Episode 4 – Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things – Recap

Episode four of Game of Thrones, Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things, has aired. What did I think? Well, I’m glad you asked. Follow me after the break as I break down this week’s episode and give you my thoughts. And for the record, I counted one cripple, two bastards and one broken thing.

This episode opens on Bran standing in the Winterfell courtyard… wait, what? It must be a dream. Oh hey, a crow! It must a crow dream! I know a lot of fans are happy to see this scene. Bran follows the crow down towards the crypts and gets close enough to the crow to see, as it turns its head, a third eye! It’s creepy looking. And then he wakes up. And sitting on his bed is… Summer. So they’ve resolved two fan complaints in the first 3 minutes of the show. Nice job, Bryan!

Theon comes in to tell Bran that he has a visitor. Bran, who’s mood hasn’t improved since we’ve last seen him, doesn’t want to go. Summer doesn’t seem to trust Theon either. Eventually, Bran relents and Hodor (Hodor!) comes to carry him down to the Winterfell great hall, where Robb sits, with Grey Wind at his feet (ya, happy now?), in audience with the Imp and Yoren. “I’m not your boy, Lannister. I’m Lord of Winterfell while my father is away.” Tyrion gives the plans for the special saddle to Bran. “I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and broken things.”

Tyrion takes his leave, preferring to spend the night in the whorehouse to Winterfell’s walls, but before he manages to leave, he has a run-in with Theon. (Who now has dark hair for some reason. Weird). This is a new scene and serves to establish some of Theon’s backstory. As such it is a bit expository, but I don’t mind too much since Dinklage is so great. Also, did you catch the subtle foreshadowing to a prominent season two battle?

We move north, to the Wall, where John Bradley makes his first appearance as Samwell Tarly. John is perfect as the cowardly Sam. Plus he takes a beating like a champ.

Across the Narrow Sea, and Drogo’s khalasar has arrived at Vaes Dothrak. Viserys is not impressed. Next up, a new scene between Viserys and Doreah. This scene works to show not only how much of a dick Viserys is, but also give some more backstory about the dragons.

Back in King’s Landing, a new Sansa scene that is almost entirely exposition. Necessary, I suppose. But kinda boring. Then we move to the Small Council where the tourney preparations continue. Janos Slynt makes his first appearance. Ned begins his detective work into the mystery surrounding Jon Arryn’s death. A good scene that helps set up the mystery while also working in some backstory elements. I think Glover has nailed Pycelle in this scene. Old and feeble, but still very proud. And we first hear Arryn’s famous last words, “The seed is strong.” On the way back to his chambers Ned encounters Arya, who is determined to master Syrio’s lessons. I love the scenes between these two.

Back to the Wall for a brief scene where Sam shares with Jon the reason he is joining the Night’s Watch. All I have to say is, Randall Tarly is a cold-hearted bastard.

More King’s Landing intrigue. Ned and Littlefinger walk through the Red Keep courtyard as Littlefinger schools Ned on the game and shows just how in over his head Ned really is. As an aside, Varys’ little birds are specifically shown to be little kids. Was this ever directly mentioned in the books? Anyway, Littlefinger advises Ned to have a chat with Ser Hugh. Ned decides to send Jory to do it, because Jamie Sives needed some more screen time. Hugh isn’t interested in talking with him, because he isn’t knight. So Ned and Jory decide to hit the streets and pay a visit to blacksmith Tobho Mott. And what do they find? A Baratheon bastard.

More from Jory, as Ned sends him to deliver a message to the King (presumably mentioning he found Gendry?). Unfortunately, Jory is never able to deliver the message as he runs into a bitter and spiteful Jaime Lannister. The conversation they have is well-written and well-acted. (And we get our first mention of Thoros and his flaming sword). I especially love the exchange where they are talking about Theon. “Theon, he’s a good lad,” Jory says. “I doubt it,” Jaime answers. Nikolaj nails it.

Back to the Wall, where Jon is telling his fellow recruits to lay off of Sam during tomorrow’s training with Ser Alliser. Everyone agrees… except Rast. So the boys pay him a little visit in the night, and provide some subtle encouragement. (Hey look, it’s Ghost!) The next day, Rast decides he will play nice. A snarling direwolf will do that to you. Thorne is not happy. He lectures Jon on the dangers of shirking your training. And well, he kinda has a point. Owen Teale, who I wasn’t sure of as Thorne originally, plays the part very well here.

Cut to Vaes Dothrak and Viserys is dragging Doreah through the camp by her hair. A true gentlemen that Viserys. He storms into the tent demanding to know why he is being ordered around by a whore, then when he sees the “Dothraki rags” that Dany meant to give him, he goes into full on “awoken dragon” mode. But this time, Dany fights back. “The next time you raise your hands at me is the last time you will have hands.” This scene is amazing. Both Lloyd and Clarke kill it. We can see Dany growing stronger in each new scene. Good stuff.

Back to the Wall, where Jon and Sam are cleaning the mess hall and talking about girls. John Bradley is hilarious. He imbues more humor into the character of Sam than he had in the book, but I don’t mind because this is such a great scene. (That Ros sure gets around too.) And then Thorne comes in to put a damper on their blossoming bromance. “But when the winter comes, you will die, like so many flies.” Is it me, or is Thorne kinda badass in the show?

Quickly back across the Narrow Sea, where Dany finally comes to the realization that Viserys will never become king. It took you long enough, girl!

The Tournament! Gregor! Creepy Littlefinger! Drunken Robert! “Start the damn joust before I piss meself.” And it doesn’t take long for our first tournament casualty. A bloody and gruesome casualty too, as Ser Hugh chokes on his own blood. While the workers remove the dead body, Littlefinger uses the break in the action to tell Sansa about how the Hound got his scars. A departure from the book as Sandor himself told Sansa this story the after the first day of the tournament. I guess this was quicker, but I miss the interaction between Sandor and Sansa (I know a whole lot of San/San fans are probably missing it even more) and especially the chance to give Sandor some more depth.

Then to a scene that will be familiar to most of us as it has been used in so many previews. Cersei visits Ned in his office, ostensibly to clear the air between them because of the whole Kingsroad incident, but mostly it was to intimated Ned. “I was trained to kill my enemies, your grace.” “As was I.” A scene not in the books but one that fits in well and is a nice chance for Sean Bean and Lena Headey to show off their acting chops.

And then, to another familiar scene for those who have done The Maester’s Path, Catelyn and Rodrik on their way back to Winterfell stop at the Crossroads Inn. And who should walk in the door, but Tyrion Lannister. This scene plays out almost exactly like the book, with Cat first complimenting the loyalty of the different houses with men present who swear fealty to her father (Whent, Bracken and Frey for those keeping score). And then, once she has everyone’s attention, she accuses Tyrion of attempting to assassinate Bran and demands him to be seized so “he can be taken to Winterfell where he will await the King’s justice!” The proverbial shit has just hit the proverbial fan.

And with that, episode four ends. What did everyone think? I liked it. We finally got some more of the Arryn death mystery. We got to meet some more fan favorite characters for the first time: Hodor, Sam, Gendry, and Bronn. We got some fun new scenes, like Tyrion and Theon, Jaime and Jory, and Sam and Jon in the mess hall. And we got some great, dramatic scenes between Dany and Viserys and the final scene in the inn. All in all, a fantastic episode. But the best is yet to come.

• Published on 05/08/2011 at 9:52 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 6:04 PM CDT