As father and son reach their respective destinations at either end of Westeros, the Stark family is thrown into chaos. One daughter grows ever more resentful while the other grows stronger; the matriarch embarks on her own quest for vengeance in the name of her son who lies broken in his bed. Meanwhile the Young Wolf must step up to the plate and rule Winterfell in his father’s absence.
The Story
“Lord Snow” was originally aired by HBO on May 1, 2011 much to the delight of Game of Thrones fans everywhere. The third episode of the series, which is baed on George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, continues in the footsteps of its predecessors allowing the tension to mount while the danger that each character faces continues to heighten.
In the land of Westeros Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell and newly appointed Hand of the King, reaches King’s Landing; the end point of his journey and the city wherein Robert sits the Iron Throne. Immediately upon arrival Ned is summoned to a council meeting where he makes the acquaintance of some of the show’s most eccentric characters. Among them are Varys, the spider and master of secrets, a eunuch from across the Narrow Sea whose intentions are never clear though he professes to serve the realm, Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish the master of coin who moonlights as a brothel owner and has long hidden feeling of love for Ned’s wife, and Renly Baratheon, younger brother of Robert who protects a secret of his own.
Catelyn appears much to Ned’s surprise in one of Littlefinger’s brothels with news that an assassin has tried to claim the life of their broken son Bran; it is quickly revealed that the dagger used in the attempt was last in the possession of Tyrion Lannister.
Across the Narrow Sea the young Targaryen princess and Dothraki Khaleesi Daenerys discovers that she is pregnant with Khal Drogo’s child while her relationship with her brother Viserys turns into a violent power struggle.
In the bitter cold of The Wall Jon faces challenges beyond just the formidable weather. Ser Alliser Thorne, the man charged with training the Watch’s newest recruits, develops a passionate hatred of the bastard boy and dubs him “Lord Snow”.
The Cast
Ah, the ever growing cast of this ever more complicated story. While there are no weak links in this episode’s cast there are without question some stars who shine brighter than others.
Notably in “Lord Snow” Conleth Hill brings to life the series’ most enigmatic character Varys. With his sly demeanor, far too calm mannerisms and tender yet deeply unsettling voice Hill makes Varys every inch the sly weasel of a man whose true motives are perpetually unclear.
Also making his mark in this episode is Aidan Gillen as the master of coin Littlefinger. Gillen proves that much like Hill he has the talent to create a presence on scree that will get under you skin and leave you feeling like maybe you need to take a shower. Credit must be given to Gillen though, as those feelings are precisely what Littlefinger is intended to illicit.
Finally there is Richard Madden, who has been featured in each of the previous episodes but begins to truly make his mark in “Lord Snow”. Madden plays that eldest Stark son Robb, who is forced to step into his father’s shoes while Ned serves as Hand of the King. Madden does an adequate job of playing a cautious young lordling, but some of his performances fall flat in this episode.
Though a plethora of new characters are introduced, Dany learns she was pregnant and Tyrion is framed as the would be assassin’s master, there is not a lot of plot progression in “Lord Snow”. However, considering the fact that the novels upon which the series is based are notoriously slow moving, the momentum seems to be right on track making for a well adapted episode.
Rating 3.5/5
Alison McGee - College graduate with a diploma in Film Studies, published film critic, cinephile and lover of literature.
