Episode 8 – The Pointy End – New Viewers Recap

Episode 8 of Game of Thrones was actually written by the author of the books the show is based on. George R. R. Martin has worked very closely with the production and will be writing one episode per season. For those of you who haven’t read the books, this episode is probably the first time you’ve been exposed to Martin’s writing. So what did you think? We Do Not Sow has his recap after the break. Feel free to discuss your reactions as well in the comments, without fear of spoilers.

Spoiler note: This post is intended for new viewers only (book fans can discuss the show here). We ask all the series veterans to refrain from posting spoilers in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand, so please be respectful of your new, fellow fans. Thank you!

We Do Not Sow: Episode 8, I feel like I’ve waited forever for you and yet with the story progressing I am almost sad there are only two more episodes left this season. I still can’t get over Joffrey sitting on the throne, when I started watching I knew Joffrey was technically next in line but I never envisioned him actually sitting on the iron throne so soon. Speaking of things I wasn’t expecting to see… Zombies!? What the heck was that? Hordor’s little giant and Syrio, poor Syrio they haven’t officially shown us you getting the hard goodbye but it does seem like you went to join Viserys, Jory, and King Robert.

So heading into the episode I was really excited to see Robb finally take some control, so far all season they haven’t given Robb much of his own idenity. The last two epsidoes they have been revealing a tiny bit and I was extremely happy to see Robb step into his own tonight. He has a long way to go to join the likes of this father but I can definitely see some Ned inside of Robb and I think the next two episodes will be huge for this character! It was nice to see Robb and Catelyn see each other again and I can’t wait for her to see the younger kids again especially Bran. The whole episode was very intense tonight from beginning to end I found myself sitting on the edge of our loveseat, literally.

The Stark girls had a hell of an episode, Arya started out in her “dancing” lesson, Syrio keeps the Lannister guards at bay so she can run away. Then finding out all her fathers’ men have been slayed right where they stood, finds Needle and uses the pointy end for the first time, and then runs off and flees the castle. She may not know what the heck is going on but she is smart enough to know not to stay, hopefully she will reunite with her dire wolf eventually. Could you image being that young and going through all of this in one day? Don’t even get me started on Sansa, she wants to be queen and in the lap of luxury so bad, she is willing to do or, more importantly, not do anything to keep her in good graces. So far, with every character whether it’s a Stark, Lannister, Greyjoy or Baratheon their name, their family and their lands have meant so much to them. Sansa seems to totally miss that entire aspect. I’m really eager to see if she gets to talk to Ned before they tell Ned to approach King Joffrey (almost threw up in my mouth a little bit) again.

So back up north there are zombies! They show the Nights Watch pulling 2 dead bodies from the woods, one without a hand from last week and another stout man, both looking almost frozen to death. After Jon follows Ghost into another’s quarters, the big blue stout man attacks Jon, it was a great scene mostly cause I didn’t expect it at all. After stabbing him a few different times Jon throws a lantern on the walking dead, then Sam tell Jon and the crew about his readings of the White Walkers. Holy crap, the opening scene in the first episode was great, and I’ve kept that in the back of my mind and I have been waiting for more on these white walkers and now I want even more!

Like I said only two more episodes left in season one, I still feel like there are a ton of unanswered questions. I am hoping there isn’t too much of a cliff hanger to end this season or it could be a very long year. I need to know more about the White Walkers. I really wanted to know more back history of Wylla, and now that King Robert is dead, the story can only be told from a conversation between Ned and Jon. Of course I need to know more about Theon’s family rebellion and to see the Iron Islands. What about Brans 3 eyed raven dreams? I’d love more of King Roberts bastard that works at the black smith, the dragon blood inside Daenerys, who sent the man to kill Bran and Jorah Mormont and his fathers relationship (if there is one). Now I know I might not see any of the answers for some time but to be honest I’m scared to death to find out mistakenly and ruin the fun.

Some quick little thoughts about the characters this week, Lysa and Robin still creep me out (just make the kid a damn sandwich please), Drogo you are a beast, you ripped out that tongue like you’ve done it before… and Tyrion I think you love saying ” gold and women” but to be honest who doesn’t?

So new viewers with two episodes left, lets start the guessing: What’s the biggest thing that will happen in the next two episodes? Do we have any other major character deaths coming? And what are you hoping to see?

Until next week, remember no one ever trusts the eunuch.

• Published on 06/05/2011 at 10:00 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 6:04 PM CDT