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.
While last week wasn’t huge on action is was definitely huge on story. The Karstarks abandoning Robb is huge for obvious reasons. Seeing the family of Stannis was creepy and awesome. Fetus jars from his crazy wife and a daughter with greyscale face makes me kind of understand why Stannis is such a serious guy. I think the biggest hit from last week is Jamie finally telling his story about killing The Mad King. All those years he’s been looked down upon but he was really saving the entire city. I think his section of last weeks episode was easily the most powerful. This week based on the title alone I think we’ll be seeing Tormund and company climb The Wall but it may allude to The Ladder story from some of the trailers for this season.
The Good
- Poor Samwell Tarly, you’d think a guy stuck in the freezing cold would have figured out fires by now. Still love the guy. You can’t help but feel for him. He really shines this episode. *Spoiler* I have a feeling Sam the Slayer is making an appearance soon!!
- It is really hard to pick a favorite group but I love the Reeds. Meera doesn’t take any shit off of the crazy wildilng woman. Also they really have helped introduce a lot of the more mystical elements like warging and being a green seer.
- “I’m Jon Snow I’ve killed dead men and Qorin Halfhead but I’m scared of naked girls.” Ygritte is ridiculous and I love it. Plus she gives Jon the opportunity to not just be pouty.
- I could easily stand a spinoff series of Arya and The Brotherhood. Also what the fuck is Melisandre doing in the Riverlands?! *Spoiler* Either she’s come for Gendry or she’s coming to learn about resurrecting people…possibly for a future death.
- At first I disliked what they’d done to Thoros but I’m loving it now. The Brotherhood really shows that the writers understand the books and how to make things work for the screen. I’m very impressed.
- A bit of poking fun at people watching from Theon’s tormenter. Who is he and why is her such a psychotic freak? Iwan Rhoen is amazing at this though.
- “The laws of my fist are about to compel your teeth!” Oh my Seven I love the Blackfish. The Tully family are a shit show but they are awesome. Edmure is a lovable fuck-up.
- I’m going to have to agree with Jaime, don’t trust the non-drinkers.
- I’ve been waiting for a scene with Twyin and the Queen of Thornes! Witty arrows slung across the table. I pronounce Lady Olena the winner!
- Oh Sansa. She’s so happy that life is getting better, she forgets her family would be slaughtered if they walked into King’s Landing. Every time something good happens the rug gets pulled out from under her.
- Holy. Fucking. Shit. They killed Ros. I was sure they were going to put her to a better use but wow. Making her just some bit of fuckery for Joffrey was brutal.
The “Bad”- Tormund Giantsbane has lost his humor transferring over from the books. Still a great character, you can’t dislike a man with a beard that glorious.
- Trusting the writers still but what the fuck are they doing with Gendry??
- *Spoiler* I think they’ll be using Gendry as Edric which I think is odd considering the directions of the books. I also didn’t much care for a very much shortened prophecy from Melisandre towards Arya taking the place of the Child of the Forest.
- I always dislike the fall saved by a rope tied around the waste…sorry Ygritte your back is broken and you’re dead now.
- Shorter Tyrion and Cersei: I’m the best Lannister – No I am!
- I don’t really like Varys and Littlefinger talking about their plays in The Game. I much prefer seeing them cutting at each other from afar not actively talking shit and telling each other what they do.
Well this episode was a bit interesting, not as strong as the previous to but still gave us some great scenes. Jon and Ygritte sitting atop the Wall looking out across either side was pretty powerful. You could see she was a bit afraid of the other side. Ros strung up for target practice was startling. I was positive that she was going to take the place of another character but her sudden death was a shock. I’m really interested in what will be happening to Gendry now that he is on his way to Stannis. This continues to be the shortest hour of the week. We have just gotten small hints of what is going on with Bran and Sam that I’m really hoping we get a bit more next episode. I’m loving the misery of Theon, they are keeping a lot of mystery while dropping hints like crazy. I think the episodes will just continue to build from here on out. We know from past seasons that 9 will be a big plot point and I cannot wait.