Two Swords (TV)

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Two Swords
Game of Thrones
Episode # Season 4, Episode 1
Airdate April 6, 2014
Director D.B. Weiss
Episode chronology
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"Mhysa
Season 3"
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List of Game of Thrones episodes

"Two Swords" is the forth season premiere of the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 31st episode of the series. Written by executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and directed by D.B. Weiss, it aired on April 6, 2014.

Plot

In King's Landing

Tywin Lannister has the Stark family's ancestral greatsword, Ice, melted down and forged into two new swords. One is given to his son Jaime, who, as the new Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, is hopeful to learn to use the sword with his left hand. Tywin informs Jaime that he is to be dismissed from the Kingsguard, and sent to Casterly Rock to rule in his place, but Jaime refuses. Tywin disowns Jamie due to his disobedience and Jamie leaves. Outside the city walls, Tyrion, his squire Podrick, and the sellsword-turned-knight Bronn await the arrival of Prince Doran Martell and his entourage, but are informed that his younger brother, Prince Oberyn, will be attending in his stead. Oberyn, having already arrived, maims a Lannister soldier at one of Lord Baelish's whorehouses before Tyrion arrives. Oberyn reveals to Tyrion that he is in King's Landing to seek vengeance for the death of his sister, Elia, and her two children. Elia had been married to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, who was next in line to the throne before Robert Baratheon killed him, and King's Landing fell to Tywin's army. Oberyn wants to kill Ser Gregor Clegane, who is rumored to have raped Elia during the siege and then split her in two with his sword. Sansa Stark, distraught over the deaths of her brother and mother, refuses to eat, despite the pleas of her handmaiden Shae, and later her husband, Tyrion. Afterwards, Tyrion rebuffs Shae's attempts to rekindle their romance, and their argument is overheard by another of Sansa's handmaidens, who later reports it to Cersei.

In the castle, Jaime is fitted with a solid gold hand by Qyburn. When he departs, Jaime and his twin sister, Cersei discuss the state of their relationship before being interrupted by Sansa's handmaiden, with information for the queen. In the gardens, Lady Olenna Tyrell and her granddaughter, Margaery, plan the royal wedding before Brienne of Tarth asks for a word with Margaery to discuss how Lord Renly was killed. Elsewhere, King Joffrey chastises Jaime for his absence during the battle of the Blackwater and also makes fun of his uncle's age, the loss of his sword hand, and lack of accomplishment as a member of the Kingsguard. Afterwards, Brienne tries to make Jaime live up to his vow to return the Stark girls to safety, though Jaime argues the matter is now complicated by Catelyn Stark's death and Sansa's marriage to Tyrion. While leaving the godswood, Sansa is confronted by Dontos Hollard, the king's fool and formerly a knight. Dontos thanks Sansa for saving his life on Joffrey's name-day celebration, and gives her his mother's necklace as thanks.

In the North

Awaiting orders from Mance Rayder, Ygritte argues with Tormund Giantsbane about their next move before they are interrupted by Styr and his group of cannibal Thenns. At Castle Black, Jon Snow is tried before Ser Alliser Thorne, Ser Janos Slynt, and Maester Aemon. Jon admits to killing Qhorin Halfhand, and to sleeping with Ygritte, but also reveals what he has learned of the wildlings' plans. Slynt calls for Jon to be executed as a traitor, and Thorne, the acting Commander of the Night's Watch, is inclined to agree with him, but Maester Aemon ultimately has him released.

Across the Narrow Sea

After breaking up a gambling match between Daario Naharis and Grey Worm, Daenerys Targaryen leads her army on a march towards Meereen, the last of the three great slave cities. On the way, Daario attempts to romance Daenerys, and warns her that if she plans to rule the land, she must learn more about the lifestyle and the culture of the slaves she is freeing. Their progress is halted by the discovery of a dead slave girl hung from a mile-post. It is said that there are one hundred and sixty-three dead child slaves, one nailed to every mile marker to the slaver city. Daenerys resolves to see every dead child's face on the march toward Meereen.

In the Riverlands

The Hound tells the captive Arya Stark that he intends to ransom her to her Aunt Lysa in the Vale, before they come across an inn with several of The Mountain's men (Lannister soldiers) inside. Arya notices Polliver, the man who stole her sword, Needle. She makes for the entrance before being stopped by the Hound, but they are discovered by one of the soldiers and enter the inn. Though several of the soldiers are fearful of the Hound, Polliver makes conversation with him and Arya. After trading insults, they engage in a fight, where the Hound kills many of the soldiers, Arya reclaims Needle from Polliver, and uses it to kill him the same way he murdered Lommy. The two then depart from the tavern, Arya now in possession of a stolen pony. The camera pans out to reveal the Riverlands, now left black and desolate by The Mountain and his men.


Notes and References