content: "'''Baelor'''" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the first season of the HBO medieval fantasy television series ''Game of Thrones''. First aired on June 12, 2011, it was written by the show's creators and executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Alan Taylor, his directorial debut for the series.
  The plot depicts Eddard Stark (Sean Bean), imprisoned and accused of high treason, struggling with the decision whether to falsely confess to save his daughters, and he is ultimately beheaded by King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson). Stark's wife Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) negotiates with Lord Walder Frey (David Bradley) for the use of a strategic river crossing as their son Robb (Richard Madden) fights his first battle in the war against the Lannisters. Meanwhile, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) discovers a secret about Maester Aemon (Peter Vaughan), and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) stands up to Dothraki soldier Qotho (Dar Salim) and challenges Dothraki traditions to care for Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa). The title refers to the great Sept (church) in King's Landing where Ned meets his fate.
  The episode received great acclaim among critics, who cited the final scene with Eddard Stark's beheading as a highlight for the series, calling it a "daring, tragic finish." In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of 2.66 million in its initial broadcast. The episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Peter Dinklage won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance.