If you’re a fan of the popular TV series Game of Thrones, then you’re probably well-aware of the events that take place at the Purple Wedding. The Purple Wedding refers to the nuptials between King Joffrey Baratheon and his bride-to-be, Margaery Tyrell.
This particular event is significant for a few reasons, namely because it’s one of the most memorable scenes in the entire series due to its shocking conclusion. But what episode of Game of Thrones actually depicts the Purple Wedding scene?
Season 4, Episode 2
The Purple Wedding takes place during the second episode of the fourth season of Game of Thrones. Aptly titled “The Lion and the Rose,” this episode sets the stage for one of the most dramatic sequences in the show’s history.
In this episode, viewers finally see Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding, which takes place at the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing. The wedding ceremony is not without its share of drama, as Joffrey seems to take great joy in antagonizing everyone around him, including his own uncle, Tyrion Lannister.
In the middle of the feast, Joffrey begins to choke on a piece of pigeon pie. In his final moments, he grasps for help as his face turns purple. Chaos ensues, and the episode ends with a shocking reveal – Joffrey has been poisoned.
The Significance of the Purple Wedding
For fans of Game of Thrones, the Purple Wedding is a significant event for a few reasons. First and foremost, it marks the end of one of the show’s most hated characters – Joffrey Baratheon. From his first appearance on the show, Joffrey was immediately despised by most fans, and the Purple Wedding served as a sort of comeuppance for his many sins throughout the series.
Additionally, the Purple Wedding marked a turning point for the Lannister family. With Joffrey dead, Tywin Lannister is forced to act quickly to maintain control of the Iron Throne. Further, Tyrion Lannister, a character who had suffered at the hands of Joffrey throughout the series, is falsely accused of poisoning the young king.
Conclusion
The Purple Wedding is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and significant events in the Game of Thrones series. Those who are unfamiliar with the show may be surprised to learn that the event only takes place in one episode – Season 4, Episode 2, “The Lion and the Rose.”
This episode is essential viewing for any Game of Thrones fan and marks the end of one of the show’s most notorious characters, while simultaneously setting the stage for the series to come.
FAQ
What Game of Thrones episode is Joffrey’s wedding?
“The Lion and the Rose” is the second episode of the fourth season of the HBO fantasy TV series “Game of Thrones.” The episode is a pivotal installment of the show that revolves around a joyous occasion – the wedding of the King Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell, but beneath the opulent festivities lies a web of tension, secrets, and brewing animosity that leads to a surprising turn of events.
In the episode, Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding ceremony takes place in King’s Landing, the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms. The event unfolds at the Purple Wedding feast held in the royal palace. The city is bustling with people attending the wedding and celebrating the union of the young couple. Viewers also witness members of the royal family arriving at the venue, making the event even grander.
As the ceremony advances, tensions start to rise, and some of the guests start to misbehave, including Joffrey himself. The tense situation becomes worse when a violent altercation occurs, triggered by Joffrey’s bad behavior. This leads to his eventual poisoning and death, which sends shock waves through all the attendees and viewers alike.
The episode is widely considered one of the most impactful episodes in the series as it marks a significant development in the storyline. It features memorable moments, such as the stunning Purple Wedding setpiece and the dramatic final scene of Joffrey’s death, which continue to be talked about by fans and critics of the show.
“The Lion and the Rose” is an unforgettable episode of “Game of Thrones” that centers around Joffrey Baratheon’s wedding. This thrilling episode expertly combines grandeur, tension, and drama to create a captivating narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.
Why is Joffrey wedding called the Purple wedding?
The wedding of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell in the Game of Thrones series has become famously known as “The Purple Wedding” among fans of the show. This is due to a number of different factors that all relate to the color purple.
One key reason for this name is that the poison used to kill Joffrey was smuggled into the wedding in the purple amethyst hairnet of Sansa Stark. This detail was revealed in the book series that the TV show is based on, A Song of Ice and Fire. The hairnet is gifted to Sansa by Dontos Hollard, a disgraced knight who has become something of a servant to her. Sansa wears the hairnet to the wedding as a sign of her loyalty to the Tyrells, who are friendly to her and have promised to save her from the Lannisters. However, what Sansa doesn’t know is that one of the purple amethysts is actually a crystal that contains a deadly poison called the Strangler. The necklace is given to her by Olenna Tyrell, who passes it along to Littlefinger. Littlefinger suggests to Olenna that the necklace could be used to kill Joffrey, as it would be difficult to smuggle poison into the wedding unnoticed. With the necklace, all someone has to do is sneak up behind Joffrey and drop the crystal into his wine.
Another reason that the wedding is known as “The Purple Wedding” is because of the color of the wine that Joffrey drinks before he dies. In the scene where Joffrey dies, the wine is described as being “a thick, sweet, purple syrup.” This emphasis on the color of the wine serves to reinforce the name of the event.
The name “The Purple Wedding” for Joffrey’s nuptials has become part of the lexicon of Game of Thrones fans due to the use of the purple amethyst hairnet by Sansa and the description of the wine that Joffrey drinks. The use of the color purple in these instances gives the wedding a specific and unique association with that color, leading to the memorable name.
Why did Joffrey marry Margaery instead of Sansa?
During the time when Joffrey was the king, there were two potential Queens – Sansa Stark and Margaery Tyrell. At first, Joffrey was betrothed to Sansa, which was arranged by his mother, Cersei Lannister, and Sansa’s father, Ned Stark. However, after Ned Stark’s execution, Sansa became an enemy of the Lannisters, and it was no longer convenient for Joffrey to marry her since it would only fuel further hatred towards the Lannisters.
On the other hand, Margaery Tyrell and her family were very ambitious, and they saw an opportunity in Joffrey. Margaery was already married to Renly Baratheon, but after he died, her family made sure she was free to marry again. They knew that if they married Margaery to Joffrey, they would be securing themselves a powerful ally, and it would improve their position in the game of thrones.
So, Joffrey ended up marrying Margaery instead of Sansa. Margaery was everything that Joffrey wanted in a wife – she was young, beautiful, and ambitious. She knew how to manipulate people, and she understood how to handle Joffrey, keeping him under control. Joffrey was infatuated with her and believed that Margaery would be a more cooperative and loyal wife than Sansa, who he blamed for her family’s rebellion against him.
Joffrey married Margaery instead of Sansa because it was more politically and strategically advantageous for the Lannisters and the Tyrells to be in an alliance rather than to maintain their enmity. Even though Sansa was initially betrothed to Joffrey, the circumstances changed, which made it more convenient for Joffrey to marry Margaery instead.