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"Lord Snow"
Game of Thrones episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 3
Directed byBrian Kirk
Written by
Featured musicRamin Djawadi
Cinematography byMarco Pontecorvo
Editing byFrances Parker
Original air dateMay 1, 2011 (2011-05-01)
Running time57 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Lord Snow" is the third episode of the first season of the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones. It first aired on May 1, 2011. It was written by series creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by series regular Brian Kirk, his directorial debut for the series.[1]

The plot follows Jon Snow's training at the Wall; Ned Stark's arrival at King's Landing, followed by Catelyn, looking for Bran's would-be murderer; Arya reveals her desire to learn sword fighting to Ned; Joffrey Baratheon is given a lesson in ruling the Kingdom by Cersei Lannister; and Robert longs for the glory of his past. Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen learns she is pregnant. The episode was the first to feature Old Nan, played by Margaret John, who died before the series was broadcast; the episode is dedicated to her memory in the final credit.

The title of the episode is the demeaning nickname given to Jon by Ser Alliser Thorne, the sadistic trainer of Night's Watch recruits, referring to his highborn origins.

Critical reception was generally positive, with critics praising the series' further character development, the introduction of the Small Council, and the performances, with Maisie Williams singled out for her portrayal of Arya, while her sword lesson scenes also received positive notice. In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of 2.4 million in its initial broadcast.

Plot

[edit]

In the Dothraki Sea

[edit]

Daenerys gains confidence and earns the respect of Jorah. After assaulting her, Viserys is nearly killed by one of Daenerys's bloodriders. Irri notices that Daenerys is pregnant and Jorah, upon being told, departs for Qohor for supplies. Later, Daenerys reveals to Drogo that their child is a boy.

At the Wall

[edit]

Jon easily beats his fellow recruits in combat. Master-at-arms Ser Alliser Thorne berates them all for their poor performance, even Jon, nicknaming him "Lord Snow" to mock his bastard heritage. Jon asks Benjen to take him north of the Wall, but he tells Jon that he must earn it.

Jon makes amends by giving his fellow recruits proper sword training. Tyrion is asked to provide more men from Cersei and Jaime for the outnumbered Night's Watch for the threat of the White Walkers to the north. Though skeptical, Tyrion agrees to do so; he departs the Wall and says goodbye to Jon, who finally accepts Tyrion as a friend.

At Winterfell

[edit]

With Bran now awake, Robb tells him that he will never walk again. Bran, saying he is unable to remember anything about his fall, wishes he was dead.

In King's Landing

[edit]

Ned and his daughters arrive at King's Landing. On his way to a meeting of the king's Small Council, Ned encounters Jaime. It is revealed that Jaime killed the "Mad King" Aerys Targaryen, father of Daenerys and Viserys. Ned remains dissatisfied that Jaime broke his oath as knight of the Kingsguard.

Ned joins the Small Council, consisting of Robert's brother Lord Renly, Lord Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle, and Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. Renly announces Robert's plans for a great tourney in honor of Ned's appointment as the Hand of the King. Ned learns that the crown is heavily indebted.

Upon arriving in King's Landing, Catelyn is taken to a brothel owned by Littlefinger who, along with Varys and Rodrik, discuss the attempt on Bran's life. Littlefinger admits that the assassin's dagger was once his but he lost it to Tyrion. Ned agrees to ally with Littlefinger to find who is responsible for Bran's attempted murder.

Ned returns to his keep to find Sansa and Arya arguing, with Arya angry at Sansa for lying for Joffrey. Ned reminds her that Sansa and Joffrey will be married one day. Learning that Arya aspires to be a swordsman and has a sword of her own, Ned hires Syrio Forel to teach her the art of swordsmanship.

Production

[edit]

Writing

[edit]
The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.

"Lord Snow" was written by the show creators and executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based on A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, including chapters 18-22, 24 and 36. (Catelyn IV, Jon III, Eddard IV, Tyrion III, Arya II, Bran IV and Daenerys IV).[2]

Casting

[edit]

The third episode introduces a number of new characters to the story, due to the expansion of the story to the new locales of King's Landing and the Wall.

In the capital city the members of the council are presented. Series regular Aidan Gillen, known for his roles in Queer as Folk and The Wire takes the role of Lord Petyr Baelish, the king's master of coin known as "Littlefinger." Gethin Anthony plays the king's youngest brother Renly Baratheon, and veteran actor Julian Glover, well known to science fiction and fantasy fans after appearing in films such as The Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, was cast as Grand Maester Pycelle after actor Roy Dotrice had to be replaced for medical reasons.[3] Author George R. R. Martin wrote on the casting of Conleth Hill as spymaster Varys: "Hill, like Varys, is quite a chameleon, an actor who truly disappears inside the characters he portrays, more than capable not only of bringing the slimy, simpering eunuch to life."[4] Ian McElhinney plays Ser Barristan Selmy, the commander of the Kingsguard, and Miltos Yorelemou appears as the fencing instructor Syrio Forel. McElhinney had previously played Gillen's father in Queer as Folk.

The hierarchy of the Wall is introduced with James Cosmo as commander Jeor Mormont, Peter Vaughan as the blind maester Aemon, Owen Teale as the trainer of the new recruits Ser Alliser Thorne, and Francis Magee as the recruiter Yoren.

"We were deeply saddened to hear about Margaret's passing. She was a warm and wonderful person, and she was completely fantastic in her scenes with Isaac. We wish she could see them… but many people will, and they will love her. We will miss her terribly."

— David Benioff and Dan Weiss[5]

This episode also marks the first appearance of the Welsh actress Margaret John as Old Nan. 84-year-old Margaret John died on 2 February 2011, a few months after having finished recording her scenes in Game of Thrones, which was her last role on television. Executive producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss issued a statement grieving her death. The episode "Lord Snow" is dedicated to her, with the last credit being "In the memory of Margaret John."[6]

the grand gate of Mdina
The Mdina Gate doubles as the gate of the Red Keep.

Filming locations

[edit]

To film the scenes at the Wall the production built a set on the abandoned quarry of Magheramorne, a few minutes north of Belfast. The composite set (with both exteriors and interiors) consisted of a large section of Castle Black including the courtyard, the ravenry, the mess hall and the barracks, and used the stone wall of the quarry as the basis for the ice wall that protects Westeros from the dangers that dwell beyond. They also made a real elevator to lift the rangers to the top of the Wall.[7]

For the streets of King's Landing, the production flew to Malta. The gate of Fort Ricasoli doubled as the King's Gate, shown at the beginning of the episode when the royal entourage enters the city. The entrance of the Red Keep used when Catelyn and Rodrik enter the fortification corresponds to Mdina Gate,[8] and also in Mdina the Pjazza Mesquita is the location for the entrance to the brothel owned by Lord Baelish.

Ron Donachie, the actor playing Ser Rodrik Cassel, said that the scene where he entered King's Landing was his favourite moment. Visiting a museum in the Maltese capital of Valletta, Donachie had seen a painting of armed knights riding through that Gate of Mdina itself and found exciting that to be able to do the same thing, "especially in Rodrik’s full-scale Stark battle regalia".[9]

Other

[edit]

On the scene where Old Nan offers to tell Bran stories, she claims that his favorites are the ones about Ser Duncan the Tall. The tales of Duncan and his squire Egg are a series of novellas written by author George R. R. Martin, taking place about a hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones.[10]

Reception

[edit]

Ratings

[edit]

"Lord Snow"'s first airing was seen by 2.4 million viewers, which represented a 10% increase in the ratings from the two previous episodes. Combined with the second airing it reached 3.1 million viewers, which were considered good results especially considering that the news of Osama Bin Laden's death broke during the West Coast airing of the episode.[11]

In the UK, the viewership figures were in line with those obtained on the previous week, with around 510,000 viewers. Those figures are in the top end for the network, Sky Atlantic.[12]

Critical response

[edit]

While the majority of the critics gave "Lord Snow" a positive review, many suggested that it suffered from having to introduce many new characters and locations. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes surveyed 14 reviews of the episode and judged 86% of them to be positive with an average score of 8.75 out of 10. The website's critical consensus reads, "'Lord Snow' is an intriguing and heavy transitional episode with standout performances from Bean and Gillen, though it would be better served with more focus on character change and development."[13] Myles McNutt wrote at Cultural Learnings that it was "perhaps the most narratively uninteresting episode of the first six," although he highlighted that it was "hardly a bad episode of television, filled as it is with satisfying sequences that capture many themes key to the series," and added that many issues introduced in this episode had a payoff in future installments.[14] Entertainment Weekly's James Hibberd also thought that it was his least favorite episode of the first six, due to too much character development.[15] However, Alan Sepinwall from HitFix, liked the "more rambling quality of 'Lord Snow,'" and while admitting it is heavy on exposition he felt it worked "because the stories are being told with such passion."[16] IGN's Matt Fowler wrote that "Lord Snow" was "dense and filled with tons of exposition and backstory, which may or may not have interested those new to this story - but I found myself hanging on every precious word."[17] Alan Sepinwall wrote a positive review of the episode for HitFix, saying "Arya's fencing lesson is a wonderful scene, carried by the joy of Maisie Williams' performance and the playful, Inigo Montoya-ish quality of her new teacher Syrio, but it's also such a small, simple thing that you wouldn't ordinarily expect it to be the note that an episode of dramatic television goes out on" and continued "I liked the looser, more rambling quality of "Lord Snow," an episode largely about transitions, fish out of water, and old ghosts.[18]

Some of the scenes were highly praised by reviewers. The closing scene with Arya taking her first lesson from the Braavosi Syrio Forel was highlighted.[16] Maureen Ryan from AOL TV stated that it was her favorite scene of the series so far,[19] and James Hibberd remarked upon the quality of all the child actors of the show and stated that Maisie Williams owned her role in this episode.[15] Other scenes that were noted by the critics were the father-daughter dialogue with Eddard Stark and Arya,[20] King Robert remembering with the members of his Kingsguard their first killings,[14] and Eddard attending his first session of the Small Council.[19]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lord Snow

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Lord Snow" is the third episode of the first season of the medieval fantasy television series . It first aired on May 1, 2011. It was written by series creators and , and directed by Brian Kirk in his directorial debut for the series. The plot follows Jon Snow's training at ; Ned Stark's arrival at King's Landing, followed by Catelyn looking for Bran's would-be murderer; Arya revealing her desire to learn sword fighting to Ned; Joffrey Baratheon being given a lesson in ruling the kingdom by ; and longing for the glory of his past. Meanwhile, learns she is pregnant. The episode was the first to feature Old Nan, played by , who died before the series was broadcast; the episode is dedicated to her memory in the final credits.

Plot

Dothraki Sea

As the khalasar travels across the Dothraki Sea, Daenerys Targaryen grows more confident in her role as khaleesi, practicing the Dothraki language with Ser Jorah Mormont, who provides her with books to aid her learning. Viserys Targaryen, demoted to walking on foot as punishment for his insolence, rides up on a stolen horse and complains about his treatment, but Jorah intervenes. Later, at the encampment, a frustrated Viserys confronts Daenerys, grabbing her roughly and demanding she tell Drogo to give him an army to invade Westeros. When Viserys threatens to hit her, bloodrider Rakharo lassos him with an arakh whip and drags him away. Daenerys asserts her authority, declaring the Dothraki hers and ordering Viserys to leave her sight. Humiliated and now truly a beggar, Viserys departs in anger. Doreah then confides in Daenerys that she believes the khaleesi is pregnant.

The Wall

Jon Snow arrives at Castle Black with his uncle Benjen Stark, the First Ranger. He is greeted by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, who notes the Night's Watch's declining numbers—only three of nineteen castles remain manned—and expresses hope for Jon's contributions. Maester Aemon, the blind maester, welcomes him and reflects on the order's ancient role in protecting the realm. Benjen recites the Night's Watch vows to Jon, emphasizing the lifelong commitment to celibacy, obedience, and defense against wildlings and worse. During training, Jon excels in swordplay, defeating recruits Grenn and Pypar (Pyp) under the supervision of Ser Alliser Thorne, who derisively dubs him "Lord Snow" for his noble bearing and skill, fostering resentment among the lowborn recruits like the bullying Rast. The recruits later ambush Jon in the armory, but Tyrion Lannister, visiting the Wall, intervenes by mocking their bravery and defending Jon's honor. Jon befriends the timid, bookish Samwell Tarly, a disowned noble sent to the Watch by his harsh father, Lord Randyll Tarly, and vows to shield him from hazing. Tyrion, seeking to understand the Wall's plight, tours Castle Black and urges Mormont and Aemon to appeal to the queen for more support, warning of the dangers beyond. He advises Jon that the Watch is a refuge for bastards and outcasts, encouraging him to make the best of it. Benjen denies Jon's plea to join an immediate ranging, insisting he must first take the black.

Winterfell

Bran Stark awakens from his coma after his fall, to the relief of the household. Maester Luwin tends to his injuries, confirming broken bones but a sound mind, and dispatches a raven to inform Lord Eddard of the good news. Catelyn Stark, having examined the Valyrian steel dagger used in the failed assassination attempt on Bran and recognizing it as once belonging to , resolves to travel south to King's Landing to warn Ned of the danger. Despite Robb's concerns about leaving Winterfell vulnerable and Bran's fragile state, Catelyn insists on going in secrecy with Ser Rodrik Cassel, leaving Robb as acting lord. Theon Greyjoy bids her farewell, while Robb grapples with the burdens of leadership amid the family's scattering.

King's Landing

Eddard "Ned" Stark arrives in King's Landing with daughters Sansa and Arya, weary from the journey. He is promptly summoned to the Small Council chambers, where he meets Grand Maester Pycelle, the eunuch , Master of Coin Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, and Lord Commander Barristan Selmy. The council briefs Ned on the realm's dire finances: owes six million gold dragons, half to House Lannister, a stark contrast to the full treasury under the Mad King. They discuss King 's plans for a lavish to honor Ned's appointment as Hand, which Robert endorses enthusiastically despite the costs, highlighting his extravagance and the Lannisters' influence. Ned is unsettled by the and debt. Sansa attends sewing lessons with Septa Mordane, enamored with courtly life and Prince Joffrey, while the tomboyish Arya slips away to retrieve her hidden sword, Needle, from her quarters. Recognizing Arya's wild spirit and the dangers of the capital, Ned hires Syrio Forel, a renowned Braavosi water dancer, as her swordmaster. In her first lesson, Syrio teaches Arya the principles of water dancing—agility, precision, and fearlessness—using a wooden sword. Catelyn arrives in King's Landing disguised as a commoner and seeks out Littlefinger, who denies owning the dagger from Bran's attack but claims it was stolen from him by years ago. Wary but needing allies, Catelyn allows Littlefinger to arrange a clandestine meeting with Ned in a . There, she reveals the assassination attempt and the dagger's significance, urging Ned to investigate Jon Arryn's death as potentially connected, warning of plots against their family. Ned agrees to probe further, deepening his entanglement in southern intrigue.

Production

Writing

The episode "Lord Snow" was written by series co-creators and , drawing directly from George R.R. Martin's novel . The script adapts material primarily from chapters 18 through 24, encompassing Catelyn IV, Jon III, Eddard IV, Tyrion III, Arya II, Daenerys III, and Bran IV, which cover the Starks' arrival in King's Landing, Jon's initiation into the Night's Watch, and parallel developments with the Lannisters, Targaryens, and events at Winterfell. Benioff and Weiss focused on condensing the novel's fragmented multiple-viewpoint structure into a unified television , streamlining subplots to maintain momentum across disparate locations while emphasizing themes of political intrigue, , and social hierarchy. This approach involved selective omission of minor book details to prioritize character-driven tension, such as Ned Stark's early confrontations in the capital and Jon Snow's adjustment to brotherhood life, ensuring the serves as a pivotal bridge in the season's arc. The episode title "Lord Snow" derives from the derisive moniker given to Jon Snow by Ser Alliser Thorne, the Night's Watch training master, underscoring Jon's outsider status as a noble bastard among common recruits. To accommodate the 58-minute runtime, the writers adjusted the initial script length by balancing dense exposition on Westerosi politics and customs with moments of action and dialogue to heighten immediate engagement.

Casting

The casting process for , overseen by director Nina Gold, emphasized finding actors who could embody the complex dynamics of George R.R. Martin's world, with principal roles filled through a combination of targeted offers and rigorous auditions. was cast as Eddard "Ned" Stark without an audition, as producers and , who had previously collaborated with him, invited him to a meeting in where they discussed the role directly. secured the role of Jon Snow after multiple audition rounds, arriving to one session with a from a altercation the previous night, which unexpectedly enhanced his brooding intensity during the screen test. Similarly, landed the part of following an extensive audition process that included an improvised dance routine to demonstrate her vulnerability and strength, stepping in as a replacement after departed post-pilot filming. Aidan Gillen was selected for Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish on July 12, 2010, praised by Gold for his ability to convey subtle ambition and manipulation through a layered performance that blended charm with menace. The child actors portraying the Stark siblings were chosen via open casting calls across the to ensure natural chemistry and authenticity in family interactions; Maisie Williams, then 12, was cast as for her tomboyish energy, while 10-year-old Isaac Hempstead Wright embodied Bran's curiosity and innocence. Margaret John portrayed Old Nan, the Stark family's storyteller, in her final role before passing away from on February 2, 2011, two months prior to the episode's premiere on May 1. To highlight cultural and regional divides, Gold directed efforts toward diverse accents: Northern characters like the Starks adopted and Northern English inflections for a rugged authenticity, while Essosi figures such as Daenerys and her entourage incorporated subtler, more exotic tones to evoke foreign origins.

Filming

Principal photography for "Lord Snow," the third episode of the first season of , occurred as part of the broader season 1 production, which spanned from July 23 to December 18, 2010, primarily in and , with supplementary shoots in . The episode's scenes depicting the Night's Watch at were filmed at Magheramorne Quarry in , , where practical sets constructed the exterior of Castle Black, including its courtyard and gatehouse, to evoke the fortified outpost's stark isolation. In Malta, sequences set in King's Landing utilized the historic city of as the exterior of the Red Keep, with its imposing main gate serving as the royal entrance, while nearby fortresses like and represented the city's defensive walls and harbors. Northern Ireland's in provided the wooded landscapes around Winterfell for scenes involving the Stark family, including forested paths and encounters that highlighted the North's untamed wilderness; trained huskies portrayed the direwolves in related animal sequences. Brief shots evoking the harsh terrain beyond were captured in Iceland's volcanic landscapes, such as areas near , to convey the frozen desolation of the episode's northern elements. The production timeline for these locations ran from to 2010, marked by logistical hurdles including unseasonably harsh weather in —such as heavy rains and early frosts—that delayed outdoor shoots and required adjustments to the schedule. These issues underscored the complexities of coordinating international shoots across diverse terrains while adhering to environmental regulations.

Post-production

The post-production phase for "Lord Snow" focused on refining the to create a seamless across diverse locations, with editor Frances Parker tasked with interweaving the multiple plotlines—spanning the Dothraki Sea, , Winterfell, and King's Landing—within the episode's 58-minute runtime. Parker's approach emphasized parallel storytelling, cutting between character arcs to build and thematic connections, such as the contrasts between northern and southern intrigue, while adhering to the series' established pacing. Visual effects work was led by Pixomondo, who handled CGI enhancements for establishing shots and creature effects in the episode. composed the episode's score, prominently featuring the series' main theme "" during the and title sequence to establish an orchestral grandeur that underscored the political and familial tensions. Djawadi's motifs, blending medieval instrumentation with modern percussion, wove through key scenes to amplify emotional depth without overpowering the dialogue-driven drama. Michele Clapton's contributed to cultural authenticity and character mobility, incorporating heavy fur cloaks lined with and pelts for the Stark family to symbolize their rugged northern heritage and resilience against cold. In contrast, the Dothraki outfits utilized supple leather pieces—vests, pants, and vests adorned with —for practicality in horseback combat and daily migrations, highlighting their nomadism. Sound design enhancements elevated immersion in high-stakes sequences, using layered ambient effects to convey atmosphere and urgency.

Reception

Viewership

"Lord Snow" premiered in the United States on on May 1, 2011, attracting 2.4 million viewers during its initial 9 p.m. ET/PT broadcast in live + same-day Nielsen ratings, marking a 9% increase from the 2.2 million viewers for each of the first two episodes. Including the 11 p.m. encore airing, the total reached 3.1 million viewers, surpassing the previous week's combined benchmark of 2.9 million. This performance highlighted steady growth in the series' early audience, contributing to 's strongest original programming launch since The Pacific in 2010. The episode demonstrated strong appeal among key demographics, earning a 1.1 rating in the adults 18-49 group according to Nielsen measurements, up from 0.9 for the prior installments and reflecting robust engagement from younger adult viewers. In context with other HBO dramas, this viewership built on the series' foundation, outpacing the initial episodes of contemporaries like Deadwood (which averaged around 4 million cumulative viewers per episode in its first season) and (3.8 million for its premiere), while establishing as a rising force in premium cable programming. Internationally, "Lord Snow" aired on networks including in the , where it drew approximately 510,000 viewers in early figures, and on Showcase in , contributing to the show's expanding global reach as part of HBO's international syndication strategy. Overall season growth saw the first three episodes accumulate strong multi-platform viewership, with the premiere alone reaching 8.7 million total viewers across HBO outlets by early May.

Critical response

"Lord Snow" received generally positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its expansion of the series' intricate and character dynamics while noting some challenges in delivery. On , the episode garnered an 80% approval rating based on 15 reviews, with praise centered on the continued world-building and effective character introductions that deepened the viewer's immersion in Westeros. Critics highlighted several standout elements, including Arya's sword lesson with Syrio Forel, which was lauded for its joyful energy and ' spirited performance, providing a refreshing contrast to the episode's heavier tones. The scenes at were also commended for their evocative depiction of isolation and camaraderie among the Night's Watch recruits, reinforcing the episode's thematic hooks established in prior installments. However, some reviewers pointed to heavy exposition in dialogue as a drawback, with discussions among characters like and the Small Council feeling dense and occasionally overwhelming for newcomers. Pacing in the setup sequences drew similar critiques, described as transitional and slower, prioritizing backstory over immediate action. In , the episode was praised for its fidelity to George R.R. Martin's source material while enhancing character nuances, such as adding layers of humanity to beyond her book portrayal. The visual scale of King's Landing and was noted in various critiques for its striking authenticity, contributing to the sense of a vast, lived-in realm. Initial reactions were mixed but leaned favorable, aligning with the first season's score of 80/100 based on 28 critic reviews, which underscored the episode's role in building anticipation amid growing viewership buzz.

Legacy

Awards and nominations

The episode "Lord Snow" did not garner individual acting awards, but its production elements contributed to several technical nominations and honors for the first season of . The main title sequence, which first appeared in the and was prominently featured in "Lord Snow," received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Main Title Design in 2011, recognizing the innovative integration of animated visuals and Ramin Djawadi's . This creative work by Elastic ultimately won the Emmy, marking an early highlight for the series' . Michele Clapton's costume designs for the early episodes, including the period fantasy attire seen in "Lord Snow" such as the formal garments at King's Landing, earned a nomination from the Costume Designers Guild Awards in 2012 for Outstanding Costume Design for a Fantasy Series. The nomination celebrated the meticulous historical and imaginative elements that set the tone for the season's wardrobe. Visual effects contributions from the season, building on the White Walker sequences introduced earlier and extending to atmospheric elements in episodes like "Lord Snow," supported a Visual Effects Society Award win in 2012 for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program for the pilot episode "Winter Is Coming." The supervising team, including Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor and , was honored for advancing photorealistic fantasy effects. At the 38th Saturn Awards in 2012, the episode's role in establishing the series' narrative craftsmanship aligned with nominations for Game of Thrones as a whole, including Best Network Series and supporting performances by Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey (both nominated).
AwardCategoryResultNotes
Primetime Emmy Awards (2011)Outstanding Main Title DesignWonFor the HBO sequence featuring in "Lord Snow" and beyond.
Costume Designers Guild Awards (2012)Outstanding Costume Design for a Fantasy SeriesNominatedRecognizing Michele Clapton's work in early season episodes.
Visual Effects Society Awards (2012)Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast ProgramWon (for pilot)Season-wide contributions, including foundational effects.
Saturn Awards (2012)Best Network SeriesNominatedHonoring overall pilot and early episode craftsmanship.

Cultural impact

"Lord Snow," the third episode of , played a pivotal role in the series' early launch as a cultural phenomenon by deepening character arcs and establishing the sprawling world of Westeros, drawing millions into its intricate narrative from the outset. The episode's introduction of Jon Snow's journey to and his nickname "Lord Snow" contributed to the character's enduring popularity, while the later-recurring phrase "You know nothing, Jon Snow"—echoing themes of humility and growth first hinted at here—has become an iconic catchphrase, featured in memes, merchandise, and everyday to denote or irony. The episode's building on the pilot's prologue featuring the sparked widespread fan theories about their origins and motivations, fueling online discussions and memes that dissected the supernatural threat as a for environmental collapse or existential dread, influencing broader conversations in . This early set the stage for serialized storytelling in , where raised standards for complex, multi-threaded plots blending political machinations with mythic elements, inspiring subsequent shows like and to adopt similar ambitious scopes. Additionally, the series' casting, evident in "Lord Snow" through international actors portraying diverse cultural roles such as the Dothraki and Night's Watch members, helped normalize global representation in high-fantasy productions, broadening appeal across demographics despite ongoing critiques. Costumes and props from "Lord Snow," including the rugged attire of the Night's Watch and symbolic direwolf pups, have significantly influenced communities, with enthusiasts recreating these elements at conventions like Comic-Con for immersive . Dragon egg replicas, foreshadowed in the episode's world-building, emerged as staple merchandise, popular at fan events for their detailed craftsmanship and ties to Daenerys' arc, driving a surge in fantasy prop collecting. In 2020s retrospectives, analysts have highlighted how "Lord Snow" foreshadowed the series' twists through its exploration of family dynamics—such as Ned Stark's arrival in King's Landing and the Stark children's separations—and the corrupting allure of power, themes that resonated amid real-world political upheavals and family estrangements. These elements underscored ' legacy in prompting reflections on loyalty and ambition, with the episode serving as a microcosm of the narrative's enduring psychological depth.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1829962/
  2. https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Lord_Snow
  3. https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-1/3-lord-snow
  4. https://ew.com/recap/game-of-thrones-episode-3/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1829962/plotsummary/
  6. https://genius.com/Game-of-thrones-lord-snow-script-annotated
  7. https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Lord_Snow
  8. https://winteriscoming.net/2013/04/ask-a-got-writer-bryan-cogman-on-the-writing-process-robb-and-talisa-and-renlys-peach/
  9. https://collider.com/game-of-thrones-actor-audition-sean-bean-peter-dinklage/
  10. https://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-kit-harington-jon-snow-audition-2017-6
  11. https://time.com/4344505/emilia-clarke-daenerys-targaryen-audition/
  12. https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Aidan_Gillen
  13. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/07/game-of-thrones-audition-history-nina-gold-kit-harington-emilia-clarke
  14. https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Old_Nan
  15. https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Common_Tongue
  16. https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Game_of_Thrones_-_Season_1
  17. https://rudderlesstravel.com/game-of-thrones-northern-ireland/
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  20. https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/game-of-thrones-in-iceland
  21. https://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/game-of-thrones-behind-the-scenes-facts-belfast-tour-ireland
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1829962/fullcredits
  23. https://www.fastcompany.com/1681718/collaboration-isnt-always-pretty-behind-the-emmy-winning-vfx-for-game-of-thrones
  24. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/04/game-of-thrones-title-sequence-theme-song
  25. https://deadline.com/2011/06/emmys-game-of-thrones-costume-designer-michele-clapton-kept-fantasy-real-141326/
  26. https://laist.com/shows/the-frame/game-of-thrones-sound-designer-uses-unusual-sources-for-the-dragons
  27. https://ew.com/article/2011/05/03/game-of-thrones-ratings-rise/
  28. https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a317546/game-of-thrones-still-going-strong-in-uk/
  29. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones/s01/e03
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  31. https://www.avclub.com/game-of-thrones-experts-lord-snow-1798168119
  32. https://uproxx.com/sepinwall/game-of-thrones-lord-snow-war-stories/
  33. https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/game-of-thrones-episode-3-review-lord-snow/
  34. https://reactormag.com/game-of-thrones-episode-review-lord-snow/
  35. https://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-1/
  36. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780/
  37. https://www.artofthetitle.com/news/2011-emmy-nominations-for-main-title-design/
  38. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/all-the-rage/story/2012-01-19/costume-designers-guild-announces-nominees-host-for-2012-awards
  39. https://www.vesglobal.org/previous-awards/2011-10th-annual-ves-awards/
  40. https://collider.com/38th-annual-saturn-award-winners-include-rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-super-8-breaking-bad-and-fringe-as-frontrunners/
  41. https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/game-of-thrones-at-10-series-changed-tv-forever/
  42. https://www.acmi.net.au/stories-and-ideas/game-of-thrones-you-know-nothing/
  43. https://journalistsresource.org/race-and-gender/game-of-thrones-research-roundup/
  44. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jul/15/how-game-of-thrones-put-tv-drama-to-the-sword
  45. https://time.com/4837351/game-of-thrones-real-medieval-history/
  46. https://vocal.media/critique/the-cultural-impact-of-game-of-thrones
  47. https://journals.openedition.org/edc/15084
  48. https://www.slashfilm.com/580524/game-of-thrones-anniversary/
  49. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/game-of-thrones-teaches-us-about-real-life-family-feuds/10992174
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