"Game of Thrones" Season 2, Episode 5, titled "The Ghost of Harrenhal," is centered around several key storylines.
In King's Landing, Tyrion Lannister continues to work to improve the city's defenses and to try to gain the support of the smallfolk, despite the disapproval of his father, Tywin Lannister. Meanwhile, Sansa Stark is still a prisoner of the Lannisters, and is becoming increasingly distressed as she realizes the full extent of the Lannisters' cruelty.
At Harrenhal, the castle that was seized by Robb Stark's forces in the previous episode, Lord Roose Bolton is trying to maintain order and extract information from the prisoners, but his methods are brutal and inhumane.
In the Riverlands, Robb Stark continues to fight against the Lannisters, and receives a message from his mother Catelyn Stark, warning him of the danger posed by Lord Walder Frey, a powerful bannerman of Robb's who had been slighted by Robb when Robb broke his engagement to Frey's daughter.
In the East, Daenerys Targaryen and her khalasar continue their journey across the Red Waste in search of allies, and she comes across a group of riders led by a woman named Xaro Xhoan Daxos, who offers her aid and a place to stay in the city of Qarth.
At the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night's Watch come across a wildling camp, where Jon learns that the wildlings are planning to march on the Wall. He also meets a woman named Ygritte, who is different from the other wildlings and takes a liking to him.
The episode ends with a scene at Harrenhal, where Lord Tywin Lannister arrives and takes command of the castle, much to the relief of the prisoners, who hope that his presence will bring an end to the atrocities committed by Lord Bolton and his men.
In summary, the episode is a continuation of the political maneuvering, warfare and power struggles that is the backbone of the series. It also furthers the characters development of the main characters, Tyrion Lannister, Sansa Stark, Robb Stark and Daenerys Targaryen, as well as adding new characters like Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Roose Bolton and Ygritte. The episode also continues to hint at the growing threat of the White Walkers and the Night King.
