We’re getting into the business end of the second season now, and a lot of characters are having to face up to some hard truths, reflecting on what they want and what they are.

Jon Snow continues traversing the lands north of The Wall with flirty wildling Ygritte, who chips away at both Jon’s confidence in himself and in the Night’s Watch, first by teasing him about his virginity and celibacy vows, and then by debating the nature of freedom. Jon thinks of her as a savage, but she sees herself as a “free person” – and it’s hard to argue.

The Night’s Watch was never quite what Jon expected, and seeing the human face of the enemy and seeing things from their point of view is making him doubt himself. In Ygritte’s famous words – delivered perfectly for the first time here by Rose Leslie – “You know nothing, Jon Snow”.

Over in Qarth and the show has ventured into different territory from the books, and while it looks likely that we’ll end up in the same place, the different journey is fun for those familiar with the story. Dany is lost without her dragons, consumed by hopelessness, to the point where she even begins pushing loyal Jorah away, seemingly because she fears his feelings towards her. Shouldn’t that just make him even more trustworthy?

Despite her growth from meek girl to powerful Khaleesi in Season 1, Dany is still more than capable of acting like a child. She’ll certainly have to grow up if she’s to liberate the dragons from the frankly terrifying Pyat Pree and his warlocks.

Down in King’s Landing and Sansa does some unwanted growing up of her own, as she gets her first period. This on its own must be confusing and scary enough for a young girl, but for poor Sansa it’s a sign that she can now be wedded and bedded by vile King Joffrey, and start giving him sons. No wonder she freaks out!

It leads to some surprisingly affectionate words from Cersei Lannister, as she comes to terms with the fact that Joffrey may be a lost cause. While she won’t go so far as to help Sansa, she does give her advice to help her better navigate her predicament.

It’s a small gesture, but a significant one from a Queen who so often comes across as cold, stubborn and lacking in objectivity. In fact, she’s in such a strange place that brother Tyrion doesn’t quite know how to respond when she confesses her fears to him, in a wonderfully played scene of tender awkwardness between Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey.

And then there’s the episode’s biggest triumph – the return of Jaime Lannister!

It’s Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s first appearance since the season opener, and boy is it good to have him back.

It’s a marvellous extended scene, which at first seems like meandering exposition between Jaime and distant cousin Alton, but it soon becomes clear that Jaime is expertly manipulating the young boy. It’s a wonderfully staged scene, with Alton edging ever closer to Jaime as his mind-games take hold, and brilliantly acted by both men.
Jaime Lannister is a rare thing on this show – an honest man. He’s honest about the world around him, and he’s honest about himself. He’s under no illusions that this world is black or white – good or evil – and he exists permanently within that shade of grey.

A man of honour (despite the episode’s title), he’s faithful to his sister (in every sense), and to the kingdom, and yet to the people of that kingdom, he’s the man with the least honour in the land. How can anyone win?

And he’s right – it’s impossible to follow every vow in this world; impossible to be good to everyone. There are parallel’s drawn between Jaime and The Hound in this episode, but they’re contrasting. The Hound is angry, ugly, draped in black and takes sick pleasure in killing, while Jaime is beautiful, blond, and not such a monster; he doesn’t necessarily enjoy killing, but he’s damn good at it, and will do what’s necessary without a second thought.

Two other characters who flirt around a certain kind of honesty are Tywin Lannister and Arya Stark. While Arya hasn’t been honest about who she is, Tywin sees through the facade, and knows there’s more to her than meets the eye.

They’re both so fascinated by and increasingly dependent on the other – Arya is smarter and better company than any of Tywin’s men – that the grizzled war vet and the spirited young girl are willing to ignore the potential wider context, within which they’re enemies, and simply enjoy each other’s company. It’s a wonderful dynamic.

And as the episode closes, Theon comes to realise the truth of Ser Rodrik’s final words from last week’s episode. As he gazes upon the charred corpses of two small children, Theon realises that he’s far too deep down the rabbit hole to be comfortable, or even to entertain any notion of backing out. The grizzly, visceral nature of the bodies shocks him. “God’s help you, Theon Greyjoy. Now you are truly lost.”

“Cheer up old man, it’s all just a game!” Theon calls out to Maester Luwin earlier in the episode. Come the episode’s close, it certainly doesn’t feel like a game to him, but it’s one that he and all the other characters are perpetually trapped in.

Aired at 9pm on Monday 14th May 2012 on Sky Atlantic.

> Buy the Season 1 boxset on Amazon.

What did you think of the episode? Let us know below…