History Recap / GameOfThronesS1E8ThePointyEnd

* DirtyCoward: Meryn Trant's EstablishingCharacterMoment shows him engaging Syrio Forel when head-to-toe in shiny Kingsguard armour even though the latter has no armour and is only using a wooden practice sword.

** Septa Mordane sends Sansa to her room, then walks towards the Lannister guardsmen clutching bloody swords.

-->'''Cersei''': [[LoopholeAbuse Whose death, Ser Barristan?]] [[MortonsFork Yours and your king's]]?

* TongueTrauma: Khal Drogo kills Mago by [[SlashedThroat cutting his throat]], then ripping his tongue out ''[[UpToEleven through the cut in his neck]]''.

** "When you meet your Gods, you tell them Shagga, Son of Dolf of the Stone Crows sent you."

-->'''Cersei''': [[LoopholeAbuse? Whose death, Ser Barristan?]] [[MortonsFork Yours and your king's]]?

Back at '''King's Landing''', Sansa attends a court session over which King Joffrey presides. Janos Slynt, whose primary virtue seems to have been deciding to back the winning side, is raised to lordship and granted seat at Harrenhal. [[labelnote:From the books]]Slynt doesn't show any fear at this, which suggests all manner of stupidity. Harrenhal is known to be cursed, and every house that has ever held it has met ruin. This includes its builder, Black Harren of the Iron Islands, an Ironborn conquerer who once held sway over much of the Riverlands. He built himself a new castle to enjoy his new kingdom, both the largest in the land... but he had the bad luck to complete it the very same day Aegon the Conquerer and three dragons first set foot on the continent. There's a reason some of Harrenhal's towers are half-melted.[[/labelnote]] Tywin Lannister is named the new Hand of the King. And Lord Commander Barristan Selmy is called forward to receive his reward for his years of loyal service. That reward? He is forcibly retired from the Kingsguard--despite the white swords traditionally serving for life--making room for The Hound to join the Kingsguard (even though he is not actually an anointed knight) and the Kingslayer to be promoted to the post of Lord Commander. Selmy, defiant to the end, rips off his cape and gloves, refusing to play along with Cersei's game, when Littlefinger makes a joke about Selmy. This elicits a laugh from the court, until Selmy pulls out his sword.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Kevan Lannister cracks a smile at Bronn's "You wouldn't know him" remark.

* JustAFleshWound

* MassOhCrap: Everyone in the throne room at Kings Landing when Ser Barristan Selmy pulls out his sword.

** Jon when a previously dead Ranger comes charging at him.

%% * PetTheDog: Theon tries to be a good friend to Robb by assuring him that his fear is ultimately a good thing.

* GreaterScopeVillain: Again invoked by Osha, who tells Bran Robb's army would do better to march against the AncientEvil reawakening in the far north.

* PetTheDog: Theon tries to be a good friend to Robb by assuring him that his fear is ultimately a good thing.

-->'''Tywin:''' Joffrey rules in King's Landing.
-->'''Tyrion:''' My sister rules, you mean.

--->'''Tyrion:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Sorry to disappoint you.]]

* TensionCuttingLaughter: Doesn't work with Shagga ([[HaHaHaNo after laughing]] he tells his men to kill Bronn and seize Tyrion) but the Greatjon invokes it deliberately and successfully, forcing himself to laugh off the injury he just sustained and accept Robb's lenience.

* AdaptationalBadass: The Drogo/Mago fight scene was including so Drogo's fighting prowess would not be an InformedAbility, like it is in the novels.

* BattleDiscretionShot: We don't see what happens between Syrio and Trant after Arya flees, which started a [[EpilepticTrees fan theory]] that he was NotQuiteDead [[spoiler:and was possibly the Faceless Man Jaqen H'ghar who appears in Season Two]].

** Before being given the news of Tyrion's release, Ned thinks that Tyrion can be exchanged for him. The Spider points out that he's the wrong brother (being the most despised member of the family whom the Queen loathes). [[spoiler:In "[[Recap/GameOfThronesS1E9Baelor Baelor]]," the Starks go to great trouble to capture Jamie, whom they know is a far better hostage.]]

* SpareAMessenger: Robb spares the life of the Lannister scout so he can deliver a BadassBoast to Lord Tywin (that he'll report an exaggerated view of their numbers doesn't hurt either). [[spoiler:However in the next episode this is revealed to be a BatmanGambit to mislead Lord Tywin over the direction of their attack.]]

** Lord Tywin gets stuck into Tyrion for having been captured, saying this would never happen to Jaime [[spoiler:who gets captured in the next episode.]]

* BadassBoast: Lots of them in this one. In addition to Khal Drogo's prolonged description of what he's going to do to a clansman who pissed him off, there's also Ser Barristan "The Bold" Selmy reminding the rest of the Kingsguard of his BadassGrandpa credentials, Syrio Forel making sure the Lannister guards know the First Sword of Braavos never runs, and Robb Stark's warning. Even Daenerys gets in on the action:

* BadassGrandpa: Ser Barristan Selmy, beyond a doubt. Note the way the Kingsguard and City Watch ''freak out'' when he draws his sword.
-->'''Ser Barristan:''' Even now I could cut through the five of you as a man carves a cake!

* DirtyCoward: Meryn Trant's EstablishingCharacterMoment shows him engaging Syrio Forel when head-to-toe in shiny Kinsguard armour even though the latter has no armour and is only using a wooden practice sword.

** In Episode One, Catelyn tells Ned that he doesn't have to go and fight another one of Roberts wars. In this episode, Lysa tells Cat that she's not going to send men to fight another one of Ned's wars.
* IsThatTheBestYouCanDo: The almost contemptuous manner in which the wight rips Jon's sword out of its chest and flings it at his felt screams this.

Stark household servants are butchered as they attempt to load Sansa's and Arya's chests onto the wayns. Septa Mordane tells Sansa to bar herself in her room before confronting Lannister guardsmen, their swords already dripping red. It's for naught: Sansa is intercepted by The Hound, dispatched by the queen to take her in. Arya's dancing lesson is interrupted by more red-cloaked Lannister guardsmen, accompanied by Ser Meryn Trant of the [[PraetorianGuard Kingsguard]]. Syrio Forel shows why he was for nine years the [[LightningBruiser First Sword of Braavos]], fighting an inspired MultiMookMelee and winning, but when Ser Meryn gets involved it's a KnightInShiningArmor against a wooden sword, which is a [[BolivianArmyEnding very different story]]. Arya flees to the yard, where she retrieves Needle from her upended chest amongst the corpses of her family servants. A stableboy tries to apprehend her, but her very first swordplay lesson with Jon Snow serves her well: she sticks him with [[TitleDrop the pointy end]] and then escapes into the city at large while he dies on the floor.

Ned Stark, the center of this storm of swords, is in the black cells beneath the Red Keep. His only visitor is Varys, and he is not much comfort, berating Ned for giving Cersei advance warning of his plans. It is this warning, Varys claims, which led Cersei to arrange for Robert's "hunting accident." Even worse, Ned's life is no longer a guarantor of Tyrion's safety, because news has reached Cersei that Tyrion has walked free. Ned, in desperation, asks who Varys serves. Varys answers only, "[[TrueNeutral The realm]], my lord. ''Some''one must."

Up at the Wall, the Night's Watch have succeeded in tracking down the corpses associated with the hand Ghost found at the end of the previous episode. Othor and Jafer Flowers were rangers, last seen in the company of Benjen Stark, but there's no sign of what happened to them. In fact, their circumstances are completely queer: as Sam points out, though both are dead, they aren't rotting. (In the book, Sam goes on to point out that there is no evidence of spilled blood despite their gaping wounds. (He also stutters his way through the entire conversation, adding to both sides of his BadassBookworm label.) Jon and another Watchman urge Mormont to burn the bodies, but the Old Bear insists on having Maester Aemon examine them and praises Sam's astuteness before retiring to his solar to receive a letter. It's the news of Robert's passing and Lord Eddard's arrest and accusations of treason. He gives the news to Jon and Jon becomes sick with worry over his father and sisters. Mormont tries to assure him that he's sure his sisters will be treated gently. As Jon storms away in anxiety, Mormont warns him not to do anything stupid.

Sansa is being interviewed by the queen, Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys and Littlefinger. She pleads for mercy for her father and promises to be a good queen, just like Cersei. (Cersei produces a [[ComplimentBackfire wonderfully uncomfortable grimace]] at these words.) Littlefinger suggests that Sansa be allowed to demonstrate her loyalty, and Sansa obediently pens a letter to her family--her handwriting, but the queen's words. Obviously, Robb doesn't take kindly to the situation; he calls his banners, declaring that if he goes to King's Landing, it will be with an army at his back. Catelyn, for her part, is frothing with anxiety when she gets the news and asks Lysa to lend her some swords. But Lysa is having none of it, preferring to keep her knights close and protect her son, and Catelyn leaves the Eyrie empty-handed.

Tyrion is about as empty-handed as Catelyn as he wanders the east road, with only his wits and Bronn for company, but they serve him well. When the mountain clans of the Vale try to mount a second attack, Tyrion dishes out another serving of GuileHero cunning. He bribes not with gold, but with steel-arms, armor, swords, helms, shields and axes -- everything they will need to conquer the Vale of Arryn for themselves.

Remember how, the last time saw Jon, Lord Commander Mormont warned him not to do anything stupid? Well, Ser Alliser Thorne comes upon him in the kitches with taunts and snarkery, and Jon [[RelativeButton tries to stab him for insulting his father.]] With, as it turns out, [[RightBehindMe the Lord Commander watching]]. Jon is confined to quarters, with Ghost locked in with him. Jon awakes to see Ghost very clearly agitated; the direwolf leads the way to the Lord Commander's chambers, where someone is shambling about: Othor. You know, the guy who was dead? Evidently it didn't stick. Jon uses his sword to re-dead him, but this one doesn't stick either. Only the appearance of the Old Bear, holding a lantern and confused by the noise, saves the day; Jon grabs the lantern, burning his hand, and puts Othor to the torch. [[KillItWithFire This time, it sticks]].

Over on Essos, the Dothraki are sacking their way towards victory. Today they have come across a town of Lhazareen, called "Lamb men" for their meekness, and are taking slaves and loot to finance Khal Drogo's naval expedition to Westeros. Daenerys is dismayed to see [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil Lhazareen women being raped]], and takes them under her care. She then goes to attend to her sun and stars, who is already getting an earful from one of his warriors, Mago, about her actions. When Drogo rules in favor of the moon of his life, Mago makes it a duel. It's a CurbStompBattle, with Drogo theatrically discarding his weapons, deliberately taking a cut across the collarbone and then ''still'' ripping Mago apart (almost literally), but Dany's concern is for the khal's wound. Here providence smiles on her: the first woman she saved is the "godswife" of the village. She offers to help clean and sew the wound so that it doesn't fester, and Khal Drogo consents.

At Winterfell, Robb is having trouble exerting authority over his bannermen, many of who rode to war alongside his father. Particularly, he has trouble controlling the Greatjon of House Umber, a BoisterousBruiser if ever there was one. Fortunately, Grey Wind is there to chew off a couple of the Greatjon's fingers, after which the man falls in line. HilarityEnsues! (Bran sits there amongst these laughing men and has this "[[OnlySaneMan what is this I don't even]]" look on his face.) Robb and his forces depart in the black of night, leaving Bran as the Stark in Winterfell. Rickon then enters and gives his first line of the season, declaring that he doesn't think anyone's coming back. Finally, Bran has a scene with Osha in the godswood while he prays to the old gods for Robb's safety. Nobody is listening to her when she tells them that they should be marching north, not south. "[[AStormIsComing The cold winds are rising]]." This is only confirmed by the funeral (such as it is) for the corpses of Othor and Jafer Flowers, where Sam announces his belief that they were reanimated as "wights" by the White Walkers... and that the White Walkers are returning.

Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel arrive at Robb's encampment, implying a TimeSkip of some duration. (It's impossible to say how long because Robb's exact location is not given. In the books, he's at Moat Cailin, the major defensible spot on the marshy Neck which separates the north from the south, but the Seven only know where TV!Robb is. Place certainly doesn't ''look'' swampy.) She arrives whilst Robb is at war council, addressing the general retreat of the river lords at the hands of Jaime Lannister's host; there is a wonderful moment where Robb moves to hug her but realizes that he can't, surrounded by his lords bannermen as he is. Catelyn makes Robb's choices clear--he wins or House Stark dies--and Robb decides that he'd better not lose then.

Tyrion has done some traveling as well. The mountain clans have attached themselves to him like stray puppies, giving him an impressively ragged tail when he arrives at his father's camp. Tywin is at council with his younger brother and right-hand-man Kevan when Tyrion arrives, and discussion is soon interrupted by news from Ser Addam Marbrand that Robb Stark's host has crossed the Neck. (Ah! A location! ...Vaguely; half the damn continent and six of seven kingdoms are "south of the Neck." Let's assume it was three weeks or so.) Tywin then more-or-less dares the mountain clans to fight at his side. The clans consent, but only if Tyrion leads them into battle.

Once again we're with Robb's host at strategy conference. Ser Rodrik wants to find a good and defensible place to deal with Lord Tywin's army, whilst the Greatjon advocates breaking the Kingslayer's siege of Riverrun and thus winning to their cause the lords of the Riverlands. Robb points out, correctly, that to do this they will need to cross the Green Fork of the Trident, and the only bridge is owned by House Frey, who have made a name for themselves by making that bridge their castle. Catelyn warns them not to trust "the Late Lord Frey," who values winning more than loyalty. The meeting is interrupted by some northern soldiers, who have discovered a Lannister scout. Robb takes the unprecedented step of releasing the scout, though with a warning: "Tell Lord Tywin [[ArcWords winter is coming]] for him. [[BadassBoast Twenty thousand northerners]], marching south to see if he really does [[BrickJoke shit gold]]."

Sansa attends a court session over which King Joffrey presides. Janos Slynt, whose primary virtue seems to have been deciding to back the winning side, is raised to lordship and granted seat at Harrenhal. [[labelnote:From the books...]]Slynt doesn't show any fear at this, which suggests all manner of stupidity. Harrenhal is known to be cursed, and every house that has ever held it has met ruin. This includes its builder, Black Harren of the Iron Islands, an Ironborn conquerer who once held sway over much of the Riverlands. He built himself a new castle to enjoy his new kingdom, both the largest in the land... but he had the bad luck to complete it the very same day Aegon the Conquerer and three dragons first set foot on the continent. There's a reason some of Harrenhal's towers are half-melted.[[/labelnote]] Tywin Lannister is named the new Hand of the King. And Lord Commander Barristan Selmy is called forward to receive his reward for his years of loyal service. That reward? He is forcibly retired from the Kingsguard--despite the white swords traditionally serving for life--making room for The Hound to join the Kingsguard (even though he is not actually an anointed knight) and the Kingslayer to be promoted to the post of Lord Commander. Selmy, defiant to the end, rips off his cape and gloves, refusing to play along with Cersei's game, when Littlefinger makes a joke about Selmy. This elicits a laugh from the court, until Selmy pulls out his sword.

Despite the threat--no, sorry, ''fact'' that he could easily slice through his own brothers in the Kingsguard (like carving a cake!), Selmy throws the sword to Joffrey's feet, telling him to "melt it down with all the rest", then strides from the hall to find his own future. The entire court is dumbstruck (even Joffrey seems taken aback).

-->'''Mago:''' "Does the horse lie with the lamb?"
-->'''Dany:''' "The dragon feeds on horse and lamb alike."

-->"Even now I could cut through the five of you as a man carves a cake!"

-->'''Greatjon:''' YOUR MEAT? ''(realizes everyone is looking at him)'' ...is bloody tough!
* BattleDiscretionShot: We don't see what happens between Syrio and Trant after Arya flees, which started a [[EpilepticTrees fan theory]] that he was NotQuiteDead [[spoiler:and was possibly the Faceless Man Jaqen H'ghar who appears in Season Two.]]

* BullyingADragon: When Barristan Selmy refuses to play along with Cersei and Joffrey's game, he declares that he shall "die a knight". As he's stripping off his helmet, gloves, and cape, Littlefinger notes that's "a naked knight", getting a laugh from the assembled Court. Then Selmy pulls out his sword, [[MassOhCrap and everyone stops laughing]]. Littlefinger in particular looks like he either wants to beg Selmy for forgiveness or use Varys as a human shield.

-->"And why is it that Lord Eddard is sending Lannister men in place of his own?"
** From "The Kingsroad", when Arya sticks the stable boy with the pointy end of Needle.

* ComplimentBackfire: Sansa insists she'll be just a good wife to Joffrey and a queen just like Cersei. [[ObliviousGuiltSlinging Cersei's reaction is priceless]].

* CompressedAdaptation: The scene where Arya stabs the stableboy carried much more power in the books, but here was kind of glossed over. In his commentary, George R.R. Martin regrets the loss of the stableboy's pathetic last words, "Pull it out."

-->"A hall to die in, and men to bury me! I am a knight. I shall die a knight."

-->'''Shagga:''' If the half-man betrays us, Shagga, son of Dolf, will cut off his manhood -

** Osha is remarkably friendly to Bran given that she and her group were going to kidnap or kill him a few episodes back before being stopped by Theon and Robb who killed everyone in the group except her.

* [[EvilDetectingDog Evil Detecting Direwolf]]: Ghost senses the wight.
* ExactWords: Robb Stark is coming to Kings Landing as commanded by Joffrey. He's just bringing an entire army of Northmen with him.

** Before being given the news of Tyrion's release, Ned thinks that Tyrion can be exchanged for him. The Spider points out that he's the wrong brother (being the most despised member of the family whom the Queen loathes). [[spoiler:In "Baelor", the Starks go to great trouble to capture Jamie whom they know is a far better hostage.]]

* HowWouldYouLikeToDie: Tyrion and his sellsword Bronn are surrounded by the Stone Crows whose leader Shagga asks Tyrion how he wants to die. His reply is, "At the age of 80, in bed, with a belly full of wine and a girl's mouth around my cock." Shagga find this ActuallyPrettyFunny... then tells the clansman to kill Bronn and take Tyrion prisoner.

--> '''Tyrion''': And this is Bronn, son of...
--> (''beat'')
-->'''Bronn''': [[ServileSnarker You wouldn't know him.]]

** Tyrion reaches for the first booze he's seen in days; his father pointedly moves the jug out of reach.

--> '''Syrio''': What do we say to the god of Death?

* JerkassHasAPoint: When Ned tries to [[WhatTheHellHero chew him out for not aiding him in the throne room]], Varys retorts by asking what exactly a portly and unarmed spymaster was supposed to do against a room packed to the rafters with soldiers loyal to Cersei. Ned has to concede the point.
-->'''Ned''': [[BetrayalByInaction You watched my men being slaughtered and did nothing!]]
-->'''Varys''': [[BrutalHonesty And would again, my lord. I was unarmed, unarmoured and surrounded by Lannister swords]]. When you look at me, do you see a hero?

* MajorInjuryUnderreaction
** The wight collapses after getting a sword through the chest, then [[ImplacableMan stands up and pulls it out again]].
** The Greatjon laughs off his severed fingers.

* MasterOfDisguise: Varys turns up to speak the Ned Stark in the Black Cells, dressed as the turnkey.
* MeaningfulEcho: "Not today" said by Syrio and later Varys.

-->'''Bran''': Please watch over Robb. And watch over all the other men from Winterfell. And Theon too, I suppose.

** Syrio Forel [[HopeSpot knocks out several Lannister soldiers]] with a wooden sword. Then Ser Meryn - a fully armoured knight of the Kingsguard - chops his sword leaving just a stump.

** Janos Slynt is [[SmugSnake smirking at Littlefinger's dig]] at Barristan Selmy...and then a pissed off Selmy draws his sword and the smirk is abruptly wiped off Slynt's face.

* OutOfCharacterAlert: None of the recipients of Sansa's letters have any trouble figuring out that Cersei forced her into it. The very fact that there is a letter at all means that the current rulers of King's Landing have allowed Sansa to send one, meaning that its contents can only be beneficial to them.

--->'''Drogo:''' [[YouAreAlreadyDead I already have.]] [rips Mago's tongue out through his neck]

* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: Tywin apparently believed Tyrion had been killed by the Arryns. He doesn't seem exactly happy to see him alive and well again.
-->'''Tyrion''': [[DeadpanSnarker Sorry to disappoint you.]]

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Ser Barristan Selmy this time, refusing to let Cersei and Joffrey insult his honor by forcing him into retirement. He also, adding to his badass credentials, throws his sword at Joffrey's feet, telling him to "Melt it down and add it to the others." He's of course talking about the Iron Throne which is made of the melted swords of the first king of Westeros' enemies. He just, in essence, declared himself Joffrey's enemy, while also adding a personal 'You know what? ''Screw you,"'' by contemptuously calling Joffrey '' 'boy'.''

* SurroundedByIdiots: Trant's only reaction to seeing Syrio take out his mooks is a curt "Bloody oafs!" as he draws his own sword.

* TalkToTheFist

-->'''Varys:''' What madness led you to tell the Queen you had learned the truth about Joffrey's birth?
-->'''Ned:''' The madness of mercy. That she might save her children.
-->'''Varys:''' Ah, the children. It is always the innocents who suffer. It wasn't the wine that killed Robert, nor the boar. The wine slowed him down and the boar ripped him open, but it was your mercy that killed the King.

* WithFriendsLikeThese

** Varys refused to help Ned when his men were being massacred. He was unarmed and no hero, as he points out, but even though Varys has access to his cell he won't help Ned escape either.[[note]] In the books, Varys pragmatically states he won't do it because the escape would almost certainly be traced back to him.[[/note]].

* JerkassHasAPoint: Varys invokes this trope when Ned tries to [[WhatTheHellHero chew him out for not aiding him in the throne room]], asking what exactly a portly and unarmed spymaster was supposed to do against a room packed to the rafters with soldiers loyal to Cersei. Ned has to concede the point.

* PragmaticVillainy: The Stone Crows, the Burned Men, the Black Ears, and the Lannisters. Tywin and Kevan are clearly wondering what the hell Tyrion was thinking, making friends with wild clans of the Vale. But when Tywin realises the battle is on, he immediately recruits the Mountain Clans for his own army, knowing that even an undisciplined rabble of {{Blood Knight}}s can have their uses.

* BerserkButton:
** Invoked by Thorne to get Jon Snow to attack him -- a hanging offense.
** When Lysa fails to inform Catelyn of the danger her family is in, Catelyn gets ''pissed''.
** Drogo ramps it up to 11 by eviscerating one of his soldiers for basically insulting his wife.
* BoisterousBruiser: The Greatjon has shades of this.
* BrainsAndBrawn: Or Brains and Bronn, in this case. It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

*** It was [[NothingPersonal nothing personal]].

-->'''Mago:''' First you have to kill me.
-->'''Drogo:''' [[YouAreAlreadyDead I already have.]] [rips Mago's tongue out through his neck]

* PuppetKing: Joffrey, apparently. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] (twice!):

** PragmaticVillainy: But when Tywin realises the battle is on, he immediately recruits the Mountain Clans for his own army, knowing that even an undisciplined rabble of {{Blood Knight}}s can have their uses.

* SlouchOfVillainy: If the Iron Throne was anything like in the novels, Joffrey would stab himself.

* SpitefulSpit: Mago spits when Khal Drogo backs his wife over him. Qotho does this on discovering Mirri is a 'witch'.

* TalkingYourWayOut: Tyrion again! This time with the Mountain Clans.

* ThinkOfTheChildren: In this case, it was a dumb thing to do.

* UnPerson: None of the court attendees will speak to Sansa now that her father has been branded a traitor.

* WoodenKatanasAreEvenBetter: Played with, but averted.

* YouShallNotPass: Syrio Forel refuses to let Trant and his minions take Arya.

* ChekhovsLecture: Syrio lectures Arya on the difference between watching and seeing, then puts it into practice moments later.

* DefeatMeansFriendship: Greatjon Umber is angry at the much younger and completely inexperienced Robb presuming to command him, but happily accepts him after Grey Wind bites off two of his fingers.

** Septa Mordane sends Sansa to her room, then walks towards the Lannister guardsmen clutching blood swords.

* CapeSnag: Syrio disables one Lannister soldier by choking him with the cape that seems to be standard Lannister uniform.

** Varys refused to help Ned when his men were being massacred. He was unarmed and no hero, as he points out, but even though Varys has access to his cell he won't help Ned escape either.

* MeanCharacterNiceActor: In the commentary for this episode, Martin makes a reference to this when talking about Jack Gleeson, the actor who plays Joffrey Baratheon. At the end of the season, he wrote a congratulatory letter to Gleeson, saying "Congratulations on completing your first season! Everyone hates you now!".