Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 8, "The Pointy End"

Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 8, "The Pointy End"

June 05, 2011


This episode has the Lannisters asserting their power over the Starks. Ned Stark is rotting away in the dungeons, with the eunuch Varys as his only visitor. As least Varys keeps Ned in the loop and brings him bread and water in the process. It’s not much better for the Stark girls. Arya is practicing with Sylvio when the Red Keep comes for her, but Sylvio forces her to run. Sansa is placed under arrest. Her engagement for Joffrey is still on and she still claims she loves him. However, she pleads for the release of his father. Joffrey promises her that he will not be killed if he admits he is the true king, and Cersei forces her to write a letter to her brother Robb to declare fealty of the new king.



This episode is the first time we really see Robb in action. Robb gathers a huge army and sits at the head with the goal to attack the Lannisters. Robb sets free a Lannister guard and tells him to go to Tywin to say that they are coming. Catelyn reunites with Robb, but she loses Tyrion in the process.



Speaking of which, Tyrion and Bronn escape from her clutches and ends up meeting a hill tribe bent on killing them. Through his sharp words, Tyrion manages to get the hill tribe to fight for the Lannister army. When arriving in Tywin’s camp, Tywin looks less than pleased. But he may have a spot for the hill tribe after all.



In order to pay for the war against the Seven Kingdoms, Drogo and the rest of the Dothraki plunders and rapes a village while selling their people into slavery. Daenerys wants them to end their practices, and Drogo agrees. But one Dothraki is not happy and challenges Drogo. Drogo ends up wounded, but can a witch work her wonders on Daenerys’s husband?



Finally, let’s go to the North. Jon Snow is still not happy about his job assignment. Something has to make him spring into action, right? Maybe that thing could be…..a zombie! Yup, zombies (known as White Walkers) are “alive” and well beyond the wall. In a world without guns, it would be interesting to see how they adapt to killing these zombies. Luckily, Jon was able to save Commander Mormont from a gruesome death.



Overall, this is another amazing episode thanks to the screenplay by Martin and the skillful direction of Daniel Minahan. It is somewhat of a talkative episode, but everything moves at a fast pace. No heavy or long monologues. Most of the dialogue is short and straight to the point. And of course, Tyrion adds the humor that we all so desperately love. Also, props must be given to Jack Gleeson. I absolutely loathe his character and wish all the bad luck in the world on him, but he plays his character with gusto and I applaud him for that!



My Grade: A

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