Episode 3 – Lord Snow – Recap

Episode three of Game of Thrones is in the books. What did everyone think? I think it might be my favorite of the first six. Head past the break for my recap and reaction.

Spoiler Note: This post is for those who have read the first book. As such the post itself and the comments will contain spoilers. If you haven’t read the first book yet, click here for a new viewer recap and discussion thread.

The episode opens with Ned Stark and family arriving at the Red Keep, passing through some familiar-looking gates. Love the little exchange between the aide and Ned Stark about him changing his clothes. A perfect bit of characterization for Ned, accomplished with nothing but a look by Sean Bean.

Cut to one of the best new scenes from writers David Benioff and Dan Weiss so far, Ned enters the Red Keep throne room and finds Jaime sitting on the steps by the Iron Throne. Clearly this is alluding to an encounter Ned had with Jaime around 17 years prior. The conversation that ensues is a great bit of writing and acting. Not only does it provide backstory but gives more depth to each character. A fantastic scene.

Next, the Small Council, and we finally get to meet Littlefinger, Varys, Renly and Pycelle. All are well cast (as if that is a surprise). This scene plays out much as it does in the book, albeit more condensed. Next though is a completely new scene, between Cersei and Joffrey. In it, Cersei teaches Joffrey a little about politics, proving that she is not a complete idiot (although clearly Joff is).

Some undetermined amount of time later and Ned and his daughters are trying to settle in at King’s Landing. Apparently the few weeks that have passed since the incident at the Inn was not enough for Arya to get over her annoyance at Sansa or her hatred of Joffrey. Which probably fits her character. The next scene is a great one from Sean Bean and Maisie Williams as Ned teaches Arya some life lessons.

Next is our first scene with Bran after he has awakened from his coma. Old Nan is by his bed, telling him stories. Margaret John (may she rest in peace) is perfect as Old Nan, “I know a story about a boy who hated stories.” Also, a Dunk reference! Robb comes to talk to Bran, hoping he might be able to remember more about his fall this time. By the way, was the thing about the sky being blue because the world was inside the eye of a giant from the books? I don’t remember it.

Back at King’s Landing, Cat and Rodrik arrive and are greeted by a couple of goldcloaks and are escorted back to one of Littlefinger’s brothels. Varys and Littlefinger prove that they are both well-informed (and awesome). A brief interlude at the Wall where the titular “Lord Snow” is put through his paces by a scowling Thorne. Then back to King’s Landing, where Littlefinger accosts Ned and tells him his wife is in the city. As they head to Littlefinger’s unnamed brothel (can we just assume it is Chataya’s?), Ned thinks he’s being punked and grabs Baelish by the throat. “You’re a funny man.” Littlefinger is saved from a Stark beating when Cat pops her head over the balcony. “Ned!”

Jump to Castle Black, and in a similar scene, we see Tyrion rescue Jon from a beat down at the hands of his fellow recruits. In the book, Castle Black blacksmith Donal Noye is the one who sets Jon straight, but in the series that talk has been given to Tyrion. A sensible change, although the loss of a memorable minor character like Noye is regrettable.

Back in King’s Landing, a new scene between Jaime and Cersei shows that Cersei is worried about Bran waking and is, apparently, mad at Jaime for throwing him from the window. I don’t really get that, does she think Jaime should have done nothing? I mean, she’s clearly worried that Bran will talk so doing nothing when he found them in the Old Tower would have been worse, right? Anyway, Jaime is his sarcastic self and gets a slap in the face for it. But he proves his love by wrestling Cersei into submission and promises to kill the whole kingdom, if necessary, to keep their secret quiet. What a romantic!

Speaking of romance, it is nice to see Ned and Catelyn truly love each other. One of the few true and loving marriages in the series. An emotional and touching scene, especially for fans of the books.

Another new scene, and it includes our first look at Barristan the Bold. It is a scene that David & Dan told us about, Robert and Barristan trading old war stories. In this case, talking about the first man they killed. Addy is excellent here, “They never tell you how they all shit themselves, they don’t put that part in the songs.” A line that sounds like it could have been ripped right from the book. Then the scene gets a little expository existing mainly to set-up Lancel’s character, firmly establishing him as a Lannister, which it does a little ham-fistedly. Although it is redeemed in the end by another great line and a great delivery from Coster-Waldau, “He said the same thing he’d been saying for hours, burn them all.”

Back across the Narrow Sea, where Dany starts talking like a khaleesi. And Viserys is not a fan. Harry Lloyd is workin’ the crazy eyes here.

Then back to the Wall. Up the Wall, in fact, (which looks exactly like it did in The Maester’s Path mini-game) where Jon gets his first look at the other side and talks to his uncle before he sets out. Meanwhile, in a new scene, Tyrion and Yoren share some mead and some stories. Dinklage is absolutely killing it. He was born to play this role. “Do Dornish girls count?”

Some more from Castle Black (after a quick Dany scene featuring some subtitled Dothraki), Jon has seen the error of his ways and starts helping the new recruits as Tyrion looks on approvingly. Tyrion then gets the warning from Maester Aemon, “The Starks are always right eventually, winter is coming. This one will be long and dark things will come with it.” Then, Tyrion says his goodbye to Jon Snow, but not before doing what he came this far north to do, piss off the edge of the world.

And in the final scene, we meet Arya’s new dancing master, Syrio Forel. I love, love, love this scene. Miltos Yerolemou is awesome as Syrio. So much energy and passion. Yeah, he’s not bald, but he nails the character. And watching him and Arya sparring is a joy. I had a grin on my face the whole time. The scene ends with Arya’s proud papa looking on, but slowly his face changes as the realization of where this is all headed dawns on him…

And that’s it for episode three. As I said, I think this might be my favorite episode. So many great scenes and lines in this one, especially from Tyrion. And the introductions of some fan favorites like Littlefinger, Varys and Syrio. Yeah, there’s no epic cliffhanger or crazy action in this episode, but there is just a lot of wonderful character moments. As a long time fan, that is one of the things I love most about the books and about this show.

• Published on 05/01/2011 at 10:00 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 6:04 PM CDT