The Pointy End

"The Pointy End"
Game of Thrones episode
Khal Drogo gets ready to fight.
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 8
Directed by	Daniel Minahan
Written by	George R. R. Martin
Featured music	Ramin Djawadi
Cinematography by	Matthew Jensen
Editing by	Martin Nicholson
Original air date	June 5, 2011 (2011-06-05)
Running time	58 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin Conleth Hill as Lord Varys Jerome Flynn as Bronn James Cosmo as Ser Jeor Mormont Owen Teale as Ser Alliser Thorne Ron Donachie as Ser Rodrik Cassel Charles Dance as Lord Tywin Lannister Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy John Bradley as Samwell Tarly Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle Miltos Yerolemou as Syrio Forel Kate Dickie as Lady Lysa Arryn Dominic Carter as Janos Slynt Natalia Tena as Osha Susan Brown as Septa Mordane Clive Mantle as Lord Jon "Greatjon" Umber Mark Stanley as Grenn Josef Altin as Pyp Luke McEwan as Rast Mark Lewis Jones as Shagga Mia Soteriou as Mirri Maz Duur Amrita Acharia as Irri Roxanne McKee as Doreah Kristian Nairn as Hodor Elyes Gabel as Rakharo Dar Salim as Qotho Ian Gelder as Ser Kevan Lannister Lino Facioli as Lord Robin Arryn Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark Brian Fortune as Othell Yarwyck
Episode chronology
← Previous "You Win or You Die" Next → "Baelor"
Game of Thrones (season 1) List of Game of Thrones episodes

"The Pointy End" is the eighth episode of the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones. First aired on June 5, 2011, the episode was directed by Daniel Minahan and written by George R. R. Martin, the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels on which the show is based.

The plot covers the aftermath of Eddard Stark's capture. While the Lannisters seek to capture his daughters, his son and heir, Robb, raises an army in the North. Meanwhile, Daenerys witnesses a Dothraki raid on a peaceful village, and Jon Snow faces a new threat at the Wall. The episode's title refers to the sword fighting lesson that Jon gave to Arya before their farewell: "Stick them with the pointy end."

The episode was well received by critics, who praised Martin's adaptation of his own work as well as the actors' performances. It was dedicated to Ralph Vicinanza, an executive producer who died of natural causes. In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of 2.72 million in its initial broadcast. The episode garnered an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Costumes for a Series, but lost to The Borgias.

Like previous episodes, "The Pointy End" interweaves action in multiple separate locations in and around the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.

As Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Bronn (Jerome Flynn) head towards Tywin Lannister's camp, they are surrounded by one of the barbarian hill tribes of the Vale. Tyrion convinces them to serve as his escorts by promising them gold, weapons and an army to help them seize the Vale of Arryn. Tywin is displeased, but agrees to keep Tyrion's promises if the hill tribes join the fight against the Starks. The tribesmen agree, but want Tyrion to follow them as insurance, much to Tyrion's discomfort.

Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) confronts her sister Lysa (Kate Dickie) about the letter Catelyn received regarding events at King's Landing. Lysa refuses to send troops to help the Starks against the Lannisters because she only cares for the safety of her son Robin (Lino Facioli). A disgusted Catelyn leaves the Eyrie.