It's not like tonight provided any classic Game of Thrones 'shocker' moments. In reality, we knew Cersei wasn't actually going to go along with the truce, we figured Littlefinger would meet his end sooner rather than later, it was all but confirmed that Jon was the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and it was inevitable that the wall (or one section of the wall) was going to come down by season's end. So really, the 4 biggest shocks or twists from the episode weren't all that surprising, but it's the execution that counts. If there's one thing that Game of Thrones always does right, it's the execution.
Starting off in King's Landing, because everything always comes back there, we got at least a half an hour of extraordinary direction and writing. I think a lot of people have complained about this season revolving around dialogue instead of things actually happening, but I eat all this dialogue up. How can you not appreciate all of the brilliant blocking in the dragon pit? There's so many dynamics, so many reunions, and so many important meetings. The Hound and The Mountain, Theon and Euron, Jaime and Brienne, and of course the long- awaited meeting between Daenerys and Cersei. There's so much to cover in such little time, and I thought the writers handled it brilliantly. We didn't get Cleganebowl, but everyone did finally see the real threat that's out there.
The moment that everyone sees that wight is probably the most significant thing to happen on this show to date (which has been said a lot the past two seasons). All the back and forth, including an emotional discussion between Tyrion and Cersei, led to the result of Cersei ultimately agreeing to fight alongside Dany & company in the great war. Only to then secretly betray them. Classic Cersei. Luckily, Jaime finally gathered up the strength to go against his sister and love of his life, to head north to fight. It's the redemption we've all wanted from him from the get-go. By the way, where's Bronn? I don't believe I saw him join Jaime so we can only assume he's chilling in some brothel somewhere.
Meanwhile, everyone made their way back up north traveling via boat (and not dragonback). This is where we find Jon and Daenerys doing what some people have wanted them to do for a very long time. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. It's disgusting for one, but this is a fantasy show that has presented such intimate relationships more of the norm than it should be. Plus, it's not like these characters know that they're related .yet. Yes, Bran has finally spilled the beans. God knows why he told Sam of all people and not his own siblings. But I guess they had their own quarrels to worry about. Speaking of which .
Rest in peace Littlefinger! Well, sort of. It's not like he was a good person, in fact, he rarely ever did anything of value. But I will definitely miss his character, and I'll certainly miss Aidan Gillen, who's one of the few original cast members to die in the past few seasons. Which brings up that "issue" if you can call it that. How is this show going to service all of the remaining characters and their inevitable deaths in a mere 6 episodes next season? I think there's maybe a dozen characters, maybe, who are safe till the end of the show's run. But I can imagine at least a couple every episode being killed off next season. I don't think I can wait 2 years for that.
Things to look forward to next year: Jaime fighting with the good guys! Jon finding out the truth. Cersei messing everything up. The Night King kicking a**. The inevitable queen-slayer moment. Arya crossing a few more names off her list? And of course, Jon being too damn honorable. Oh and by the way, it's snowing in King's Landing. It was a quick season, but definitely one of the best ones yet, if not the best. Let's hope next season gets here faster than we think.
+Starks finally stick together
+Everyone in King's Landing
+Cersei stays evil
+Jaime's redemption begins
+Jon & Dany
+Baelish says farewell
+Down goes the wall
10/10
Starting off in King's Landing, because everything always comes back there, we got at least a half an hour of extraordinary direction and writing. I think a lot of people have complained about this season revolving around dialogue instead of things actually happening, but I eat all this dialogue up. How can you not appreciate all of the brilliant blocking in the dragon pit? There's so many dynamics, so many reunions, and so many important meetings. The Hound and The Mountain, Theon and Euron, Jaime and Brienne, and of course the long- awaited meeting between Daenerys and Cersei. There's so much to cover in such little time, and I thought the writers handled it brilliantly. We didn't get Cleganebowl, but everyone did finally see the real threat that's out there.
The moment that everyone sees that wight is probably the most significant thing to happen on this show to date (which has been said a lot the past two seasons). All the back and forth, including an emotional discussion between Tyrion and Cersei, led to the result of Cersei ultimately agreeing to fight alongside Dany & company in the great war. Only to then secretly betray them. Classic Cersei. Luckily, Jaime finally gathered up the strength to go against his sister and love of his life, to head north to fight. It's the redemption we've all wanted from him from the get-go. By the way, where's Bronn? I don't believe I saw him join Jaime so we can only assume he's chilling in some brothel somewhere.
Meanwhile, everyone made their way back up north traveling via boat (and not dragonback). This is where we find Jon and Daenerys doing what some people have wanted them to do for a very long time. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. It's disgusting for one, but this is a fantasy show that has presented such intimate relationships more of the norm than it should be. Plus, it's not like these characters know that they're related .yet. Yes, Bran has finally spilled the beans. God knows why he told Sam of all people and not his own siblings. But I guess they had their own quarrels to worry about. Speaking of which .
Rest in peace Littlefinger! Well, sort of. It's not like he was a good person, in fact, he rarely ever did anything of value. But I will definitely miss his character, and I'll certainly miss Aidan Gillen, who's one of the few original cast members to die in the past few seasons. Which brings up that "issue" if you can call it that. How is this show going to service all of the remaining characters and their inevitable deaths in a mere 6 episodes next season? I think there's maybe a dozen characters, maybe, who are safe till the end of the show's run. But I can imagine at least a couple every episode being killed off next season. I don't think I can wait 2 years for that.
Things to look forward to next year: Jaime fighting with the good guys! Jon finding out the truth. Cersei messing everything up. The Night King kicking a**. The inevitable queen-slayer moment. Arya crossing a few more names off her list? And of course, Jon being too damn honorable. Oh and by the way, it's snowing in King's Landing. It was a quick season, but definitely one of the best ones yet, if not the best. Let's hope next season gets here faster than we think.
+Starks finally stick together
+Everyone in King's Landing
+Cersei stays evil
+Jaime's redemption begins
+Jon & Dany
+Baelish says farewell
+Down goes the wall
10/10