Recaps

Viserys strengthened his empire through alliances and the destruction of Lys while Robert brought Eddard Stark to King's Landing. Eddard uncovered evidence about the royal children and watched the court’s tensions worsen after Jaime crowned Cersei at the tournament.

• Varys spread the rumors about Cersei’s children to Robert, who grew suspicious of the Lannisters, while Jon Arryn concluded that the royal children did not resemble Baratheons and considered how to handle the secret.
• Petyr Baelish manipulated Lysa into poisoning Jon Arryn, then offered his service to Viserys, who accepted while planning to wait for Westeros to weaken.
• Oberyn Martell and the Sand Snakes met Viserys in Valyria, where he promised Dorne autonomy and the chance to punish Elia’s killers in a future invasion of Westeros.
• Viserys rebuffed Tyrell marriage proposals, welcomed Margaery as an attendant to the princesses, and uncovered Liana’s attempt to poison him before declaring war on Lys and destroying the city.
• Braavos and other Free Cities moved toward treaties with Viserys, while Garlan Tyrell pledged the Reach’s troops and fleet and reported Jon Arryn’s death.
• Robert appointed Eddard Hand and brought him south, where Bran’s fall kept Catelyn in Winterfell and Jon joined Eddard’s party for the journey to King’s Landing.
• Eddard investigated Jon Arryn’s death and the royal finances, found evidence that Cersei’s children contradicted Baratheon traits, and secretly ordered men to watch Cersei and Jaime.
• At the tournament, Jaime defeated Gregor Clegane and crowned Cersei Queen of Love and Beauty, angering Robert as Eddard left the feast troubled by the court’s worsening situation.

After Eddard Stark’s execution, Viserys strengthened his position in Valyria, crushed Euron’s pirate fleet, and traveled north to confront the threat of the Others. He recovered Dark Sister from the Children of the Forest, but left their request for aid unanswered.

• Cersei helped poison Robert’s wine, and after Robert died from a boar’s wounds, Eddard tried to secure Renly’s succession before Cersei seized power and had him arrested.
• Eddard confessed to treason to save his life, but Joffrey ordered his execution, while Arya escaped and was sent toward Braavos.
• War spread across Westeros as Robb raised his banners, Stannis and Renly contested the throne, and Arya was captured by Salladhor Saan’s pirates and brought to Valyria.
• Viserys welcomed Arya to Valyria, rejected Euron’s attempt to control his dragons with Dragonbinder, and led the dragons in destroying Euron’s fleet.
• After Kinvara warned that the Long Night was approaching, Viserys flew north to Castle Black, where he warned the Night’s Watch and defeated Benjen in a trial by combat.
• Viserys and Benjen set out beyond the Wall, where Viserys met Ygritte and followed the Three-Eyed Crow to the Children of the Forest.
• The Children gave Viserys Dark Sister and warned him that the Others were gathering wights and searching for the Horn of Winter, but Viserys left without agreeing to fight at the Wall.

Viserys dealt with the Others beyond the Wall, seized the Eyrie, and secured Dorne’s alliance through his match with Arianne. He returned to Valyria, prepared to move its capital, and began planning his advance into Westeros.

• Viserys and the Night’s Watch encountered Others at Caste’s keep, where Benjen and Othell were killed and Benjen later rose changed by the obsidian dagger.
• Viserys brought Benjen and Ygritte to the Wall, then flew to the Eyrie and forced Nestor Royce to surrender it and Lysa Tully.
• Viserys put Lysa Tully on trial, learned that Petyr Baelish had supplied the poison used to kill Jon Arryn, and appointed Yohn Royce acting Duke of the Vale.
• Viserys traveled to Dorne, where he met Doran Martell, explained the threat of the Others, and secured Doran’s support and Arianne’s hand in marriage.
• Viserys left Dorne after spending time with Arianne and the Sand Snakes, then returned to Valyria and reunited with Daenerys and Ashara.
• Viserys told Daenerys and Rhaenys about his journey and announced plans to move Valyria’s capital to New Valyria before advancing into Westeros.
• Arya chose to remain in Valyria and agreed to Viserys’s preference for her as a potential wife, while Viserys prepared for the capital ceremony and summoned Duke Arthur and Duke Clinton.

Viserys began his campaign to reclaim Westeros, securing Crackclaw Point, Dragonstone, and Driftmark while preparing to take King's Landing. As rival armies reacted to the Targaryen advance, alliances shifted and Tywin sent Tyrion to defend a city he was prepared to abandon.

• Viserys set sail with his army, leaving Daenerys in Valyria and bringing Rhaenys and Margaery on the campaign.
• House Crabb and the other houses of Crackclaw Point pledged allegiance to Viserys, who captured Dragonstone and took Selyse and Shireen prisoner.
• Duke William secured Driftmark's surrender and blockaded the Gullet while Viserys prepared to storm King's Landing.
• Cersei refused to negotiate with Viserys as panic spread through King's Landing, and Sansa learned from Arya's letter that her sister was safe in Valyria.
• Robb chose to keep the North neutral for the moment and hoped to exchange captured Westerlands nobles for Sansa and Arya.
• Renly and Stannis failed to agree on an alliance, while Oberyn's advance into the Stormlands forced Renly to withdraw and Mace revealed that Margaery had secured House Tyrell's submission to Viserys.
• Stannis's fleet was trapped by Targaryen ships, and Tywin sent Tyrion to King's Landing with only five hundred guards, intending to abandon the city if it fell.