"Two Swords" is the first episode of the fourth season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones. The fourth season premiere and the 31st episode overall, the episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Weiss. It first premiered on April 6, 2014. The title of the episode refers to the two swords Tywin Lannister forges from Ice, Ned Stark's large Valyrian steel sword, in the opening sequence. In the episode, Tywin awards one of these swords to Jaime Lannister, who refuses to leave the Kingsguard as Tywin commands. Tyrion Lannister welcomes Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne to King's Landing ahead of Joffrey Baratheon's royal wedding. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane and Arya Stark stop at an inn on their way to the Vale. Jon Snow is interrogated by the Night's Watch council. Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen marches with her army to Meereen. The episode received positive reviews from critics, and achieved a viewership of 6.64 million during its initial airing, setting a new viewership record for HBO. The episode was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series at the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, sharing its nomination with the following episode, "The Lion and the Rose". Plot In King's Landing Tywin reforges House Stark's greatsword into two smaller swords. One is given to Jaime as the new Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Tywin wants Jaime to marry and rule in Casterly Rock, but Jaime refuses, prompting Tywin to disown him. Qyburn gives Jaime a gilded steel hand. Later, Brienne tries to convince Jaime to fulfil his vow to return the Stark girls to safety, but he argues the matter is now complicated by Catelyn's death, Arya's disappearance, and Sansa's marriage to Tyrion. Tyrion waits to receive the Dornish welcome party at the gates of the city. Prince Oberyn Martell is sent in stead of Doran Martell, who remains in Sunspear for his health. Oberyn, whose sister Elia was married to Rhaegar Targaryen and killed by Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane, seeks vengeance for her and her children's deaths. Shae tries to rekindle her romance with Tyrion, and is observed by another handmaiden, who informs Cersei. Jaime attempts to renew his relationship with Cersei, who rebuffs him, because he "took too long". Sansa, traumatised by her mother and brother's murder, is approached in the godswood by Ser Dontos Hollard,