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scifi_rewatchI’m here with the final episode of season seven, but I’ve fallen behind. :/ The final season is officially here! But I haven’t watched episode 8.01 yet. I wanted to get my feelings about the past action sorted out first.
One thing that sticks with me from this episode is not the terrifying final few shots of the season, cos that’s not how I roll. :P Except, of course, to worry about the safety of my faves. But what I’m really thinking about is the use of treachery on the show, and more specifically, in this episode in particular.
And yes, this all boils down to my issues with the Winterfell “gotcha!” plot, which I’ve talked about ad nauseum. I’ll lay out my arguments for the final time under the cut.
Other than that…there’s a lot to recommend this super long episode. Most of it takes place at the dragon pit at King’s Landing, where we’re privy to all sorts of reunions. Like I wrote about the last episode, this one of my favorite parts of the show! The human interactions are incredibly arresting, for the most part. And none moreso, perhaps, than the scene between our favorite, two-handed Lannister siblings. :P A family friend wrote me shortly after watching this, and he hinted that though he’s not emotionally affected by the series like I am, heh, even he could sense the power in this scene. I mean, all you have to do is get Peter and Lena in a room together.
Not nearly as strong a note to end on here, but remember when I “hint hinted” in episode 7.01 when the Lannister soldier talked about seeing the dragon pit? I told you that would pay off! :P
Summary
King’s Landing
Inter-human tensions are put on abrupt pause as Team Daenerys shows Team Cersei the wight. But when Jon pledges his allegiance to Dany, Tyrion must smooth things over before Cersei agrees to help fight the army of the dead. Or so we thought; turns out it was all a sham, but Jaime leaves her to fulfill his promise, as the first snowdrops fall on the capital city.
Dragonstone
Despite urging from her advisors, Dany agrees to sail north with Jon to prove that she’s not a conqueror. Later, Jon and Theon more or less make amends. And Theon, emboldened by this exchange, beats his men into submission for their new purpose: rescue Yara!
Winterfell
After receiving Jon’s letter about bending the knee, Littlefinger steers Sansa into questioning Arya’s motives. An impressive entourage in place, Sansa has Arya brought to the Great Hall, but instead it’s Littlefinger they put on trial! Later, the two sisters find some common ground, mostly through the words of their father about the survival of the pack in difficult times.
Explosive Reveals!
Sam arrives at Winterfell and meets with Bran; between the two of them they realize that Jon is not only the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar, he’s also the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne! A rather freaky thing to reveal, juxtaposed by images of Jon making sweet love to the woman he might usurp…and who happens to be his aunt. :P Way North, the army of the dead assembles at Eastwatch…and watch while revived Viserion burns down the Wall with blue fire! Gulp.
Possible Spoilers
The dragonpit is thought to have contributed to the decline of the dragons. Jaime and Cersei are now estranged in both the books and on the show. The wight in King’s Landing mirrors Thorne bringing a hand early in ASOIAF…but by the time he got to the capital, it had deteriorated. Seems possible that there might be a truce, or an attempt at one, based on the existential threat beyond the Wall. There’s also speculation that the Clegane brothers might go head to head (to the death!) in the books. Another big speculation is that part of the Wall will fall, though the reasons will likely be different. In
Thoughts
Here are the treachery parallels as I see them. The Lannister siblings vs the Stark siblings. Cersei is able to trick Tyrion (and later, perhaps, the audience) into believing that she will honor a truce with Dany and send her men to help fight in the North. Later, she reveals to Jaime that all of that was a ruse. But Cersei is acting in character in both of those scenes. She’s pulling the wool over Tyrion’s eyes in the first one and revealing the truth to Jaime in the second. And we as the audience are privy to all of the important moments of that plot.
Contrast this with the Stark sisters, where they don’t only pull the wool over Littlefinger’s eyes but over the audience’s as well. It’s the “gotcha” plot cos the joke is on us! Yes, “Game of Throne” features surprises and shocks. But the characters were always acting in character. No Arya acting like Hannibal Lecter when really she meant to convey something entirely different to Sansa. Meanwhile the audience missed out on a huge part of the plot…namely where Sansa and Arya conspired behind Littlefinger’s back.
I mean yes, the Red Wedding, as another example, was shocking in its particulars. But we also knew that Robb’s enemies wanted him dead. And we saw hints, from the minor (Tywin writing ominous letters) to the major (Catelyn telling Robb point blank that breaking his promise to the Freys would have consequences.) When DB Weiss spoke in the “Behind the Episode” section, he made it plain that the Sansa/Arya scenes this season were meant to convey one thing to the audience: a sense of tension. So that we’d go into that scene in the great hall thinking it’s very likely that the sisters would turn on each other. So it’s all atmosphere over legitimate character development, because meanwhile the characters weren’t going for that at all!
Somewhat related to all of that: Isaac revealed that there was supposed to be a scene between him and Sophie where Bran basically breaks the news to Sansa: no, Arya is not trying to kill you. So I guess we’re supposed to take from that that Sansa viewed Arya’s Hannibal Lecter behavior as legit? I guess I should at least be soothed that no sane person would believe that their lives weren’t being threatened in that scene, if they didn’t have a deus ex ravena brother in the wings. :P
And on that deus ex ravena note…perhaps Littlefinger stans can take note that he wouldn’t have been outdone if it weren’t for a person who literally knows every detail of the show’s plot? :P Or at least that’s it for the most part. As much as I hate the “gotcha” execution, I love the part of this scene where Sansa takes her teacher down. It’s probably much more direct than it will be in the books, where Sansa is still relatively naïve. I like that she turned his “little game” against him, even though his sentence (and our sweet, Stark justice) mostly came from Bran’s intel.
I also loved the scene between the sisters on the battlements after all was said and done…except for the part where Sansa said Arya could survive in her shoes. Ugh. Could Arya not be a Mary Sue wunderkind at everything for once? We all know Joffrey would’ve killed her in season two anyway. She doesn’t have Sansa’s brand of endurance. But that quibble aside…the sisters seem united to face the Great War to come. Unless, of course, the showrunners are still keeping us in the dark about them. X(
Rant over! Now I’ll point out some hints that saw fruition in this episode…like the dragonpit thing I mentioned above, and the bitter irony of the archmaester’s words about the Wall protecting humankind from Walkers! Not anymore. :/ Also, concerning Jon, Dany and children, the King in the North comes straight out with it and says maybe Mirri Maaz Durr was wrong about Dany’s barrenness. :P
There’s also so much to love about the King’s Landing scenes…I’m not even a Bronn fan, but even I kinda liked his reunion with Tyrion. (Sweet Pod and Tyrion, too!) And of course Brienne and the Hound reminisced over Arya’s awesomeness. :P Brienne, of course, tried to talk some sense into Jaime…and it appears to have ultimately paid off! The Jaime/Cersei ending scene was rather affecting, but nothing could really top Cersei and Tyrion. There’s just way too much raw emotion between those two characters for it to be anything other than electrifying.
It’s worth noting, in Dragonstone, that Dany is sailing with Jon to send a peaceful to the North (and perhaps also to make sweet sweet love to him. :P) Her advisors are less happy. Sigh. I’m sick of Jorah’s friendzoned nonsense. Tyrion I can trust to be a little more level-headed…even not knowing their familial relationship, torrid affairs can go very wrong during wartime.
But the more compelling part of Dragonstone was the Jon/Theon scene. I like how they grappled through their past baggage as boys (Jon as the “good” kid and Theon as the “bad” one, and both of them as less-than on the Stark hierarchy, is a big part of ASOIAF backstory.) I feel for both of them, and their struggle to belong when they don’t entirely. And I respect Jon learning to forgive—especially since he’s the one with the argument about uniting. Not surprised that Theon is going after Yara—if not she’d just be unquestionably dead—but I’m not thrilled that he had to kill a guy to get moving on that. Sigh. I’m sick of the near-constant undertone of violence in this world. And yet…there’s a focus on love, given that Theon is risking all to save his sister.
So those final images of Viserion burning down part of the Wall with blue fire, and the army of the dead walking through, are undoubtedly terrifying on an existential level. Same can possibly be said of snow in King’s Landing. :P But it lacks the complex gravitas of the Jon reveal. Which again—we learn about it right along with the characters in question. This is not a “gotcha!” moment where Bran and Sam are deliberately hiding something from us, the audience. In fact, I think the showrunners liked Bran as a flashback narrator for that very reason—so it wouldn’t feel like an infodump, but like an organic part of the story. So too the fact that this has consequences on the burgeoning relationship between Dany and Jon, which we see play out sexually as Bran realizes who Jon really is! Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne! Dun dun duuuun.
Of course, Dany and Jon are pledged to fight off the White Walkers first. And if they defeat death so soundly…maybe the rest of it won’t seem like a big deal? Maybe there won’t even be an Iron Throne anyore?? (Personal wish there. :P) I suppose there wouldn’t be enough complex tension for the next six episodes without some interpersonal character drama. Which usually I love! But I guess I just hope that Jon and Dany, should they survive, can still see the good in each other. I’m assuming that’s still possible.
And I’m sorry for folks like my dad who were looking forward to Jon/Dany a moving, non-incestuous ship. :P Alas. Though in this case, at least it can be argued that they didn’t know! Hee.
One thing that sticks with me from this episode is not the terrifying final few shots of the season, cos that’s not how I roll. :P Except, of course, to worry about the safety of my faves. But what I’m really thinking about is the use of treachery on the show, and more specifically, in this episode in particular.
And yes, this all boils down to my issues with the Winterfell “gotcha!” plot, which I’ve talked about ad nauseum. I’ll lay out my arguments for the final time under the cut.
Other than that…there’s a lot to recommend this super long episode. Most of it takes place at the dragon pit at King’s Landing, where we’re privy to all sorts of reunions. Like I wrote about the last episode, this one of my favorite parts of the show! The human interactions are incredibly arresting, for the most part. And none moreso, perhaps, than the scene between our favorite, two-handed Lannister siblings. :P A family friend wrote me shortly after watching this, and he hinted that though he’s not emotionally affected by the series like I am, heh, even he could sense the power in this scene. I mean, all you have to do is get Peter and Lena in a room together.
Not nearly as strong a note to end on here, but remember when I “hint hinted” in episode 7.01 when the Lannister soldier talked about seeing the dragon pit? I told you that would pay off! :P
Summary
King’s Landing
Inter-human tensions are put on abrupt pause as Team Daenerys shows Team Cersei the wight. But when Jon pledges his allegiance to Dany, Tyrion must smooth things over before Cersei agrees to help fight the army of the dead. Or so we thought; turns out it was all a sham, but Jaime leaves her to fulfill his promise, as the first snowdrops fall on the capital city.
Dragonstone
Despite urging from her advisors, Dany agrees to sail north with Jon to prove that she’s not a conqueror. Later, Jon and Theon more or less make amends. And Theon, emboldened by this exchange, beats his men into submission for their new purpose: rescue Yara!
Winterfell
After receiving Jon’s letter about bending the knee, Littlefinger steers Sansa into questioning Arya’s motives. An impressive entourage in place, Sansa has Arya brought to the Great Hall, but instead it’s Littlefinger they put on trial! Later, the two sisters find some common ground, mostly through the words of their father about the survival of the pack in difficult times.
Explosive Reveals!
Sam arrives at Winterfell and meets with Bran; between the two of them they realize that Jon is not only the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar, he’s also the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne! A rather freaky thing to reveal, juxtaposed by images of Jon making sweet love to the woman he might usurp…and who happens to be his aunt. :P Way North, the army of the dead assembles at Eastwatch…and watch while revived Viserion burns down the Wall with blue fire! Gulp.
Possible Spoilers
The dragonpit is thought to have contributed to the decline of the dragons. Jaime and Cersei are now estranged in both the books and on the show. The wight in King’s Landing mirrors Thorne bringing a hand early in ASOIAF…but by the time he got to the capital, it had deteriorated. Seems possible that there might be a truce, or an attempt at one, based on the existential threat beyond the Wall. There’s also speculation that the Clegane brothers might go head to head (to the death!) in the books. Another big speculation is that part of the Wall will fall, though the reasons will likely be different. In
Thoughts
Here are the treachery parallels as I see them. The Lannister siblings vs the Stark siblings. Cersei is able to trick Tyrion (and later, perhaps, the audience) into believing that she will honor a truce with Dany and send her men to help fight in the North. Later, she reveals to Jaime that all of that was a ruse. But Cersei is acting in character in both of those scenes. She’s pulling the wool over Tyrion’s eyes in the first one and revealing the truth to Jaime in the second. And we as the audience are privy to all of the important moments of that plot.
Contrast this with the Stark sisters, where they don’t only pull the wool over Littlefinger’s eyes but over the audience’s as well. It’s the “gotcha” plot cos the joke is on us! Yes, “Game of Throne” features surprises and shocks. But the characters were always acting in character. No Arya acting like Hannibal Lecter when really she meant to convey something entirely different to Sansa. Meanwhile the audience missed out on a huge part of the plot…namely where Sansa and Arya conspired behind Littlefinger’s back.
I mean yes, the Red Wedding, as another example, was shocking in its particulars. But we also knew that Robb’s enemies wanted him dead. And we saw hints, from the minor (Tywin writing ominous letters) to the major (Catelyn telling Robb point blank that breaking his promise to the Freys would have consequences.) When DB Weiss spoke in the “Behind the Episode” section, he made it plain that the Sansa/Arya scenes this season were meant to convey one thing to the audience: a sense of tension. So that we’d go into that scene in the great hall thinking it’s very likely that the sisters would turn on each other. So it’s all atmosphere over legitimate character development, because meanwhile the characters weren’t going for that at all!
Somewhat related to all of that: Isaac revealed that there was supposed to be a scene between him and Sophie where Bran basically breaks the news to Sansa: no, Arya is not trying to kill you. So I guess we’re supposed to take from that that Sansa viewed Arya’s Hannibal Lecter behavior as legit? I guess I should at least be soothed that no sane person would believe that their lives weren’t being threatened in that scene, if they didn’t have a deus ex ravena brother in the wings. :P
And on that deus ex ravena note…perhaps Littlefinger stans can take note that he wouldn’t have been outdone if it weren’t for a person who literally knows every detail of the show’s plot? :P Or at least that’s it for the most part. As much as I hate the “gotcha” execution, I love the part of this scene where Sansa takes her teacher down. It’s probably much more direct than it will be in the books, where Sansa is still relatively naïve. I like that she turned his “little game” against him, even though his sentence (and our sweet, Stark justice) mostly came from Bran’s intel.
I also loved the scene between the sisters on the battlements after all was said and done…except for the part where Sansa said Arya could survive in her shoes. Ugh. Could Arya not be a Mary Sue wunderkind at everything for once? We all know Joffrey would’ve killed her in season two anyway. She doesn’t have Sansa’s brand of endurance. But that quibble aside…the sisters seem united to face the Great War to come. Unless, of course, the showrunners are still keeping us in the dark about them. X(
Rant over! Now I’ll point out some hints that saw fruition in this episode…like the dragonpit thing I mentioned above, and the bitter irony of the archmaester’s words about the Wall protecting humankind from Walkers! Not anymore. :/ Also, concerning Jon, Dany and children, the King in the North comes straight out with it and says maybe Mirri Maaz Durr was wrong about Dany’s barrenness. :P
There’s also so much to love about the King’s Landing scenes…I’m not even a Bronn fan, but even I kinda liked his reunion with Tyrion. (Sweet Pod and Tyrion, too!) And of course Brienne and the Hound reminisced over Arya’s awesomeness. :P Brienne, of course, tried to talk some sense into Jaime…and it appears to have ultimately paid off! The Jaime/Cersei ending scene was rather affecting, but nothing could really top Cersei and Tyrion. There’s just way too much raw emotion between those two characters for it to be anything other than electrifying.
It’s worth noting, in Dragonstone, that Dany is sailing with Jon to send a peaceful to the North (and perhaps also to make sweet sweet love to him. :P) Her advisors are less happy. Sigh. I’m sick of Jorah’s friendzoned nonsense. Tyrion I can trust to be a little more level-headed…even not knowing their familial relationship, torrid affairs can go very wrong during wartime.
But the more compelling part of Dragonstone was the Jon/Theon scene. I like how they grappled through their past baggage as boys (Jon as the “good” kid and Theon as the “bad” one, and both of them as less-than on the Stark hierarchy, is a big part of ASOIAF backstory.) I feel for both of them, and their struggle to belong when they don’t entirely. And I respect Jon learning to forgive—especially since he’s the one with the argument about uniting. Not surprised that Theon is going after Yara—if not she’d just be unquestionably dead—but I’m not thrilled that he had to kill a guy to get moving on that. Sigh. I’m sick of the near-constant undertone of violence in this world. And yet…there’s a focus on love, given that Theon is risking all to save his sister.
So those final images of Viserion burning down part of the Wall with blue fire, and the army of the dead walking through, are undoubtedly terrifying on an existential level. Same can possibly be said of snow in King’s Landing. :P But it lacks the complex gravitas of the Jon reveal. Which again—we learn about it right along with the characters in question. This is not a “gotcha!” moment where Bran and Sam are deliberately hiding something from us, the audience. In fact, I think the showrunners liked Bran as a flashback narrator for that very reason—so it wouldn’t feel like an infodump, but like an organic part of the story. So too the fact that this has consequences on the burgeoning relationship between Dany and Jon, which we see play out sexually as Bran realizes who Jon really is! Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne! Dun dun duuuun.
Of course, Dany and Jon are pledged to fight off the White Walkers first. And if they defeat death so soundly…maybe the rest of it won’t seem like a big deal? Maybe there won’t even be an Iron Throne anyore?? (Personal wish there. :P) I suppose there wouldn’t be enough complex tension for the next six episodes without some interpersonal character drama. Which usually I love! But I guess I just hope that Jon and Dany, should they survive, can still see the good in each other. I’m assuming that’s still possible.
And I’m sorry for folks like my dad who were looking forward to Jon/Dany a moving, non-incestuous ship. :P Alas. Though in this case, at least it can be argued that they didn’t know! Hee.
