Game of Thrones Gossip #45 The Red Wedding

Welcome to my Game of Thrones Gossip, where us fanatics get the chance to discuss everything we love about this amazing TV series. I decided to do a whole series of these discussion posts that let us say everything we want and enjoy every second of it! Please feel free to comment fully and without restriction!

I have to warn you that it is important that you have seen all six seasons before reading any of these posts because these posts and blogger comments will be exploding spoilers all over the place. If you haven't watched the series and plan to, be warned that it's a bad idea to be here right now! I take no responsibility if you read on and things are spoiled for you.

Now I'm looking at the main characters introduced in season three, what our season two characters were doing and looking at all the bests bits. Enjoy the season three posts! This week I'm looking at The Red Wedding. ***Do not read on if you have not reached season three as there are massive plot spoilers***

"My honoured guests, be welcome within my walls and at my table. I extend to you my hospitality and protection in the light of the Seven."

Walder Frey has been fuming since he received the news that Robb Stark has married Talisa for love, abandoning his promise to marry one of Frey's girls, which Robb agreed to in order to gain Frey as an ally in the war against the Lannisters. Walder Frey has no great love for any of the main families as none have been particular friends to House Frey but he is interested in anything that will benefit him. This leads him into a plot with House Lannister and House Bolton to destroy the Starks and Tullys. When Robb reaches out to the Freys about a new alliance, Walder demands that Edmure Tully marries Roslin, his daughter. The wedding is to take place in weeks as Robb has previously 'disappointed' when it comes to weddings. Robb makes his apologies to Walder and all his girls for breaking his promise, and Walder officially gives everyone his hospitality oath. The wedding begins.

Edmure is naturally worried about the appearance of any daughter of Walder Frey but he is stunned and happy to see how beautiful she is and can't wait to start married life with her. The Stark and Tully men are relaxed and the wedding feast gets into full swing, with everyone in the hall enjoying the music and food. The bedding ceremony is next with both bride and groom being dragged away by happy guests to be taken to the marital bed. As soon as Edmure and Roslin are safely removed, the doors of the hall are secured by Black Walder. Brynden Tully is no longer in the hall, having went to relieve himself outside before the doors were locked.
 

The band have been playing in the background of the feast but when the tune changes to play The Rains of Castamere, it draws Catelyn's attention. It is a Lannister song, telling the story of House Reyne who rebelled against the Lannisters and had their entire House wiped out for it. It is sung as a victory song and also as a warning to Lannister enemies about their fate.

And who are you, the proud lord said,

that I must bow so low?

Only a cat of a different coat,

that's all the truth I know.

In a coat of gold or a coat of red,

a lion still has claws,

And mine are long and sharp, my lord,

as long and sharp as yours.

And so he spoke, and so he spoke,

that Lord of Castamere,

But now the rains weep o'er his hall,

with no one there to hear.

Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall,

and not a soul to hear.

Robb is too busy with Talisa and his men too drunk or otherwise occupied to listen to the music but Catelyn is fully aware of what is being played and what it means. She begins to nervously look around the hall, uneasy but not sure why. As the song finishes Walder Frey tells Robb that he has been remiss in his wedding gift to the new Queen, Talisa. 

Catelyn links gazed with Roose Bolton who draws her attention to the chain mail he is wearing under his clothes and she knows that they have walked into a trap. As Catelyn shouts a warning to Robb, Lothar Frey walks up to Talisa and begins plunging a blade into her stomach, murdering her baby and leaving her fatally wounded. The musicians begin firing arrows down into Robb and his men, followed by attacks on the Northmen down in the hall by strategically placed Bolton and Frey men.

Outside, the partying Northmen find themselves under attack by Frey and Bolton soldiers who take them by surprise. Those who can try to flee while tents birn and men die. Robb's faithful companion Greywind who was not permitted to be in the hall, is murdered in his cage as he howls for Robb. Brynden Tully runs for his life while The Hound ensures that Arya does not die as well.

"The Lannisters send their regards."

In the hall, Robb has been struck down by the crossbolts but crawls to the side of his wife, shell shocked and barely aware of what is happening around him. With the carnage dying down Walder is amused by Robb's agony and Catelyn grabs Walder's wife Joyeuse, threatening to kill her unless Robb is allowed to go free, offering to take his place. Robb is in no condition to do anything of the sort with Talisa dead but gets to his feet as Walder declares he will just find another wife. It is then that Roose Bolton delivers his message and murders Robb. The grief stricken Catelyn watches her son die and kills poor Joyeuse before having her own throat cut by Black Walder.

The Red Wedding episode was truly shocking for us viewers who hadn't read the books. I just wasn't expecting it at all. The whole thing seemed to be going along normally...until the door was closed after the bedding ceremony. My brain was instantly alert to that, wondering why that happened. So when the band played that song, I didn't know what it was or the significance until I researched it later but Catelyn's reaction told me that something about it was alarming her. I had little time to think about it! It was shocking to see Talisa and her baby die so violently to begin the carnage. The focus of Game of Thrones has the heroic Starks front and centre so seeing Robb and Catelyn die in season three was a big shock.  

What was your reaction to The Red Wedding?