“Eastwatch” was another superb episode of Game of Thrones season 7. It was quiet, for the most part, but quiet in the way that everything falls suddenly motionless just before the storm arrives.
Here are my highly subjective, personal thoughts and feelings, delivered lightning-quick, after viewing “Eastwatch.” Let’s start with the good stuff:
Helen Sloan – HBO
VALYRIAN STEEL FIVE: Bromance R-E-U-N-I-T-E-D all over the place
Our favorite bromances were firing on all cylinders (or reigniting) this evening. First, Bronn fished Jaime out of the river, a scene that went down easy with the help of lots of humor. Varys and Tyrion drank wine and counseled each other and Dany’s mounting ruthlessness. Long lost-traveling companions Jorah and Tyrion reminisced about old times on Dragonstone — Tyrion even gave his former kidnapper a symbolic coin as a gift. Jaime and Tyrion had an awkward moment of truce. Ser Davos and Gendry were reunited. And finally, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane joined forces once again at Eastwatch. It was the biggest bromance episode ever, really.
VALYRIAN STEEL FOUR: You had me at “dragon”
As a fantasy fan, there’s nothing better for me than the dramatic swoop of a huge dragon across the sky. The scene where Jon watches Daenerys land Drogon on the reaches of Dragonstone had it all: fire-breathing dragon, castle, beautiful queen and handsome king. And yet there was so, so much more to it. And dear god, there are a lot of long, lingering looks between Jon and Daenerys these days.
Helen Sloan – HBO
VALYRIAN STEEL THREE: Gold, fermented crab and melon crushing
Let’s give Ser Davos a round of applause. He really showed us how an old smuggler from Flea Bottom can work the authorities. He had the situation on the King’s Landing beach handled until Tyrion arrived at the most inopportune moment. Good thing Gendry can swing a war hammer like his father.
Helen Sloan – HBO
VALYRIAN STEEL TWO: The great game is best played in darkness
Littlefinger doesn’t show up on the Valyrian side of this list much, but you have to recognize his cloak-and-dagger prowess this time around. Yes, Sansa is better at politics than she used to be, and Arya has skills, but they may well prove babes in the woods when compared to this master of manipulation. Hate him all you want (it’s easy when he’s leering from the shadows), but Littlefinger is playing both girls like violins.
Macall B. Polay – HBO
VALYRIAN STEEL ONE: Estranged brothers at their best
Both Peter Dinklage and Jaime Coster-Waldau are powerful actors, and the scene where Bronn got them together provided them with opportunities to ooze charisma and pathos. There is a sea of blood and silent rage between them, but despite it all, they still love each other. What a scene!
Helen Sloan – HBO
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN FIVE: Where are they hiding the Tardis?
I know we’re not supposed to worry ourselves about geography and how long it should take for people to move around any more, but wow. From Bran’s letters reaching all corners of Westeros in record time to Jon and company arriving at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea at episodes end, there was a lot of fast-travel happening this week. Maybe Game of Thrones should be categorized as science fiction along with fantasy adventure, because they’re big-time screwing with the time-space continuum.
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN FOUR: No love for the King in the North?
The Northern Lords are turning on Jon already? They seemed like a far more consistent bunch. Has Littlefinger got their heads spinning? And where is Lyanna Mormont when you need her?
Helen Sloan – HBO
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN THREE: Sisterly love only goes so far
It didn’t take long for Arya to start questioning Sansa’s motives. It’s true that Sansa wants power, but Arya might do more good by helping her sister stay on the right path than accusing her of straying.
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN TWO: Does this sound like a really bad idea to you?
Tyrion is a smart guy, but his suggestion that somebody go nab a wight and show it to Cersei was really out there. Of course Jorah and Jon volunteered because they’re all about suicide missions. They’ll do it the hardest way possible, guaranteed, and they’ll get one. I hope they name him Biff.
Helen Sloan – HBO
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN ONE: The Dark Queen is not knocked up
There is no way Cersei is pregnant. Worried that Jaime is straying from her absolute control (as evidenced by his meeting with Tyrion), she’s playing him for all she’s worth. As her loving twin, he was already under her thumb, but now, by offering him another child, she’s eliminated any chance he has to come to his senses before she drags him down to doomsday with her.
BONUS VALYRIAN STEEL MOMENT: Here comes the Wild Bunch
With Jon, Tormund, Jorah, Gendry, the Hound, Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Mir heading north to capture a wight from the Night King’s army, you know it’s gonna get wild. And in their ragtag company, Jon Snow gets the best line of the evening: “We’re all on the same side … we’re all breathing.”
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Wrap it up and put a bloody bow on it: “Eastwatch,” while very entertaining, was slower than usual, as the writers rearranged story elements and identified new objectives. That’s not a criticism — we know a headlong rush to the final conclusion is coming. Let’s take this moment to take a breath while we have the chance.
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