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Game of Thrones – Season 1, Episode 5 The Wolf and the Lion

Play trailer Game of Thrones – Season 1, Episode 5 The Wolf and the Lion Aired May 15, 2011 Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews
Robert orders a preemptive strike on the Targaryens; Tyrion helps Catelyn; Sansa is charmed by Ser Loras Tyrell; Arya overhears a plot against her father.
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Game of Thrones — Season 1, Episode 5

Game of Thrones — Season 1, Episode 5

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Critics Consensus

With "The Wolf and the Lion," Game of Thrones tightens its grip while ratcheting up the tension through powerful writing, terrific acting, and an evocative, immersive setting.

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Cast & Crew

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Sean Bean

Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark

Mark Addy

King Robert Baratheon

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Lena Headey

Queen Cersei Lannister

Michelle Fairley

Lady Catelyn Stark

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Ser Jaime Lannister
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Game of Thrones — Season 1, Episode 5

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Chivers Daily Telegraph (UK) 03/13/2019
An episode notable for a dramatic leap in both the quantity and the quality of the sex and violence, as well Go to Full Review James Poniewozik TIME Magazine 03/13/2019
With "The Wolf and the Lion," the strongest episode of the season yet, Thrones has put its pieces in place and is ready to start putting them into motion. Go to Full Review Margaret Lyons New York Magazine/Vulture 03/22/2016
Large chunks of the episodes still drag (how much genealogy can I listen to before experiencing telehibernation?), characters blur together, and despite small spots of explosive conflict, it's been a lot of hurry up and wait ... for winter or whatever. Go to Full Review Tony Black Cultural Conversation 04/02/2022
4/5
A quieter but crucial piece in the first season of Game of Thrones, helping to underscore the series as a whole, in some ways The Wolf and the Lion triggers a turning point. Go to Full Review Rob Power SFX Magazine 04/10/2019
4/5
What could have felt extraneous considering how much is currently going on in Game Of Thrones instead serves as a pointed reminder that nothing is forgotten. Go to Full Review TK Burton Pajiba 04/10/2019
For those of you who've been wondering when this show would start to pick up, when things would start to get nasty and violent, I give you "The Wolf And The Lion." Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Episode Info

Synopsis Robert orders a preemptive strike on the Targaryens; Tyrion helps Catelyn; Sansa is charmed by Ser Loras Tyrell; Arya overhears a plot against her father.
Director
Brian Kirk
Executive Producer
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, Ralph Vicinanza, George R.R. Martin
Screenwriter
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 15, 2011