The Pointy End

The Pointy End does a very successful job in setting up the last two episodes while still bringing character study to the Starks and Lannisters. Also, the relationship between Daenerys and Khal Drogo played by Jason Momoa is very interesting especially the way they speak the Dothraki language especially in the last few episodes. Also, the end scene where Joffrey promises to show mercy to Ned Stark if he confesses his treason and accept him as the rightful king is very intense. My only quibble is that some of the other side characters weren't given much to do, but it doesn't matter.

It's still well-acted, it's still well-written, and the pacing is much tighter this time around. The music score still manages to be beautiful and the direction is really good. So, overall another great episode and a great set up to the last two episodes of Season 1.

Soundtrack : (9.3/10) Dialogue : (9.3/10) Story : (9.4/10) Cinematography : (9.2/10) Character development : (9.5/10) Conflict : (9.5/10) Excitement : (9.6/10) Reasonableness : (9.4/10) Overall : (9.4/10)

Pros :

• several characters has grown according to the situation they've been through .

• a great set up of what yet to come

• many action scenes which hold the audience in the episode.

• showcase of different character's reactions to the main conflict .

• an interesting relationship between Tyrion and Bronn .

• introduction to more lords to help explore the world more .

Cons :

• maybe lack of a hang-cliff, but it isn't even necessary and it hasn't lowered the episode for me .

"The Pointy End" is another astonishing episode of Game of Thrones. There are many plot points to digest, but they are important to the final two episodes to close out the season. This episode was penned by no other than the GOT expert himself, George R.R. Martin. This was his first screenplay he wrote in over 15 years, and he certainly did a great job moving pieces around and getting everything in place. Great acting dominates the scene as usual. It's nice to have Peter Dinklage back as he was sorely missed last episode. His interactions with his father and while in danger with some hill tribes are fantastic! At least we learn how he intends to die. At the age of 80, drinking wine and bedding girls. Nice, Tyrion!

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

Well, here we are. Heading into a series of battles. There appear to be few good guys. The queen and her smug son, who has ignored what the king wrote, and made himself the new king, is now feeling his oats. One problem is that he is antagonizing some that would be allies. These people are being laughed at and that may come back to bite him in the butt. Ned Stark rots in the dungeon while his daughter is being used as a pawn. She is naive and inexperienced, but she has the courage to ask the boy king for mercy for her father. Meanwhile, Tyrion is back in the presence of his father. Of course, there is no love for him other than his being a blood relative and demanding respect. He is by far the most intriguing of characters, many dimensional, devious and self centered, and as slippery as one can be. But, the big deal now is that all the forces are in place, and their collision will make up the last two episodes of the first season.

The Lannister guards slaughter Stark guards and staff and take Sansa arrested. They try to capture Arya, but Syrio Forel defends her and she escapes but finds her sword Needle and beings with her. When a boy tries to grab her, she accidentally kills him. Varys visits Ned in the dungeon and gives water to him and updates him with the news. Sansa agrees to send a letter to Robb to protect her father. Jon is frustrated that he cannot join his brother in the imminent war. He saves Commander Mormont during the night when a monster tries to kill him. Tyrion and Bronn are under siege of hill tribes and the cunning dwarf negotiates with them and they travel together to the place where the Lannister army is camped. Khal Drogo and his warriors destroy a village to take people to sell as slave to finance his invasion of the Seven Kingdoms. Daenerys orders to stop killing and raping the villagers and one of the Drogo's men offends Daenerys and challenges Drogo to fight with him. Drogo is wounded on his chest and one of the women she saved that is a witch treats his wound. Robb has a meeting with the lords and consolidates his leadership. When his men capture a Lannister scout, Robb releases him and sends a message to Lord Tywin telling that he will fight against him. Tyrion meets his father with the hill tribes that join their army. Sansa begs to her father's life in the court and Joffrey says that he will not kill Ned if he confesses his treason and recognizes him as king.

"The Pointy End" is a great episode with many plot points. Varys is a despicable eunuch, serving the realm in order to be always with The Powers That Be. At the Wall, the dead raises when they are touched by the Night Walker. The strategy of Robb releasing the Lannister scout is certainly to lure Tywin. What will happen to Drogo? Ned will certainly not confess treason and how will he be saved? My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "The Pointy End"