Game of Thrones Episode 5: The Wolf and the Lion

Ned Stark continues investigating Jon Arryn’s death while tensions in King’s Landing worsen, Catelyn Stark brings Tyrion Lannister to the Vale after Tyrion helps save her from attackers, and Robert Baratheon’s decision to target Daenerys drives a wedge between him and Ned.

At King’s Landing, the tourney comes to a close, and Ned focuses on the circumstances surrounding the previous Hand’s death. He speaks with Barristan Selmy, who raises doubts about whether Ser Hugh’s death was really an accident. During the jousting, Ned convinces Robert not to compete, since the king would be expected to win. Ser Loras Tyrell faces Gregor Clegane, and the match turns violent when Loras uses a mare in heat to unseat Gregor’s horse; Gregor responds by slaughtering his own horse and trying to attack Loras, but Sandor Clegane intervenes and stops him before the king orders the fight halted. Loras later gives his winnings to Sandor in gratitude for saving his life.

Elsewhere in King’s Landing, Arya overhears a conversation in the tunnels about a plot against her father. She tells Ned what she heard, but he does not believe her. Ned also learns that Robert has fathered another bastard child and visits the child’s mother to ask questions about her connection to Jon Arryn, but he gets little useful information.

Catelyn takes Tyrion east toward the Vale rather than returning the way others expect, and their group is attacked by mountain clans on the road. In the fighting, Tyrion saves Catelyn’s life. When they reach the Eyrie, Catelyn’s sister Lysa receives them coldly and has Tyrion sent to the “sky cells” while she prepares to judge him for Jon Arryn’s murder. Catelyn also meets Lysa’s young son Robin, who is still being breast-fed.

Back in the North, Bran remains depressed over his paralysis and feels abandoned by his mother. He is later drawn to archery after being encouraged with the idea that he can still find something he can do.

Varys approaches Ned and tells him that Jon Arryn was poisoned, which confirms Ned’s growing suspicions that the death was no accident. Varys also warns him that Robert is in danger if he continues down his current path. Soon after, Robert learns that Daenerys is pregnant and decides to order the assassination of Daenerys, her unborn child, and Viserys as a preemptive strike against the Targaryen-Dothraki alliance. Ned refuses to be part of the murder and resigns as Hand of the King.

As Ned leaves one of Petyr Baelish’s brothels after questioning another of Robert’s bastards, Jaime Lannister confronts him outside with armed men. Jaime’s men cut down Ned’s guards, and in the clash Ned is wounded in the leg, leaving the confrontation unresolved and turning the feud between the houses openly violent.