Knee-Jerk reactions to “The Dragon and the Wolf:” Five Best and Worst Moments
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN FIVE: Let’s warm up with another long walk travelogue
The long, chatty walk early in the episode worked fine, just as it did in the opening minutes of the previous episode, “Beyond the Wall.” It’s the result of many characters being reunited after long absences (or just meeting now). You have to acknowledge the reunions of Tyrion/Pod, Tyrion/Bronn, the Hound/Brienne, and the reunions/sideways looks between Euron/Theon and Tyrion/Cersei. Some characters, particularly the Hound and Brienne, got great moments, but some of these reunions may have been better placed in an extra episode or two. Just sayin’.
Macall B. Polay – HBO
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN FOUR: No Cleganebowl?
To be continued?
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN THREE: Poor Biff the Wight
Nobody cares about a wight, I know. It’s undead. But the poor guy was bagged, hogtied, locked in a box and then chopped to pieces for an audience. He was somebody, somewhere, once. Yeah, I’m grasping for this one.
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN TWO: Don’t buy everything Cersei is selling, ever
It may be the accelerated schedule of the last few episodes, but it felt like our heroes accepted the some of the events at the Dragonpit a little too readily. Nutso Euron’s departure seemed a wee bit contrived, as did Cersei’s sudden acceptance of Dany’s offer of peace. Tyrion knows Cersei better than anyone, and I hope he’s wary of her next season. As for Jaime, well … he’s still alive, and that’s saying a lot.
FLEA BOTTOM BROWN ONE: Bran and Sam know Jon is banging is aunt
The Jon and Dany love scene was beautiful, but Bran and Sam confirmed that they were nephew and auntie right in the middle of their carnal activities. It’s not as gross in Westeros as it is here, but it’s still gross, particularly when you draw our attention to the fact that these two are related as they’re getting it on.
Macall B. Polay – HBO
BONUS VALYRIAN STEEL MOMENT: The real Theon is in there
I’ll be honest and admit that I nearly cried during the scene where the fallen Theon and Jon talk about Theon’s failures. It was brilliantly written and acted. It also set up the scene where Theon fights for his Ironborn sailors’ respect. I was cheering at that point. I know he’s gonna die trying to save Yara, but Theon has now already saved himself.
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Wrap it up and put a bloody bow on it. This was a well-constructed season finale that wasn’t afraid to let some elements unfold slowly. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave us some satisfying payoffs (Littlefinger gets snuffed, Jon and Dany hook up) and left other questions hanging exactly where they should be.
Winter is here, and now it’s time for the forever-wait for season 8.
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