Breaker of Chains

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Breaker of Chains
Game of Thrones
Episode # Season 4, Episode 3
Airdate April 20, 2014
Director Alex Graves
Episode chronology
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"The Lion and the Rose" "Oathkeeper"
List of Game of Thrones episodes

"Breaker of Chains" is the third episode of the fourth season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 33rd overall. The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Alex Graves. It aired on April 20, 2014.

The title ostensibly refers to the past conquests of Daenerys Targaryen in the cities of Yunkai and Astapor, as the 'breaker of chains' in freeing those cities' slaves, as she approaches the gates of the last of the great slave cities of Slaver's Bay, Meereen.

Plot

In King's Landing

Immediately following Joffrey's murder, Dontos and Sansa flee the feast. Shortly afterward, Cersei and Tywin order the city gates barred and all ships seized while they search the capital for Sansa. Dontos and Sansa flee using a small rowboat, and soon arrive at a larger ship hiding in fog. Having Sansa climb the ladder first, she is met on the large ship by Lord Petyr Baelish, who has conspired with Dontos to remove her from the city. Baelish pays Dontos for his services by having him killed, assuring Sansa that killing Dontos was necessary to protect their secret. In the city gardens, Olenna and Margaery discuss Joffrey's murder, and how, as their marriage was unconsummated, she is not the Queen. In the Sept, Tywin speaks to Tommen about becoming the King, and the qualities that a King must possess. The two carry on their conversation and depart the Sept, leaving Cersei to grieve Joffrey. Jaime arrives soon after and consoles Cersei, who asks him to kill Tyrion before a trial can take place. Jaime refuses and forces himself on Cersei, raping her on the floor next to Joffrey's remains.

While engaging in a bisexual orgy, Prince Oberyn and Ellaria Sand are interrupted by Tywin, who requests to speak with Oberyn privately. Tywin believes that Oberyn may have had a hand in Joffrey's murder, but Oberyn refutes the claims. Oberyn responds by directly accusing Tywin of ordering Gregor Clegane ("The Mountain") of raping and murdering his sister, Elia. Tywin denies the accusations, but offers to have the Mountain speak with Oberyn about her murder, in exchange for Oberyn serving as one of the three judges in Tyrion's trial. In his cell, Tyrion is visited by his squire, Podrick, who brings him some supplies. Podrick tells Tyrion he is to be tried in a fortnight, and that Sansa has not been seen since the wedding. Before leaving, Podrick tells Tyrion that he was approached and asked to testify against him in exchange for a knighthood. Tyrion orders him to bring Jaime and then flee the city, as he fears for Podrick's life.

In the North

Sam is teased by Ser Alliser and Janos Slynt, who don't believe he was able to kill a White Walker. Sam speaks with Gilly about moving her to Mole's Town to keep her safe, as many of the Night's Watch brothers were arrested for rape. Gilly wants to stay at Castle Black, but is taken to Mole's Town where Sam finds her temporary lodging.

The wildling party led by Tormund Giantsbane executes a raid on a small village, and Styr forces a small boy to run to Castle Black, to tell the Night's Watch what they have done. At a large gathering, Ser Alliser tells the men that their duty is to protect the Wall first and foremost, which is echoed by Maester Aemon. When Alliser asks Jon, he reluctantly agrees that they must prioritize the Wall, before he is interrupted by a horn blast indicating returning rangers. Edd Tollett and Grenn return through the passage and tell their brothers that Karl and his band of mutineers are living in Craster's Keep. Jon remembers his lie to Mance Rayder about having 1,000 men guarding the Wall, and says they must ride north and kill the mutineers before Mance finds out the truth about the Night's Watch forces.

At Dragonstone

Stannis has Davos read a letter sent to Dragonstone, informing them that Joffrey is dead. Stannis claims it is the result of leeching Gendry's blood and burning the leeches. He chastises Davos for releasing Gendry, and for not having managed to raise an army for their cause. Davos then visits Shireen, who continues to teach him to read. Speaking to her about Braavos, he comes to a sudden realization and has her write a message to the Iron Bank in Stannis's name.

In the Riverlands

Sandor Clegane and Arya Stark continue their journey east toward the Vale of Arryn, before accepting an offer of shelter from a farmer. At dinner, the Hound agrees to work for the farmer in exchange for some silver, but in the morning, he steals the farmer's silver despite Arya's protests.

Across the Narrow Sea

Daenerys and her army arrive outside Meereen, where they are received by the Champion of Meereen. Ser Jorah informs her that she must send her own champion to battle the one from Meereen. Her advisors argue over the chance to fight for her, but Daario Naharis is selected. As the Champion of Meereen rides toward him, Daario throws a dagger into one of the horse's eyes. The horse falls, and he easily kills the champion. Daenerys then speaks to the city's slaves, telling them of her victories in Astapor and Yunkai, and having freed those cities' slaves. She then orders her catapults to fire, and they launch barrels filled with broken slave collars into the city as a sign of the freedom she intends to bring them.

Notes and References


This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Breaker of Chains. The list of authors can be seen in the page history of Breaker of Chains. As with A Wiki of Ice and Fire, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.