Every Game of Thrones Episode Written by George R.R. Martin, Ranked

George R.R. Martin only wrote four teleplays for Game of Thrones, but the ones he worked on emerged as some of the strongest episodes in the entire series. Across the early seasons, he helped bring key character arcs to life while sharpening the focus on the politics and warfare of Westeros.

From full-scale battles to shocking yet satisfying plot twists, these episodes stood out not only because Martin wrote them, but because they contain crucial moments that shaped the adaptation.

That said, here’s every Game of Thrones episode written by the author himself, ranked from weakest to strongest.

4 The Bear and the Maiden Fair Focused on Several Uneven Storylines (Season 3 Episode 7)

This episode featured multiple key storylines, such as Jaime rescuing Brienne at Harrenhal, Daenerys and her army traveling to Yunkai, Sansa getting betrothed to Tyrion, and the Wildlings marching towards Castle Black. While these moments were equally significant to the plot, viewers found them lacking a cohesive direction.

The execution was controversial because it abruptly shifted between road comedy and brutality to wedding chaos. This unbalanced storytelling, unfortunately, overshadowed some important plot developments, as if it tried to touch all corners at once. It’s still an excellent episode, but it’s definitely not among Martin’s best.

3 The Pointy End Dealt With The Aftermath of Ned Stark’s Arrest (Season 1 Episode 8)

The episode follows the events after Ned Stark was detained in King’s Landing, with Robb calling the banners of the North to war against the Lannisters, and Cersei convincing Sansa to write to her brother and make him swear fealty to Joffrey.

This episode built the tension for what would become the most shocking part of Season 1. It was a solid storyline that captured the political tension in Westeros as the War of the Five Kings kicked into full gear. While it’s not a mind-blowing episode, it laid down all the bricks that would later form the conflicts, alliances, and betrayals in the next season.

2 Blackwater Witnessed The Explosive Siege of King’s Landing (Season 2 Episode 9)

Hailed as one of the best episodes in the entire franchise, Blackwater focused on the Battle of Blackwater Bay, where the Lannister army, led by Tyrion Lannister, defended King’s Landing against Stannis Baratheon’s naval invasion, as he sought to take the Iron Throne for himself.

What made this episode both thrilling and compelling was how Martin balanced sweeping, large-scale events with intimate, character-driven moments. We saw the terrifying scenes of the wildfire and Tyrion’s unexpected act of bravery, and we also witnessed Cersei’s moments of desperation. Indeed, it’s the clearest example of Martin writing television at his full strength.

1 The Lion and the Rose Saw A Fitting End For King Joffrey (Season 4 Episode 2)

Most people know this episode as the Purple Wedding, and Martin’s writing prowess turned this into a major cultural phenomenon. The tension at the wedding feast was already a masterpiece, but it was Joffrey’s death scene that delivered the long-awaited poetic justice we all wanted to see.

The episode’s legacy was immortalized on social media through countless memes and clips, sparking widespread discussion online and even drawing in new viewers. It only felt fitting that Martin wrote this himself, as no one could have delivered such a devastating narrative twist with the same precision and impact.

Title	Season & Episode Number	IMDb Score (as of April 27)
The Bear and the Maiden Fair	Season 3 Episode 7	8.6
The Pointy End	Season 1 Episode 8	8.9
Blackwater	Season 2 Episode 9	9.7
The Lion and the Rose	Season 4 Episode 2	9.7

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Game of Thrones is currently available to watch on HBO Max.