easily compared to television plots in order to pass the time as most of them are.
Ned was to be an immortal character … But it turned out was not ..
And how to kill a Legolas, Gandalf, or even a one Frodo …
Kill Frodo or Gandalf or Harry Potter or Aragon in his earlier films and see if anyone else interested in viewing.
Sincerely Martin you and a great writer, but there is still a while to understand human emotions and show what everyone wants to see.
Forever lord of rings!
ron, read the book…
Any comments about Ned's youngest boy seeing him in the caves after his death? No, I have not read the books….