First of His Name

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"First of His Name"
Game of Thrones episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 5
Directed by Michelle MacLaren
Written by David Benioff
D. B. Weiss
Featured music Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by Robert McLachlan
Editing byCrispin Green
Original air dateMay 4, 2014 (2014-05-04)
Running time53 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"First of His Name" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones . The 35th episode overall, it was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, [1] and directed by Michelle MacLaren. [2] It aired on May 4, 2014. [3]

Contents

In the episode, Tommen Baratheon is crowned as the new king of the Seven Kingdoms; Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish and Sansa Stark arrive at the Eyrie and are welcomed by Lysa Arryn; Daenerys Targaryen decides to stay in Meereen; and Jon Snow leads an attack on the Night's Watch mutineers at Craster's Keep. The title of the episode refers to a phrase used during Tommen Baratheon's coronation, as "King Tommen of the House Baratheon, First of His Name." The episode received critical acclaim, with many praising the scene between Baelish and Lysa which reveals a big moment of the series' story, as well as the climactic battle sequence. It set a new viewership record, where it was seen by 7.16 million viewers during its initial airing in the United States. [4]

Plot

In King's Landing

Tommen is crowned as king, the first of his name and Cersei decides that he will soon marry Margaery. Tywin tells Cersei that the gold mines in the Westerlands ran dry years ago and that they are deeply indebted to the Iron Bank, but the union of the houses of Lannister and Tyrell will help rectify this problem. Cersei asks Oberyn to send a ship back to Sunspear as a gift for Myrcella.

In the Vale

Petyr and Sansa arrive in the Vale. At the Bloody Gate, Petyr tells the guards that Sansa is his niece Alayne. Lysa reveals that she poisoned her husband at Petyr's instigation before the two are hurriedly married. Lysa accuses Sansa of sleeping with Petyr, but Sansa promises her aunt that she is a virgin. Lysa calms down before adding that when Tyrion dies, Sansa will marry Robin.

In Meereen

Daario tells Daenerys that his forces have confiscated the 93-ship Meereenese navy. Jorah tells her that Joffrey was murdered at his own wedding, but that both Astapor and Yunkai have reverted to slavery. Daenerys tells Jorah that instead of sailing west, she intends to stay and rule her new people herself.

On the Kingsroad

As Brienne and Podrick ride north, she is surprised by his lack of outdoor skills, but gains respect for him after hearing he saved Tyrion's life at the Battle of Blackwater.

In the Riverlands

During her nighttime ritual of reciting her death list, Arya adds the name of the Hound. Arya reveals to the Hound that Syrio was killed by Meryn.

Beyond the Wall

Jon's group attacks Craster's Keep. Locke covertly tries to kidnap Bran, but Bran enters Hodor's mind and kills Locke. Freed, Bran contemplates reuniting with Jon, but Jojen tells him that Jon will prevent their journey. Rast attempts to escape but is killed by Ghost. After killing Karl and being reunited with Ghost, Jon burns the keep, at the suggestion of Craster's daughter-wives.

Production

Writing

The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. D. B. Weiss and David Benioff.jpg
The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.

"First of His Name" was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based upon the source material, Martin's A Storm of Swords . Chapters adapted from A Storm of Swords to the episode were chapters 68 and 71 (Sansa VI and Daenerys VI). [5] It also covers part of the fourth novel, A Feast for Crows: namely chapter 14 (Brienne III). [5]

Casting

Kate Dickie (Lysa Arryn) and Lino Facioli (Robin Arryn) make return appearances after an absence of several years (since the first season).

Reception

Ratings

"First of His Name" established a new series high in ratings, with 7.16 million people watching it during its first airing. [4] In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 1.643 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week. It also received 0.082 million timeshift viewers. [6]

Critical reception

The episode received critical acclaim. Rotten Tomatoes reported that 100% of the episode's 40 reviews on the site were positive with an average score of 8.25 out of 10. Its consensus reads: "Only slow by Game of Thrones standards, "First of His Name" demonstrates how carefully constructed this show has been since season one." [7] Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a 9/10 writing that the episode "gave us a much-needed look back at some past events on the series." He highlighted the revelation that Littlefinger's actions "put the story of the entire series into motion." [8] Erik Adams of The A.V. Club gave the episode an A and praised the writers for their focus on the female characters. [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>A Game of Thrones</i> Novel by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones is the first novel in A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. It was first published on August 1, 1996. The novel won the 1997 Locus Award and was nominated for both the 1997 Nebula Award and the 1997 World Fantasy Award. The novella Blood of the Dragon, comprising the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel, won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novella. In January 2011, the novel became a New York Times Bestseller and reached No. 1 on the list in July 2011.

<i>A Storm of Swords</i> Novel by George R. R. Martin

A Storm of Swords is the third of seven planned novels in the fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by American author George R. R. Martin. It was first published in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2000, with a United States edition following in November 2000. Its publication was preceded by a novella called Path of the Dragon, which collects some of the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel into a single book.

<i>A Feast for Crows</i> Novel by George R. R. Martin

A Feast for Crows is the fourth of seven planned novels in the epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by American author George R. R. Martin. The novel was first published in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2005, with a United States edition following on November 8, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sansa Stark</span> Fictional character in A Song of Ice and Fire

Sansa Stark, later Alayne Stone, is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. Introduced in A Game of Thrones (1996), Sansa is the eldest daughter and second child of Lord Eddard Stark and his wife, Lady Catelyn Stark. She subsequently appeared in the following three novels: A Clash of Kings (1998), A Storm of Swords (2000), and A Feast for Crows (2005). While absent from the fifth novel, A Dance with Dragons, Sansa will return in the forthcoming book, The Winds of Winter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ned Stark</span> Character in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones

Eddard "Ned" Stark, known as The Quiet Wolf, is a fictional character in the 1996 fantasy novel A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin and Game of Thrones, HBO's adaptation of Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. In the storyline, Ned is the lord of Winterfell, an ancient fortress in the North of the fictional continent of Westeros. Though the character is established as the main character in the novel and the first season of the TV adaptation, a plot twist involving Ned near the end of the novel and the end of the first season shocked both readers of the book and viewers of the TV series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petyr Baelish</span> Fictional character

Petyr Baelish, nicknamed Littlefinger, is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Introduced in 1996's A Game of Thrones, Littlefinger is the master of coin on King Robert's small council. He is a childhood friend of Catelyn Stark, having grown up with her and her two siblings at Riverrun. He subsequently appeared in Martin's books A Clash of Kings (1998), A Storm of Swords (2000), and A Feast for Crows (2005). He is set to appear in the forthcoming novel The Winds of Winter. Littlefinger's primary character attributes are his cunning and boundless ambition. Originally hailing from a minor family with little wealth or influence, Baelish used manipulation, bribery, and the connections he secured at Riverrun to gain power and prestige in King's Landing. His intrigues cause several major events that impact Westeros, including the framing of Tyrion Lannister for the attempt on Bran Stark's life, the downfall of Lord Eddard Stark, the deaths of Lord Jon Arryn and King Joffrey Baratheon, and the War of the Five Kings. He is one of the main antagonists in the series.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olenna Tyrell</span> Character in A Song of Ice and Fire

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References

  1. ↑ "Here is your season 4 writers breakdown". WinterIsComing.net. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  2. ↑ Hibberd, James (July 16, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' season 4 directors chosen". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Shows A–Z – Game of Thrones". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Kondolojy, Amanda (May 6, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, + 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Married to Medicine', 'Silicon Valley' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Garcia, Elio; Antonsson, Linda (May 31, 2013). "EP405: First of His Name". Westeros.org. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Top 10 Ratings (5-11 May 2014)". BARB . Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Game of Thrones: Season 4: Episode 5". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ Fowler, Matt (May 4, 2014). "Game of Thrones: "First of His Name" Review". IGN . Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  9. ↑ Adams, Erik (May 5, 2014). "Game Of Thrones (newbies): "First Of His Name"". The A.V. Club . Retrieved May 11, 2014.
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