Two Swords (Game of Thrones)
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"Two Swords" is the first episode of the fourth season of HBO's
medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...
television series ''
Game of Thrones ''Game of Thrones'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO. It is an adaptation of '' A Song of Ice and Fire'', a series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, the fir ...
''. The fourth
season premiere A season premiere is the first episode of a new season of a returning television show. In the United States, many season premieres are aired in the fall time or, for mid-season replacements, either in the spring or late winter. In countries su ...
and the 31st episode overall, the episode was written by series co-creators
David Benioff David Friedman (; born September 25, 1970), known professionally as David Benioff (), is an American writer, director and producer. Along with his collaborator D. B. Weiss, he is best known as co-creator and showrunner of '' Game of Thrones'' (2 ...
and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Weiss. It first premiered on April 6, 2014. The title of the episode refers to the two swords
Tywin Lannister Tywin Lannister is a fictional character in the fantasy series ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' by American novelist George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation ''Game of Thrones''. He is introduced in ''A Game of Thrones'' (1996) and subsequent ...
forges from Ice,
Ned Stark Eddard "Ned" Stark is a fictional character in the 1996 fantasy novel ''A Game of Thrones'' by George R. R. Martin, and ''Game of Thrones'', HBO's adaptation of Martin's ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series. In the storyline, Ned is the lord of Wint ...
's large Valyrian steel sword, in the opening sequence. In the episode, Tywin awards one of these swords to
Jaime Lannister Ser Jaime Lannister is a fictional character in the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin and its television adaptation ''Game of Thrones'', where he is portrayed by Danish actor Nikolaj Coste ...
, who refuses to leave the Kingsguard as Tywin commands.
Tyrion Lannister Lord Tyrion Lannister, also known by the nicknames the Halfman or the Imp and the alias Hugor Hill, is a fictional character in the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its televis ...
welcomes Prince
Oberyn Martell Oberyn Nymeros Martell, nicknamed the Red Viper, is a fictional character in the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin and its television adaptation, ''Game of Thrones'', where he is portr ...
of Dorne to King's Landing ahead of
Joffrey Baratheon Joffrey Baratheon is a fictional character in the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its HBO television adaptation ''Game of Thrones''. Introduced in 1996's ''A Game of Thrones' ...
's royal wedding. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane and
Arya Stark Arya Stark is a fictional character in American author George R. R. Martin's ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' epic fantasy novel series, and its television adaptation ''Game of Thrones'', where she is portrayed by English actress Maisie Williams. S ...
stop at an inn on their way to the Vale. Jon Snow is interrogated by the Night's Watch council. Across the Narrow Sea,
Daenerys Targaryen Daenerys Targaryen ( ) is a fictional character in the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' by American author George R. R. Martin. She is a prominent Narrative mode#Third-person view, point of view character, and is one of ...
marches with her army to Meereen. The episode received positive reviews from critics, and achieved a viewership of 6.64 million during its initial airing, setting a new viewership record for HBO. The episode was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series at the
66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards The 66th Annual Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony was held on August 16, 2014, at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. The ceremony is in conjunction with the annual Primetime Emmy Awards and is presented in recognition of technic ...
, sharing its nomination with the following episode, " The Lion and the Rose".


Plot


In King's Landing

Tywin reforges House Stark's greatsword into two smaller swords. One is given to Jaime as the new Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Tywin wants Jaime to marry and rule in Casterly Rock, but Jaime refuses, prompting Tywin to disown him. Qyburn gives Jaime a gilded steel hand. Later, Brienne tries to convince Jaime to fulfil his vow to return the Stark girls to safety, but he argues the matter is now complicated by Catelyn's death, Arya's disappearance, and Sansa's marriage to Tyrion. Tyrion waits to receive the Dornish welcome party at the gates of the city. Prince Oberyn Martell is sent in stead of Doran Martell, who remains in Sunspear for his health. Oberyn, whose sister Elia was married to Rhaegar Targaryen and killed by Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane, seeks vengeance for her and her children's deaths. Shae tries to rekindle her romance with Tyrion, and is observed by another handmaiden, who informs Cersei. Jaime attempts to renew his relationship with Cersei, who rebuffs him, because he "took too long". Sansa, traumatised by her mother and brother's murder, is approached in the godswood by Ser Dontos Hollard, whose life she had previously saved. Dontos gives her his mother's necklace to wear at Joffrey's wedding as thanks.


In Slaver's Bay

Daenerys' dragons continue to grow and become more difficult to control. As her army marches on Meereen, Jorah tells her there is one crucified slave child on every mile marker. Daenerys orders them to be taken down and buried.


At The Wall

Jon is interrogated by the Night's Watch leadership regarding his time with the Wildlings, and the killing of Qhorin Halfhand. Janos Slynt and Alliser Thorne call for Jon to be executed, but Aemon frees him, believing Jon's testimony about the Wildling's forthcoming attack to be truthful.


In the North

Tormund and Ygritte meet with a group of cannibalistic Thenns, led by Styr, who are roasting the severed arm of a dead Night's Watch member.


In the Riverlands

Sandor tells Arya that he plans to ransom her to Lysa Arryn in the Vale, her last living relative with money. They stop at an inn, where they come across Gregor's men, including Polliver. A brawl breaks out; Sandor kills most of the soldiers, while Arya reclaims Needle from Polliver and kills him in the same manner he had killed Lommy ("
What Is Dead May Never Die "What Is Dead May Never Die" is the third episode of the second season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series '' Game of Thrones'', first airing on April 15, 2012. The episode is written by Bryan Cogman and directed by Alik Sakharov, who wo ...
").


Production

The episode was directed by the showrunners themselves, although to comply with the rules of the
Directors Guild of America The Directors Guild of America (DGA) is an entertainment guild that represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry and abroad. Founded as the Screen Directors Guild in 1936, the group merge ...
only Weiss is credited for directing. They previously co-directed the season three episode "
Walk of Punishment "Walk of Punishment" is the third episode of the third season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series ''Game of Thrones.'' The 23rd episode of the series overall, it was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and direc ...
", in which Benioff received sole directing credit. "Two Swords" is the third episode of the series to feature a
cold open A cold open (also called a teaser sequence) is a narrative technique used in television and films. It is the practice of jumping directly into a story at the beginning of the show before the title sequence or opening credits are shown. In Amer ...
.


Writing

"Two Swords" was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based on George R. R. Martin's original work from his novel '' A Clash of Kings'', chapters Sansa II and Sansa VIII, and ''
A Storm of Swords ''A Storm of Swords'' is the third of seven planned novels in ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', a fantasy series by American author George R. R. Martin. It was first published on August 8, 2000, in the United Kingdom, with a United States edition fol ...
'', chapters Jaime VII, Tyrion V, Tyrion IV, Jon VI, Jon IX, Daenerys V, and Arya XIII. Arya's revenge against Lommy's murderer using the same method of killing was depicted in ''
The Winds of Winter ''The Winds of Winter'' is the planned sixth novel in the epic fantasy series ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' by American writer George R. R. Martin. Martin believes the last two volumes of the series will total over 3,000 manuscript pages. Martin ...
'' chapter Mercy.


Casting

With this episode,
Gwendoline Christie Gwendoline Tracey Philippa Christie (born 28 October 1978) is an English actress who is best known for portraying Brienne of Tarth in the HBO fantasy-drama series ''Game of Thrones'' (2012–2019). She is also widely known for her role the Fir ...
(Brienne of Tarth) and
Kristofer Hivju Kristofer Hivju (; born 7 December 1978) is a Norwegian actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Tormund Giantsbane in the HBO fantasy series ''Game of Thrones'' and Connor Rhodes in ''The Fate of the Furious''. Early life Hivju was ...
(Tormund Giantsbane) are promoted to series regulars. The episode has the introduction of new recurring cast members Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell) and
Indira Varma Indira Anne Varma (born 27 September 1973) is a British actress and narrator. Her film debut and first major role was in '' Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love''. She has gone on to appear in the television series ''The Canterbury Tales'', ''Rome'', ''L ...
(Ellaria Sand), while
Michiel Huisman Michiel Huisman (; born 18 July 1981) is a Dutch actor who has acted in both Dutch and English-language TV series and films. Huisman began his career in the Dutch soap opera ''Goede tijden, slechte tijden'' (1998). He later played in the Dutc ...
replaces
Ed Skrein Edward George Skrein (; born 29 March 1983) is a British actor, film director, screenwriter and rapper. He gained experience as an actor in independent films or television series. In the years that followed, he became known for portraying Daario ...
as the recurring character Daario Naharis.
Owen Teale Owen Teale (born 20 May 1961) is a Welsh character actor known for his role as Ser Alliser Thorne in the HBO fantasy TV series ''Game of Thrones''. Early life Owen Teale was born on 20 May 1961, in North Cornelly, south Wales, son of Roy and ...
(Alliser Thorne), Dominic Carter (Janos Slynt) and
Tony Way Tony Paul Way (born 7 October 1978) is an English actor, comedian, and writer. He is best known for playing characters in a number of British comedy TV series including '' Extras'', '' After Life'', ''Black Books'' and '' Bang, Bang, It's Reev ...
(Ser Dontos Hollard) make return appearances after an absence of several years (Teale in the first season, Carter and Way in the second).


Reception


Television ratings

"Two Swords" broke the viewership record for ''Game of Thrones'', which was set by episode six the previous season. 6.64 million people watched the premiere airing, and when coupled with encore airings, that number rose to 8.2 million total viewers. This was at the time HBO's highest ratings for any show since the finale episode of ''
The Sopranos ''The Sopranos'' is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story revolves around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster, portraying his difficulties as he tries to balance ...
'', though it was shortly exceeded. In the UK on
Sky Atlantic Sky Atlantic is a British pay television channel owned by Sky Group Limited broadcast in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel is primarily dedicated to imported programmes from the United States, and holds the domestic rights to HB ...
, "Two Swords" was top in the week with a viewership of 1.21 million.


Critical reception

The season premiere obtained a 97% rating from 25 reviews with an average score of 9 out of 10 according to
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
. Reviewing it for ''
IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
'', Matt Fowler gave the episode a mark of 8.5 out of 10, and wrote that "'Two Swords' was a solid GoT premiere, though it certainly didn't hide the fact that the show, post-Red Wedding, is going to possibly meander more than people might enjoy or expect." Two reviews from ''
The A.V. Club ''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
'' were written, with one intended for those who have read the novels and one for those who have not. Reviewing for the novel readers, Emily VanDerWerff gave the episode an "A−", while Erik Adams, who reviewed for the non-readers, rated the episode a "B+". Myles McNutt at ''Cultural Learnings'' also gave the episode a positive review, singling out the final scene with Arya and Sandor as the episode's best sequence.


Awards and accolades


References


External links

* at
HBO.com Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television, premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office busi ...
* {{Game of Thrones episodes, 4 2014 American television episodes Television episodes about cannibalism Game of Thrones (season 4) episodes Television episodes written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss