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

will. He realizes too late that he is alone on his quest for justice and is surrounded by influential people all vying to secure their positions relating to the throne. Ned is imprisoned on charges of treason after trying to carry out Robert’s last request naming him Protector of the Realm. Upon news of Ned’s arrest, his eldest son Robb gathers Stark allegiances and moves against the Lannisters. Newly crowned King Joffrey orders Ned to be executed instead of showing him mercy, an action that starts war with The North.
    Throughout the storyline are hints made about a supernatural evil that has awakened after thousands of years of quiet. Reports are heard from The Wall, a 700 foot tall ice blockade at the northern border of the kingdom, that White Walkers have been seen and are spreading terror in the region. A society of men called The Night’s Watch live at The Wall and is sworn for life to protect the realm, forsaking any claim to family inheritance or bloodline. The evils grow closer to again wreaking havoc on the kingdom as the fight for the throne grows more intense.
    By the end of the season, Robb Stark has been declared King in The North by his bannermen and prepares for war against the throne. He has captured Jaime Lannister to use as leverage in getting his sisters out of the Capital. Joffrey has taken Robert’s place on the throne, and appoints Lannister family members to key royal positions. Tyrion Lannister, the dwarf, has been sent to King’s Landing by his father to control Cersei and Joffrey. The Night’s Watch sends a group beyond The Wall to find a missing member and to investigate the rumors of awakened evils. Daenerys Targaryen separates herself from the Dothraki people and realizes her true identity. After climbing onto her husband’s burning funeral pyre, she emerges the next morning unscathed with three freshly hatched dragons, leaving viewers in anticipation of events to come.
Life Lessons
    At the heart of this narrative are many lessons involving human tendencies and the corruptive nature of power. This is not a simple story of black and white decisions, but rather a complex tale of choices made by complicated characters. As outside spectators, we are familiar with the circumstances surrounding the characters’ choices and are able to see the consequences of their actions.
    We learn through Ned’s actions not to underestimate our opponents. We cannot expect others to abide by our personal code. Everyone has their own set of rules to the same game. Ned Stark feels that there is no other code than that of honor. His inability to anticipate Cersei’s reaction to his confrontation about her children led to his demise and rendered him helpless to protect his own children.
    Cersei teaches us that secrets do not stay secret forever. As more people discover the truth about her children, she begins to lose control of the situation and begins to unravel. The tangled web she weaves in protecting her secret results in the deaths of good men and invites war to her doorstep. There is no script for the acts performed by a desperate person when attempting to maintain control at all costs.
    From Robert Baratheon we see the pitfall of too many spoils. He does not stop enjoying the benefits of his victory throughout his rule, resulting in authority falling into the hands of those vying for power against him. Instead of stepping up to the responsibilities of the position he chose for himself, he steps around them because he dislikes making significant decisions. He is a warrior, not a leader. His gluttony clouds his judgment and leads to many bastard, fatherless children. Only when it is too late does Robert realize he is surrounded by people set on their own agendas, not the future of the kingdom.
    Tyrion Lannister is a great example of how powerful a quick wit and sharp tongue can be. He is observant and has grown up watching the spectacles of human behavior unfold around him, choosing to interact when it suits him best. Because of this, he has a keen understanding of human nature. Having been underestimated his entire life due to his stature, he is able to empathize with disadvantaged individuals. Tyrion has learned to accept the way he is and draws strength from the fact that he is different.
    Arya is another character who stays true to her personality, despite not fitting into the typical female role of her society. She has no trouble announcing her refusal to get married and have children, as is