Valar Dohaeris

"Valar Dohaeris"
Game of Thrones episode
Daenerys Targaryen with Drogon.
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 1
Directed by	Daniel Minahan
Written by	David Benioff D. B. Weiss
Featured music	Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by	Jonathan Freeman
Editing by	Frances Parker
Original air date	March 31, 2013 (2013-03-31)
Running time	55 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Ciarán Hinds as Mance Rayder Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton Ian McElhinney as Barristan Selmy Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell Anton Lesser as Qyburn Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane Esme Bianco as Ros John Stahl as Rickard Karstark Lucian Msamati as Salladhor Saan Mark Stanley as Grenn Ben Crompton as Edd Tollett Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne Dan Hildebrand as Kraznys mo Nakloz Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei Luke Barnes as Rast Edward Dogliani as Rattleshirt Ian Beattie as Meryn Trant Ian Whyte as the Giant Elisa Lasowski as Mirelle Michael Power as Boat Commander Aisling Jarrett-Gavin as Margaery's Handmaiden Max Barber as Orphan Boy 1
Episode chronology
← Previous "Valar Morghulis" Next → "Dark Wings, Dark Words"
Game of Thrones (season 3) List of Game of Thrones episodes

"Valar Dohaeris" is the third season premiere of the HBO fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 21st episode of the series. Written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Daniel Minahan, it aired on March 31, 2013.

The premiere continues where the second season left off, with the Lannisters consolidating their power at King's Landing in the aftermath of the Battle of the Blackwater. Meanwhile, Jon Snow meets the "King beyond the Wall," and Daenerys leaves Qarth for Slaver's Bay.

The episode's title translates to "all men must serve" in the High Valyrian language in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels, which the series adapts. The title mirrors that of season 2's finale, "Valar Morghulis" – "all men must die."

The episode received mostly positive reviews, set a new ratings record for the series, and was one of the most torrented episodes for an HBO series.

The episode opens shortly after White Walkers have attacked the Night's Watch force and left only a small number of survivors. During a subsequent blizzard, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) is attacked by a wight, but is saved by the direwolf Ghost and Lord Commander Jeor Mormont (James Cosmo). The Lord Commander reprimands Samwell for failing to send ravens south to warn of the incoming army and orders the survivors to head back to the Wall.

Jon Snow (Kit Harington), still a prisoner of Ygritte (Rose Leslie) and the wildlings, arrives at the wildling camp and is escorted to meet with Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds). When brought to his tent, Jon initially mistakes Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) for the King-beyond-the-Wall, but Mance reveals himself to Jon and questions Jon's motives for deserting the Night's Watch. Jon earns Mance's approval by describing his disgust after discovering that Craster gave his baby sons to the White Walkers, and that the Lord Commander knew but did nothing, adding that he wants "to fight for the side that fights for the living".