Tara Erickson & Andrew Gordon return to Westeros as they react to and review Game of Thrones Season 1, Episodes 3 (“Lord Snow”) & 4 (“Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things”). Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, HBO’s hit fantasy drama takes viewers deep into the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, where power, betrayal, and family honor shape the game of thrones itself.

In Episode 3, “Lord Snow,” Ned Stark (Sean Bean – The Lord of the Rings, Troy) arrives in King’s Landing to serve as Hand of the King, meeting the cunning Small Council including Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Aidan Gillen – The Wire), Lord Varys (Conleth Hill – Suits), and Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony). Jon Snow (Kit Harington – Pompeii, Eternals) struggles to find his place at the Wall, but with Tyrion Lannister’s (Peter Dinklage – X-Men: Days of Future Past, Cyrano) guidance, begins to show compassion toward fellow recruits like Samwell Tarly (John Bradley). Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke – Terminator Genisys, Me Before You) asserts her strength in Essos as tensions rise with her brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd).

Episode 4, “Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things,” expands the world further as Tyrion bonds with Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) after his fall, and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) shows his conflicted loyalty to House Stark. At the Eyrie, we learn more of the Lannisters’ political machinations, while Daenerys takes her first true steps toward independence as a Khaleesi. The famous “broken things” speech between Tyrion and Bran highlights one of the show’s recurring themes: outsiders finding strength in their differences.

From Ned Stark’s honorable path in a city of liars, to Daenerys’ growing confidence and Jon Snow’s evolution on the Wall, these episodes set the stage for many of the epic arcs that would define the entire series.