Dark Wings, Dark Words

"Dark Wings, Dark Words"
Game of Thrones episode
Jaime and Brienne pointing their swords at the Bolton men.
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 2
Directed by	Daniel Minahan
Written by	Vanessa Taylor
Featured music	Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by	Jonathan Freeman
Editing by	Frances Parker
Original air date	April 7, 2013 (2013-04-07)
Running time	57 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell Ciarán Hinds as Mance Rayder Mackenzie Crook as Orell Paul Kaye as Thoros of Myr Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth Noah Taylor as Locke Natalia Tena as Osha Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton Iwan Rheon as Boy Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell Thomas Brodie Sangster as Jojen Reed Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie John Stahl as Rickard Karstark Philip McGinley as Anguy Mark Stanley as Grenn Ben Crompton as Edd Tollett Luke Barnes as Rast Kristian Nairn as Hodor Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark Michael Shelford as Torturer Joe Purcell as Traveller Will Rastall as Tyrell Server
Episode chronology
← Previous "Valar Dohaeris" Next → "Walk of Punishment"
Game of Thrones (season 3) List of Game of Thrones episodes

"Dark Wings, Dark Words" is the second episode of the third season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 22nd episode of the series. Written by Vanessa Taylor, and directed by Daniel Minahan, it aired on April 7, 2013.

The title is an in-universe old saying about messenger-ravens, referring to the fact that such urgently delivered messages are often bad news. In the episode, Robb Stark receives news of the death of Hoster Tully as well as the sack of Winterfell and the disappearances of Bran and Rickon.

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) is invited to lunch by Lady Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) and her grandmother Lady Olenna (Diana Rigg). While there, Sansa is asked to tell them about King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson), and whether he will be a good husband to Margaery. Sansa is reluctant to speak the truth about him, but she is eventually persuaded to tell them of his cruelty.

While being fitted for his wedding clothes, King Joffrey discusses his bride-to-be with his mother, Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). Afterward, he invites Margaery to his chamber to discuss his upcoming hunt. He grows impatient with her answers to his questions regarding her last husband, Renly Baratheon, and whether they consummated their marriage. Margaery informs him that they did not, and under further questioning she explains that Renly did not appreciate the "company of women". The conversation turns to Joffrey's new crossbow; Margaery displays her political aptitude by feigning interest, and Joffrey tells Margaery that he would enjoy watching her kill something with it.

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) returns to his chamber to find Shae (Sibel Kekilli) waiting for him. He warns her of his father's promise to him regarding his whoring, but she is undaunted. She warns him that Lord Baelish has taken an interest in Sansa Stark, to which he replies that, now that she is no longer Joffrey's future queen, many men will take interest in her.