Quick and Dirty Plot:
This episode picks up right where the previous episode left off. Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is being held prisoner for treason for not accepting Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). The remaining Stark family in King’s Landing must seek shelter. Sansa (Sophie Turner) attempts to run but is captured by the king’s guards. Arya (Maisie Williams) must flee from her sword-fighting class and goes into hiding.
Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) learns of her husband’s capture. She asks her sister Lysa (Kate Dickie) for help but receives no support. Catelyn makes her way back to Robb (Richard Madden). Robb has decided to go to war, leaving Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) in charge of Winterfell. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) with Bronn (Jerome Flynn) make their way back to King’s Landing when they are ambushed by tribesmen. Tyrion convinces them to escort them to Tywin’s (Charles Dance) camp. They agree.
Back at King’s Landing, Sansa is manipulated by Cersei (Lena Headey) and Joffrey. Sansa agrees to stand by Joffrey and denounces her father’s actions. Ned is being held prisoner but is visited by Varys (Conleth Hill). Varys, in turn, tries to get Ned to see the error of his ways and start playing the game, not just for Ned’s sake but for his daughters’.
The Dothraki are back to pillaging in order to get funds for their ships. Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) orders for the Dothraki to take the captured women as their wives rather than enslaving them. This angers one of the dudes, who then duels Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa). The angry Dothraki person is killed but manages to wound Khal Drogo in the process. Khal Drogo reluctantly agrees to let a healer (Mia Soteriou) assist him.
At the Wall, coming back from their creepy Night’s Watch initiation ceremony, Jon (Kit Harington) and Sam (John Bradley) bring back the corpses of Jon’s uncle’s fellow rangers. Despite being dead for weeks, the corpses have no orders. Jon learns of the events happening in the south but is reminded of his oath to the Night’s Watch. One night, Jon is alerted by his direwolf of something strange happening in Commander Mormont’s (James Cosmo) quarters. Jon is then met by a reanimated corpse, eventually killing it.
Back at King’s Landing, Joffrey has taken the Iron Throne. During court one day, Sansa begs for Joffrey to spare her father’s life, still denouncing Ned’s actions in the process. Joffrey agrees to show mercy if Ned confesses to his crimes and declares Joffrey as the rightful king.
Takeaways:
Whew. Things are getting more and more bananas! Let’s start at the Wall. I know that White Walkers are a thing. I know that they’re a real big problem as the series progresses. I find it very interesting that there have been hints throughout the series, but this is the first time we are really seeing and verifying their existence. You would think that they’d be talking about them more since they are going to be HUGE, but okay. I’m glad we are finally learning more and getting more of the White Walkers. I am still confused about what they’re all about, but we’re starting to get somewhere.
Daenerys and Khal Drogo are the most captivating couple. They literally became married because she was essentially sold to him. I don’t know if it’s Stockholm Syndrome or what, but Daenerys is all about Khal and the Dothraki. I do like them together though. She makes him a little less barbaric. He, in turn, truly empowers her. I know that Khal Drogo’s days are sadly numbered so I’m not excited to witness that.
Now, onto the big stuff. Ned! What a damn fool. Did he really not see this coming? How did he think things were going to go down? He really thought he would be successful? He had nothing planned out for his daughters. Or the rest of his family back in Winterfell. And even with his fake alliances, he was still caught being stupid. This poor, moral idiot! I know where this is headed (no pun intended). I am dreading the inevitable. I think I need to call my doctor for some blood pressure medication. This is all too crazy.
“The Pointy End” featured more Sansa, which is my jam. I really like Sansa, even if she is a bit of a moody teenager. I feel bad for her because she is clearly being played by Cersei. I think the thing that is bothering me most about Sansa is how much faith she has in Ned to do the right thing. It breaks my heart knowing that she is about to have her world rocked.
Prior to “Game of Thrones,” I had never seen Sophie Turner in anything. I know she’s in some “X-Men” movies and a Quibi series, but my only knowledge of Turner comes from her “And that’s the tea” series she does on social media. So seeing her now in the series, I’m truly blown away by her work. Turner is very smart and witty in her social media presence. Sansa is not very funny but is quite intelligent. I think this episode gave Turner her first opportunity to showcase her talent. The scene at the end of the episode where Sansa pleads for her father’s life is equal parts calculated, heartbroken, conflicted and desperate. I know that the series will be taking Sansa on a rollercoaster, so I cannot wait to see what Turner does with Sansa.
Out-of-Context Quotes:
- Oh no — Sansa!
- “Who do you truly serve?” “The realm, my Lord. Someone must.”
- Shit is getting real at the Wall.
- “You may be a coward, Tarly, but not stupid.” Backhanded compliment to poor Sam.
- Cersei is acting like Sansa’s friend. YOU LIAR!
- “Family means everything to me.” That’s why she’s breastfeeding a 10 year old.
- Hodor is just the “Game of Thrones” Groot.
- Robb is ready for war. But he’s also about honor and morals. Takes after his dumb dad.
- Tywin is Hand of the King? I hate the Lannisters.
- Now Jaime Lannister is the main knight dude? This is some Tr*mp bullshit.
- Who is this old wizard dude on the council??
- Oh, Sansa has too much faith that Ned can play the game.
“Game of Thrones” is available to watch on HBO and HBO Max.
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Featured image credit: HBO
Morgan Roberts (she/her) was by films and television. She spent many nights watching “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” or whatever the family rented from Blockbluster. Morgan is particularly interested in cinematography, supporting female filmmakers and “Fleabag.” Outside of a deep love of film, Morgan is passionate about mental health advocacy, gender equality and true crime podcasts. Morgan also contributes to In Their Own League.