Game of Thrones: Gendry Is Making Arya a “Showstopper” Weapon

This post contains frank discussion of several plot points from Season 8, Episode 1 of Game of Thrones. If youre not all caught up or would prefer not to be spoiled, now is the time to leave. Seriously, this is your last chance and you wont have another so get while the getting is good.

During their brief, flirtatious reunion in the Season 8 premiere, Arya asks Gendry to make a weapon for her. Its honestly the most romantic thing a hardcore assassin could ask of her former crush who also happens to be a blacksmith.

We dont see the weapon before the episode wraps up, but we do get a brief glimpse of her schematics. Wait, is that two pointy ends?!?!?

In a recent interview with Vanity Fairs “Still Watching” podcast, Thrones weapons master Tommy Dunne teased what is very likely this new blade: “There is one creation in Season 8 that is absolutely phenomenal. Itll be a showstopper. That was great to finish. It was great to make, great to design it that it was about to be reverse-engineered and made into two different items.” You can listen to Dunnes full interview here:

From Dunnes comments and those schematics, this looks to be a spear-like weapon that can unscrew into being two short-range stabbing weapons as well. Essentially, a double-ended spear that can also act as two daggers. One tip is definitely dragonglass—we can tell that from Aryas schematics. Is the other end using her Valyrian steel dagger blade? Is that flame? Just an ornate handle? Unlikely just a handle—that doesnt seem like its Aryas style. Weve actually probably already seen Arya using this weapon in a few brief shots from the Season 8 trailer.

And I believe we can also see the short version of it in her hand as she races through the crypts of Winterfell in the trailers opening moments.

So why does Arya need a new weapon when she already has that badass Valyrian blade? Well the dagger is cool and all but its a little limiting when it comes to what Maisie Williams can do in the fight choreography department. In other words, we didnt watch this girl train with a staff for, like, all of Season 6 to not get to see her whirl and twirl her way through the army of the undead in Season 8.

Also her castle-forged steel sword Needle is lovely for sentimental reasons but why watch her stick things with one pointy end, when we can watch her skewer with two? We also know that the Arya and Brienne fight scene in Season 7 was enormously popular with fans. I wouldnt be surprised if Williams (and her stunt double) werent given many more opportunities to show off their stuff in this final season. After all, whats the point of training to fight all series long if youre not gonna go for broke when the Night King comes to town.

The last thing Aryas new weapon needs is a name. All great blades have them. Any guesses as to what she might call it? Personally, I like the sound of Lightbringer.

More Great Game of Thrones Stories from Vanity Fair

— Its catch-up time: everything you need to know about Seasons 5, 6, and 7

— About that new Season 8 footage!

— The 15 most essential episodes to re-watch

— The best weaponry for a Thrones battle

Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:Game of Thrones Transformations: Season 1 to Season 8

Arya Stark

Maisie Williamss Arya has grown from spunky tomboy to deadly assassin.Photo: Left, from AF archive/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.

Bran Stark

Isaac Hempstead Wright took Bran from innocent kid to . . . whatever the Three-Eyed Raven is.Photo: Left, from AF archive/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.

Cersei Lannister

Once upon a time, Lena Headeys queen had long hair and a closet filled with colorful frocks. Now, she rocks a pageboy—and armored black gowns.Photo: Left, from Album/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.

Daenerys Targaryen

In Season 1, Emilia Clarkes princess was sold into marriage to a stranger; now, shes a warrior queen with three—no, two dragons at her back.Photo: Left, from HBO/Album/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.

Sansa Stark

No other characters coming-of-age has been as traumatic as that of Sophie Turners character—and nobody else may be as well equipped to survive Season 8.Photo: Left, from PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.

Tyrion Lannister

Peter Dinklages Lannister black sheep has kept his quick tongue—and now has a beard and a gnarly scar to boot.Photo: Left, from PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.

Lord Varys

Long after Kings Landing crumbles into the sea, Conleth Hills Master of Whisperers will abide—looking exactly as appealingly sinister as always.Photo: Left, from AF archive/Alamy; right, courtesy of HBO.PreviousNext