“A Golden Crown” was promised and delivered in a brutal episode for House Targaryen. Written by the dynamic duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss with Jane Espenson and directed by Daniel Minahan, the episode aired May 22nd, 2011. Robert goes for a hunt while Ned further hunts for truth and Tyrion enlists the help of sellsword Bronn in another episode of mayhem, blood, and fire in Game of Thrones.
We open through Ned’s point of view as he’s beginning to regain consciousness. He wakes to an angry Cersei and beyond fed up King Robert. Cersei demands justice for her brothers while Robert remains sympathetic for his friend. Cersei sees which way Robert is leaning and takes charge:
I should wear the armor and you the gown. – Cersei Lannister
Robert sits to reflect (and drink) with his friend and decides to hunt to clear his mind. This leaves Ned grudgingly sitting the Throne in his absence and Dany is still to be murdered.
It’s scenes like these that make you really miss the first cast (and hope for a prequel series where we can see Robert’s Rebellion) as these two really do seem like old pals. Mark Addy and Sean Bean bring a sense of nostalgia to these rewatches that makes it all worthwhile, and we remember a simpler time when everyone was still alive.
For the King, Robert holds none of the power here. Cersei manipulates and Ned refuses Robert as the war between the Starks and Lannisters rages on.
We transition to the Khaleesi as she is warming a dragon egg over fire. She tries to pick up the sizzling egg when Irri intervenes. She grabs the egg and is scolded where Dany remains unburnt.
Even before the dragons we see that there is something different about Dany from the other characters. She isn’t selfish or overly ambitious. In fact, because of Viserys, she is forcefully passive which sets the course for the rest of her journey in becoming who she was meant to be.
We also see her completely unburnt for the second time which raises many questions. In the books, she isn’t completely immune to fire whereas the show is more ambiguous.
Speaking of ambiguous, in Winterfell Bran dreams again of the three-eyed raven that flies through the castle’s crypts. With Season 6 fast approaching, any scene with Bran and the three-eyed raven demands reexamination. Dreaming of the crypts mostly refers to foreshadowing Ned’s death but also that there may be other answers down there.
It’s also the beginning of supernatural wonder for both the audience and Bran.
He wakes to Hodor bringing the finished saddle designed by Tyrion. He goes riding with Robb and Theon where the two converse over the events at King’s Landing. It’s nice in these few moments to see Bran actually joyous since his fall.
Theon urges war between the Starks and Lannisters stating it’s his duty to which Robb responds, “It’s not your duty because it’s not your house.” The statement emphasizes that Theon is no Stark but a hostage and most of all, no brother to Robb. This also further drives a wedge between the two and provides reasoning for Theon’s future uprising. With Robb’s constant belittling, it’s hard not to see why Theon feels so inadequate at Winterfell.
The sounds of hooves go quiet as Robb calls for Bran who has stumbled across four intruders. They try to cut him down and steal the horse before Robb intervenes. Robb kills two and grabs Osha for leverage to save Bran from Stiv, a Night’s Watch deserter.
At first watch one might miss the exchange where the deserter voices his desperation to get South but it’s another reminder (of the many to come) of the imminent White Walkers.
Theon breaks the stalemate with an arrow from behind killing Stiv. Not too shabby for a ward. It’s moments like this that make you feel truly sorry for Theon when Robb isn’t the slight bit appreciative.
Robb: You don’t have the right!
Theon: It was the only thing to do, so I did it!
You have to wonder if it was Jon instead, would Robb be grateful? Instead, he constantly pulls Theon down and puts him in his place.
Robb spares Osha and they all return to Winterfell. For Harry Potter fans, this was an exciting moment for it meant Natalia Tena would be sticking around a few more episodes.
Tyrion almost rolls over to his grave in his sky cell as the audience cringes. Terrified, he demands to see Mord to try attempt a bribe. To his dismay, Mord sees that he has “no gold!”
The Sky Cells and the set of the Eyrie were some of the coolest moments to see come to life in Season 1. The cells themselves are ingenious on George R.R. Martin’s part as they are equal parts freedom and prison. The way the crew and VFX artists brought them to life was exciting for book readers and newcomers alike.
Back in King’s Landing, one of my favorite moments with Arya takes place. She’s distracted by her father’s injury and Jory’s death when her instructor shows her why that’s dangerous.
Watching Arya square off with the Braavosi swordmaster is an exciting moment when you look at where she is after Season 5. You see the impact Syrio had on her and why she was so determined to train in Braavos.
He also gave her a lesson in the Gods:
Syrio Forel: Do you pray to the gods?
Arya: The old and the new.
Syrio: There is only one god and his name is Death, and there is only one thing we say to Death: “Not today”.
Also, take note that Arya (Maisie Williams) is fighting with her left hand which she said was an important detail from the books she wanted keep. Such dedication at such a young age is certainly very impressive!
To be clear, she has to and does use her right hand in some scenes for filming details but claims as a water dancer, Arya would be ambidextrous.
Across the Narrow Sea, we return to a gruesome scene with Daenerys as she’s ingesting a heart to provide strength for her unborn son while Viserys watches with horror.
He won’t be a real Targaryen. He won’t be a true dragon. – Viserys Targaryen
And nor will you, Viserys. It’s a small moment but it still characterizes him before his death. Believing he is last dragon is critical to his overall being and sense of entitlement. He’s beginning to see himself lose what he was promised and his temper emanates.
From Inside HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 1 & 2, Harry Lloyd speaks on his character:
He doesn’t see himself as a villain. He’s the hero of this story! That’s how you have to play it: ‘I’m the fucking lead! Why isn’t anyone treating me like the lead?
Dany falls and the room goes quiet. She forces the heart down and rises drenched in blood. ‘The Stallion Who Will Mount the World resides in Khaleesi who will unite all the Khals into a single Khalasar” Jorah translates. Daenerys stands up and announces (in Dothraki) that the prince will be named Rhaego after her late brother Rhaegar. The hut chants the prince’s name as Viserys watches in horror something he will never experience: the people’s love.
She truly is a queen today. – Jorah Mormont
A really powerful moment for Daenerys and Emilia Clarke. For Dany, it’s the first time we see her as a Queen. For Clarke, it’s a scene she’ll always remember as an actress. In an interview with Vulture, she reveals the stallion heart was made of a congealed sort of jelly.
Viserys is furious and turns to flee. He arms a sword against the law in Vaes Dothrak and attempts to steal the dragon eggs when Jorah stops him. Viserys is beyond jealous of his sister’s higher position and admiration. He furiously spits to Jorah his observations of his lust filled glances at Dany. He doesn’t budge an inch and refuses to let him leave with the eggs. Viserys drops them and exits the hut.
I agree with what Sue said in 104, I wasn’t much of a fan of Viserys in the book either but with Harry Lloyd’s performance, I can’t help but applaud. You can really see not only the frustration and jealousy but also the hurt in Viserys’ eyes.
Back at the Eryie, Tyrion demands to confess his crimes before the lunatic Lysa Arryn.
When I was 12 I milked my eel into a pot of turtle stew, I flogged the one eyed snake, skinned my sausage, I made the bald man cry into the turtle stew which I do believe my sister ate…at least I hope she did. – Tyrion Lannister
Not those crimes, Tyrion!
He then demands his first ever trial by combat (ah, memories). Lysa opens the moon door to show his fate if he loses, much to Robin’s delight. Lysa chooses Ser Vardis Egen as her champion and Bronn steps up as Tyrion’s.
In the woods, King Robert recounts his stories of “making the eight” as Lancel does his duty. It’s always fun to go back and relive moments like this connect after you see them unfold. Tensions rise between Renly and Robert as Lancel offers more wine.
In King’s Landing, a peasant recounts The Mountain’s pillaging to Ned and brings a net of dead fish which Littlefinger cleverly decodes as a warning to House Tully. It’s also here we get a look at our first Lord Beric Dondarrion played by guest star David Michael Scott.
Refusing to let such an injustice stand, Ned strips the Mountain of all his titles and sends Dondarrion with a hundred men to execute him in the name of the King. So much for keeping the peace with the Lannisters.
Back at the Eyrie, the trial by combat commences. The masterful choreography is always something to look forward to with each season and this scene certainly does not disappoint. Bronn has Ser Vardis at his mercy when he looks directly up at Lysa and plunges his sword deep into his throat. He then lets his bleeding corpse fall through the moon door.
Lysa Arryn: You don’t fight with honor!
*Tyrion grins and raises his handcuffs*
Bronn: No…he did….
And a bromance was born that would last for years. Tyrion gets his gold back from Catelyn and throws it to Mord as “a Lannister always pays his debts.”
Back at King’s Landing a gif is born as Sansa and her Septa converse. Joffrey enters to apologize for being a monster….it’s a little late (but also too soon) for that. He gives Sansa a necklace and apologizes to his Lady with a kiss.
At Winterfell, Theon ruefully says goodbye to his beloved whore, Ros and throws her a coin in payment to “see it one last time.”
Back at King’s Landing, Ned wants to send his daughters home for their safety. At this point, even Sansa can see that Joffrey is nothing like his “father” King Robert. The comprehension flashes across Ned’s face as he consults the lineages of the royal families. He notes the change in trend as Joffrey is… *gasps* a blond?!
Back across the Narrow Sea, Viserys is drunk and furious. Khal Drogo sends him to the back of the celebration, but Viserys retorts that is no place for a king.
Drogo tells him he is no king. Viserys draws his sword, fooled into thinking he’s safe due to Vaes Dothrak’s no-bloodshed policy. He demands his crown or he’ll cut Dany’s baby out of her.
Drogo and the Dothraki oblige and Viserys is given a golden crown that men will tremble to behold.
Viserys desperately calls his sister as she watches her tormenter receive his golden crown.
He was no dragon. Fire cannot kill a dragon. – Daenerys Targaryen
Dany is confident in herself and her Targaryen lineage as she takes her place as the last dragon.
Good riddance, Viserys. We hardly liked ya.
Check out the Anatomy of this episode – Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 and Part 6 where the cast and crew discuss this turning point of the season.
Introductions: Osha is spared and heads back to Winterfell, Stiv and Wallen came and went, and we meet Lord Beric Dondarrion!
Deaths: Wallen and Stiv, Ser Vardis Egen, and Viserys Targaryen.
Freak Out Moment: Easily the title moment of the episode; secondly Bronn killing Vardis; third is Arya’s “Seven hells!” when Sansa talks about having Joffrey’s babies.
Creative Fandom:
The Death of Viserys, Artwork by Robert Ball from his “Beautiful Death” collection.
The episode in general was a big source of inspiration to the Game of Thrones fandom for artwork, memes, and some amazing cosplay.
Here’s TheNerdyBird cosplaying a heart-eating Daenerys posing with the man himself, George R.R. Martin at San Diego Comic Con in 2011.
And crowned Viserys cosplayers became popular after then as well. Here’s one:
An animated parody of the episode by seanzoz sure to give you a few laughs:
Fire and Lunch celebrated the episode with crowned-Viserys and Daenerys cake pops!
Check out Jason Yang’s magnificent violin cover of the Game of Thrones theme:
And because we’re on the internet, who can resist memes?
Yesterday: Unsullied Oz on Game of Thrones Memory Lane 105: The Wolf and the Lion
Tomorrow: Sue shows you what happens when you play the Game of Thrones in Episode 7: You Win or You Die.
The post Game of Thrones Memory Lane 106: A Golden Crown appeared first on Watchers on the Wall.
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