Blangadanger

Perhaps it was because I was very pessimistic about the HoTU scene being translated on-screen. Faithfully or otherwise, I figured they would digitize it to death. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it came across on the screen. It didn't have nearly the amount of prophecies of the book, but that would have taken at least one entire episode of television. Instead it was a very stripped down version of Dany coming to grips about her own identity. When she exits the dream and sees her dragon, strong-Dany is back, and with a vengeance. I loved her reaction to the empty safe. I was also worried they would attempt to end every storyline in one episode, but that also appeared to be unjustified, since they wrap up each story pretty well. Tyrion's scene was fantastic, easily one of the best scenes of the entire series. Sansa's scene in court was great as well. I love that we get a glimpse of Jaime being impressed by Brienne's adept skills in battle. The final scenes of Jaqen H'ghar and Maester Luwin were sad, because the actors that played them have been wonderful. Alfie Allen's two speeches were stirring but ultimately his scene proved anticlimatic as they just cut to Winterfell burning. I did not think that the transition was smooth, and it didn't impact me enough to see the mighty city destroyed. Equally unsatisfying was Jon's battle with Qhorin which had very little context or explanation for it occurring in the first place. My non-book reader friend had some semblance of understanding since they touched on the false betrayal two episodes ago, but the way they left it ambiguous in the end was poorly thought out in my opinion. Though Sam's interactions with the walkers was terrifying, I thought it felt out of place in relation to the rest of the season. It didn't have the same emotional impact as the high fantasy ending to Season 1 as I'm guessing they wanted it to have. Instead I think it would have made more sense to end with a more prolonged betrayal of Qhorin or a more emotionally stirring shock of Winterfell burning. All that being said, I thought it was one of the best episodes of the season and gave it a 9.

This episode had some thrilling scenes. I laughed at Ygritte's mocking of Jon, and it's clear that he is already weak against her fiery personality. I liked the way they did the walnut scene (removing the Maester before they take the orphans for decoys) because it illustrated what happened in the book better (though without Reek). I've always thought that Cersei viewed Joffrey as a means to an end (i.e. power), so when Joffrey begins to take that from her in the show, it totally fits that she's lost any hope for him. They are starting to make Sansa more sympathetic, and Sophie is serving her character well. I really love Arya's scenes with Tywin, but I think the suspension of disbelief is starting to crack. I think they really need to be focusing more on Arya's interactions with Jaqen H'ghar instead. I have almost zero interest in Robb's affair with Talisa. If anything I think I'm losing sympathy for him and his ultimate doom. Yes, she's gorgeous (and probably much more so than any daughter of a Frey), but the brilliant strategist and general is seemingly oblivious of the danger in consorting with the enemy. Don't think I understand the criticism of Jaime's latest murder. So you're fine with him being redeemed for all the other brash things Jaime's done, but you cannot redeem this one because it's a distant relative? That's silly; this is the Kingslayer we're talking about. He'll do anything to get back to Cersei at this point. If anything, this particular murder only makes Catelyn's release of him even more shocking to viewers when it comes. I think they still have plenty of time next season to start working on Jaime understanding the wrongs of his past. At this point, it doesn't matter what they add to Jaime's list of misdeeds, because the list is too marked already.