Back around episode 6, some critic (I don’t remember which) remarked that with what happened to Sansa, the show was in danger of becoming a slog, misery porn dressed up in fantasy garb. That episode wasn’t all blackness, as it did introduce the business of cock merchanting, but the black moments were so dark, they threatened to consume the entire series. I remember talking with Ashli about the Red Wedding episode two years ago, where I was worried that the show would have to keep escalating the darkness after something as black as that. What's worse than stabbing a pregnant woman in the stomach? Raping a character we've known since she was a child or burning another one alive. This has never been more true than in this episode, as perhaps the darkest moment in the series eclipses one of the most spectacular.
Braavos: Meryn Trant shows up to likely get a much-deserved knife in his throat. If the guy can’t get along with the delightfully dumb Mace Tyrell, it’s time for him to go. Plus, the pedophilia. Surprisingly tasteful scene in a brothel, the usual location of boobs for boobs’ sake. I’ve got a pretty good sense of how this is going to go for Arya and where we’re going to leave her at the end of the season. Not too much for her to do here, as they’re really stretching this out. It all could’ve happened in one episode, especially if it goes the way I think it’s going to.
Dorne: Doran’s chambers look great, but this whole storyline remains a miscalculation. Barring a big turn next week, it all could’ve been written off by the snake-a-gram being replaced with a letter to Cersei from Doran, saying that Myrcella is being sent back and that Trystane will take Oberyn’s seat on the small council. Seems like that was the plan all along. The Sand Snakes still make little to no impression, Ellaria’s been wasted, and Bronn and Jaime could’ve been better used elsewhere.
The Wall: Pretty straightforward after last week’s fireworks. The staredown between Jon and Alliser was nice, but with Davos heading to the Wall with an impossible request, the big climax is saved for the finale.
Meereen: Best sequence of the episode. Tyrion remains awesome and reinvigorated by being this close to power, and his back-and-forth with Hizdahr nicely delineated the themes of the episode. Cruelty is an abomination, but no great thing was ever done without it, though that’s only something those who benefit from those great things would say in the first place. The centerpiece fight with all the different styles of fighters was a very nice touch. The Braavosi water dancer kicked the shit out of Jorah and was only felled by some poor gladiatorial officiating. Once the Harpies all show up, noticeably dressed in both the noble and commoner Meereenese wardrobe, the resulting slaughter and riot had the right amount of chaotic energy, with Hizdahr getting caught up in the stabbing. I liked that guy. Dany’s readying herself for death by grabbing Missendei’s hand was a graceful moment, followed by Drogon’s entrance and the musical sting that precedes his doing something awesome. Not quite there on the CGI, but it’s not so bad that it deflates arguably the best moment in book 5. Jorah’s likely role as greyscale vector makes this a Pyrrhic victory for him, as he again manages to push his imminent death off into the near future. He lives to somersault-stab another day.
Stannis’s Camp: I don’t have a problem with Stannis making the decision he did. It’s perfectly in character, and a tidy parallel to Azor Ahai, the closest thing to Jesus that exists in this world and something I can’t remember if the show has brought up yet or not. Non-book-readers can feel free to Google him, as it’s just a piece of Red God mythology and not spoilery. I do have a problem with this taking all the catharsis out of Stannis’s campaign to unseat the Boltons. If he wins next week, it’s no longer a triumphant moment at all, when ridding the show of its worst villain in Ramsay should be an unalloyed good. As a scene, the burning is fueled by denial and then the harsh realization that they’re actually doing this. Even if I buy the scene from all character angles, as stated above, it’s just ugly, removing in Shireen the only light in this particular corner of the world.
So much to wrap up next week, considering that there was no Winterfell or King’s Landing this week. I always feel like there’s not enough time towards the end of a season. I’ll lay the blame for it this year at Dorne’s feet.
Braavos: Meryn Trant shows up to likely get a much-deserved knife in his throat. If the guy can’t get along with the delightfully dumb Mace Tyrell, it’s time for him to go. Plus, the pedophilia. Surprisingly tasteful scene in a brothel, the usual location of boobs for boobs’ sake. I’ve got a pretty good sense of how this is going to go for Arya and where we’re going to leave her at the end of the season. Not too much for her to do here, as they’re really stretching this out. It all could’ve happened in one episode, especially if it goes the way I think it’s going to.
Dorne: Doran’s chambers look great, but this whole storyline remains a miscalculation. Barring a big turn next week, it all could’ve been written off by the snake-a-gram being replaced with a letter to Cersei from Doran, saying that Myrcella is being sent back and that Trystane will take Oberyn’s seat on the small council. Seems like that was the plan all along. The Sand Snakes still make little to no impression, Ellaria’s been wasted, and Bronn and Jaime could’ve been better used elsewhere.
The Wall: Pretty straightforward after last week’s fireworks. The staredown between Jon and Alliser was nice, but with Davos heading to the Wall with an impossible request, the big climax is saved for the finale.
Meereen: Best sequence of the episode. Tyrion remains awesome and reinvigorated by being this close to power, and his back-and-forth with Hizdahr nicely delineated the themes of the episode. Cruelty is an abomination, but no great thing was ever done without it, though that’s only something those who benefit from those great things would say in the first place. The centerpiece fight with all the different styles of fighters was a very nice touch. The Braavosi water dancer kicked the shit out of Jorah and was only felled by some poor gladiatorial officiating. Once the Harpies all show up, noticeably dressed in both the noble and commoner Meereenese wardrobe, the resulting slaughter and riot had the right amount of chaotic energy, with Hizdahr getting caught up in the stabbing. I liked that guy. Dany’s readying herself for death by grabbing Missendei’s hand was a graceful moment, followed by Drogon’s entrance and the musical sting that precedes his doing something awesome. Not quite there on the CGI, but it’s not so bad that it deflates arguably the best moment in book 5. Jorah’s likely role as greyscale vector makes this a Pyrrhic victory for him, as he again manages to push his imminent death off into the near future. He lives to somersault-stab another day.
Stannis’s Camp: I don’t have a problem with Stannis making the decision he did. It’s perfectly in character, and a tidy parallel to Azor Ahai, the closest thing to Jesus that exists in this world and something I can’t remember if the show has brought up yet or not. Non-book-readers can feel free to Google him, as it’s just a piece of Red God mythology and not spoilery. I do have a problem with this taking all the catharsis out of Stannis’s campaign to unseat the Boltons. If he wins next week, it’s no longer a triumphant moment at all, when ridding the show of its worst villain in Ramsay should be an unalloyed good. As a scene, the burning is fueled by denial and then the harsh realization that they’re actually doing this. Even if I buy the scene from all character angles, as stated above, it’s just ugly, removing in Shireen the only light in this particular corner of the world.
So much to wrap up next week, considering that there was no Winterfell or King’s Landing this week. I always feel like there’s not enough time towards the end of a season. I’ll lay the blame for it this year at Dorne’s feet.
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