Game of Thrones “A Golden Crown” 

Wow. Game of Thrones just gets more and more interesting with every passing week. The biggest surprise – and perhaps it’s the real reason Jon Arryn was murdered – was because he discovered Joffrey isn’t Robert’s son. But did he gets as far s Ned got with his mystery? Did he also discover Joffrey is actually Jamie’s son? I’m fascinated and repulsed. I’m intrigued and disgusted. There is going to be some serious fallout and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next episode (which I’ll be watching momentarily on HBOGO.com). Also, since when is Sansa in love with Joffrey? I have no idea how old she is and I understand she’s young and impressionable. But is she seriously forgetting how awful he is? Just because he makes a few empty promises, Sansa’s ready to forgive him everything? She’s got a lot to learn.

Robert won’t let Ned resign as his hand and he admits that Ned is his chosen brother because he can’t stand his actual blood brothers. Robert tells Ned Daenerys Targaryen still has to die, but I guess that’s a battle Ned has to fight some other day. Maybe a day when the leg wound inflicted by one of Jamie Lannister’s men has fully healed.

At the Eyrie the imp demands his day of judgment. I just can’t help but like Tyrion Lannister, no matter who he’s related to. He gains the attention (if not admiration and/or amusement) of the crowd in confessing all his sins. He just doesn’t confess to the charge brought against him. Instead, both parties choose champions to fight for them – or rather Lady Arryn chooses a champion and another champion volunteers to fight for Tyrion. Tyrion’s champion doesn’t fight honorably but he wins. And Tyrion pays the debt he promised to his jailor before he goes free.

Across the narrow sea there is a celebration (if you can call watching Daenerys eating a heart that). Drogo’s people have accepted her fully as their queen and now she’s carrying their future leader. In fact, if the medicine woman is to be believed Daenerys is carrying a king who will unite all the kingdoms. Maybe Robert really does have something to fear. I hope I don’t come to regret what I’m about to say, but I like the woman Daenerys is becoming – a Khaleesi. She’s learning who she is and has become unflinching in her beliefs. I wasn’t sorry to see Viserys die but I’m impressed Daenerys didn’t look away. I would have.

Once again firmly installed as the Hand of the King, Ned sits on the iron throne in Robert’s absence. He judges decisively, although perhaps not entirely wisely. I’d like to see the Mountain brought to justice for all the slaughter and destruction he’s left in his wake. I’d also like to meet Tywin Lannister and see the man responsible for three very conniving, calculating, and clever offspring (and one idiot). I hope he arrives in King’s Landing before a fortnight. I’d like to see Ned square off against him. Was I the only one who loved seeing Ned up on that throne? I don’t think the iron throne is a place of comfort or ease, but Ned is a commanding presence there.