Wow. The movie-length season 7 finale sure took its time, and ended up delivering some hefty story punches. Here are my highly subjective, personal thoughts and feelings, delivered lightning-quick, after viewing “The Dragon and the Wolf.”
We’ll start with the five Valyrian Steel (Best) moments of the episode before getting to the Flea Bottom Brown (Worst) ones.
VALYRIAN STEEL FIVE: The Hound and Brienne make up
It was fun to see the two big bruisers with hearts of gold making up. Brienne almost killed the Hound back in season 4, but he’s not the type to hold a grudge, apparently. They bonded over protecting Arya, and that was cute.
VALYRIAN STEEL FOUR: Jon and Dany get jiggy with it
I was thinking Jon and Daenerys wouldn’t get it on until season 8, so Jon’s arrival at Dany’s door surprised me a little. They had been sharing those hot, yearning stares throughout the episode so I should have seen it coming. Good for them. As for the potential for children, their heroic genetics will surely overcome any curses that may or may not lay on Dany’s womb.
VALYRIAN STEEL THREE: The world is Cersei’s violin
You’ve got to hand it to Cersei: when that lady hatches her plots, nothing is gonna stop her. In the end, she had laid out every twist in the Dragonpit in advance, including Euron being on his way to collect the Golden Company. Tyrion is still alive only because Cersei had enough self-control to realize she needed him alive to make negotiations appear successful. Jaime is still alive because, well…he’s the last tiny warm spot left in her ice-cold heart.
VALYRIAN STEEL TWO: Littlefinger, meet Sansa Smart and Arya Armageddon
So the Stark girls were playing Littlefinger all along. I’m not sure why they kept up their feud when he wasn’t around, but so what? It was so much fun watching them spring the trap and listening to his silver tongue fail him that it didn’t matter. Dropping to his knees to beg just gave the diminutive Arya a better angle to finish him off.
VALYRIAN STEEL ONE: Wight dragon, blue fire and melting Wall
This episode was full of moments that could occupy the number one spot, but I’ll go with the sensational finale that sets up season 8. It was both exhilarating and agonizing to see wight-Viserion, controlled by the Night King, roast the Wall at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Game of Thrones is a fantasy show, and the blue flames and undead army spilling south sure stamped its genre ticket.
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.
Next: Celebrate the Game of Thrones season 7 finale with swag from the HBO Shop!
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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