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.
Having been very underwhelmed, like many fans, by "No One" (for me a rare less-than-good episode of 'Game of Thrones' up to this point), it was a real relief to see Season 6 and 'Game of Thrones' in fact on top form with Season 6's penultimate episode. While a fan of "Home", "Book of the Stranger" and "The Door", it's this episode that is a contender for the magnum opus of the season and is among the show's very best.
Not only because of the spectacular action, with the thrilling and uncompromising choreography and some of the best visuals of the entire show (the special effects especially, an asset nearly-consistently very good and those here is one of the finest examples).
Every bit as well done are the intimately detailed character work, with Sansa and Jon the most interesting and relatable they've been all season and Ramsay perhaps at his most despicable (quite a distinction for a character as evil as he), and the emotional impact in a chilling and affecting way. The episode contains one of the show's most satisfying deaths too. Character relationships (especially Sansa and Jon), tense revelations and character and plot progression are all done well here.
All the acting is never less than very good, with Kit Harington and Iwan Rheon superb, a real intensity in their conflict.
Visually, it 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 not mention the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.
Writing is layered, passionate and sensitive throughout.
In summary, the very meaning of epic in a thrilling way. 10/10 Bethany Cox
