Finally, the "Game of Thrones" we've been waiting for has returned. Sure the series debuted its third season a few weeks ago, but the first two episodes served as no more than a boring foundation for the epic carnage and treachery that is to come. It's what fans expect from the HBO original series, and they finally got a taste during Sunday's episode "Walk of Punishment." Here's a brief overview in case you missed the action.
The brother of Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) brags about his fearless achievements on the battlefield, but when he fails to hit his father's funeral barge with a flaming arrow, his candor is bruised. Someone may as well shoot him with a flaming arrow.
Meanwhile, in Kings Landing, Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) continues to squander his son Tyrion's (Peter Dinklage) efforts to gain the respect and honor that he deserves. As we see in the Small Council, Tywin selects his untrustworthy, conniving daughter Cersei Baratheon (Lena Headey) to sit by his right side, a strong statement on the distribution of power. To then pour salt in his wounds, Tywin awards Tyrion with the rather insulting position of Master of Coin.
Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who's still held captive away from his family's comforts in Kings Landing, stands up for his captor, Brienne (Gwendoline Christie). He promises a group of brutes a great reward to save her from being raped, but in the end, his right hand pays the price.
Beyond the Wall, chopped and chewed horse corpses serve as a bad omen for the approaching winter. The White Walkers show no mercy. As the Night's Watch makes its way south, Samwell (John Bradley) is speechless when he watches his friend at Craster's Keep give birth to a baby boy who will be sacrificed to The Others.
Finally, the news we've all been waiting for: dragons. The third season promised the grown and ferocious dragons of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and it looks like they'll be delivered in no time. As Daenerys promises a slave dealer a dragon in return for 8,000 warriors, it's safe to assume that her word may be broken. Could the fire in her eyes be foreshadowing the impending fiery destruction? We'll just have to wait and see.
"Game of Thrones" airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.