Game of Thrones - 1x04 - Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things

I'm getting later and later on these, huh?  Anyway, in the fourth episode things are creeping forward on a few plot points.  Most notably Ned's investigation and Jon's time at the Wall.

I'm really enjoying Jon at the Wall.  His story of slowly building a real family bond, the kind he could never really achieve with his actual family, is very compelling material.  The introduction of Samwise into his little cadre has given him a purpose, someone to protect.  The reason he went to the Wall in the first place was to protect the people of Westeros.  He finds upon arrival that most there don't even believe in the Night's Watch, they only joined to escape capital punishment.  Sam's story to Jon atop the Wall about his father's rejection is wonderfully delivered and makes you really feel for this character who starts out very cartoonish.  Another stand-out scene with the two of them discussing their (lack of) sexual experience.

Ned has begun investigating the death of his former mentor, and the former Hand, John Arryn.  His scene with Littlefinger was a fun scene for Aiden Gillen, but also gives you a sense of the danger Ned could be in by just investigating.  His one lead of Arryn's former squire, now knight, Ser Hugh, is brought up short by a lance to the neck, courtesy of the Hound's brother, the Mountain.  That leads to another great Aiden Gillen moment where he tells Sansa and Arya just how the Hound got his scars.  Ned's other investigative avenue does, however, bear fruit in the form of King Robert's bastard son, probably one of many.  They give no reasons why this may be of import, but I suspect the Lannisters would rather that no one knew of the bastard, should they get him to rally to the thrown instead of letting it pass to the insufferable Joffrey.

Across the Narrow Sea, Dany seems to be maturing swiftly as Khaleesi.  Viserys gives us some exposition about dragons and how not so long ago they were a part of this world.  He then gets mad at Dany, saying she has "awoken the dragon," only to be thoroughly taken down by his little sister.  We knew before this that he was a total creep and possibly a little unhinged (he is the Mad King's son), but here we realize how tenuous his hold on power is.  Dany realizes it, too, telling Jorah that she now knows Viserys could not lead an army even if Drogo was to provide him one.

The episode ends with wonderful work from Michelle Fairley as Catelyn rallies the men of the tavern to arrest Tyrion.  Not good for Tyrion, who I love watching, and who the audience knows is innocent.