Yes, tonight is the episode I scripted for GAME OF THRONES — episode eight, “The Pointy End.”

(The first episode to have a title, FWIW. I argued strongly in favor of episode titles, rather than just numbers).

No, I haven’t seen it yet. I’ll be seeing it for the first time tonight, same as you folks.

Many of you will want to comment afterward, I know. Again, the best place for that discussion is not here. Head over to Winter Is Coming, to Westeros, to Tower of the Hand, to Television Without Pity, to the HBO boards.

In a series like this, scenes sometimes get moved from episode to episode, so not everything you’ll see tonight will be mine(except in the sense that is all based on my books, of course). F’rinstance, the bit in the previews, with Tyrion and Bronn in the Mountains of the Moon, that was originally meant to be in episode seven, and was moved into “The Pointy End” during editing. So that scene, and the encounter with the clansmen, was written by David and Dan.

Kind of fitting that “The Pointy End” airs even as I am working on my season two script, “Blackwater.” A much tougher assignment, by the way. All those damned boats…

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I may have been guilty of premature froggery in the “Hiya, Kids” post below.

Second season casting is in full swing, yes.

And we’re close on a few roles. Choices made, that is to say, but now we wait on HBO approval, and then of course we have to make a deal. Not all deals close, much as you would like them to. There’s budget to consider, scheduling, all sorts of things.

On other roles, well, we’ve seen a lot of readings, but we’re not in love yet. So the auditions continue. In Ireland, in London, even in LA.

Bottom line: no one has been cast yet, so stop holding your breath.

When we do sign some new cast, Froggy will give you the hints.

(Unless someone else breaks the news first).

((Or unless it’s after June 13. That’s the day I leave for Poland. I’ll be out of the loop while overseas, so after that date, the announcements are more like to come from elsewhere)).

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The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER has GAME OF THRONES on the top spot in their “power rankings.” Which I guess means we’re the most powerful show on television!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bastard-machine/power-rankings-returns-a-king-192363

Here’s a taste of this week’s episode, “You Win or You Die.”

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As for the post below… ah, sorry about the Horatio/ Oliver foul-up, just a brain burp on my part… explanation can be found in the comment from Amy-Joyce Hastings, for those of you who are still baffled.

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I’ll be back soon, I will, I will.

Watch this space.

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Some wonderfully cool stuff about the creation of the GAME OF THRONES title sequence can be found here:

http://www.artofthetitle.com/

Go and enjoy. I know I did.

The title sequence kicks ass.

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HBO has opened an on-line shop for GAME OF THRONES merchandise.

Their first offerings are a couple of T-shirts featuring logo art from the series.

Oh, and you can also buy copies of the books that started the whole thing, by some guy.

Check it out and place your orders at

http://store.hbo.com/?v=hbo_shows_game-of-thrones

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Okay, for those of you who missed “Inside GAME OF THRONES,” here’s the YouTube version for your viewing pleasure.

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Enjoy. And tell your friends.

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… for a fifteen-minute “Making of GAME OF THRONES” special on HBO.

It is scheduled to debut immediately before the season finale of BOARDWALK EMPIRE. The time on that will vary depending on your time zone.

Enjoy… and stick around afterward for BOARDWALK EMPIRE, which I’ve just caught up on this past week. Another terrific show from HBO.

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