“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” — Cersei Lannister
Since the third episode of Game of Thrones, I’ve predicted that King Robert would not survive the season as King. While I didn’t expect him to last the season, I figured he would be brought down by something more interesting than a boar. Though, I guess he really succumbed to his excesses and perhaps his squire, Lancel Lannister.
In tonight’s “You Win or You Die”, the game of thrones officially began on the screen. Though I wonder if it really began years ago as Cersei recounted when Ned forced Jaime off the Iron Throne and forsook it, leaving Robert to be King.
King Robert did try to make things right before his demise by naming Ned as Protector of the Realm and by recalling his assassination order against Daenerys. He also wanted Ned to help make Joffrey into a better ruler. Unfortunately, Robert did too little and his wishes were dismissed. To be honest, I’m not really sure exactly what happened at the end. I’m looking forward to next week to find out.
I think that Baelish betrayed Ned and backed the Lannisters making Joffrey the King. In this case, I don’t think Baelish was faking when he said that Ned shouldn’t have trusted him. That’s not going to put him in Cat’s good graces though. What was he given that was worth giving up Cat?
On the other side of the water, King Robert’s quest to eliminate the Targaryen’s failed and instead created a great threat to his family’s rule of the Seven Kingdoms. Khal Drogo pledged to get the Iron Throne for his unborn son, the rightful heir. The love between Drogo and Daenerys is so endearing. I’m not sure when they will get across the salty water, but I’m looking forward to the fight!
This brings up the question, who should we be supporting? If we lived in this world, who is the rightful ruler? Of course, I think Jon would be the best king, but he took the oath, “I shall wear no crown …” Despite his oath, I am still hopeful that Jon will have a greater role in Westeros than being a steward for the Night’s Watch.
While this position seems to have been given to Jon in spite, I wonder if his uncle Benjen requested that post for Jon’s safety. Or was Jon assigned a steward because of the leadership ability he demonstrated since arriving at the wall? If not, I’m glad we will continue to see the friendship between Jon and Samwell. It is the only truly honest friendship I think we have seen in Westeros. Can you think of another?
While I’ve enjoyed getting to know these characters both good and bad, I’m not sure I will enjoy the rest of the season as much. The constant betrayals and complex characters make it somewhat painful to be invested in them and I expect it will only get worse as the end of the season comes.
Quotes and Notes:
Clacked by Carla Day 
on May 30, 2011 @ 02:00 EST5EDT
One of the hallmarks of Martin as a writer is that when the characters are in danger, it’s actual danger and he wants you to be scared for them. It’s not about heroes finding ways to live forever- they die by random arrows and on random pig hunts just like the bad guys. I agree that if that is not your cup of tea, you probably won’t like him.
I think probably Robert and Ned was a real friendship. You’re right – that’s pretty much it so far I think. And don’t feel bad about relationships and knowing – I’ve read all 3500+ pages of the series (twice) and some of the more obscure connections still surprise me. It’s a massive massive world with literally thousands of characters.
*POST AUTHOR*
Good point, I do think that Ned and Robert had a honest friendship. I just disliked Robert so I didn’t think of it the same way. But, they protected and stood by the other through good and bad.
Well, there are more true friendships, but I guess we haven’t seen much of them in the movies (just no time, I suppose…)
Arya/Jon
Jon/Robb (a bit less so than Arya/Jon)
Jaime/Tyrion (we haven’t seen much of this, and it’s not entirely honest.)
Robert/Ned (of course!)
… And, I do believe that’s it for Book 1, so you may have a point there!
As an old reader, I also do find parts of your list of questions to be very entertaining
For what happened at the end, since it isn’t really a spoiler (just a bit confusing), Ned had asked Baelish to bribe (Baelish being the Master of the Coin – the treasurer, who pays them) the City Watch (Goldcloaks) for him. Of course, Ned being Ned, he was too honorable to go out and say it, but Baelish understands the idea, and says he’ll do it (that’s the meaning of the banter in the scene where Ned calls Baelish to his rooms – it’s more understandable in the book.)
Baelish did bribe the Watch – but for the Lannisters instead, it seems. By denouncing Joffrey publicly as having no claim to his throne (and Ned being Ned, not saying *why* or *how*), Ned has effectively shown himself as a traitor in the eyes of the realm. The Lannisters have seized the throne under the veil of legitimacy of Joffrey, while most of those opposing them have fled from Kings Landing (such as Lord Renly and his retainers.) The question is how long they can keep it. But for one reason or another, Baelish thought his purposes were better served in King’s Landing with the Lannisters rather than a different side.
As for your question regarding Baelish of “That’s not going to put him in Cat’s good graces though. What was he given that was worth giving up Cat?”, recall that Baelish never had Cat in the first place; she was the ideal childhood love that never worked out, who considered him a friend and brother, nothing more. Besides, if he wants Cat, he needs to sideline Ned, no? (No spoilers from the book – just simple logic, that may or may not be his actual reasons.)
*POST AUTHOR*
I didn’t consider those relationships you mentioned because they are based on their family ties rather than just a friendship. I agree those are very strong relationships and I actually miss them from the early episodes.
That’s what I thought happened in general terms, thank you for the details.
After some consideration, I’m not sure what to make of Baelish’s betrayal of Ned and perhaps Cat. During the never-ending girl-on-girl scene, Baelish made it clear he wasn’t over Cat. So, I’m not sure what his end game is here. He is clearly conniving and I don’t think he would do something that would clearly be unforgivable in her eyes. I’m looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
If Ned survives and returns to Winterfell, perhaps Cat will be thankful.
Yes, I can see I’m going to have to stop myself from loving any one character too much, I read (by complete accident!) a spoiler that was a real heart breaker.
*POST AUTHOR*
If it was from the book, maybe it won’t happen?
I know that someone who survived the first book, will actually die in the first season. And, I believe someone who dies in the first book will not die this season. So, there is a bit of suspense for those who have read the books.
I have no idea who these characters are though. And, please don’t say in the comments if you know. I’d like to keep this space safe for those that haven’t read the books.
I would never want to ruin it for someone else!
*POST AUTHOR*
Oh no worries about you spoiling people. I was afraid someone else who read the books would answer our questions and wanted to hopefully prevent that.
I haven’t seen the series or read the books, but I just had to click on this post based on how terrifying that picture is!! What is that?!
I believe it’s a throne made entirely of swords. Pretty damn cool, but probably could use a cushion. When you consider the king has been sitting on that thing, you can understand why he’s such an ass (his own ass probably hurts like hell).
Ha!! Thanks for the explanation :)
I think it’s supposed to be the swords of those conquered by the Targeryns that have then been melted together with dragon fire to form the throne of their new realm. (Apparently, the swords are still sharp, in the book, Ned cuts his finger on the throne when he sits down.)
I hadn’t seen any of the spoilers that Carla mentions, but I’d like to see how that works out. Changing who dies, and when, at this point would significantly alter how the story is told. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense for them to, having been so closely loyal to the source material, break that tie so late in the season.
The main theme of this show seems to be that the bad guys always win in the end and that honor and nobility is useless against treachery and deceit.
Oh Dean, I hope not!! I need to believe little Arya is training to defend her loved ones victoriously, and that Snow will become the leader of men his honor hints that he can be.
I believe Baelish’s betrayal is his way of claiming Lady Stark. During the girl on girl scene, he said something along the lines of not being able to win by playing fair. “I’m not going to fight them. I’m going to f**k them.” So he betrays Ned, possibly leading to Ned’s death, and then swoops in to take Lady Stark.
In response to Ivey West, AMC’s Walking Dead did something similar by introducing (and killing) new characters that weren’t in the source material while at the same time staying true to the story. As a Walking Dead graphic novel fan, I appreciated the change as it did keep me on my toes. Maybe it’ll work here too?
Possibly. I hadn’t read GoT before beginning this season. About halfway through, I started the book because I loved the series so much. I’d originally promised myself I wouldn’t go further in the book than I was in the series narrative, a promise I broke as soon as I caught up.
However, the events that occur in the last third or so made me incredibly disinterested in reading anymore, and I haven’t yet picked up the second book to continue.