What Is Dead May Never Die

"What Is Dead May Never Die"
Game of Thrones episode
Theon being baptized in the name of the Drowned God.
Episode no.	Season 2 Episode 3
Directed by	Alik Sakharov
Written by	Bryan Cogman
Featured music	Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by	P.J. Dillon
Editing by	Katie Weiland
Original air date	April 15, 2012 (2012-04-15)
Running time	53 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin Ron Donachie as Rodrik Cassel Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle Robert Pugh as Craster Patrick Malahide as Balon Greyjoy Francis Magee as Yoren Gethin Anthony as Renly Baratheon Joe Dempsie as Gendry Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie Eros Vlahos as Lommy Greenhands Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy Kristian Nairn as Hodor Hannah Murray as Gilly Fintan McKeown as Amory Lorch Andy Kellegher as Polliver Andy Beckwith as Rorge Gerard Jordan as Biter Jonathan Ryan as a Drowned Priest Aimee Richardson as Myrcella Baratheon Callum Wharry as Tommen Baratheon Maisie Dee as Daisy Tobias Winter as Timett Ken Fletcher as Gerald Darren Killeen as Baratheon Guard Sam Callis as a Goldcloak on the Kingsroad
Episode chronology
← Previous "The Night Lands" Next → "Garden of Bones"
Game of Thrones (season 2) List of Game of Thrones episodes

"What Is Dead May Never Die" is the third episode of the second season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones, first airing on April 15, 2012. The episode is written by Bryan Cogman and directed by Alik Sakharov, who worked previously as the director of photography on four season one episodes.

The plot continues events built up in previous episodes: the aftermath of Jon Snow's investigation into Craster, Catelyn Stark's journey to the Stormlands in order to ask for Renly Baratheon's assistance in fighting the Lannisters, Theon's internal conflict as to where his allegiance lies, Tyrion Lannister uses his cunning to find his sister's spy within the Small Council, and Arya is consoled by Yoren before being confronted by soldiers looking for Gendry. The episode's title is taken from a prayer used on the Iron Islands, by worshippers of the Drowned God.

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) tries to hide Shae (Sibel Kekilli) in the kitchens as a scullery maid, but she refuses. Queen Regent Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) eats dinner with Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), Princess Myrcella Baratheon (Aimee Richardson), and Prince Tommen Baratheon (Callum Wharry), where they discuss the war, and Sansa's betrothal to King Joffrey Baratheon. Afterwards, Sansa is greeted by Shae, who is posing as her new handmaiden.

Later, Tyrion tells Grand Maester Pycelle (Julian Glover) of his plans to forge an alliance with House Martell by marrying Myrcella to Doran Martell's youngest son Trystane. Soon after, he has the same discussion with Lord Varys (Conleth Hill); however, in this version, he plans to marry Myrcella to Theon Greyjoy. Finally, he has the same discussion once more, with Lord Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen), this time having Myrcella marry Robin Arryn. In all three cases, Tyrion makes them swear to keep the discussion a secret, especially from the Queen. Cersei later confronts Tyrion about sending Myrcella to the Martells, confirming that Pycelle is Cersei's spy; Tyrion has him arrested and sent to the dungeons, but not before Pycelle confesses that he told Cersei that Jon Arryn knew of her incest with Jaime. When Baelish realizes he has been fooled, he angrily confronts Tyrion, who is nevertheless able to convince him to meet Catelyn Stark in the Stormlands and convince her to release Jaime.