When we last visited Westeros word was spreading about Ned’s execution, war broke out between the Starks and and Lannisters, and Daenerys survived the fire with three newly born dragons. The Game of Thrones season two premiere, “The North Remembers,” picked up shortly after.
As tragic as Ned’s execution was, it was not without reprecussions. While Joffrey may have held the Iron Throne, his authority was challenged on all sides. The premiere episode was without any major shocks, but it revealed the players and the fight for thrones.
King’s Landing
King Joffrey continued to make light of his rule. He used it to pleasure himself with duels and for the sense of power. He has no sense of right or wrong and is without any grounding. His execution of Ned Stark was made without any regard to the ramifications and he hasn’t toned that decision making style down.
Lord Commander went in search of King Robert’s illegitimate children and executed them, even tragically a helpless baby. Clearly either Cersei or Joffrey wanted to remove the threat of a true heir of Robert’s from coming forward and claiming the throne.
Now that it is known that Joffrey is not a Baratheon, I’m surprised that he has not been forced from the Iron Throne. Is it because the Lannisters are too powerful? Even though he isn’t the rightful heir, is it because there isn’t anyone left within the castle walls to challenge him? Joffrey needs to be removed, but if he is going to rule, perhaps Tyrion can steer him in a better direction than Cersei has.
Winterfell and Stark Camp
Robb Stark has become a formidable leader, which has earned him the title, “King in the North.” They have won three battles and suffered no defeats against the Lannisters. His demands for peace with the Lannisters showed his position of strength.
Even more telling of Robb’s maturity and strong leadership skill was his conversation with his mother. Catelyn wanted to trade Jaime for Sansa and Arya, but Robb understood it was much bigger than that. This battle was for the freedom from King’s Landing and the Iron Throne. Catelyn agreed to go to Stone’s End to seek Renly’s support.
Theon Greyjoy suggested to Robb that they seek support from his father, Balon Greyjoy. Robb was rightly hesitant after Balon turned again Ned and Robert during the last war. At the same time, Balon has ships they could use in their fight against Joffrey.
The difference in leadership styles between Joffrey and Robb is striking. Robb has proven he is good at strategy, an honorable leader, and has proudly followed his father’s path.
The Stark way was also shown through the mentoring of Bran back in Winterfell. Maester Luwin’s lessons with Bran are the polar opposite of what Cersei had been teaching Joffrey.
Dragonstone
We finally met Robert’s brother, Stannis. He is claiming that he is now the rightful King, since Joffrey is not of Baratheon blood. He has no love for his brother Renly, nor for the “King Slayer” Sir Jaime. He began his quest for the throne, by sending out a letter revealing the truth about Cersei, Jaime, and their incestuous born children.
Stannis is under the spell of a priestess, Melisandre. We didn’t learn much about her, but the sword ritual reminded me of Merlin’s plot with the sword on the cancelled-too-soon Camelot. Will Stannis and Melisandre’s relationship be similar to Merlin’s and Arthur’s?
Odds and Ends
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Apr 02, 2012 @ 00:48 EST5EDT
Of course there’s not anyone in King’s Landing powerful enough to do something about Joffery’s rule right now. They’re either dead (John Arryn, Ned Stark) or left (Renly) … even the second most honorable man in Westeros (and perhaps its greatest fighter) Barristan Selmy was banished from the Kingsguard by Joffery and Cersei.
No, everyone who is overtly working to rectify the King’s lineage is outside the gates, having raised an army to do so (Robb, Stannis, Renly).
Peter Dinklage was promoted to first billing!
Bastard born children have no claim to their father’s lands or title. They are not killing off Robert’s bastards to keep them from making any claims. It is being done so no one can do what Ned did and show what Robert’s true born children look like. They are destroying the closest thing to evidence that anyone has to validate the claims that Stannis is spreading. Based on the book Ned was looking at, every Baratheon on the father’s lineage has had black hair.
Part of the reason is also that people may not believe that fact. They hardly have DNA testing to figure out the truth. It’s not hard to imagine a younger brother lying about the son of the king to get ahead of them in the line of succession. “We” know that Joffery is not a Baratheon, but there’s no way for most people to know that. It just depends on who you believe.