Valar Morghulis

"**Valar Morghulis**"
"Valar Morghulis"
Game of Thrones episode
Episode no.	Season 2; Episode 10
Directed by	Alan Taylor
Written by	David Benioff; D. B. Weiss
Featured music	Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by	Jonathan Freeman
Editing by	Frances Parker
Original air date	June 3, 2012
Running time	64 minutes
Guest appearances
	Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin; Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle; Ian Hanmore as Pyat Pree; Natalia Tena as Osha; Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar; Simon Armstrong as Qhorin Halfhand; Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth; Rose Leslie as Ygritte; Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos; Joe Dempsie as Gendry; Oona Chaplin as Talisa Mygaer; Esme Bianco as Ros; Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell; Mark Stanley as Grenn; Ben Crompton as Eddison Tollett; Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie; Ralph Ineson as Dagmer Cleftjaw; Roxanne McKee as Doreah; Steven Cole as Kovarro; Kristian Nairn as Hodor; Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark; Edward Dogliani as Rattleshirt; Forbes KB as Black Lorren; Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne; Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo;
Episode chronology
← Previous; "Blackwater"	Next →; "Valar Dohaeris"
	Game of Thrones (season 2)
	List of episodes

"Valar Morghulis" is the tenth and final episode of the second season of the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones. It is the sixth episode of season 2 to be written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and is directed by Alan Taylor, his fourth episode of the season. The episode is 64 minutes long^[1] and aired on June 3, 2012.

The episode's title is a code phrase spoken by Jaqen H'ghar to Arya Stark during the episode, but its meaning is not explained until the third season episode "Walk of Punishment": "All men must die." This is consistent with the meaning given in the books upon which the series is based.^[2]

This episode marks the final appearance of Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo).

Plot[]

In King's Landing[]

Tywin is named Hand of the King and Baelish is awarded Harrenhal. Ser Loras asks Joffrey to wed Lady Margaery, with Cersei and Pycelle's agreement. Baelish offers to smuggle Sansa home but she declines. Varys plots to undermine Baelish.

Scarred and without allies except Podrick, Tyrion learns Cersei was behind the attempt on his life and Bronn is no longer captain of the City Watch. Shae tries to convince him to leave for Pentos, but he refuses.

At Dragonstone[]

Stannis tries to strangle Melisandre for his defeat but relents after truly comprehending her involvement in Renly's death. He is struck by divine visions, restoring his faith in Melisandre.

In the Westerlands[]

Escorting Jaime to King's Landing, Brienne finds three women lynched by Stark soldiers, whom she kills before burying the women. Brienne reminds Jaime that she serves Catelyn, not House Stark.

Robb confides in Catelyn that he loves Talisa and will not proceed with the arranged marriage to House Frey. Despite Catelyn's warning, Robb marries Talisa.

At Winterfell[]

Under siege, Theon rejects Luwin's advice to leave for the Night's Watch, believing Jon will kill him. Theon tries to rally his men, but is knocked out by Dagmer and brought to the Bolton forces. Luwin is stabbed by Dagmer.

Bran and his party find Winterfell sacked and Luwin dying in the Godswood, advising them to head for the Wall before having Osha mercifully kill him.

In the Riverlands[]

Fleeing Harrenhal, Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie are surprised by Jaqen, who offers to train Arya in her abilities, but she declines, saying she must find her family. He gives her a special coin and the phrase "Valar morghulis" to use to find him, and reveals his face-changing ability before departing.

In Qarth[]

Pyat Pree's magic strands Jorah and Kovarro outside the House of the Undying while trapping Daenerys within. After encountering strange visions, she finally finds her dragons chained as Pyat Pree appears and binds her. Daenerys orders her dragons to breathe fire, killing Pyat Pree and freeing her.

Daenerys finds Xaro in bed with Doreah and seals them in Xaro's empty vault (revealing that his claim to be wealthy was a fraud all along). She and her companions then loot Xaro's house to buy a ship.

Beyond the Wall[]

Qhorin goads Jon into killing him, convincing the wildlings Jon has defected. Jon is introduced to the massive wildling force and promised a meeting with Mance Rayder.

Edd, Grenn and Sam hear three horn blasts (meaning White Walkers). Edd and Grenn run and leave Sam. Sam is surrounded by an army of wights and a White Walker, who notice but ignore him as they march toward the Night's Watch's encampment.

Production[]

Writing[]

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

The episode was written by producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss (their sixth and final script of the season) and directed by Alan Taylor. It was Taylor's final episode on the show until he returned for the season seven episode "Beyond the Wall". The episode covers chapters Tyrion XV, Sansa VIII, Theon VI, Arya IX, Bran VII, Daenerys IV, and Jon VIII from A Clash of Kings and the prologue and chapters Jaime I, Tyrion I, and Jon I of A Storm of Swords.^[3] As a season finale, "Valar Morghulis" is a slightly extended episode.

Filming[]

The Minčeta Tower in Dubrovnik was used as the location of the House of the Undying.^[4]

Reception[]

Ratings[]

In its original broadcast on June 3, 2012, the episode received 4.20 million viewers, to become the most-watched episode of the series until the third season aired.^[5] In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 0.973 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week.^[6]

Critical reception[]

"Valar Morghulis" received highly positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 92% with an average rating of 8.83 out of 10, based on 25 reviews. The site's consensus reads: Smart writing, a few surprising plot developments, and an ominous final scene make "Valar Morghulis" a satisfying conclusion to a stellar season.^[7] Matt Fowler of IGN rated the episode 9 out of 10.^[8] David Sims of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" grade.^[9]

Awards and nominations[]

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
2012	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or Special	Paul Engelen, Conor O'Sullivan, and Rob Trenton	Nominated
2012	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Special Visual Effects	Rainer Gombos, Juri Stanossek, Sven Martin, Steve Kullback, Jan Fiedler, Chris Stenner, Tobias Mannewitz, Thilo Ewers, and Adam Chazen	Won
2013	Golden Reel Awards	Best Sound Editing – Long Form Dialogue and ADR in Television		Won
	Golden Reel Awards	Best Sound Editing – Long Form Sound Effects and Foley in Television		Won
	Visual Effects Society	Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program	Rainer Gombos, Steve Kullback, Sven Martin, and Juri Stanossek	Won

References[]

^ "What to Watch This Week: May 28 – June 3". DirecTV. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012. In the special 70-minute second season finale...
^ Martin, George (2005). A Feast for Crows. New York: Bantam Dell. p. 88. ISBN 0-553-80150-3.
^ Garcia, Elio; Antonsson, Linda (March 24, 2014). "EP210: Valar Morghulis". Westeros.org. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
^ "44 incredible Game of Thrones locations". Skyscanner. April 18, 2016.
^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 5, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs + 'Game of Thrones' Finale, MTV Movie Awards, 'Sister Wives', 'The Glades', 'Longmire' + More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
^ "Top 10 Ratings (4–10 June 2012)". BARB. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
^ "Valar Morghulis". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
^ Fowler, Matt (June 2, 2012). "Game of Thrones: "Valar Morghulis" Review". IGN. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
^ Sims, David (June 3, 2012). "'Valar Morghulis' (for newbies)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

External links[]

"Valar Morghulis" at HBO.com
"Valar Morghulis" at IMDb

[1] "What to Watch This Week: May 28 – June 3". DirecTV. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012. In the special 70-minute second season finale...

[Feast_for_Crows-2] Martin, George (2005). A Feast for Crows. New York: Bantam Dell. p. 88. ISBN 0-553-80150-3.

[3] Garcia, Elio; Antonsson, Linda (March 24, 2014). "EP210: Valar Morghulis". Westeros.org. Retrieved November 9, 2014.

[4] "44 incredible Game of Thrones locations". Skyscanner. April 18, 2016.

[5] Kondolojy, Amanda (June 5, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs + 'Game of Thrones' Finale, MTV Movie Awards, 'Sister Wives', 'The Glades', 'Longmire' + More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.

[6] "Top 10 Ratings (4–10 June 2012)". BARB. Retrieved April 7, 2016.

[7] "Valar Morghulis". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 3, 2016.

[8] Fowler, Matt (June 2, 2012). "Game of Thrones: "Valar Morghulis" Review". IGN. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

[9] Sims, David (June 3, 2012). "'Valar Morghulis' (for newbies)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

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v t Game of Thrones episodes
Season 1	"Winter Is Coming" "The Kingsroad" "Lord Snow" "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things" "The Wolf and the Lion" "A Golden Crown" "You Win or You Die" "The Pointy End" "Baelor" "Fire and Blood"
Season 2	"The North Remembers" "The Night Lands" "What Is Dead May Never Die" "Garden of Bones" "The Ghost of Harrenhal" "The Old Gods and the New" "A Man Without Honor" "The Prince of Winterfell" "Blackwater" "Valar Morghulis"
Season 3	"Valar Dohaeris" "Dark Wings, Dark Words" "Walk of Punishment" "And Now His Watch Is Ended" "Kissed by Fire" "The Climb" "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" "Second Sons" "The Rains of Castamere" "Mhysa"
Season 4	"Two Swords" "The Lion and the Rose" "Breaker of Chains" "Oathkeeper" "First of His Name" "The Laws of Gods and Men" "Mockingbird" "The Mountain and the Viper" "The Watchers on the Wall" "The Children"
Season 5	"The Wars to Come" "The House of Black and White" "High Sparrow" "Sons of the Harpy" "Kill the Boy" "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" "The Gift" "Hardhome" "The Dance of Dragons" "Mother's Mercy"
Season 6	"The Red Woman" "Home" "Oathbreaker" "Book of the Stranger" "The Door" "Blood of My Blood" "The Broken Man" "No One" "Battle of the Bastards" "The Winds of Winter"
Season 7	"Dragonstone" "Stormborn" "The Queen's Justice" "The Spoils of War" "Eastwatch" "Beyond the Wall" "The Dragon and the Wolf"
Season 8	"Winterfell" "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" "The Long Night" "The Last of the Starks" "The Bells" "The Iron Throne"