"Valar Morghulis" is the tenth and final episode of the second season of the HBO medieval fantasy
television series Game of Thrones. It is the sixth episode this season to be written by
series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and is directed by Alan Taylor, his
fourth episode this season. It is 64 minutes long and aired on June 3, 2012.
The episode's title is a code phrase spoken by Jaqen H'ghar to Arya Stark during the episode,
but its meaning is not explained until the third season episode, "Walk of Punishment":
"All men must die." This is consistent with the meaning given in the books upon which
the series is based.
Plot In King's Landing
After the decisive victory over Stannis Baratheon in the Battle of Blackwater, King Joffrey
gives Lord Tywin Lannister, his grandfather, the title of "Savior of King's Landing" for
his help in the Battle of Blackwater Bay, and formally names him Hand of the King. For
uniting the Houses of Tyrell and Lannister, the alliance which caused the victory, Lord
Petyr Baelish is given the Castle of Harrenhal. Ser Loras Tyrell asks for the king to wed
Lady Margaery Tyrell, his sister, and though Joffrey insists he is bound by oath to Sansa
Stark, Queen Regent Cersei and her subject Grand Maester Pycelle argue that the gods
will allow him to reject the oath on grounds of Eddard Stark's treason. Sansa is elated
to be rid of Joffrey, but Baelish warns her that she is still in danger while she is in
King's Landing. He offers to scheme to see her home safely. Lord Varys works to undermine
Baelish's successes and plots to turn his associate, the prostitute Ros, against him.
Meanwhile, a scarred Tyrion Lannister wakes from the injuries that he received from the
attempt on his life during the battle. With the arrival of Lord Tywin, he has been removed
from the position of Hand of the King and is left powerless and without allies, except
for his squire, Podrick Payne. Lord Varys informs Tyrion that the Queen was behind the
attempt on his life and says that he knows Tyrion to have been the true hero of the battle,
even though he will receive no official credit. Tyrion is consoled by Shae, who remains loyal
and tries to convince him to leave King's Landing for Pentos with her. Despite his fall
from power, Tyrion refuses to leave King's Landing, saying that he has finally found
a role at which he both excels and enjoys. At Dragonstone
In a rage over his unexpected defeat at the Battle of Blackwater, Lord Stannis Baratheon
blames his Red Priestess, Melisandre, for goading him into war with promises of victory
and attempts to strangle her in a fit of rage. He relents only after Melisandre makes him
truly comprehend his involvement in the death of his brother Renly. After informing Stannis
that he will betray all that he has known in his quest to be king and assuring him it
will be worth it in the end, Melisandre leads Stannis to a burning bowl of coal and has
them together observe the dancing fire. As Stannis watches the flames, he seems to be
struck by divine visions from the Lord of Light, restoring his faith in Melisandre.
In the Westerlands Brienne continues in her mission to escort
the prisoner Jaime Lannister to King's Landing, in exchange for Sansa and Arya Stark. They
happen upon the corpses of three women lynched by Stark soldiers, who soon arrive and discover
that Brienne's prisoner is the wanted Kingslayer himself. Brienne slays them after they are
discovered, avenging the three women, whom Brienne then buries. When Jaime expresses
his surprise, Brienne reminds him that she does not serve House Stark, but Lady Catelyn.
Meanwhile, King Robb confides to his mother, Catelyn, that he is in love with Lady Talisa
and will not proceed with the arranged marriage to one of Lord Walder Frey's daughters. Despite
Catelyn's warning that breaking his oath with Lord Frey is reckless, Robb marries Talisa
in private. At Winterfell
With Winterfell under siege from Roose Bolton's bastard son Ramsay, and facing defeat, Theon
Greyjoy rejects the advice of Maester Luwin to abandon the castle and join the Night's
Watch and decides to fight to the death with his men. However, during Theon's rallying
speech, Dagmer and his men knock Theon out and drag him off to be handed to Ramsay in
exchange for pardon. When Luwin attempts to intervene, Dagmer stabs him. Bran and his
party emerge from hiding to find Winterfell sacked and Luwin dying in the Godswood, where
he declares his loyalty and love for the Starks before having Osha perform a mercy killing,
out of sight of Bran and Rickon. Bran and his group then escape the remains of Winterfell,
bound for the Wall. At the Outskirts of Harrenhal
Arya, along with her companions Gendry and Hot Pie, flee from Harrenhal. They are surprised
by the sudden appearance of the mysterious assassin Jaqen H'ghar, who helped them escape.
Jaqen offers to take Arya with him to Braavos to train her in his abilities, and although
tempted, Arya declines, intending to reunite with her family. Before departing, Jaqen hands
Arya a special coin and the phrase "Valar Morghulis," which Arya may use to seek him
if she meets anyone from Braavos. Before departing, Jaqen turns to reveal he has changed his face,
an ability of the "Faceless Men" he mentions to Arya.
Across the Narrow Sea Ser Jorah Mormont and the Dothraki Kovarro
go with Daenerys Targaryen to the House of the Undying, a stronghold where the warlock
Pyat Pree has her dragons held captive. The warlock's magic quickly leaves Jorah stranded
outside, while trapping Daenerys in the stronghold. Daenerys is struck with visions of wandering
places such as the Red Keep, north of the Wall, Castle Black, and the Haunted Forest.
She encounters her deceased husband, Khal Drogo, and their stillborn son Rhaego, both
apparently alive and well. Although unsure whether she is dreaming, Daenerys leaves when
she hears her dragons. She finds herself in an antechamber with her dragons chained to
a pedestal. Pyat Pree appears and conjures chains to bind Daenerys. She orders her dragons
to breathe fire, killing Pyat Pree and freeing her from his magic.
After escaping the House of the Undying, Daenerys—with her dragons, her remaining Dothraki contingent,
and Ser Jorah—find Xaro Xhoan Daxos asleep in bed with Doreah, who Daenerys now realizes
had betrayed her, and takes them prisoner. Opening Xaro's vault, they find it empty,
with Xaro's boasts of extreme wealth having been lies. Despite Xaro's and Doreah's pleas,
Daenerys orders her followers to seal them both in Xaro's vault. Daenerys proceeds to
have her companions loot as much as they can from Xaro's house in order to buy a ship.
Beyond the Wall Night's Watch Ranger Qhorin Halfhand, still
prisoner of the wildlings, provokes a fight with fellow prisoner, Jon Snow, with the apparent
goal of convincing the wildlings that Jon has defected. Qhorin goads Jon into killing
him by insulting the memories of his mother and of Ned Stark. After Qhorin is killed,
the wildlings free a stunned Jon and introduce him to their massive wildling force, promising
him a meeting with their King-Beyond-the-Wall, former Night's Watch Ranger, Mance Rayder.
Meanwhile, while on duty, Sam, Grenn, and Edd overhear three horn blasts signaling White
Walkers' approach. The others flee, leaving Sam behind. He is quickly surrounded by an
army of wights and a White Walker riding an undead horse. The White Walker glances at
him, and then orders the force to advance. Sam, now isolated from his allies, watches
in horror as the army marches onward towards the Night's Watch encampment at the Fist of
the First Men. Writing
The episode was written by producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and directed by Alan
Taylor. It was Taylor's final episode on the show. As a season finale, "Valar Morghulis"
is a slightly extended episode. Reception
Ratings In its original broadcast on June 3, 2012,
the episode received 4.20 million viewers, to become the most-watched episode of the
series until the third season aired. Critical reception
"Valar Morghulis" received highly positive reviews. Matt Fowler of IGN rated the episode
9 out of 10. David Sims of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" grade.
Accolades This episode received a Primetime Emmy Award
nomination for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or a Special.
It won for Outstanding Special Visual Effects. References
External links "Valar Morghulis" at HBO.com
"Valar Morghulis" at the Internet Movie Database "Valar Morghulis" at TV.com