'Game of Thrones' recap: Of wargs and 'King Slayers'

‘Game of Thrones’ recap: Of wargs and ‘King Slayers’

By Alan Eyerly

April 8, 2013 12 AM PT

Young Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) can no longer walk. But as we see in Episode 22 (“Dark Wings, Dark Words”) of the HBO hit “Game of Thrones,” the Stark lad has the rare ability – in his “black magic dreams” – to run like a wolf or fly like a raven.

Also possessing the gift of seeing through the eyes of animals is fellow “warg” Jojen Reed (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), who joins Bran’s entourage on their flight from Winterfell. Protecting Jojen with her blade and wits is older sister Meera (Ellie Kendrick), a valuable addition to this small band of travelers.

Here’s more news from the troubled continent of Westeros:

PHOTOS: ‘Game of Thrones’ cast without their costumes

In King’s Landing, Queen Cersei (Lena Headey) queries son Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) about the suitability of Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) for royal marriage. An “ideal match” – beautiful and intelligent, they agree. And intelligent women, Joffrey adds with a snarl, do “what they’re told.” No feminist, that Joffrey.

Lady Margaery, just like Cersei, is a skilled manipulator lusting for power. So it’s no surprise that Margaery’s new BFF is Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), Joffrey’s discarded love interest. Margaery and no-nonsense grandma Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) invite Sansa for lemon cake but really want the 411 on Joffrey’s character.

“We would never betray your confidence,” Lady Olenna assures naïve Sansa, who eventually blurts out: “He’s a monster!”

Accurate description? You bet. Wise to reveal? Maybe not. Sansa should be more careful around that demanding matriarch and crafty granddaughter.

But Sansa’s revelation doesn’t faze Margaery a trifle, for she’s soon kissing up to the boy king and cradling his lethal crossbow. Could Margaery kill without remorse? Would twisted Joffrey enjoy watching? Yes and yes! They are an ideal match!

As for poor Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), who betrayed the Starks by seizing their ancestral home, he now pays in blood for his misdeeds – a tortured soul in a torture chamber. Will Theon escape captivity and flee to the Iron Islands? A rescue plan is brewing.

PHOTOS: ‘Game of Thrones’ cast without their costumes

And what of Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley)? Her fate grows darker. Winterfell fell. Husband Ned lost his head. Her father is dead. And her children? Scattered and in peril.

In a confession to daughter-in-law Talisa (Oona Chaplin), Catelyn sadly takes blames for the horrors befalling her family. She never accepted bastard son Jon Snow (Kit Harington) into her heart and even prayed for his death. Now her life is in ruins because she “couldn’t love a motherless child.”

Speaking of the Stark kids, defiant Arya (Maisie Williams) continues a clandestine trek to rejoin her clan. Discovered by outlaw Thoros of Myr (Paul Kaye) and his Brotherhood Without Banners, Arya and her two companions are escorted to an alehouse and questioned about their identities. A bit of swordplay bravado follows and she’s free to go.

But just as Arya nears the door, who should enter in bondage? It’s that hulking horsehead chopper-offer and Joffrey dirty deed-doer Sandor “The Hound” Clegane (Rory McCann). Oops for Arya! So much for traveling incognito.

Finally, and it’s a rousing finale, “King Slayer” Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) remains a prisoner of that “great beast of a woman” Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) on their secret trip to King’s Landing. Trickster Jaime swipes a sword and puts up a decent fight but he’s no match for Brienne. Is anyone?

Their conspicuous battle in the middle of a bridge does not go unnoticed. Forget about King’s Landing. Jaime and Brienne are captured and seemingly due for a harsh reunion with King in the North Robb Stark (Richard Madden).

A case of journey interrupted for Brienne and bloodied but still cocky King Slayer.