Game of Thrones Season 4 Premiere Recap With Spoilers

As the episode opens, we see Tywin Lannister having Ice, Ned Stark’s sword, broken and forged into two separate swords (note the episode’s title, “Two Swords”).The opening credits play, highlighting this season’s important locations: King’s Landing, Dragonstone, the Dreadfort (home of House Bolton), Winterfell, The Wall, and Meereen (the largest city in Slaver’s Bay).Jaime Lannister is examining one of Tywin’s new swords, made of Valyrian steel. Jaime notes that no Valyrian steel sword has been forged since the Doom of Valyria. Tywin tells him he took it from someone who no longer needs it (Ned Stark). He tells him that the sword was absurdly large, and so he had it forged into two swords. Jaime thanks him, though he has trouble lifting the blade with his left hand. Tywin tells him he’ll have to train his left hand.Tywin tells Jaimie he can’t serve in the Kingsguard with one hand. Jaime argues. Tywin tells him he will go home to rule at Casterly Rock, but Jaime continues to argue. Jaime worries about breaking another vow, given his reputation, but Tywin assures him there is precedent for the King to release one of his guard from his service, which Joffrey will do. Jaime refuses. Tywin becomes frustrated tells him to go. Jaime offers the sword back, but Tywin tells him to keep it, saying that a “one-handed man with no family needs all the help he can get.”Tyrion is outside the city with Bronn and Podrick, amongst commoners. They are awaiting the Prince of Dorne and his entourage on the King’s Road. Tyrion explains the he was sent because there is bad blood between the Martells of Dorne and the Lannisters. Podrick reads the banners as they come, but does not see the sigil of House Martell (a red sun pierced by a spear).Tyrion inquires about the prince’s whereabouts. One of the Dornishmen tells Tyrion that the prince is too sick, and sent his brother, Oberyn, in his place. Tyrion asks where Oberyn is, and the Dornishman tells him that Oberyn has been in the city since this morning. Tyrion leads Bronn and Pod back to the city to find Oberyn “before he kills someone.” Given Oberyn’s reputation, Tyrion suggests they’ll find him at a brothel.