The Season 1
Catch-Up
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The King Turns to His Oldest Friend
King Robert Baratheon rides north to Winterfell to ask Ned Stark — the lifelong friend who helped him conquer the Seven Kingdoms — to serve as his second in command at court as Hand of the King. Ned has no choice but to accept.
An Honorable Man Pays the Price
Lady Catelyn Stark receives an encrypted letter from her sister: Lysa's husband, Jon Arryn (mentor to both Ned and Robert) has died of a mysterious illness, and she suspects that the Lannisters are responsible.
The Queen's Secret Cripples a Boy
When Bran Stark discovers Queen Cersei Baratheon engaged in an affair with her own twin brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, the knight flings Bran from the top of a tower, paralyzing the boy for life.
An Outcast Searches for His Place
As Ned Stark journeys south to King's Landing with Robert, his bastard son Jon Snow rides north to the Wall — only to find that the honorable heroes he's always revered are really a motley force of conscripted criminals.
A New Queen Rises Across the Sea
Daenerys Targaryen — one of the last survivors of the family that ruled Westeros before Robert — is married off to a brutal horselord by her brother Viserys. Viserys hopes to trade her maidenhood for an army to march against Robert Baratheon. All Daenerys receives is a set of lifeless stone dragon eggs as a wedding gift.
Children Play a Dangerous Game
The king's son, Prince Joffrey Baratheon, reveals his cruel side when he finds Ned's younger daughter Arya playing at sword-fighting with a common boy. His torments spur a scuffle, which ultimately leads to the execution of Arya's playmate.
An Untried Hand Arrives at Court
Ned arrives in the capital with his two daughters (Arya and Sansa). He immediately realizes the dangerous political situation he's been placed in, with various members of the court (treasurer Littlefinger, spymaster Varys, advisor Pycelle and the queen herself) vying for power and influence.
An Assassin Nearly Succeeds
Lady Catelyn manages to fight off a thug sent to kill Bran, who's been unconscious since his fall. The killer's exotic weapon — a dragonbone dagger crafted of Valyrian steel — points to the involvement of a wealthy and powerful enemy. Catelyn rides to warn Ned of the danger, and while on the road, seizes the queen's brother Tyrion Lannister for the crime.
The Girl Queen Learns to Rule
As the wife of Khal Drogo and khaleesi of the Dothraki horde, Daenerys adopts the ways of her people, quickly learning that only strength and brutality are respected on the sprawling plains of Essos. Her petulant brother Viserys, however, balks when his royal status is ignored.
A Witness Is Publicly Killed
Ned's investigation of Jon Arryn's mysterious death leads him to a knight named Ser Hugh. But before Ned can interview the man, he's "accidentally" killed in a public tourney, jousting against Gregor Clegane — one of the Lannisters' henchmen.
A Plot Stretches Across the Continents
While creeping through the Red Keep's passageways, Arya overhears Lord Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis (a foreigner who helped arrange Daenerys' marriage) discussing their plot to return the kingdom to the Targaryens — and how it could cost Ned Stark his life.
The Depraved Truth Comes to Light
While leafing through a book of lineages, Ned realizes that historically, Baratheons — including Robert's many bastards — have thick dark hair, yet all of his children with Cersei are golden blond ... Because their true father is Jaime Lannister.
Sympathy Plays a Part
Ned approaches Cersei with his revelation, and she freely admits the truth. Hoping to save the lives of her children, Ned urges her to flee King's Landing before Robert returns from a hunting trip.
A Fatal Miscalculation Is Made
Robert's hunting party carries him back to King's Landing, grievously wounded by the boar he was hunting. Talking privately with Robert on his deathbed, Ned doesn't have the heart to tell his friend about Cersei's deceit. Instead, he agrees to serve as Lord Regent until Joffrey comes of age.
The Horse Lord Falls
While razing a village, Khal Drogo suffers a slashing cut to his chest. A vengeful healer dresses the wound, which then festers and weakens the khal. When Drogo falls from his horse, most of his tribe desert him (and Daenerys), leaving only the weak, the old and the fiercely loyal at his side.
Law Serves the Highest Bidder
Ned presents Robert's written command appointing him Lord Regent, which allows him to hold the throne for Robert's brother Stannis (the rightful heir, given Joffrey's true parentage). But Littlefinger and Cersei have paid off the City Watch to imprison Ned as a traitor and secure Joffrey's claim.
A Bastard Finds Acceptance
Training at the Wall, Jon Snow finds that his life has been easy compared to many of his fellow Night's Watch recruits. He learns to defend the weakest among them and even rises to the position of Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's steward — a sign he's being groomed for leadership.
The Son Avenges the Father
Ned's oldest son Robb marches south to battle the Lannisters in the Riverlands, executing a clever maneuver to split the larger enemy force. Robb even manages to capture Jaime Lannister during a surprise attack at Whispering Wood, hoping to secure the leverage he needs to free his sisters.
An Ancient Order Goes on the Offensive
When the corpses of two members of the Night's Watch rise from the dead and try to kill their living comrades, it becomes clear rumors of supernatural evil beyond the Wall are founded. Commander Mormont rallies his troops, Jon included, to lead a full-strength march into the northern reaches.
A Forgotten Terror Returns to the World
Khal Drogo dies of his infected wound, and Daenerys burns his body on a massive funeral pyre — along with the "healer" who killed him, and her priceless dragon eggs. In her grief, Daenerys wades into the flames. The next morning, her remaining followers find their queen untouched by the flames and holding three newly hatched dragons.
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