[8.6/10] Enjoyed this one a lot. There was a great deal of poetry and call in response to it. You have Cersei delivering poetic justice to her daughter's killer, but then inadvertently offering the same to her son's killer when Jaime poisons Olenna Tyrell. (I'll really miss Dianna Rigg and her character's delightful bon mots.) Cersei is on top for now, preening after getting the better of her most bitter rivals in Westeros.
But she's also winning the titular game of thrones at the moment. After the opening of the season where it looked like she was overmatched and stretched too thin, she's managed to effectively eliminate the Tyrells and the Dornish; she controls the sea via Euron's fleet, and she seems to have the burgeoning support of The Iron Bank by pointing out that Dany's unlikely to pay debts like the Lannisters will, and that her new coffers courtesy of Highgarden ought to provide some nice collateral.
We also get the long-awaited meeting between Dany and Jon. It's a cool scene, where the contrasts and commonalities between the two are shared. Dany wants the Iron Throne and is focused on the South, while Jon is worried about the White Walkers and focused on the North. But they're both people who rose to power from semi-humble, and undoubtedly difficult circumstances, and they're both, little do they realize, the last two Targaryens alive. They seem to find some common ground via Dragonglass, but these two monarchs start to find their connections regardless of that. (And it's great to see Jon and Tyrion together again too, with Ser Davos offering an impassioned, persuasive speech about his leader once more.)
Overall, it's an eventful episode with enough interesting character moments to make it feel like more than just the pieces on the board shifting around. Exciting stuff!
RIP Olenna Tyrell. The OG badass bitch, even when she is dying she still has to have the last laugh. She is right though, Cersei is a disease and she has infected Jamie. Cersei really is just the worst. What she is doing to Ellaria Sand is awful, fair but awful. Her alliance with Euron might really change the war or at least make it more even.
The battle for Casterly Rock was great, I loved Tyrion narrating how he expects it to go but it never goes as expected. This will end up being a huge misstep for Daenerys. Her army is spilt and they are now landlocked. At least she still has the dragons and the Dorthraki. Looks like Cersei has a couple of tricks up her sleeve.
It was nice to see another Stark reunion. Bran was a little creepy like, you looked so beautiful the night Ramsay raped you. Sansa seems like she is a natural born leader. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up Warden of the North or maybe even on the Iron Throne at the end. After all she has been through it would be fitting. Hopefully we will get another Stark reunion next week with Arya.
And of course we only have the biggest meeting of characters so far on this show. Jon and Daenerys finally meeting and they introduced her with a thousand names and Davos was like "This is Jon Snow... He's King in the North." Jon seems a little petty not to just bend the knee. Its not like he wants the iron throne. The Starks were loyal to the Targaryens in the past. A little gesture could of gone a long way but at least they have some dragon glass. I think the only way he is going to convince her or anyone is to capture a white walker and bring it back.
Quick thoughts:
Theon is alive, maybe another chance for redemption?
How will the iron bank play into this war? If Cersei has money who is she going to get to fight for her?
Jorah is healthy, I hope he goes to dragonstone right away and she takes him back. I bet she was just thinking when she sent him to "find a cure" that he was going to die. She is in for a surprise.
Why does Melisandre, and Varys, need to die in Westeros?
Cersei gives zero fucks now, who cares that people she her in bed with Jamie. The Targaryens did it so why not the Lannisters.
I can't get enough of Euron and Jamie, I hope they more awkward scenes together.
I wonder if Daenerys is going to follow up on "taking a knife in the heart?"
That last scene was awesome. Too bad Euron couldn't of waited five more minutes for Ellaria to "invade" Yara. That drawbridge smashing someone was a perfect start to a big fight. RIP two of the three sand snakes. One of them cut Euron, did she poison the blade like Oberyn did to the Mountain? If he is poisoned and gets back to King's Landing fast enough maybe Qyburn can save him and turn him into an undead zombie too. So the gift is Ellaria Sand? It makes sense since she killed Cersi's daughter. Also poor Theon, Ramsay has ruined him for life. That cockless coward. The look Euron gave Theon and that laugh makes him certified crazy, right?
Daenerys plotting how to take over the Seven Kingdoms was fun. I'm glad they started right where they left off last episode. It is interesting to see all the women in power at that table. Daenerys calling out Varys was needed. He always seems like he is out for himself. He made a convincing argument but I'm not sure how much is true. Tyrion seems like he has the right idea with taking King's Landing with Westeros armies and Casterly Rock with the Dothraki. Too bad it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Will Daenerys take Olenna's advice and act like a dragon?
So is Melisandre going to be staying in Dragonstone and supporting Daenerys? Does she think the prophecy says Daenerys could be the one to bring the dawn or does she think that is Jon? It was also nice to see Missandei and Grey Worm finally show real feelings for each other. It did cross my mind that this is a sex scene with a unsullied.
Cersi trying to recruit is sad. Didn't seem like many came to her when she called and they aren't all convinced. Jamie talking to Randyll Tarly to become warden of the south but he still isn't sure he is on the winning side. So Cersi has a big cross bow that can go through an old dragon skull. I don't think they will kill any of the dragons. The only way I see any dragons dying is if they are fighting the white walkers. Then the Night King will bring it back and we could have a zombie dragon. Now that would be trouble. Would it breath fire or ice?
Jon leaving for Dragonstone is exciting. Daenerys and Jon meeting will sort of be a family reunion, because you know, Daenerys is his Aunt even if they don't know it. Sansa just keeps undermining Jon in front of everyone so might as well just put her in charge. Littlefinger is now on both Sansa's and Jon's shit list. I wonder how much longer he stays there or if he decides to turn on them?
We finally got the reunion we all wanted, HOT PIE and Arya! But seriously I'm glad someone told her and winterfell so she can head home. Too bad it looks like Jon will be gone. Another reunion with Arya and her direwolf Nymeria was short lived. At least she got to see her pet was still alive even if she has to let her go live her own alpha wolf life now.
That Jorah Greyscale scene was gross. I'm guessing Sam isn't going to get it to work. He was writing a letter to khalessi. Maybe he will try to go to Dragonstone before he loses his mind and maybe the dragon glass could cure him. Stannis' daughter was cured and they lived on Dragonstone, it could happen?
Good episode, things are moving pretty fast.
[8.4/10] Another quality episode in this short season, which is always welcome. I liked the apparent theme of people seeing one another in an unvarnished fashion, recognizing them for who they are, for good and for ill. Lady Tyrell recognizes that Dany is a dragon, not a sheep (or a shark, for my fellow Futurama fans. Nymeria recognizes Arya as something familiar, but also very different than what she was the last time they were together. Sam sees Jorah as more than just a plague sufferer, but as the son of a man who saved his life. Missandei sees Grey Worm for the good man she loves, regardless of the abuses, physical and mental that he's suffered. And Theon is not so lucky, when Euron and the carnage around him reminds him that part of him is still Reek, and that part cannot be so easily escaped.
I also liked the political business in the episode. It's nice that the show had Dany confront Lord Varys about his hand in her assisination attempt and his shifting loyalties, but his response -- that he truest loyalty lies with the common people, because that's where he came from, and her retort -- that she values his advice but would rather he tell her if he thinks she's stepping out of line than plot behind her back -- works really well too. By the same token, the dichotomy of "listen to your advisors and strategize to gain loyalty" or "go your own way, come in dragons blazing, and just take over" presented to Dany is an interesting one. Last but not least, Cersei appealing to her countrymen's xenophobic impulses to gin up support is an interesting tack.
Overall, it was a well-done episode of the show, that ended with some good fireworks (both figurative and nigh-literal) and had a good sense of character exploration amid the plotting and storytelling that is setting all our heroes and villains on a collision course.
Danys back! That last scene was amazing. It was a long time coming and it was worth it, now lets see what she does next.
The scene between Cersei and Jamie with Euron was great. I wonder what the gift could be? Maybe he is bringing Robert's last bastard, Gendry? Jamie's look on his face when Euron said you should try killing you brother made me laugh. It’s like it just crossed his mind that she is actually capable of doing that.
Arya is not content with just killing Walder Frey, she had to kill them all. I realized about halfway through that scene and it was awesome to see her be a badass. The North Remembers! Oh and there is Ed Sheeran I wonder if we will see him again?
I loved that The Hound basically made fun of Thoros for having a man bun. Its crazy to see the way he has changed as a person and burying the people he left for dead a few seasons ago.
Sansa questioning Jon in front of everyone makes me think she wants to be in charge. I wonder if Littlefinger is rubbing off on her? Jon is concerned with the North but I think Sansa has more knowledge of everyone else and she is going to be important going forward.
I can’t get enough of Tormund hitting on Brienne. "You're a lucky man."
Sam's poop/soup montage was disgusting. He might be the most important part of this epsiode though. Finding the Dragon glass "mountain" might give the living folk an actual chance. Jon will probably be going to Dragonstone next week and we will finally get Jon and Daenerys face to face. And we get a glimpse at poor Jorah which seems the grey scale has gone into full effect.
Great episode to kick off the new season. We don't have a full 10 episodes so hopefully some big things happen next week.
Be kind to your giants. Be kind to your dragons. Be kind to your enforcers and lieutenants and underlings and the little people who, unbeknownst to you, loom quite large. Because these individuals have power, power that you may not recognize, power that you may take for granted, but power that may be turned against you or which you may find yourself sorely needing at some point.
No one is kinder, if cautious, on that front, than Tyrion. His quiet scene with Dany's two remaining dragon was the highlight of a fairly-action pakced, eevntful episode for the simplicity and ension in the moment. perhaps Tyion is uniquely suited for dragon training, for earning the trust of superior beasts. He is, after all, someone who has had to get by on disarming people with his wits and charm rather than with his sword, and as he noted when we first met him, he has a particular appreciation for the unique and broken things across Westeros.
So when he approaches those dragons, tells him that he is their friend, that he came to unchain them, and shows that he respects and admires them, they grant him their approval. They lean down and allow him to remove the iron around their necks. it's a moment fraught with tension (bookended with Tyrion's trademark hilarious bon mots), where the fact that at any moment, these massive creatures could turn their heads and snap up Tyrion like drumstick makes Tyrion's subtle bravery in even walking into that cave noteworthy. It's shot in shadow, making the dragons seem al the more hallowed and important, and Tyrion all the smaller in the process. But Tyrion's always someone who could see the power coming from unexpected places, who's been able to cut through the haughtiness of his last name and understand when things big and small were coming to upset their apple cart. He's as good a symbol as any for someone who recognizes strength, who respects what other people disregard or fear, and finding out how to earn respect, or at least survive because of it.
The opening few scenes of the episode each feature large, powerful men who are capable of inspiring fear, and who possess the physical strength that gives men some measure of power in the harsh environs of Game of Thrones. The first is Hodor, whom Bran sees in a flashback to his father's youth, speaking and moving around and dismissed as a stable bo. bran is dependent on Hodor, to move, as a silent protector and companion whom, in many ways, he's taken for granted. Bran has used him for combat, treated him as more of a tool than a person, but he starts to realize that there is, or at least was, more to Hodor.
Then the episode tacitly contrasts Bran and Hodor with Cesei and Robert Strong. While Bran uses his giant to help, to do what he cannot in terms of transportation and movement and the like, Cersei uses hers as protection and for vengeance. The reanimated brute destroys a brewhouse braggart in the alleyway behind the pub for daring to besmirch his lady's name. His imposing visage is put forward against the King's Guard, and intimidates the lot of them, even as they stand their ground. It's clear that while Hodor is a gentle creature, someone who arose from some trauma but retained a sweet disposition and became something helpful and useful for good, Robert Strong is his opposite, a reconstituted Frankenstein who is only a weapon, a hulking implement of war created only to wreak havoc.
But there's a third giant to be considered -- a real one. When Ser Davos and his loyalists are protecting Jon Snow's body, when Thorne's men are banging down the door, and the threat feels very real and very intense, in come the wildlings, with Wun-wun in tow. Initially, there is simply a standoff. But one foolish member of the watch shoots an arrow at the larger than life warrior, who proceeds to manhandle his attacker, smashing him across Castle Black's walls, and prompting the traitors to drop their weapons in fear. A giant who knows what he's doing, who's in control of his actions, can be the middle ground between Hodor and Robert Strong -- a powerful being who can put himself on the side of justice.
But it's not Wunwun alone who ensures that Jon stays in one piece long enough to be resurrected. It's the Wildlings he let in past the gates, who earned his respect. They represent the power of the people, the idea that there are many below the station of the noble families of Westeros who, nonetheless, band together and represent a threat and a power that stands poised to upset the established order.
That idea is present in Jamie's tense confrontation with the High Sparrow. Jamie is understandably upset at the man who had the woman he loves imprisoned and humiliated, and he threatens to leave the Sparrow bleeding on the floor of the Sept. Jamie is a man who's seen enough horror to question whether there's anyone to look down on him for what he's itching to do. He's been an interesting lens through which the show has examined morality in the brutish world of the show, and his godless threats are another interesting wrinkle. But just when he threatens to make good on his promise, he finds himself surrounded by the sparrows. The High Sparrow tells him that they are nobody, the lowest dirt of the kingdom, and yet he too speaks of them with an aura of quiet power, that nothing banded together can amount to something to put fear into even the most seasoned warrior.
That scene also touches on a key theme running through "Home" -- family. Jamie is protecting his sister, protecting the people who share his name. It's also what his son is ashamed of having failed to do. Tommen's had little development thus far, but he gets two meaningful scenes here, one of many in the episode between a child and a parent. He tells his father that he carries a deep shame for not being able to do more to protect his mother and his wife. He is a young man put in an impossible position who realizes that despite the fact that he is nominally the most powerful man in the world, he feels utterly powerless to do anything, and he cannot forgive himself for that.
That's also what makes his scene with Cersei so important. When he finally goes to apologize, Cersei hears him and tells him it's fine, but Lena Heady plays the coldness there perfectly. She speaks as a mother who loves his child, but is very very disappointed and hurt by his actions. And then he spills his fears out in front of her, he tells her that he needs her help, that he is weak, and he needs her to show him how to be strong. Despite her pain, despite her resentment, despite her frustration, Cersei cannot say no to her last living child, her little boy, and contrasted with her earlier curt acceptance of his apology, when she embraces him and reassures him, she truly means it.
Unfortunately, the scenes between parents and children are not nearly so loving in the rest of the episode. When Yara confronts her father about their losing battle, he dismisses her. He chastises her. He refuses to see reason, and then, faced with another family member, he is tossed to the waves. Balon hasn't shown himself to be much of a father, goading Theon into the events that led to his downfall, and ignoring his daughter's harsh but important truths. The old kings are dying, the heads of the old houses are dropping like flies, and those who refuse to adjust to the new realities find themselves quickly buried.
Roose Bolton is another lord sent to meet his maker, but he, unlike Balon, is dispatched by his own child. It's not surprising that Ramses had a cotningency plan in the event his father gave birth to a male heir. It's surprising that he would put it into place so soon. There's legitimate sweetness when Roose tell Ramses that he will always be his firstborn son, which just makes the ensuing murder all the more striking. And of course, Ramses being Ramses, he leaves no stone unturned, brutally killing his stepmother and brother in a sequence that could have conveyed the same cruelty with half the lurid detail. Even so, it's a scene of the love between a parent and a child being torn asunder by the harsher forces that abound as people like Ramses grope for power.
Melisandre spends much of the episode wondering if she has power. She's spent the bulk of the show as an agent of the Lord of Light, and now she's doubting herself, her vision, her abilities, the things by which she defined herself. She wonders if the lord has taken his favor away from her. And Davos tells her that he's heard tell of gods from hither and yon, but he's seen her power, and something greater, something more important, needs it.
So she sets to work. She cleans Jon Snow's wounds. She performs the ritual. She says the incantation. And yet we are led to believe that it's not her spell, not her tricks, not her forgotten tongue that raises the dead and returns the power. It's one simple utterance -- "please" -- a symbol of humility, of desperation, of need, of recognition that power can be taken for granted and just as easily slip away.
The trusted men and women in the room slowly slip away. One-by-one, they wait and hope and eventually step out of the room. It's a masterful sequence that draws the expectation and the methodical beauty of the Red Woman's work out in a series of warm images of tranquility. We know what's coming. The story demands it. But Game of Thrones takes its time; it lingers, it lets us drink in the fire-lit room while everyone waits with baited breath, let's us hear the splash of the water as it cleans the wounds of our fallen hero, lets us sit with anticipation as the show forces us to hold on, to pause, and breathe.
And then he breathes. This messianic figure--betrayed by his disciples, laid out in the traditional form of new testament suffering and repose, and then resurrected in the hopes that he might save them--comes back to life. It's strong imagery for the show to tap into, but it couches it in the larger themes of "Home." Power can come from strange, unexpected places, from simple men, from large men, from little men, from free folk, from dragons, from parents and children, from sparrows and red witches, from bastards and carpenters. Treat them all well; one day your life, your very being, may depend on them.
