“I’m tired of reading about the achievements of better men“- Samwell Tarly
Every week I have been watching Game of Thrones, and I have been getting to the end of the episode and wanting more immediately. Although I’m sure that binge-watching culture has created (or awakened) the monster in me, it’s certainly something to be said for the series and how well crafted each episode has been. It also explains why there is such demand for hacked and leaked spoilers.
Of course, this was no battle with a dragon, but it was an exciting episode for the same reason others in Season 7 have been: reunions and new information. First (not necessarily chronologically), they reunited Ser Davos with Gendry, the bastard son of Robert Baratheon who disappeared by rowboat several seasons ago. It didn’t take much to convince Gendry to join the cause and reveal his true self to Jon. Fans have been clamoring for that reunion (or just to have Gendry back) for a long time, and it was well worth the wait.
Secondly, the reunion between Ser Jorah Mormont and Daenerys was a fantastic bit of television. Emilia Clarke and Iain Glen used so few words and said so much with their expressions. Of course Jorah expressed jealousy of Jon Snow, love for Daenerys, and gratitude to be in her service again. Daenerys was simply glad to see her old friend again. Of course, the true brilliance of it was how little was spoken between them. Even though they were torn apart as soon as they were reunited it became one of my favorite moments of the episode.
Finally, another reunion fans have been anticipating for awhile was that of Tyrion and Jaime Lannister. It seems that Tyrion still has a little pull with his old friend Bronn after all. I was so pleased to see this (albeit tense) brothers reunion. As a fan I was so upset when Jaime was going to kill him, but I could see even at the beginning of this episode they are softening Jaime to his brother. Finding out Olenna was responsible for Joffrey’s death and hearing Tyrion briefly defend the death of their father will lead to Jaime and Tyrion being brothers once more. You heard it here first.
The reunions were great, but the best thing that happened may have been the motley crew they assembled to go beyond the wall at Eastwatch. I would pay to watch a show that included The Hound, Jon Snow, Davos, Jorah, Gendry, and Tormund (Spell check hates that sentence, by the way). Game of Thrones is really good at assembling and reassembling interesting ensembles, and this one is by far my favorite.
A few other thoughts:
- Seemed a bit glossed over, but did anyone else pause and jump up and scream when Gilly (of all people) read that Rhaegar Targaryen had an annulment and married someone else. Sam was a little angry about other things and pushed right by it. But I noticed.
- On that front, the sexual tension between Jon and Daenerys is REAL. I FELT it.
- I was slightly disturbed by the untimely cooking of Randall and Dickon Tarly, but I’m thrilled that Sam is the heir of House Tarly now.
- Arya and Littlefinger presents an interesting story going forward, but eventually, Arya’s just gonna whack that dude. In the meantime, it will make an interesting cat and mouse game.
A lot happened, and some things got glossed over, but it’s setting up for an epic final pair of episodes. I wish I could see them now, but I won’t give leakers the satisfaction.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know!
Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO
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