What is Dead May Never Die opens with the resolution to last week’s exciting cliffhanger, with Jon being bludgeoned unconscious by creepy Craster. That was a sequence that never happened in the books, so even those familiar with the original works didn’t quite know how things were going to play out.

Unfortunately, they don’t so much play out, as peter out. Nothing really comes of Jon following Craster, as all he does is tell them to leave, which they were always going to do anyway.

Still, that disappointing lack of consequence aside, this is perhaps the strongest episode of the season yet.

The strongest scenes yet again take place on the Iron Islands, where Alfie Allen’s Theon Greyjoy is making a serious claim to being Season 2’s MVP. Theon is still struggling to convince his grouchy, distant father and cocky sister that he’s still one of them; still a Greyjoy.

When Patrick Malahide’s supremely stern Balon shoots him down yet again, Theon finally breaks and let’s his true feelings out. Balon seems reluctant to accept it, but as Theon yelps desperately at him; “You gave me away! Your last boy! You gave me away, like I was some dog you didn’t want anymore, and now you curse me because I’ve come home!” It’s heartbreaking, and Malahide and Allen convey the strained, pained relationship between their characters superbly.

It all leads to that beautifully-framed shot with Theon sat in a dark room, with only candlelight picking him out of the gloom, as he finally has to make his choice between his two families; Stark or Greyjoy?

Elsewhere, Tyrion gets to have some fun in King’s Landing, as he lays a simple but ingenious trap for Pycelle, Littlefinger and Varys, in attempt to flush out anyone whose loyalty may lie with vindictive Queen Reagent Cersei over him.

Director Alik Sakharov uses some smart editing to create a very funny sequence, with Tyrion telling each of them a different story, to see which version reaches Cersei. It’s well established that Dinklage completely owns the role of Tyrion, but even by his standards he seems to be enjoying himself here, toying with these other powerful men as if they were children.

The episode also provides us with this season’s first genuine action sequence, as Arya and the recruits for the Night’s Watch are attacked in the night by one Amory Lorch, a man in the service of Lord Tywin Lannister.

Before that, however, the series allows for a marvellous scene between young, innocent Arya and grizzled old vet Yoren, as he tells her about the death of his brother, and the vengeance he wrought on the perpetrator. It can only be Game of Thrones when a soothing bed-time story involves a murderer growling the line; “I buried the axe so deep in his skull that they had to bury him with it!”

Actor Francis Magee is magnetic as the no-nonsense Yoren, and when it comes to blows, he’s a one-man army, taking down many of Lorch’s men single handedly – even with a crossbow bolt stuck in his shoulder!

Though he eventually falls, making him Season 2’s first casualty, Magee’s Yoren has made such a great impression with such little screen-time – both on the audience and on young Arya – that he surely won’t be soon forgotten by either.

We also meet King Renly for the first time this season, as he struggles with his homosexuality in the light of his new marriage to Margaery Tyrell. What’s surprising is how his new wife Margaery seems to be far more sexually liberated and comfortable with his sexuality than Renly himself is.

We’re also introduced to the last major character to be introduced this season; the Lady Brienne of Tarth – though she’s not comfortable with being called a lady. Brienne is a warrior, and one who is probably the match of any male knight on the show.

While she doesn’t get much to do here, her introduction is effective, and Gwendoline Christie is a perfect fit for the role of the ugly yet honourable warrior, and both her and Natalie Dormer’s Margaery continue to help populate the show with strong and interesting female characters.

Aired at 9pm on Monday 16th April 2012 on Sky Atlantic.

> Buy the Season 1 boxset on Amazon.

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