The great thing about this show is the detail. Not only is every aspect of the production given minute care and attention, but it comes through even in the show's opening titles, which change each week to show where our characters will be, in proportion to each other. Cripples,Broken Things focuses on arguably the most interesting characters and aspects of the show: Tyrion, Jon Snow, The Night's Watch and life at The Wall. The Night's Watch has a new recruit in the form of Samwell Tarly, a soft young man who's been forced into the order by his father as an alternative to death. As a coward and a weakling, Sam's father deemed him unworthy to be his heir and threatened to kill him unless he 'took the Black', so now he finds himself among criminals, rapists, former knights and Jon Snow. Unsurprisingly, the other recruits are quick to pick on the dim-witted young man, but after an intervention of Snow's part (with the help of Ghost, who finally makes a return appearance), it isn't long before Samwell starts to make friends and open up about his messed up family. Theon is not a son of Ned Stark, but is instead his ward. He was taken as a hostage ten years ago and is the son of Balon Greyjoy, a lord of the Iron Islands, who tried to seek independence many years ago. Instead of treating Theon like a prisoner, Ned has raised him like a son, and it is not surprising that many viewers may have confused the young man as another Stark. Unfortunately, despite being raised well, there's still some resentment in Theon, and Tyrion is quick to spot that, chiding him for his dual identity as a hostage and banner man of the Starks. It's during scenes such as the tournament that the writers manage to try and cram in as much backstory to the characters as possible.
One neat little scene sees Littlefinger educate Sansa in the history of some of the realm's more brutal characters, such as Sandor Clegane, aka The Hound. Another 'broken thing' in the land of Westeros, The Hound is a hired thug who sports some disfiguring burns courtesy of his brother, Gregor Clegane, aka The Mountain. (These guys have some great nicknames!) Ar similar scene has Viserys (Harry Lloyd) educate Daenerys' bedmaid about his family's history, his claim to the iron throne and the importance of dragons. It'is a wonderful example of concise and succinct screenwriting. Meanwhile, father figures are at the forefront of Ned Stark's mind as he begins to put together why Jon Arryn, the former hand, may have been killed. It seems that King Robert had a son. Considering a son may jeopardize the offspring of Cersei Lannister, Ned's suspicions are compounded when he's confronted in his quarters by the queen, who underlines her threats that anyone who's not her family is regarded as an enemy. When you see her scenes with the young Joffrey, her love towards him is clear, but considering her close relationship with her brother, you get the impression it's a mere few steps from being a full-blown Oedipus complex.
One neat little scene sees Littlefinger educate Sansa in the history of some of the realm's more brutal characters, such as Sandor Clegane, aka The Hound. Another 'broken thing' in the land of Westeros, The Hound is a hired thug who sports some disfiguring burns courtesy of his brother, Gregor Clegane, aka The Mountain. (These guys have some great nicknames!) Ar similar scene has Viserys (Harry Lloyd) educate Daenerys' bedmaid about his family's history, his claim to the iron throne and the importance of dragons. It'is a wonderful example of concise and succinct screenwriting. Meanwhile, father figures are at the forefront of Ned Stark's mind as he begins to put together why Jon Arryn, the former hand, may have been killed. It seems that King Robert had a son. Considering a son may jeopardize the offspring of Cersei Lannister, Ned's suspicions are compounded when he's confronted in his quarters by the queen, who underlines her threats that anyone who's not her family is regarded as an enemy. When you see her scenes with the young Joffrey, her love towards him is clear, but considering her close relationship with her brother, you get the impression it's a mere few steps from being a full-blown Oedipus complex.