If this is what Winter looks like - the thing we've been craving for five seasons now - then I'm not sure I want it anymore.
In every respect, this episode redeems this season for its dragging nature in the preceding episodes. Many criticised this season of venturing too far from the books, condemning the writers and giving up on the show. Well I bet they're all eating their hats now.
Daenerys and Tyrion are purely brilliant together. Two characters I have loved since the very beginning have finally come together and formed an alliance - and a strong one at that. With Daenerys' power and Tyrion's expertise I can only imagine what excellence will come of their alliance.
Arya's storyline is also picking up, as we observe her getting her first mission as a servant of the Many-Faced-God. Just like Daenerys and Tyrion, I cannot wait to see what comes of Arya's training.
Cersei finally gets what's been coming to her since the very first episode. Justice is sweet - is it not? Her stubbornness and pride is what is keeping her imprisoned - indeed, this is the case with Margaery and Loras as well - and if Ned's experience with pride and honour is anything to go by, the three of them had better act quickly and relinquish their pride in order to save themselves.
And of course: Hardhome. I will confess that I did not see this coming at all. I had no idea we would get another glimpse at the army of the dead so soon, and as a result I was absolutely mortified when the dogs began barking, the wind began whistling, and the clouds swirled overhead. The battle of Hardhome was the most horrific battle yet. It easily sets into perspective how insignificant the Game of Thrones is in comparison to the White Walkers and the damage they can deal our beloved characters.
In the final scene of the episode, we get an idea of just how hopeless the future may be. As there are hundreds of Wildlings lying dead, we see them slowly rising and the army growing as quickly as it was diminished. This only amplifies the horror as we realise that the White Walkers are what we need to fear the most. Can they be defeated? Well, we're at least given a glimmer of hope as Jon manages to kill a White Walker thanks to his Valyrian steel sword. I honestly believed it was the end for Jon as we saw him fall that great height and then feebly stumble out into the snow. I was relieved and just as shocked as the White Walker when his sword did not crumble and he eliminated his foe. The Dragonglass may be lost, but if enough Valyrian steel swords can be forged and enough of the living unite, perhaps they may stand a chance.
Can you remember Daenerys' vision she had in the House of the Undying? It was the one in which the Iron Throne was seen covered in snow, and the great walls reduced to rubble; I'm starting to fear that this is a very accurate glimpse into the future of Westeros. If all of the living do not band together - and quickly - then the dead will surely defeat all those we have grown to love and care for.
Will Bran come to the rescue in the next season?
Can Daenerys' dragons kill White Walkers?
Will the High Sparrow have Loras, Margaery, and Cersei killed? Or will they confess their sins and perhaps gain a lighter sentence from the Gods?
I cannot wait to find out.
From what I've read so far, this seems to be the highest-rated episode of Game of Thrones to-date. I do not doubt that the final two episodes of this season will be as astounding as this episode, as they historically always are.
This season may have started off slow, but I think we can all agree that this episode fundamentally alters any opinions we may have had before now.
All in all, I am thoroughly pleased with this episode; however, I fear that the future may not be so pleasant...
In every respect, this episode redeems this season for its dragging nature in the preceding episodes. Many criticised this season of venturing too far from the books, condemning the writers and giving up on the show. Well I bet they're all eating their hats now.
Daenerys and Tyrion are purely brilliant together. Two characters I have loved since the very beginning have finally come together and formed an alliance - and a strong one at that. With Daenerys' power and Tyrion's expertise I can only imagine what excellence will come of their alliance.
Arya's storyline is also picking up, as we observe her getting her first mission as a servant of the Many-Faced-God. Just like Daenerys and Tyrion, I cannot wait to see what comes of Arya's training.
Cersei finally gets what's been coming to her since the very first episode. Justice is sweet - is it not? Her stubbornness and pride is what is keeping her imprisoned - indeed, this is the case with Margaery and Loras as well - and if Ned's experience with pride and honour is anything to go by, the three of them had better act quickly and relinquish their pride in order to save themselves.
And of course: Hardhome. I will confess that I did not see this coming at all. I had no idea we would get another glimpse at the army of the dead so soon, and as a result I was absolutely mortified when the dogs began barking, the wind began whistling, and the clouds swirled overhead. The battle of Hardhome was the most horrific battle yet. It easily sets into perspective how insignificant the Game of Thrones is in comparison to the White Walkers and the damage they can deal our beloved characters.
In the final scene of the episode, we get an idea of just how hopeless the future may be. As there are hundreds of Wildlings lying dead, we see them slowly rising and the army growing as quickly as it was diminished. This only amplifies the horror as we realise that the White Walkers are what we need to fear the most. Can they be defeated? Well, we're at least given a glimmer of hope as Jon manages to kill a White Walker thanks to his Valyrian steel sword. I honestly believed it was the end for Jon as we saw him fall that great height and then feebly stumble out into the snow. I was relieved and just as shocked as the White Walker when his sword did not crumble and he eliminated his foe. The Dragonglass may be lost, but if enough Valyrian steel swords can be forged and enough of the living unite, perhaps they may stand a chance.
Can you remember Daenerys' vision she had in the House of the Undying? It was the one in which the Iron Throne was seen covered in snow, and the great walls reduced to rubble; I'm starting to fear that this is a very accurate glimpse into the future of Westeros. If all of the living do not band together - and quickly - then the dead will surely defeat all those we have grown to love and care for.
Will Bran come to the rescue in the next season?
Can Daenerys' dragons kill White Walkers?
Will the High Sparrow have Loras, Margaery, and Cersei killed? Or will they confess their sins and perhaps gain a lighter sentence from the Gods?
I cannot wait to find out.
From what I've read so far, this seems to be the highest-rated episode of Game of Thrones to-date. I do not doubt that the final two episodes of this season will be as astounding as this episode, as they historically always are.
This season may have started off slow, but I think we can all agree that this episode fundamentally alters any opinions we may have had before now.
All in all, I am thoroughly pleased with this episode; however, I fear that the future may not be so pleasant...