Game of Thrones Season One Ultimate Unofficial Guide: The Game of Thrones Season 1

As with Ned, Jon is again left without answers from his male role model when Benjen tells him they will talk when he gets back from patrol; an encounter that does not happen because Benjen ends up missing. Tyrion shares his belief that Westeros people and the Wildlings are no different. Westeros ancestors just happened to be on the right side of The Wall when it was constructed. There is talk of how many winters each man has seen and the prediction that winter is coming is shared once again. The episode closes with Arya being sent to “dance” lessons in which she discovers they are actually sword fighting lessons. We are left with a sense of foreshadowing as Ned looks on with a look of worried anticipation as he watches Arya wield her sword.
What We Learn
     Jaime Lannister killed Mad King Aerys by stabbing him in the back, an action punishable by death, yet he remains a member of the Kingsguard.
     Ned’s father and brother were executed by King Aerys by being burned alive.
     The Starks trust Petyr’s word that the knife wielded against Bran belonged to Tyrion, despite knowing that Petyr is still in love with Cat. They trust his motives and do not suspect him of foul play, actions that viewers may find naïve.
     The queen grows increasingly paranoid after learning that Bran has woken up, but he apparently does not remember anything about his “fall.”
     Jorah is serving as messenger to someone in Qohor regarding the Dothraki happenings, leading to suspicions about his loyalties.

Introducing . . . The Men in Black
    The Night’s Watch is the army of men who reside in the bleakness of Castle Black at The Wall. They are sworn to protect the realm from all dangers that lie beyond it. Those who choose to join the Night’s Watch do so for life, forsaking any claim to inheritance, family name, and continuation of their own bloodline. It does not matter where a man comes from upon “taking the black” because everyone is equal in brotherhood at The Wall and has a chance to make a name for himself. All swear loyalty to the realm, not one particular House or Lord. The Wall was built to help protect Westeros from the White Walkers after a horrible period in the realm’s past referred to as The Long Night. Once an honorable career for non-firstborn men, the significance of the Night’s Watch has faded in people’s minds along with the memories of the terrors that took place. Castle Black has fallen into disrepair and with numbers dwindling below 800 men, the Night’s Watch has resorted to recruiting criminals and cowards to fill the gaps. There are three positions in which the new recruits are placed after a period of training: Builders, Stewards, and Rangers. The Builders are responsible for general upkeep of the castle; the Stewards are in charge of daily chores such as cooking and cleaning; the Rangers are charged with venturing beyond The Wall to monitor happenings there. Whichever position a recruit fills, the life of a Night’s Watchman is a hard, grim existence.
    Jeor Mormont is commander of the Night’s Watch. He was the former lord of Bear Island, part of the territory of The North, but forsook his rights to the land upon taking his vows. He is weathered from his life at The Wall, but is kind and fair in his dealings. Jeor takes Jon under his wing as his steward in order to groom him for command. Jeor Mormont is also father of Jorah Mormont, the man helping Daenerys understand the Dothraki way of life.
    Maester Aemon is the old blind man who serves as Mormont’s adviser. We discover later in the season that he is the Mad King Aerys’ brother. Aemon was unable to do anything to help his family when the brutalities occurred at the end of Aerys’ reign because he had already taken his vows and had forsaken any family loyalties.
    Benjen Stark is a ranger of the Night’s Watch and Ned’s remaining brother. He shares a close relationship with Jon and is a significant part of the reason why Jon chose life at The Wall. Benjen is true to his post at The Wall and shows no fear in the face of duty, a trait expected of a Stark. He ends up missing while out on patrol and at the end of the season a group of the Night’s Watch rides out beyond The Wall to find him.
    Another seasoned veteran of Wall life is Yoren. He has served as recruiter for thirty years and is also known as “Wandering Crow.” Yoren is the man who tells Ned the news about Cat taking Tyrion prisoner. He is also the man who