Two Swords (Game of Thrones)

"Two Swords" is the first episode of the fourth season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones.

Tyrion Lannister welcomes Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne to King's Landing ahead of Joffrey Baratheon's royal wedding.

Later, Brienne tries to convince Jaime to fulfil his vow to return the Stark girls to safety, but he argues the matter is now complicated by Catelyn's death, Arya's disappearance, and Sansa's marriage to Tyrion.

Oberyn, whose sister Elia was married to Rhaegar Targaryen and killed by Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane, seeks vengeance for her and her children's deaths.

Sansa, traumatised by her mother and brother's murder, is approached in the godswood by Ser Dontos Hollard, whose life she had previously saved.

Tormund and Ygritte meet with a group of cannibalistic Thenns, led by Styr, who are roasting the severed arm of a dead Night's Watch member.

[5] They previously co-directed the season three episode "Walk of Punishment", in which Benioff received sole directing credit.

[citation needed] "Two Swords" was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based on George R. R. Martin's original work from his novel A Clash of Kings, chapters Sansa II and Sansa VIII, and A Storm of Swords, chapters Jaime VII, Tyrion V, Tyrion IV, Jon VI, Jon IX, Daenerys V, and Arya XIII.

[citation needed] With this episode, Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) and Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane) are promoted to series regulars.

[13] Reviewing it for IGN, Matt Fowler gave the episode a mark of 8.5 out of 10, and wrote that "'Two Swords' was a solid GoT premiere, though it certainly didn't hide the fact that the show, post-Red Wedding, is going to possibly meander more than people might enjoy or expect.