A Golden Crown

"A Golden Crown"
Game of Thrones episode
Drogo "crowning" Viserys by pouring molten gold onto his head.
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 6
Directed by	Daniel Minahan
Story by	David Benioff D. B. Weiss
Teleplay by	David Benioff D. B. Weiss
Featured music	Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by	Matthew Jensen
Editing by	Martin Nicholson
Original air date	May 22, 2011 (2011-05-22)
Running time	52 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Jerome Flynn as Bronn Ron Donachie as Ser Rodrik Cassel Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy Finn Jones as Ser Loras Tyrell Kate Dickie as Lady Lysa Arryn Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle Gethin Anthony as Lord Renly Baratheon Emun Elliott as Marillion Miltos Yerolemou as Syrio Forel Susan Brown as Septa Mordane Natalia Tena as Osha Lino Facioli as Lord Robin Arryn Esmé Bianco as Ros Amrita Acharia as Irri Roxanne McKee as Doreah Kristian Nairn as Hodor Brendan McCormack as Ser Vardis Egen Elyes Gabel as Rakharo Dar Salim as Qotho Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister David Michael Scott as Ser Beric Dondarrion
Episode chronology
← Previous "The Wolf and the Lion" Next → "You Win or You Die"
Game of Thrones (season 1) List of Game of Thrones episodes

"A Golden Crown" is the sixth episode of the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones, first aired on May 22, 2011. The teleplay was written by Jane Espenson, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss from a story by Benioff and Weiss, and directed by Daniel Minahan, his directorial debut for the series.

The episode's plot depicts the deterioration of the political balance of the seven kingdoms, with Eddard Stark having to deal with the Lannister aggressions while King Robert is away on a hunt. At the Eyrie, Tyrion is put on trial, and across the Narrow Sea, Viserys Targaryen is determined to force Khal Drogo to make him king.

The episode was well received by critics, who praised aspects of the King's Landing storyline and the culmination of Viserys' storyline. In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of 2.4 million in its initial broadcast.

Like previous episodes, "A Golden Crown" interweaves action happening in multiple separate locations within and around the Kingdom of Westeros.

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) is awakened from one of his recurring dreams of a three-eyed crow with the pleasant surprise that the specially designed saddle that will allow him to ride has been finished. He goes to test it in the forest under the supervision of his brother Robb (Richard Madden) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen).

While Theon is trying to convince Robb to avenge his father for the Lannisters' attack, a small group of wildlings (humans who live north of the wall, outside of "civilized" lands), who have ventured south, capture Bran. Robb and Theon manage to kill all the men and capture the woman Osha (Natalia Tena). Despite Theon's help, Robb chastises him for endangering Bran's life when Theon shot an arrow at the wildling who was holding Bran.

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) is able to trick Lysa Arryn (Kate Dickie) into summoning a court to listen to his confession, at which he confesses various misdemeanours committed during his life, but nothing about the attempt on Bran's life or Lysa's husband's death. After, Tyrion publicly demands a trial by combat, and the mercenary Bronn (Jerome Flynn) volunteers to fight for him. Lysa Arryn has no choice but to allow it. Bronn defeats Lysa's champion Ser Vardis Egen (Brendan McCormack) by tiring the heavily armored knight and kicking him out the Moon Door, and Tyrion is allowed to walk free with Bronn as his escort, much to the dismay of the Tully sisters.