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Game of Thrones episode review: "Fire and Blood", Tor.com, June 20, 2011
MORE ...Unsurprisingly, this episode was mostly a reaction to the rather cataclysmic events of last week, but that didn't make it any less affecting as we whirl from place to place to see where everyone is waiting for the second season to start. The very first thing we see is Ser Ilyn Payne's bloody sword.
Arya is heading north to the Wall with Yoren as Arry the orphan boy, nothing left but Needle and a (pretty adorable) new haircut--and a new awareness of how dangerous she can be.
Bran and Rickon are still left at Winterfell, disturbed by dreams of their father in the crypts that turn out to be more eerily appropriate when Luwin gives them the message he's just received. Dark wings, dark words.