The Rains of Castamere

"The Rains of Castamere"
Game of Thrones episode
Catelyn Stark after unsuccessfully pleading with Walder Frey to spare the life of her son Robb, seconds before her own death.
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 9
Directed byDavid Nutter
Written by
Featured musicRamin Djawadi
Cinematography byRobert McLachlan
Editing byOral Norrie Ottey
Original air dateJune 2, 2013 (2013-06-02)
Running time50 minutes
Guest appearances
  • David Bradley as Walder Frey
  • Mackenzie Crook as Orell
  • Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton
  • Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy
  • Clive Russell as Brynden "Blackfish" Tully
  • Tobias Menzies as Edmure Tully
  • Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane
  • Natalia Tena as Osha
  • Thomas Brodie Sangster as Jojen Reed
  • Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed
  • Hannah Murray as Gilly
  • Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis
  • Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm
  • Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei
  • Kristian Nairn as Hodor
  • Tom Brooke as Lothar Frey
  • Tim Plester as Black Walder Rivers
  • Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark
  • Alexandra Dowling as Roslin Frey
  • Sean Buckley as the Old Man
  • Grace Hendy as Marei Frey
  • Pat McGrath as Hog Farmer
  • Kelly Long as Joyeuse Frey
  • Oddie Braddell as Wendel Manderly
  • Will Champion as a drummer

"The Rains of Castamere" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the third season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 29th overall. The episode was written by series creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by David Nutter. It first aired on June 2, 2013 (2013-06-02).

The episode is centered on the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, one of the most memorable events of the book series, commonly called "The Red Wedding", during which Robb Stark and his banner-men are massacred. Other storylines include Bran Stark's group's having to separate, Jon Snow's loyalties being tested, and Daenerys Targaryen's invasion of the city of Yunkai. The title is a song belonging to the Lannister family, whose lyrics foreshadow the Red Wedding and which is played by the band at the wedding right before the slaughter begins.

"The Rains of Castamere" received acclaim from critics, with high praise being given towards the final "Red Wedding" sequence and the performances, particularly Michelle Fairley, and is widely regarded as one of the best episodes of the show, as well as one of the most harrowing episodes of television in history. It earned Benioff and Weiss a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, and was the recipient of the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. This episode marks the final appearance of Richard Madden (Robb Stark), Oona Chaplin (Talisa Stark), and Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark).