Episode 10 Recap: Valar Morghulis
In Game of Thrones S2, E10 ‘Valar Morgulis, the episodes starts with surprises for Tyrion, whose role as the acting Hand of the King, is replaced by his father, Tywin Lannister, who has returned to the city. Tyrion learns (through Varys) that Bronn has also been relieved of his command. Varys thanks Tyrion for the services he has done for the city. Tyrion refuses to attend the Pentos in spite of urges from Shae. For those who served well in the battle, King Joffrey rewards them, and he officially appoints Tywin as the Hand of the King. The king also rewards Littlefinger for brokering the alliance between the house of Tyrell and Lannister. In the process, Joffrey is asked by the Tyrells to wed Margaery with the intention of uniting the two houses. Sansa Stark is happy about the agreement for Joffrey to wed Margaery because this makes her free from torments by Joffrey.
After the defeat at Blackwater, Stannis retreated to Dragonstone, and he is mad because of the defeat. He puts all the blame on Melisandre for not seeing the defeat despite being a foreteller. Melisandre tells him that she is only capable of seeing glimpses of the future. She also encourages Stannis not to give up on the war simply because he lost one battle.
In Game of Thrones season 2 episode 10, King Robb asks for advice from his mother, Lady Catelyn, in regards to his love for Talisa. His mother tells him to remember his vow to marry from the House Frey; otherwise, he will face dire consequences. Catelyn promises Robb that his love will grow after marrying the lady he vowed to wed. That night, Robb goes against his mother and marries Talisa in private.
As Jamie Lannister and Brienne of Tarth travel to the east, they see three female bodies hanged by Stark soldiers as a punishment for sleeping with soldiers from Lannister. Brienne is forced to prove her dexterity as a fighter by killing two soldiers from House Stark. When Brienne is reminded that she has killed Stark men, she responds by saying that she serves Catelyn Stark and not House Stark.
Theon is betrayed by his own men when he tries holding the castle with only twenty men. He refuses to take advice from Maester Luwin, who warned him of this attack. Luwin suggests to Theon that he joins the Night’s Watch to redeem himself. Theon refuses because he is afraid of being killed by Jon Snow for betraying him. It is Dagmer who knocks Theon out, and when Luwin tries intervening, Dagmer stabs him. Theon is placed in a bag and delivered to Bolton Army. After the betrayal, Rickon, Osha, Hodor and Bran come out of their hiding places and find the castle still burning. Here, they find Luwin dying where he tells the boys to go to the Wall since the south has many enemies. Luwin tells the boys that Jon will keep them safe. After that, Luwin asks Osha to kill him to end his pain. Jaqen Hghar meets with Arya, Hot Pie, and Gendry where he offers to take Arya to Braavos so that she can hone her fighting skills, which is going to use to kill those in her list. Jaqen removes a coin and gives it to Arya. The coin is engraved with the words ‘Valar Morghulis.’