Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 5 "The Wolf and the Lion"

Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 5 "The Wolf and the Lion"

May 15, 2011


The fifth episode of Game of Throne’s first season may be my favorite one yet! The tension is mounting thanks to the sharp script, exhilarating action sequences, great direction from Brian Kirk, and fantastic acting all-around (with Sean Bean and Mark Addy sharing the MVP award for the episode). The episode really kicks it into high-gear and there were some choices that surprised me considering this is only the fifth episode. For example, I did not expect Ned Stark to step down from his Hand of the King role so soon. I was expecting some kind of action in this regard later in the season, but not too soon. Mark Addy has some fantastic monologues, one with Ned and one with his wife, Cersei. Both monologues show just how vulnerable the king’s character is. I was most interested in his conversation with Cersei. They admitted their hate….and their love to each other that lasted for seventeen years. In an episode with rising tension and an incredible battle sequence, these lines of dialogue stand out to me.



In this episode “The Wolf and the Lion,” King Robert gathers his advisors and tells them of his plan to kill Daenary because he believes she will take the Dothraki horde and take them across the Narrow Sea to invade King’s Landing. Ned refuses to comply, which creates a heated argument between the two friends, and it ends with Ned stepping down. As Ned is about to leave the capital, he finds a clue in regard to the death of the prior Hand with Robert’s illegitimate son. Meanwhile, Arya overhears a plot against her father. Catelyn, who kidnapped Tyrion last episode, takes him as prisoner for her older sister, widow of the previous Hand, and leader of the Vale, Lysa Arryn. With news of Tyrion’s kidnapping reaching King’s Landing, Jaime Lannister confronts Ned Stark as he is about to leave.



The acting is tremendous across the board. I already mentioned how great Mark Addy was, but Sean Bean deserves lots of credit. He makes his point about murdering a mother with an unborn child as immoral. I really liked his bold move quitting his position. This episode allows us to see the views from both sides and allows us to be sympathetic to both sides. I also love Tyrion’s arc here, and I love how his sardonic personality is on display despite his unfortunate kidnapping.



Another new kingdom was introduced to us here, and that was the Vale. The fortress is impenetrable, and it has a cool-looking prison on a ledge, but its ruler, Lysa (played by Kate Dickey) is crazy! Maybe I am being too kind calling her crazy. The episode introduces her to the viewers by breast-feeding her six-year-old son, Robyn. Apparently, Catelyn and Lisa haven’t seen each other in five years….and that is pretty obvious in their meeting. Their sequences are short, but it’s well-worth it. I think Robyn was annoying, but one can forgive thanks to the actions of the mother.



Overall, this is a fantastic episode. I loved all this political dueling, in a sense. Robert, Cersei, Ned, Baelish, Varys, Catelyn, Robert’s brother, Renly all have different kinds of political motivation. Their interactions with each other is the main reason why this episode is so tense and works so well. The monologue between Varys and Baelish is also worth a mention as we see they may have a plan about King Robert. Also, the humorous wordplay between Tyrion and sell-sword Bronn are well worth watching. Bronn will be a pivotal character in episodes to come. There is some gay representation here , thanks to Renly and the king’s servant, Lancel. Lancel is someone the king is not entirely fond of as we see when from some of the dialogue. Also, I will mention the end battle between Ned and Jaime. That was some fancy sword work in action, plus a wonderful cliffhanger ending! Another episode, another win!



My Grade: A


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