| Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Peter Dinklage | ... | Tyrion Lannister | |
| Nikolaj Coster-Waldau | ... | Jaime Lannister | |
| Lena Headey | ... | Cersei Lannister | |
| Emilia Clarke | ... | Daenerys Targaryen | |
| Kit Harington | ... | Jon Snow | |
| Stephen Dillane | ... | Stannis Baratheon | |
| Liam Cunningham | ... | Davos Seaworth | |
| Carice van Houten | ... | Melisandre (as Carice Van Houten) | |
| Indira Varma | ... | Ellaria Sand | |
| Maisie Williams | ... | Arya Stark | |
| Sophie Turner | ... | Sansa Stark | |
| John Bradley | ... | Samwell Tarly | |
| Hannah Murray | ... | Gilly | |
| Nathalie Emmanuel | ... | Missandei | |
| Michiel Huisman | ... | Daario Naharis | |
Stannis attacks Winterfell. Sansa and Theon find themselves on a difficult situation. Arya challenges the many face god. Daenerys is surrounded by acquaintances. Jaime and Myrcella leave Dorne. Cersei confesses. Sam goes to oldtown to become the new maester. Jon receives news about his uncle Benjen.
Came to 'Game of Thrones' fairly late in the game and due to being so busy the binge-watching was gradual. Have found myself truly loving the show, very quickly becoming one of my favourites. It totally lives up to the hype and not only does it do the brilliant source material justice (a rarity in television) it is on its own merits one of the finest, most addictive and consistently compelling shows in recent years and quality-wise it puts a lot of films in recent years to shame.
Fans have expressed dissatisfaction at the general quality of Season 5. While it was definitely the weakest season up to this point of 'Game of Thrones' (only because the previous four seasons were so good), was not perfect and didn't settle straightaway, there was also a lot to like about the whole season and all the episodes. To me all the episodes, although some were better than others (with "The Gift" and especially the season's magnum opus "Hardhome" the best and "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" being the weakest), all were good to outstanding.
"Mother's Mercy" for me is one of the lesser season finales, again because the previous ones' quality were so strong, and is one of the weaker episodes of the season. It is far from a bad season finale at all, in fact, although the most polarising among fans (it was acclaimed by critics), from personal opinion it is very good with its best elements terrific. It also has a couple of things that frustrate, which stops it from being the going out with a bang finale and being a near-one instead.
Have to agree with those who found the episode was rushed at times. This is particularly true with the storylines for Sansa and Stannis, both being too hurriedly paced, featured in too short a time and didn't feel particularly well rounded off.
The Dorne storyline is certainly the most interesting and most plot advancing it was all season by some considerable distance. My negative opinion of the Sand Snakes hasn't changed though sadly with them fitting pretty awkwardly here, and in this episode they have a line, mentioned already in a few reviews already so won't repeat as it makes me cringe even thinking about it, that by 'Game of Thrones' standards is just embarrassing.
On the other hand, there are two standout scenes in a good way. Jon's fate is very powerfully done, it has the intense shock factor and did reduce me to tears and shock. Even more impactful is Cersei's atonement, that was powerful stuff. The dark tone was handled with both intensity and poignancy and the bleak twists and strong characterisation (especially Cersei, Jon and Arya, Cersei having the most impact on me in a while).
It does a great job in setting things up for the next season, even if it's not the most story or character progressing episode in 'Game of Thrones' history.
Uniformly, the acting (always a strength in 'Game of Thrones') is faultless. In "Mother's Mercy", it's Lena Headey who takes the top honours in a masterclass performance. Kit Harrington also delivers some of his best acting as Jon.
Visually, "Mother's Mercy" looks amazing, as one would expect for 'Game of Thrones'. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.
One cannot talk about "Mother's Mercy" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.
There are numerous signs of thought-provoking, balanced and layered writing, though there are problems here (especially that Sand Snakes line) and the story grips.
All in all, very good but for a season finale somehow one naturally does expect more, especially when "Hardhome" two episodes before was such a special episode and a turning point for the season. 8/10 Bethany Cox