This review will contain spoilers, anything going beyond the scope of the episode will be done in white text and will be preceded by *Spoiler*, episode spoilers will not be prefaced.
Oh how I’ve missed this show. I just went back and read the books again to make sure I was caught up and could see the differences. Not because I care but because I like to think of how the show writers are going to continue with the small changes they’ve made. So let’s see where we are.
We got some good and some bad this episode. A decent amount was changed from the books and I’m sure we will see why it had to be done. *Spoilers* Specifically Harrenhal, odd that they had Robb show up and imprison his mom there…We met the King-Beyond-The-Wall and caught up with what happened to the Nights Watch. We got some Tyrion and Tywin action and plenty more down in King’s Landing. Littlefinger might get Sansa out of her hell. We also got to see Dragonstone, if only for a moment. This felt a lot like a catch up episode, reminding us where everyone is and what’s happening throughout Westeros and Essos. What felt like the biggest step forward in the story was Dany shopping for an army and Barristan Selmy showing up. Mostly this episode was all good, my bad list is really nitpicky. I give it 4 out of 5 mostly because not a hell of a lot happened.
The Good:
- Lord Commander Mormont is a bad ass, he and Ghost take down wights like champs.
- A giant is one of the first things we see at the wildling camp, they did an awesome job making them odd and just non-human enough.
- Tormund and Mance: God damn they picked the right actors for these two. Absolutely perfect.
- *Spoiler* A nod to Tyrion still having his nose.
- Bronn and Tyrion banter is always a good time.
- Davos and his rescue and loyalty. The Onion Knight is a bad ass.
- Tywin is also a bad ass, and a dick.
- Ahh Sansa “The truth is always either terrible or boring.” Kid is basically a teenager in the worst possible high school.
- What I’m sure everyone was waiting for…Dragons! They fly. They hunt, and they are big and creepy looking.
- Joffrey squirming. Seriously fuck that guy.
- Dany almost dies again and is saved by the bad ass Baristan Selmy
The Bad
- We missed the battle with the White Walkers, damn you expensive CGI!
- *Spoiler* Ghost/Mormont: The hell is he doing with the Mormont?
- *Spoiler* Rattleshirt/Lord of Bones: Not really bad but just so normal…not a yellow little unibrow.
- Really don’t need to see nipples removed. I knew it was coming and still cringed.
- What the hell with that little kid? Is she supposed to be from the House of the Undying.
- *Spoiler* Seriously? no Arstan just straight to Baristan? Hmph!
Well folks what’d you think? Awesome? Awful? Let us know
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