Greetings fellow Nerds and Nerdettes from Westeros! Well, The Movie House Belfast actually, where a special premier screening of Game of Thrones – S04 E01: Two Swords took place last night in association with The Belfast Film Festival.

With crowds building up and forming the whole way round the cinema outside, and a rare photo opportunity with Sir Bariston Selmy (Ian McIlhinney, pictured below), this was one event that fans hae been looking forward to.

The episode itself was, quite simply, brilliant. Picking up literally where the last season finished, it had the perfect balance of humour, action and further character development and it is shaping up to make Season four the best season yet!

SPOILERS!!!!

The opening shots show the forging of one great and majestic sword, being recast into two swords of different length, under the watchful gaze of Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance). He presents one of the newly forged swords to his son Jamie and demands that he represents him at Castilly Rock. Jamie refuses as he wishes to choose his own path and reclaim what little honour he can (with only the one hand).

Plans for the royal wedding of King Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell continue, though Lady Sansa is extremely upset as she has been informed of the more gruesome details of her brother and mother’s death (remember The Red Wedding in the last season?). This has had an unpleasant effect on her marriage to Tyrion Lannister, who is also suffering.

In conjunction with the wedding plans, we see the arrival of the second Prince of Dawlidge, who has a lust for both fighting and the other f-word! His entrance suitably made, he spends no time at all in settling out old scores with the Lannisters due to his family’s history with them.

Meanwhile, back at Castle Black, young John Snow is on a murder trial for his treachery beyond the wall. He gives stark warnings about The Wildlings’ future plans for the destruction of Castle Black.

Aria Stark and The Hound continue their journey where they come by an inn that is currently being visited by the tormentor that captured Aria and took her to Tywin Lannister. With some brilliant dialogue between The Hound and the King’s Men, The Hound, with some help from Aria cleans up the tavern and Aria delivers her own justice to the beast who killed her friend as she reclaims that which was rightfully hers… Needle

All in all a brilliant opening episode and clearly setting the tone for what looks to be the best season yet. Spring may be in the air but Winter is Coming!

5 out of 5 Nerds