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'''"The Ghost of Harrenhal"''' is the fifth episode of the [[Season 2|second season]] of ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. It is the fifteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on April 29, 2012. It was written by executive producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D.B. Weiss]] and directed by [[David Petrarca]].
 
'''"The Ghost of Harrenhal"''' is the fifth episode of the [[Season 2|second season]] of ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. It is the fifteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on April 29, 2012. It was written by executive producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D.B. Weiss]] and directed by [[David Petrarca]].
   
 
==Plot==
 
{{S02E05 Synopsis}}
 
{{S02E05 Synopsis}}
   
==Plot==
+
==Summary==
===Summary===
+
===In the Seven Kingdoms===
====In the Seven Kingdoms====
 
 
[[File:RenlysDeathS2Ep5.png|thumb|King Renly is assassinated.]]
 
[[File:RenlysDeathS2Ep5.png|thumb|King Renly is assassinated.]]
 
[[File:Brienne kills.jpg|thumb|Brienne kills a Kingsguard]]
 
[[File:Brienne kills.jpg|thumb|Brienne kills a Kingsguard]]
King [[Renly Baratheon]] is assassinated by the [[Shadow]] brought into the world by [[Melisandre]] just after agreeing to an alliance with King [[Robb Stark]]. His [[kingsguard]] [[Brienne]] is mistakenly blamed for the death and she flees the camp with [[Catelyn Stark]]. Brienne later swears fealty to Catelyn. Renly's army disintegrates, with the forces of [[House Tyrell]] fleeing to [[Highgarden]] and the rest of his bannermen joining his brother King [[Stannis Baratheon]]. Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] accompanies the Tyrell faction, sensing an opportunity to sway them to Joffrey's side. [[Ser]] [[Davos Seaworth]] challenges King Stannis on his use of Melisandre's magic and convinces him to leave Melisandre behind when they attack [[King's Landing]] to quash rumors of her influence on him. Stannis places Davos in command of his fleet.
+
King [[Renly Baratheon]] is assassinated by the [[Shadow]] brought into the world by [[Melisandre]] just after agreeing to an alliance with King [[Robb Stark]]. His [[kingsguard]] [[Brienne]] is mistakenly blamed for the death and she flees the camp with [[Catelyn Stark]]. Brienne later swears fealty to Catelyn. Renly's army disintegrates, with the forces of [[House Tyrell]] fleeing to [[Highgarden]] and the rest of his bannermen joining his brother King [[Stannis Baratheon]]. Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] accompanies the Tyrell faction, sensing an opportunity to sway them to Joffrey's side. Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] challenges King Stannis on his use of Melisandre's magic and convinces him to leave Melisandre behind when they attack [[King's Landing]] to quash rumors of her influence on him. Stannis places Davos in command of his fleet.
   
 
[[File:Wildfire.png|thumb|Tyrion discovers the [[Wildfire]].]]
 
[[File:Wildfire.png|thumb|Tyrion discovers the [[Wildfire]].]]
Line 31: Line 31:
 
The Tickler is soon found dead in the courtyard, his neck twisted 180 degrees. Arya notices Jaqen on the walkway above and he holds a single finger to his face to signify his responsibility.
 
The Tickler is soon found dead in the courtyard, his neck twisted 180 degrees. Arya notices Jaqen on the walkway above and he holds a single finger to his face to signify his responsibility.
   
====Beyond the Wall====
+
===Beyond the Wall===
 
[[File:Ghost on a hill.jpg|thumb|The Night's Watch and Ghost on the Fist of the First Men.]]
 
[[File:Ghost on a hill.jpg|thumb|The Night's Watch and Ghost on the Fist of the First Men.]]
[[Lord Commander]] [[Jeor Mormont]] leads his ranging to the ancient [[Fist of the First Men]] to rendezvous with the experienced scout [[Qhorin Halfhand]]. Qhorin arrives and warns Jeor that they must change their tactics to combat the wildling army under [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]]  [[Mance Rayder]]. He suggests sending a small party ahead to neutralize Mance's lookouts in the [[Skirling Pass]]. [[Jon Snow]] joins Qhorin's group.
+
[[Lord Commander]] [[Jeor Mormont]] leads his ranging to the ancient [[Fist of the First Men]] to rendezvous with the experienced scout [[Qhorin Halfhand]]. Qhorin arrives and warns Jeor that they must change their tactics to combat the wildling army under [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]] [[Mance Rayder]]. He suggests sending a small party ahead to neutralize Mance's lookouts in the [[Skirling Pass]]. [[Jon Snow]] joins Qhorin's group.
   
====Across the Narrow Sea====
+
===Across the Narrow Sea===
 
[[File:Drogon_breathes_fire.jpg|thumb|Drogon, breathing fire for the first time.]]
 
[[File:Drogon_breathes_fire.jpg|thumb|Drogon, breathing fire for the first time.]]
[[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taught her [[dragons]] to breathe fire on command and they are now capable of searing and eating meat on their own. She is enjoying the hospitality of the wealthy noble [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] in the city of [[Qarth]]. He hosts a gathering in her honor in the gardens of his home. She is perturbed by the tricks of the warlock [[Pyat Pree]], who invites her to visit the [[House of the Undying]].
+
[[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taught her [[dragons]] to breathe fire on command and they are now capable of searing and eating meat on their own. She is enjoying the hospitality of the wealthy noble [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] in the city of [[Qarth]]. He hosts a gathering in her honor in the gardens of his home. She is perturbed by the tricks of the warlock [[Pyat Pree]], who invites her to visit the [[House of the Undying]].
   
The masked woman [[Quaithe]] delivers an enigmatic warning to Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] about Daenerys's need for protection from those who lust after her dragons. Xaro offers to fund Daenerys's invasion of [[Westeros]] in exchange for her hand in marriage. Later, she seeks Jorah's advice about the proposal and he cautions against accepting financial aid. He suggests that she will be able to win her throne should she reach Westeros with just a single ship. He reveals his depth of feeling for her but she does not reciprocate.
+
The masked woman [[Quaithe]] delivers an enigmatic warning to Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] about Daenerys' need for protection from those who lust after her dragons. Xaro offers to fund Daenerys' invasion of [[Westeros]] in exchange for her hand in marriage. Later, she seeks Jorah's advice about the proposal and he cautions against accepting financial aid. He suggests that she will be able to win her throne should she reach Westeros with just a single ship. He reveals his depth of feeling for her but she does not return his affections.
   
===Recap===
+
==Recap==
 
:''Main: [[The Ghost of Harrenhal recap]]''
 
:''Main: [[The Ghost of Harrenhal recap]]''
 
A detailed recap of the episode scene by scene.
 
A detailed recap of the episode scene by scene.
 
==Notes==
 
*The episode covers material from chapters 21, 28, 31, 34-38, 40, 43 and 44 (Tyrion 5, Daenerys 2, Arya 7, Catelyn 4, Jon 4, Bran 5, Tyrion 8, Theon 3, Catelyn 5, Davos 2, and Jon 5) of ''A Clash of Kings''.
 
*In the novel ''A Clash of Kings'' the series of murders at [[Harrenhal]] perpetrated by [[Jaqen H'ghar]] are attributed to a ghost. The episode features the murder of [[the Tickler]] by Jaqen at [[Arya Stark]]'s request.
 
*This episode marks the death of King Renly Baratheon.
 
**The night this episode aired, actor [[Finn Jones]] (who plays Renly's lover, Ser Loras Tyrell) posted to his Twitter account, ''"When the sun has set, no candle can replace it."''<ref>[https://twitter.com/#!/FinnJones/status/196771591500201984 Finn Jones' Twitter account], April 29th, 2012.</ref> This is actually a famous quote that Loras uses later in the book series.
 
**Renly's death reduces the number of factions in the war to four: Joffrey Baratheon, Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy, and Stannis Baratheon. Of course, due to geography if not ideology, Stannis isn't actively fighting Robb, because they're on opposite sides of the Lannisters' position in the middle of the continent.
 
**This only includes the factions that are currently fighting each other in open warfare. House Tyrell, House Martell, and House Arryn are still active players in the ongoing political machinations of Westeros, i.e. Margaery Tyrell in this episode.
 
*For the first time since she left [[Pentos]], Daenerys is brought up to speed on the current political situation in Westeros, including the death of [[Robert Baratheon]], and the fact that four rival kings now vie for the throne (word of Renly's death evidently not having reached across the Narrow Sea yet).
 
*Daenerys says "Dracarys" to [[Drogon]], the young [[dragons|dragon]], to encourage him to breathe fire. Dracarys (pronounced "drah-KAH-ris") is the [[High Valyrian]] word for dragonfire.
 
*When Renly is meeting with Catelyn Stark, he says that the oath of fealty he wants Robb to swear will be the same one that Eddard Stark swore to Robert Baratheon "eighteen years ago". In Season 1, the events of [[Robert's Rebellion]] were consistently said to have occurred seventeen years ago. This reflects [[Timeline#Differences from the books|the passage of time]] by Season 2.
 
*Bronn refers to what Joffrey did to the "birthday present" that Tyrion sent him (which occurred in the [[Garden of Bones|preceding episode]]). In the culture of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], people actually use the term "[[nameday]]", not "birthday", because babies are named on the day they are born. "Nameday" has been consistently used on-screen throughout Season 1 and Season 2. This may have just been a dialogue error by the actor.
 
*Wisdom [[Hallyne]], the head of the [[Alchemists' Guild]], is played by [[Roy Dotrice]], who narrated the audiobook versions of all five novels currently in the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series (and thus in a sense is "reprising" his role as Hallyne). Roy Dotrice was originally supposed to play the role of Grand Maester Pycelle, but fell ill shortly before production on the TV series began and had to decline. His health later recovered, however, allowing him to join the cast as Hallyne.
 
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
 
:''Main:[[The Ghost of Harrenhal/Appearances]]''
 
:''Main:[[The Ghost of Harrenhal/Appearances]]''
===Characters===
+
===First===
====First Appearances====
 
 
* [[Emmon Cuy]]
 
* [[Emmon Cuy]]
 
* [[Robar Royce]]
 
* [[Robar Royce]]
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* [[Borba]]
 
* [[Borba]]
   
====Deaths====
+
===Deaths===
* [[Renly Baratheon]]
+
* King [[Renly Baratheon]]
 
* [[Emmon Cuy]]
 
* [[Emmon Cuy]]
 
* [[Robar Royce]]
 
* [[Robar Royce]]
Line 154: Line 140:
   
 
===Cast notes===
 
===Cast notes===
*Only 17 of the 25 starring cast members for the second season appear in this episode.
+
*17 of 25 cast members for the second season appear in this episode.
*Starring cast members [[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]] ([[Jaime Lannister]]), [[Jack Gleeson]] ([[Joffrey Baratheon]]), [[Conleth Hill]] ([[Varys]]), [[Sibel Kekilli]] ([[Shae]]), [[Richard Madden]] ([[Robb Stark]]), [[Rory McCann]] ([[Sandor Clegane]]), [[Sophie Turner]] ([[Sansa Stark]]), and [[Carice van Houten]] ([[Melisandre]]), and are not credited and do not appear in this episode.
+
*Starring cast members [[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]] ([[Jaime Lannister]]), [[Jack Gleeson]] ([[Joffrey Baratheon]]), [[Conleth Hill]] ([[Varys]]), [[Sibel Kekilli]] ([[Shae]]), [[Richard Madden]] ([[Robb Stark]]), [[Rory McCann]] ([[Sandor Clegane]]), [[Sophie Turner]] ([[Sansa Stark]]), and [[Carice van Houten]] ([[Melisandre]]) are not credited and do not appear in this episode.
 
*[[John Bradley]] is credited ahead of [[Isaac Hempstead-Wright]], [[Maisie Williams]] and [[Jerome Flynn]] when he was credited after them when they last appeared together in "[[What is Dead May Never Die]]."
 
*[[John Bradley]] is credited ahead of [[Isaac Hempstead-Wright]], [[Maisie Williams]] and [[Jerome Flynn]] when he was credited after them when they last appeared together in "[[What is Dead May Never Die]]."
 
*[[John Bradley]] is credited ahead of [[Stephen Dillane]] when he was credited after him when they last appeared together in "[[The Night Lands]]."
 
*[[John Bradley]] is credited ahead of [[Stephen Dillane]] when he was credited after him when they last appeared together in "[[The Night Lands]]."
  +
  +
==Notes==
 
*In the novel ''A Clash of Kings'' the series of murders at [[Harrenhal]] perpetrated by [[Jaqen H'ghar]] are attributed to a ghost. The episode features the murder of [[the Tickler]] by Jaqen at [[Arya Stark]]'s request.
 
*This episode marks the death of King Renly Baratheon.
 
**The night this episode aired, actor [[Finn Jones]] (who plays Renly's lover, Ser Loras Tyrell) posted to his Twitter account, ''"When the sun has set, no candle can replace it."''<ref>[https://twitter.com/#!/FinnJones/status/196771591500201984 Finn Jones' Twi][https://twitter.com/#!/FinnJones/status/196771591500201984 tter account], April 29th, 2012.</ref> This is actually a famous quote that Loras uses later in the book series.
 
**Renly's death reduces the number of factions in the war to four: Joffrey Baratheon, Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy, and Stannis Baratheon. Of course, due to geography if not ideology, Stannis isn't actively fighting Robb, because they're on opposite sides of the Lannisters' position in the middle of the continent.
 
**This only includes the factions that are currently fighting each other in open warfare. House Tyrell, House Martell, and House Arryn are still active players in the ongoing political machinations of Westeros, i.e. Margaery Tyrell in this episode.
 
*For the first time since she left [[Pentos]], Daenerys is brought up to speed on the current political situation in Westeros, including the death of [[Robert Baratheon]], and the fact that four rival kings now vie for the throne (word of Renly's death evidently not having reached across the Narrow Sea yet).
 
*Daenerys says "Dracarys" to [[Drogon]], the young [[dragons|dragon]], to encourage him to breathe fire. Dracarys (pronounced "drah-KAH-ris") is the [[High Valyrian]] word for dragonfire.
 
*When Renly is meeting with Catelyn Stark, he says that the oath of fealty he wants Robb to swear will be the same one that Eddard Stark swore to Robert Baratheon "eighteen years ago". In Season 1, the events of [[Robert's Rebellion]] were consistently said to have occurred seventeen years ago. This reflects [[Timeline#Differences from the books|the passage of time]] by Season 2.
 
*Bronn refers to what Joffrey did to the "birthday present" that Tyrion sent him (which occurred in the [[Garden of Bones|preceding episode]]). In the culture of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], people actually use the term "[[nameday]]", not "birthday", because babies are named on the day they are born. "Nameday" has been consistently used on-screen throughout Season 1 and Season 2. This may have just been a dialogue error by the actor.
 
*Wisdom [[Hallyne]], the head of the [[Alchemists' Guild]], is played by [[Roy Dotrice]], who narrated the audiobook versions of all five novels currently in the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series (and thus in a sense is "reprising" his role as Hallyne). Roy Dotrice was originally supposed to play the role of Grand Maester Pycelle, but fell ill shortly before production on the TV series began and had to decline. His health later recovered, however, allowing him to join the cast as Hallyne.
  +
 
==In the books==
  +
: ''See: [[Differences between books and TV series - Season 2#The Ghost of Harrenhal]] ''
 
* The episode is adapted from the following chapters of ''A Clash of Kings'':
  +
** Chapter 20, Tyrion V: Tyrion inspects the Alchemists' Guild's wildfire with the pyromancer, Hallyne.
  +
** Chapter 27, Daenerys II: <span>Daenerys stays at Xaro's palace and learns that King Robert is dead and that the Seven Kingdoms are at war.</span>
  +
** Chapter 31, Arya VII: Jaqen H'ghar promises to kill three men of Arya's choosing in return for saving his life.
  +
** Chapter 33, Catelyn IV: Renly is killed by a mysterious shade while Catelyn and Brienne are inside his tent. Catelyn and Brienne flee Renly's camp.
  +
** Chapter 34, Jon IV: Lord Commander Mormont's expedition arrives at the Fist of the First Men.
  +
** Chapter 35, Bran V: Bran continues to be troubled by his dreams.
  +
** Chapter 36, Tyrion VIII: Cersei and Tyrion learn of Renly's death.
  +
** Chapter 37, Theon III: Theon leads a force against Torrhen's Square.
  +
** Chapter 39, Catelyn V: Catelyn and Brienne are heading back to Robb.
  +
** Chapter 42, Davos II: Stannis and Davos plan to sail through the Blackwater attack King's Landing with ships.
  +
** Chapter 43, Jon V: Qhorin Halfhand arrives at the Fist of the First Men. Jon decides to accompany him on a scouting mission into the mountains.
   
 
==Image gallery==
 
==Image gallery==
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==Promotional video==
 
==Promotional video==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Video:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Episode 5 The Ghost Of Harrenhal Promo|[[:Video:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Episode 5 The Ghost Of Harrenhal Promo|Episode 15 preview]]
 
 
File:Game of Thrones Season 2 Recap 14|[[:File:Game of Thrones Season 2 Recap 14|Episode 14 recap]]
 
File:Game of Thrones Season 2 Recap 14|[[:File:Game of Thrones Season 2 Recap 14|Episode 14 recap]]
 
File:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Inside The Episode 15|[[:File:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Inside The Episode 15|Inside the Episode 15]]
 
File:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Inside The Episode 15|[[:File:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Inside The Episode 15|Inside the Episode 15]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
==In the books==
 
The episode covers material from ''A Clash of Kings'' and ''A Storm of Swords'', book 2 and 3 of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''. The episode is adapted from the following chapters of ''A Clash of Kings'':
 
*Chapter 21, Tyrion V
 
*Chapter 27, Arya VI
 
*Chapter 28, Daenerys II
 
*Chapter 29, Bran IV
 
*Chapter 34, Catelyn IV
 
*Chapter 35, Jon IV
 
*Chapter 36, Bran V
 
*Chapter 37, Tyrion VIII
 
*Chapter 38, Theon III
 
*Chapter 40, Catelyn V
 
*Chapter 43, Davos II
 
*Chapter 44, Jon IV
 
*Chapter 59, Davos III
 
 
The episode is adapted from the following chapter of ''A Storm of Swords'':
 
*Chapter 7, Daenerys I
 
*Margaery Tyrell's reaction to Renly's death is not depicted "on screen" in the books. In fact, she's not even in Renly's camp in the Stormlands but at Bitterbridge with the full strength of House Tyrell. In the TV version, she is shown calmly calculating the next move that House Tyrell is going to make in the war.
 
*Most of the houses from [[the Stormlands]] have now sworn fealty to Stannis, with the "exception" of House Tyrell (and the Houses from [[the Reach]] that it rules over). Renly's army consisting of the combined strength of the Stormlands and the Reach numbered 100,000. The Reach, which House Tyrell rules over, can normally raise about twice as many soldiers as any other region of the Seven Kingdoms. The "exception" of House Tyrell is actually two thirds of the massive force that Renly had assembled: roughly 30,000 have now gone over to Stannis, but another roughly 70,000 under the Tyrells have not.
 
*Abandoning the original orders to raid fishing villages to make a daring raid on Torrhen's Square was Theon's idea, not Dagmer Cleftjaw's. In the TV series, Dagmer suggests it to Theon as specifically the kind of action that would finally get his men to treat him as a leader among the Ironborn. In a sense, this depicts Theon as somewhat less conniving and instead emphasizes that he was being pressured into turning against the Starks.
 
*The ranging force of the Night's Watch does not consist of 400 men as Qhorin mentioned, but 300 men, 200 from [[Castle Black]] and 100 from [[Shadow Tower]].
 
*Stannis Baratheon doesn't give command of his fleet to Davos Seaworth after gaining Renly's bannermen. Instead, he gave it to his brother-in-law Imry Florent.
 
*As previously announced, much of the Qarth storyline for Daenerys has been expanded upon in the TV series due to its relative brevity in the second book, ''A Clash of Kings'', which focused more on events in Westeros itself.
 
*Daenerys initially cannot feed her dragons because they refuse to eat raw meat, until she remembers a phrase that her brother Viserys repeated once, that only men and dragons eat roasted meat. The idea is that the mother dragon would roast meat from kills with her own fire-breath before giving it to her hatchlings.
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Season2nav}}
 
{{Season2nav}}
 
[[de:Der_Geist_von_Harrenhal_(Episode)]]
 
[[ru:Призрак Харренхола]]
 
[[Category:Season 2]]
 
[[Category:Season 2 Episodes]]
 
[[Category:The Ghost of Harrenhal]]
 

Revision as of 03:20, 22 June 2015

"The Ghost of Harrenhal" is the fifth episode of the second season of Game of Thrones. It is the fifteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on April 29, 2012. It was written by executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and directed by David Petrarca.

Plot

Template:S02E05 Synopsis

Summary

In the Seven Kingdoms

RenlysDeathS2Ep5

King Renly is assassinated.

Brienne kills

Brienne kills a Kingsguard

King Renly Baratheon is assassinated by the Shadow brought into the world by Melisandre just after agreeing to an alliance with King Robb Stark. His kingsguard Brienne is mistakenly blamed for the death and she flees the camp with Catelyn Stark. Brienne later swears fealty to Catelyn. Renly's army disintegrates, with the forces of House Tyrell fleeing to Highgarden and the rest of his bannermen joining his brother King Stannis Baratheon. Lord Petyr Baelish accompanies the Tyrell faction, sensing an opportunity to sway them to Joffrey's side. Ser Davos Seaworth challenges King Stannis on his use of Melisandre's magic and convinces him to leave Melisandre behind when they attack King's Landing to quash rumors of her influence on him. Stannis places Davos in command of his fleet.

Wildfire

Tyrion discovers the Wildfire.

Hand of the King Tyrion Lannister brings news of Renly's death to his sister, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister. She is pleased, but Tyrion predicts Stannis' imminent attack. He tries to discuss plans for their defense, but she insists on keeping them secret. From his spy, his cousin Ser Lancel Lannister, Tyrion learns that Cersei has been having extensive meetings with the Alchemists' Guild. He visits Wisdom Hallyne of the guild and learns that they have stockpiled thousands of jars of Wildfire, a dangerously flammable substance, to use as catapult ammunition. Bronn warns that this strategy could be disastrous, and result in panicking defenders accidentally burning down their own city. Tyrion orders Hallyne to answer to him instead of Cersei. Tyrion also passes a street protest that blames him for the ills of the city, as they believe Tyrion to be manipulating Joffrey.

Theon Greyjoy takes command of his new ship and finds his crew insubordinate. His first mate Dagmer Cleftjaw tells him that he needs to prove himself to the men and Theon plans to raid Torrhen's Square to draw the remaining forces of House Stark from Winterfell. His plan is successful and Ser Rodrik Cassel leads a force of 200 men to relieve his siege of Torrhen's Square. Bran Stark provides well judged counsel to his subjects but continues to be troubled by his dreams. He discusses dreaming of a three-eyed raven with the wildling woman Osha but she declines to interpret the dream. He also confides dreaming of the sea flooding Winterfell and drowning his people, including Ser Rodrik.

Tywin Lannister hosts a protracted war council to determine a new strategy to deal with Robb. Arya Stark serves as his cupbearer. Though he does not know who she really is, Tywin realizes that she is of northern extraction and questions her about her origins and opinions regarding Robb. She manages to avoid revealing her true identity. She leaves to fetch water and encounters Jaqen H'ghar, now a Lannister man-at-arms. Jaqen says that because she saved his life, and those of his two fellow prisoners, he owes her three deaths and offers to kill three people of her choosing. She targets the Tickler, Ser Gregor Clegane's torturer.

The Tickler is soon found dead in the courtyard, his neck twisted 180 degrees. Arya notices Jaqen on the walkway above and he holds a single finger to his face to signify his responsibility.

Beyond the Wall

Ghost on a hill

The Night's Watch and Ghost on the Fist of the First Men.

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont leads his ranging to the ancient Fist of the First Men to rendezvous with the experienced scout Qhorin Halfhand. Qhorin arrives and warns Jeor that they must change their tactics to combat the wildling army under King-Beyond-the-Wall Mance Rayder. He suggests sending a small party ahead to neutralize Mance's lookouts in the Skirling Pass. Jon Snow joins Qhorin's group.

Across the Narrow Sea

Drogon breathes fire

Drogon, breathing fire for the first time.

Daenerys Targaryen has taught her dragons to breathe fire on command and they are now capable of searing and eating meat on their own. She is enjoying the hospitality of the wealthy noble Xaro Xhoan Daxos in the city of Qarth. He hosts a gathering in her honor in the gardens of his home. She is perturbed by the tricks of the warlock Pyat Pree, who invites her to visit the House of the Undying.

The masked woman Quaithe delivers an enigmatic warning to Ser Jorah Mormont about Daenerys' need for protection from those who lust after her dragons. Xaro offers to fund Daenerys' invasion of Westeros in exchange for her hand in marriage. Later, she seeks Jorah's advice about the proposal and he cautions against accepting financial aid. He suggests that she will be able to win her throne should she reach Westeros with just a single ship. He reveals his depth of feeling for her but she does not return his affections.

Recap

Main: The Ghost of Harrenhal recap

A detailed recap of the episode scene by scene.

Appearances

Main:The Ghost of Harrenhal/Appearances

First

Deaths

Cast

Starring

Guest starring

Uncredited

Cast notes

Notes

  • In the novel A Clash of Kings the series of murders at Harrenhal perpetrated by Jaqen H'ghar are attributed to a ghost. The episode features the murder of the Tickler by Jaqen at Arya Stark's request.
  • This episode marks the death of King Renly Baratheon.
    • The night this episode aired, actor Finn Jones (who plays Renly's lover, Ser Loras Tyrell) posted to his Twitter account, "When the sun has set, no candle can replace it."[1] This is actually a famous quote that Loras uses later in the book series.
    • Renly's death reduces the number of factions in the war to four: Joffrey Baratheon, Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy, and Stannis Baratheon. Of course, due to geography if not ideology, Stannis isn't actively fighting Robb, because they're on opposite sides of the Lannisters' position in the middle of the continent.
    • This only includes the factions that are currently fighting each other in open warfare. House Tyrell, House Martell, and House Arryn are still active players in the ongoing political machinations of Westeros, i.e. Margaery Tyrell in this episode.
  • For the first time since she left Pentos, Daenerys is brought up to speed on the current political situation in Westeros, including the death of Robert Baratheon, and the fact that four rival kings now vie for the throne (word of Renly's death evidently not having reached across the Narrow Sea yet).
  • Daenerys says "Dracarys" to Drogon, the young dragon, to encourage him to breathe fire. Dracarys (pronounced "drah-KAH-ris") is the High Valyrian word for dragonfire.
  • When Renly is meeting with Catelyn Stark, he says that the oath of fealty he wants Robb to swear will be the same one that Eddard Stark swore to Robert Baratheon "eighteen years ago". In Season 1, the events of Robert's Rebellion were consistently said to have occurred seventeen years ago. This reflects the passage of time by Season 2.
  • Bronn refers to what Joffrey did to the "birthday present" that Tyrion sent him (which occurred in the preceding episode). In the culture of the Seven Kingdoms, people actually use the term "nameday", not "birthday", because babies are named on the day they are born. "Nameday" has been consistently used on-screen throughout Season 1 and Season 2. This may have just been a dialogue error by the actor.
  • Wisdom Hallyne, the head of the Alchemists' Guild, is played by Roy Dotrice, who narrated the audiobook versions of all five novels currently in the A Song of Ice and Fire series (and thus in a sense is "reprising" his role as Hallyne). Roy Dotrice was originally supposed to play the role of Grand Maester Pycelle, but fell ill shortly before production on the TV series began and had to decline. His health later recovered, however, allowing him to join the cast as Hallyne.

In the books

See: Differences between books and TV series - Season 2#The Ghost of Harrenhal
  • The episode is adapted from the following chapters of A Clash of Kings:
    • Chapter 20, Tyrion V: Tyrion inspects the Alchemists' Guild's wildfire with the pyromancer, Hallyne.
    • Chapter 27, Daenerys II: Daenerys stays at Xaro's palace and learns that King Robert is dead and that the Seven Kingdoms are at war.
    • Chapter 31, Arya VII: Jaqen H'ghar promises to kill three men of Arya's choosing in return for saving his life.
    • Chapter 33, Catelyn IV: Renly is killed by a mysterious shade while Catelyn and Brienne are inside his tent. Catelyn and Brienne flee Renly's camp.
    • Chapter 34, Jon IV: Lord Commander Mormont's expedition arrives at the Fist of the First Men.
    • Chapter 35, Bran V: Bran continues to be troubled by his dreams.
    • Chapter 36, Tyrion VIII: Cersei and Tyrion learn of Renly's death.
    • Chapter 37, Theon III: Theon leads a force against Torrhen's Square.
    • Chapter 39, Catelyn V: Catelyn and Brienne are heading back to Robb.
    • Chapter 42, Davos II: Stannis and Davos plan to sail through the Blackwater attack King's Landing with ships.
    • Chapter 43, Jon V: Qhorin Halfhand arrives at the Fist of the First Men. Jon decides to accompany him on a scouting mission into the mountains.

Image gallery

Promotional video

References

  1. Finn Jones' Twitter account, April 29th, 2012.

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