Although George R.R. Martin has yet towrite forHouse of the Dragon,theSong of Ice and Fireauthor is responsible for four great episodes ofGame of Thrones.Martin’s involvement in the early seasons ofGame of Thronesensured a faithful rendering of his books, and it’s little surprise that the episodes he penned are among the strongest additions to the series. Not all of them cover major incidents or battles, but each of Martin’s episodes masterfully captures the heart of his story and the complexity of his characters.
The four episodes Martin wrote are divided among the first four seasons ofGame of Thrones,with the author penning one installment per outing. Some aren’t the episodes you’d expect him to tackle, as they’re not the biggest of their respective seasons. Others, like “The Lion and the Rose” and “Blackwater,” cover major events and benefit from Martin’s hand. They all demonstrate the strengths of having the original creator on board, but a couple are more memorable than the others.
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8
2
9
3
7
“The Bear and the Maiden Fair”
4
“The Lion and the Rose”
4The Pointy End
Season 1, Episode 8
“The Pointy End” is amongGame of Thronesseason 1’s strongest episodes, even if it’s overshadowed by the installments immediately before and after it. The eighth episode of the first season,“The Pointy End,” deals with the aftermath of Ned’s arrest in King’s Landing. It opens with the brutal massacre of House Stark’s entourage, and it sees the rest of the Stark family responding to the Lannisters' accusations of treason. This emotional core makes for some truly memorable moments, from Sansa’s plea for mercy in the throne room to Robb and Catelyn accepting the risks of going to war.
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The Starks shine throughout “The Pointy End,“but they aren’t the only characters that make this season 1 episode stand out. The sacrifices of Syrio Forel and Septa Mordane are sobering developments that drive home the stakes of what’s happening. And like Robb, Daenerys Targaryen continues to come into her own in “The Pointy End,” using her role as Khaleesi to save the women of a village raided by the Dothraki. This leads to in-fighting between Khal Drogo and another khal’s bloodrider and sets the stage for Drogo’s death later on.
‘The Pointy End’ does an impressive job of laying the groundwork for season 1’s biggest tragedies and everything that follows.
Overall, “The Pointy End” does a masterful job of laying the groundwork for season 1’s biggest tragedies and everything that follows. It should feel like a slow episode, but the emotional beats and character interactions ensure it’s still satisfying.Martin proves he’s the right choice to write such moments, and he layers the more serious scenes with humor from Tyrion’s travels. Because “The Pointy End” is still early in the show and quieter than Martin’s other installments, itisthe weakest of the four — but if anything, that’s merely a testament to the strength of the others.
3The Bear And The Maiden Fair
Season 3, Episode 7
Game of Thronesseason 3, episode 7 is another installment full of deliciously tense build-up, though “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” has an ending that ranks it higher than “The Pointy End.” This season 3 installment also jumps around a lot in terms of settings and characters, and it helps set up thedevastating Red Weddingjust two chapters later. Martin proves his talent for writing romance in “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” which delivers tender moments between Robb and Talisa, as well as Jon and Ygritte.
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Even as the latter couple steals the show, the tensions between them start to rise as the wildlings get nearer to their invasion of the North. Things are also taut between Daenerys and Razdal mo Eraz, the slave master she meets with in Yunkai.Daenerys is in her element inGame of Thronesseason 3, and her negotiations in Yunkai highlight that. Emilia Clarke’s portrayal of her ruthless nature and growing confidence explain why so many viewers fell for her. Tywin’s intense conversation with Joffrey in the throne room is also among the episode’s highlights.
The real reason ‘The Bear and the Maiden Fair’ lands higher than ‘The Pointy End’ is because it kicks off Jaime Lannister’s redemption arc in earnest.
Yet again,Martin’s writing seamlessly captures his characters' nuances. Of course, the real reason “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” lands higher than “The Pointy End” is because it kicks off Jaime Lannister’s redemption arc in earnest. Jaime returning to Harrenhal to save Brienne marks a huge turning point for his character, and it’s one of the most surprising scenes of the entire show. It emphasizes how complexGame of Thrones’characters and dynamics really are. However, the episode’s conclusion isn’t as massive as the events of the other two Martin wrote.
2The Lion And The Rose
Season 4, Episode 2
Aptly titled “The Lion and the Rose,“Game of Thronesseason 4, episode 2 is known for bringingA Song of Ice and Fire’s “Purple Wedding” to the screen. The union between Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell ends in tragedy, delivering a death thatGame of Thronesfans waited years for. Joffrey’s downfall proves every bit as satisfying as they’d hoped. However, it also manages to convey how devastating it is for Cersei and Jaime — and even evokes the smallest bit of sympathy over the brutal nature of Joffrey’s end.
The celebration throws together many characters who don’t normally interact, resulting in a mix of tense and comical conversations.
That’s an impressive balancing act, and it’s accomplished through talented performances and Martin’s writing.Joffrey’s death isn’t the only highlight of the wedding, either. The celebration throws together many characters who don’t normally interact, resulting in a mix of tense and comical conversations. Martin expertly stirs the pot, pitting Jaime against Loras Tyrell, Cersei against Brienne of Tarth, and Tywin against Olenna. The result is an episode of television that will leave viewers on edge from start to finish.
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“The Lion and the Rose” does have a few significant developments outside the Purple Wedding, andall of them put Martin’s character writing on full display. Tyrion’s relationship with Shae culminates in a heartbreaking scene, where he attempts to send her away. Meanwhile, Shireen bravely questions Melisandre’s actions, we see more visions from Bran, and the Bolton family dynamic becomes clearer. Each of these subplots is gripping in its own right, and the only one of GRRM’s episodes to top “The Lion and the Rose” is the one that blends such interactions with a big action sequence.
1Blackwater
Season 2, Episode 9
“Blackwater” is easily the biggest and best episode ofGame of Thronespenned by Martin, as it’s the only installment of his that tackles a major battle. It does a stellar job of it, too, weaving in the quieter character moments from his other three episodes but placing them against a backdrop with much higher stakes. The Battle of Blackwater Bay lives up to its book counterpart, and it’s especially impressive given that it’s the first major battle the show adapts.
Perhaps the greatest feat of ‘Blackwater’ is the fact that viewers are made to feel for characters on both sides of the conflict, a strength that carries over from Martin’s books.
Perhaps the greatest feat of “Blackwater” is the fact that viewers are made to feel for characters on both sides of the conflict, a strength that carries over from Martin’s books. The beginning of the episode, which shows the characters preparing for the fight, reminds viewers of exactly what’s at stake. Tyrion’s tender moments with Shae, Davos' final conversation with his son, and even Bronn’s and the Hound’s attempts to let loose all drive home the realization that some of these characters may not return from battle.
The HBO show delivers a spectacle with the battle itself too. Indeed, the Battle of the Blackwater is amongGame of Thrones’best battles ever, beaten only by season 6’s Battle of the Bastards. Martin injects great writing into the explosive action moments, with Tyrion’s speech, Cersei’s lessons to Sansa, and Joffrey’s obvious incompetence proving particularly memorable. It’s no wonder thisGame of Thronesepisode is remembered so fondly, and it’s hardly a surprise that Martin had a hand in its brilliance.
