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This page is about the episode. For the short, see: The Wolf and the Lion (short)

"The Wolf and the Lion"[3] is the fifth episode of the first season of Game of Thrones. It is the fifth episode of the series overall. It premiered on May 15, 2011 on HBO. It was written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and directed by Brian Kirk.

Premise[]

Ned refuses an order from the King; Tyrion escapes one perilous encounter, only to find himself in another.[5]

Synopsis[]

In the Vale of Arryn[]

In the hills

Tyrion Lannister and his escorts in the hills of the Vale.

Tyrion Lannister has his blindfold removed and finds that their party, augmented by several knights and the sellsword Bronn from the Inn at the Crossroads, is on the Eastern Road en route to the Vale of Arryn. Catelyn had been saying that they were riding for Winterfell often and very loudly. Tyrion congratulates her on her cunning, while pointing out that his father will give out a handsome reward for his safe return, a point that clearly piques Bronn's interest. Tyrion says that Lady Lysa Arryn has gone mad since her husband's death and will try to kill him in the Eyrie. He demands his innocence be known in the attempt on Bran's life and points out he'd have to be an idiot to give the assassin his own blade. Before Catelyn can answer, the party comes under attack from one of the hill tribes. Despite taking several losses, the party is able to drive off the attackers. Though having the opportunity to escape, Tyrion fights, killing his first man in the skirmish, and in doing so, saves Catelyn's life. Afterwards, they resume their trek to the Eyrie.

Tyrion, Cat and Vardis at the Eyrie

Tyrion and Catelyn in the Eyrie's High Hall.

In the High Hall of the Eyrie, Lady Lysa Arryn holds court on behalf of her young son, Robin. Lysa is furious that Cat has endangered them all by bringing Tyrion to the Vale. Tyrion points out that if he is harmed, there will be war with House Lannister, but Lysa is unconcerned about his threats, as the Vale is strongly-defended and the Eyrie is impregnable. She orders him sent to the sky cells: three-sided cells with the fourth open to a sheer drop down the mountainside. This forces Tyrion to huddle in a corner and try not to roll out to his death in his sleep.

At Winterfell[]

Bran and Luwin

Bran and Maester Luwin discuss geography.

In Winterfell, Bran is angry about his mother's absence. Maester Luwin tries to set his mind at rest about the matter, to no avail. However, when Bran gets frustrated at not being able to practice his archery, Luwin suggests that he could learn to use a shortbow, of the kind used in mounted combat by the Dothraki, a notion which pleases Bran. Elsewhere in the castle, Theon Greyjoy enjoys the attentions of his favorite whore, Ros, but becomes annoyed when she compares his prowess unfavorably to that of Tyrion Lannister.

In King's Landing[]

Lord Eddard Stark arrives at the tourney ground to speak to Lord Commander Barristan Selmy about the death of Ser Hugh of the Vale. Barristan notes that he had no family or friends so he stood the knight's vigil himself for Ser Hugh. Eddard is suspicious of Ser Hugh's death, wanting to know how he could afford a new set of armor so soon after being made a knight. Barristan reflects on the irony of them being on opposite sides of the war during Robert's Rebellion and now they are working together.

Barristan and Eddard

Ser Barristan Selmy and Lord Eddard Stark discuss the death of Ser Hugh.

He also tells Eddard that King Robert is planning to joust during the day's activities. Ned finds King Robert tormenting his squire, Lancel Lannister, finally sending him off on a snipe hunt in amused disgust. Robert is adamant about fighting in the joust but Ned tells him that he is too fat for his armor and the other knights would let him win. This frustrates Robert but he is forced to admit that Ned is right but at least they can watch the joust from the stands.

The first tilt of the day is between the fearsome Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, and the popular 'Knight of the Flowers', Ser Loras Tyrell. Loras gives a beautiful flower to Sansa Stark, while Littlefinger and Lord Renly make a wager on who will win with Renly betting on Loras. Loras is riding a mare that is in heat, which agitates and excites the Mountain's stallion, causing him to throw his rider.

Robert and Lancel

King Robert Baratheon is dismayed to find he no longer fits his armor.

Enraged at having lost, Gregor first decapitates his horse and then attacks Ser Loras. Sandor Clegane comes to Loras's defense, preventing his brother from killing him. They exchange several blows, until King Robert orders them to cease. Sandor immediately bows to the king, while Gregor storms off the field. Ser Loras declares Sandor the victor of the match to the Hound's discomfort.

In the Red Keep, Lord Varys meets with Eddard. Varys tells him that the king is a fool and will soon be dead unless Ned can save him. Ned wants to know why Varys is telling him this now. Varys tells him he had to be sure Ned could be trusted. He calls Ned an honorable and true man, maybe the only one in the city. He also confirms that Jon Arryn was assassinated with a poison called the Tears of Lys because he "started asking questions".

Later, Arya is chasing cats in accordance with her sword training. She chases one into the dungeons under the castle, where she finds the great dragon skulls of the Targaryens in storage. She hears two men talking: Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos. Varys says that events have been set in motion and the lion and the wolf will soon be at each other's throats. War is almost upon the Seven Kingdoms, as they planned, but it has come too soon. Khal Drogo will not invade Westeros until his son is born and pronounced healthy, which is still many months away. Illyrio suggests assassinating Eddard to forestall the war, but Varys refuses.

Sandor, Gregor & Loras 1x05

Sandor, Ser Gregor and Ser Loras at the tournament.

Afterwards, Varys finds Littlefinger in the Great Hall staring at the Iron Throne. Varys reveals that he knows about Littlefinger's assistance in Eddard's investigation of Jon Arryn's death and reminds Littlefinger of the consequences that may befall him should the Lannisters discover his involvement. In response, Littlefinger reveals that he already knows about Varys having met with both Eddard and Illyrio just earlier that day, implying he knows of Varys's allegiances across the Narrow Sea. Their conversation is interrupted by Renly, who informs them that Robert will be joining them at their Small Council meeting.

Arya escapes from the dungeon and tries to warn her father about what she overheard but she gets the words muddled up. They are interrupted by Yoren, who has ridden non-stop from the Inn at the Crossroads to bring Eddard forewarning of Catelyn's arrest of Tyrion Lannister. Ned keeps the information to himself, while Arya asks Jory Cassel about the state of her father's household guard. Jory tells her she does not have to worry about her father's safety.

At the meeting of the Small Council, King Robert tells Eddard that Daenerys Targaryen is pregnant and her son will have a claim to the Iron Throne. He wants Daenerys, the unborn child, and Viserys dead as soon as possible.

Varys and Illyrio

Varys secretly meets Illyrio under the Red Keep.

Eddard states that this act would be dishonorable, cowardly, and beneath their dignity. The other members of the council: Pycelle, Renly, Littlefinger and Varys, all concur that Daenerys must die for the good of the realm. King Robert orders Ned to enact the order. He refuses and resigns as the Hand of the King, to Robert's utter disbelief and fury.

Eddard orders his household to begin packing. As Ned is packing, Littlefinger arrives and offers to take Ned to the last place Jon Arryn went before he "fell ill". Ned agrees.

Ser Loras and Lord Renly, who are lovers, meet in a bedchamber where Renly complains as Robert is organizing a hunt in the Kingswood, which will no doubt involve traipsing around the forest for a couple of weeks in the cold and rain waiting to kill some animal. Loras urges Renly to claim the crown himself, offering him the allegiance of his rich and powerful family. Renly dismisses the notion, since he is fourth in line to the Iron Throne. Loras points out that Joffrey is a monster, that Tommen is only eight and laughs at the notion of Robert and Renly's other brother, Lord Stannis, ever becoming king, as he has the charisma and personality of a lobster. He also asserts that the people love Renly and want to serve him because he is kind and doesn't revel in violence as his brothers do.

Queen Cersei and Robert share a rare drink and discuss the Targaryen threat. Surprisingly, Cersei takes Eddard's side, pointing out that the Dothraki cannot cross the Narrow Sea as they have no ships.

Loras and Renly

Ser Loras urges Renly to consider his place in the line of succession.

Robert agrees, but if they land and the knights of Westeros take shelter behind their castle walls, the Dothraki could simply burn and pillage their way up and down the continent until the smallfolk accept Viserys as their king regardless. Cersei suggests that the unified armies of the Seven Kingdoms could defeat them but Robert says she underestimates the skill and ability of one army with one leader and one purpose as compared to that of the scattered and patchwork armies of Westeros. Their discussion moves to Lyanna Stark, which surprises Robert, as in seventeen years Cersei has never asked about her. He tells her that Lyanna's death left in him a void that seven kingdoms could not fill. He also tells her that their marriage never had a chance of success because of the hold Lyanna's memory has on him, and bitterly adds he can barely remember what she looked like. Cersei says that she felt something for Robert once, even after they lost their first boy, for quite a while. She asks Robert if there was ever any chance for their marriage and he answers "no".

Littlefinger brings Eddard Stark to the last place Jon Arryn went before falling ill, which is one of Littefinger's brothels. There Ned meets another one of Robert's bastards, this time a baby girl and her mother, a blond whore named Mhaegen. Mhaegen remarks that her child has Robert's nose and "black" hair. Eddard asks Littlefinger why Jon Arryn was searching for Robert's bastards but he says he doesn't know, offering the half-hearted guess that maybe Robert suddenly took paternal interest in them. Eddard looks skeptical of that reason.

Leaving the brothel, Eddard, Jory Cassel, and the two guards that accompanied them are confronted by a large group of Lannister guardsmen led by Ser Jaime Lannister. Jaime has heard of Tyrion's arrest and demands an explanation. Ned says that Tyrion was arrested on his orders.

Eddard injured

Eddard is stabbed through the leg by a Lannister guardsman.

Jaime threatens to kill him but Ned points out that if he does, Tyrion will die as well. Jaime acknowledges that this is true, so he says he will settle for killing Eddard's men instead. Ned's two guards, Heward and Wyl, are killed by Lannister spearmen in the opening seconds of the fight. In response, Ned and Jory fight and kill six of the Lannister soldiers. Jory engages Jaime but is quickly killed when Jaime stabs him through the eye with a dagger. Furious, Ned crosses swords with Jaime. Jaime is shocked and then exhilarated when the older Ned is not as easily defeated as he expected. However, Jaime gradually starts to grow worried as Ned's high level of skill becomes apparent. Just as they are ready to clash again, a Lannister guardsman steps in and stabs Eddard through the leg with a spear, disabling him. Jaime is annoyed at the dishonorable interruption and knocks out the guardsman. He departs, telling Ned he wants his brother back.

Appearances[]

Main page: The Wolf and the Lion/Appearances

Firsts[]

Deaths[]

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest starring[]

Uncredited[]

Notes[]

Quotes[]

Eddard Stark: "Robert..."
Robert Baratheon: "What? [Noticing his unbuttoned shirt and protruding belly.] Oh. An inspiring sight for the people! Come, bow before your king! Bow, ya shits!"


Renly Baratheon: "Such a shame, Littlefinger. It would have been so nice for you to have a friend!"

Petyr Baelish: "And tell me, Lord Renly, when will you be having your friend?"


Littlefinger: "Loras knew his mare was in heat. Quite crafty, really."

Sansa Stark: "Ser Loras would never do that. There is no honor in tricks."
Littlefinger: "No honor, but quite a bit of gold."


Tyrion Lannister: "This isn't the Kingsroad, you said we were riding for Winterfell."

Catelyn Stark: "I did. Often, and loudly."


Tyrion Lanniser: "Everyone knows a Lannister always pays his debts."


Tyrion Lannister: "What sort of imbecile arms an assassin with his own blade?"

Rodrik Cassel: "Shall I gag him?"
Tyrion Lannister: "Why? Am I starting to make sense?"


Bran Stark: "The Greyjoys."

Theon Greyjoy: "Famous for their skills at archery, navigation and lovemaking."
Luwin: "And failed rebellions."


Luwin: (to Bran) "When you were born, I was the one who pulled you from your mother. I placed you in her arms. From that moment, and till the moment she dies, she will love you absolutely... fiercely."


Varys: "North or south, they sing no songs for spiders. But there are things you must know. You are the King's Hand and the King is a fool, your friend I know, but a fool, and doomed unless you save him."

Eddard Stark: "Jon was a man of peace. He was Hand for seventeen years, seventeen good years. Why kill him?"
Varys: "He started asking questions."


Gold Cloak #1: "Off with you. No begging."

Arya Stark: "I'm not a beggar, I live here."
Gold Cloak #1: "Do you want a smack on your ear to help with your hearing?"
Arya: "I want to see my father."
Gold Cloak #2: "I wanna fuck the queen, for all the good it does me."
Gold Cloak #1: "You want your father, boy? He's lying on the floor of some tavern, getting pissed on by his friends."
Arya: "My father is Hand of the King. I'm not a boy, I'm Arya Stark of Winterfell. And if you lay a hand on me, my father will have both your heads on spikes. Now, are you going to let me by, or do I have to smack you on the ear to help with your hearing?"


Varys: "The wolf and the lion will be at each other's throats. We will be at war soon, my friend."

Illyrio Mopatis: "What good is war now? We are not ready. We need time. Khal Drogo will not make his move until his son is born."
Varys: "Delay, you say. Move fast, I reply. This is no longer a game for two players."


Petyr Baelish: "All desires are valid to a man with a full purse."


Tyrion: "The Eyrie. They say it's impregnable."

Bronn: "Give me ten good men and some climbing spikes. I'll impregnate the bitch."


Robert Baratheon: "She dies."

Eddard Stark: "I will have no part in it."
Robert: "You're the King's Hand, Lord Stark. You'll do as I command, or I'll find me a hand who will!"
Eddard: (takes off the Hand of the King's badge) "And good luck to him. I thought you were a better man."
Robert: "Out. Out, damn you. I'm done with you. Go, run back to Winterfell! I'll have your head on a spike! [Continues to shout after Eddard as he leaves the room] I'll put it there myself, you fool! You think you're too good for this?! Too proud and honorable?! THIS IS A WAR!"


Robin Arryn: "Mummy, I want to see the bad man fly."


Loras Tyrell: "Do you know who should be king?"

Renly Baratheon: "Be serious."
Loras Tyrell: "I am. My father could be your bank. I've never fought in a war before. But I'd fight for you."
Renly Baratheon: "I'm fourth in line."
Loras Tyrell: "And where was Robert in the line of royal succession? Joffrey is a monster, Tommen is eight."
Renly Baratheon: "Stannis?"
Loras Tyrell: "Stannis has the personality of a lobster."
Renly Barethon: "He's still my older brother."


Renly Baratheon: "Robert's rather tasteless about it. I swear, every time he talks about killing her the table rises six inches."

Loras Tyrell: "Shame he can't muster the same enthusiasm for his wife."


Robert Baratheon: "Do you want to know the horrible truth? I can't even remember what she looked like. I only know she was the one thing I ever wanted. Someone took her away from me, and seven kingdoms couldn't fill the hole she left behind."

Cersei Lannister: "I felt something for you once you know."
Robert Baratheon: "I know."
Cersei Lannister: "Even after we lost our first boy, for quite a while actually. Was it ever possible for us? Was there ever a time ever a moment?"
Robert Baratheon: "No...does that make you feel better or worse?"
Cersei Lannister: "It doesn't make me feel anything."

Behind the scenes[]

  • The title is drawn from the dialogue between Varys and Illyrio Mopatis. It refers to the sigils of the House Stark and House Lannister respectively.
  • The soundtrack playing over the credits is a rendition of the conspiracy theme. It had no official release.
  • The first mention of Stannis Baratheon, King Robert's younger brother and Renly's elder, who will not appear until the first episode of Season 2.
  • The first mention of House Martell, the rulers of Dorne, southernmost of the Seven Kingdoms.
Eyrie Title Sequence Close

The Eyrie, as shown in the title sequence.

  • The title sequence changes again this episode to incorporate the location of the Eyrie.
  • The cast members in the stands during the tournament were not informed about the stunt work surrounding Ser Hugh of the Vale's death, from the horse falling over to the large amount of prop-blood rigged up to spurt from his neck, so that the reactions of the crowd would be genuine (including Maisie Williams as Arya and Sophie Turner as Sansa).[6]
  • A real horse could not, of course, be used for when Gregor Clegane decapitates his mount. A complex puppet and mixture of CGI was used to achieve the effect.
  • The episode is dedicated to the memory of production member Caroline Lois Benoist, who had spent some months working on the production as an animal trainer. She passed away on 29 December 2010 from swine flu.
  • The scene between Robert and Cersei was written at the last minute because the rough-cut of the episode was running short, and filmed in post-production reshoots, but turned out to be one of the writers' favorite scenes. Note that, as a simple interior shot in Robert's chambers, it didn't need to be filmed on-location.[7]
  • Renly states to Loras that he is fourth in line to the throne, behind Robert's sons Joffrey and Tommen, and Renly's older brother Stannis. This excludes Robert's daughter Myrcella, and Stannis's daughter Shireen, who in a normal lordship would inherit ahead of their fathers' younger brothers such as Renly. The Royal succession laws for the Iron Throne are, however, slightly different from those of normal lordships. After a civil war almost two hundred years ago between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her younger brother Aegon II Targaryen, the royal succession laws were revised to put female heirs behind all possible male ones. These laws apply to most of the regions of Westeros, except Dorne and the Iron Islands.
  • The second and last time in the show Cersei mentions the boy she and Robert had, following "The Kingsroad". That confirms she was not lying to Catelyn in order to appear sympathetic and thus remove suspicion from her.
  • Bran failed to remember the words of House Lannister "Hear me roar!", perhaps because they are so rarely mentioned, in contrast to its unofficial motto "A Lannister always pays his debts". So far, those words have been mentioned only once in the novels (chapter 56 of the first novel) in addition to the appendices, and only once in the show ("The Winds of Winter"); they have been confirmed in "House Lannister".
  • Kate Dickie (Lysa Arryn) later said she hoped viewers were aware that she wasn't actually having Lino Facioli (Sweetrobin Arryn) suckle on her breasts as Lysa disturbingly never weaned her son: she wore prosthetic breasts over her undergarments.[8]
  • Varys tells Littlefinger "Lord Redwyne likes his boys very young". The current lord of House Redwyne is Paxter Redwyne, but there is no mentioning in the novels that he is homosexual or pedophile. It is unclear whether Varys was referring to Paxter or other member of his house.
  • Ser Barristan Selmy is not present at the meeting of the Small Council (in the parallel book scene he is). In Season 3 episode "Kissed by Fire" it is explained that traditionally, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard has a seat at the council, but Selmy was excluded because Robert did not want advice on how to govern from a Targaryen loyalist (let alone one who killed a dozen of his friends); Selmy did not mind, since he hated politics anyway.
  • Ned tells Robert "I followed you into war - twice", referring to Robert's Rebellion and the Greyjoy Rebellion.
  • Theon states that the ironborn are famed for their skills at navigation, archery and lovemaking. This is an empty bragging and very far from the truth:
    • The ironborn mostly sail from the Iron Islands to the near coasts of the mainland (for raiding), and that hardly requires any special navigation skills. Only a few of them have ever sailed further.
    • The ironborn prefer to engage in hand-to-hand combat, using swords and axes, rather than shoot arrows from a safe distance. In fact, Theon is the only ironborn who is ever seen shooting arrows in the show.
      • In the books, the ironborn shoot arrows at their opponents only on rare occasions (the harrying of the Stony Shore).
    • The ironborn have a negative reputation as reavers and rapists ("The Night Lands"); they are definitely not famed as lovers.
  • As things turned to be, Varys and Pycelle - who pointed out that either Daenerys died, or many innocent people would - were right; Ned, who objected to kill her and did not care at all about the consequences, was really acting like a "honorable fool", as Robert called him.

In the books[]

Main page: Differences in adaptation/Game of Thrones: Season 1#"The Wolf and the Lion"
  • The episode is adapted from the following chapters of A Game of Thrones:
    • Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
    • Chapter 31, Tyrion IV.
    • Chapter 32, Arya III.
    • Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
    • Chapter 34, Catelyn VI.
    • Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
    • Chapter 38, Tyrion V.

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Images[]

References[]

  1. GAME OF THRONES (HBO). The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  2. Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 5: "The Wolf and the Lion" (2011).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 The Wolf and the Lion. HBO. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Game of Thrones. HBO. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Game of Thrones: Season 1. HBO. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  6. DenOfGeek
  7. Bryan Cogman Q&A, WinterIsComing.net, April 24, 2013.
  8. [1]

Notes[]

  1. In "You Win or You Die," Jorah Mormont receives a pardon stating that the current year is 298.

External links[]


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