Banana Scoop

For having 8 different story lines, focusing on one or two is pretty bold.  But last night’s episode: Blackwater showed just how expansive this series could be if they were given even more time and money.  Penned by George R.R. Martin himself, there was a clear coherence amongst all the chaos, and it was great that they found a better medium between the books and the series.  There were a number of powerful scenes, intense action, and gore that filled last nights episode.  Actions that will affect next week episodes and the rest of the season to come.  Last night essentially followed two story arcs clashing: Tyrion and Davos/Stannis as they are finally at war with each other.  Click below to get some of the highlights.

Overall

The episode overall is very well done.  It proves that fleshing out an individual story is just as exciting [if not more] than trying to cram 8 stories into one episode.  While I understand that this isn’t feasible, it was nice having if only one episode being as detailed as the books themselves.  While the battle of Blackwater was much more eventful in the books, if there was anyway to capture the essence and major points to Blackwater, this was it.  This is largely because George R.R. Martin himself wrote it.  Giving Tyrion back his axe was one of my favorite moments.  Away the battle was primarily Cersei and Sansa’s domain.  We’re revealed Cersei’s true feelings and motives for many of the actions she does and it was nice getting her character a little more fleshed out, even if I wanted to squish her head into a wall.  Another amazing point is also a troubling point: Who were you rooting for in the Battle of Blackwater?  I would like to see Joffrey’s head on a spike, but that would mean Tyrion’s head as well.  Davos Seaworthy is a loving and grounded dad, so I definitely didn’t like seeing him go, and Stannis Baratheon was actually leading his troops as part of the vanguard so I admire his valor.  It was definitely a tough call.  There is not black and white in Game of Thrones.

The Halfman

Tyrion stole the show this episode.  He prepared the wildfire, ordered the troops, and even led them himself when it came to a grind.  His motivational speech was classic Tyrion, and it was really cool seeing him cut a guy’s leg out underneath him.  It was clear that he was a fairly proven battle commander as well as a strategist, which makes him definitely more cool than already how cool he was.  We pray for his safety, seeing as his face was nearly cut in half.

The Adventures of Sansa Stark: Tea Time with Cersei and Getting Lost in Sandor’s Eyes

Also getting her fair share of attention was Sansa Stark.  She was forced to drink wine with Cersei, who was seemingly drunk with wine or delusion as she was revealing everything about her ways.  It’s a wonder if she was doing this because she wanted to leave her imprint onto someone so close to the end of her time, or if she was legitimately trying to help Sansa.  Regardless, like I said above, this was a neat inside look into why the way Cersei operates and does things sometimes.

Another interesting point was when Sansa was confronted with Gregor Clegane in her room.  An awkward moment that finally made Sansa realize that he wasn’t actually going to hurt her, and he even offered her a way back to Winterfell which she hesitantly declined.  The relationship between the Hound and Sansa is fairly fleshed out in the book, and it was good to see it wrapped up in this episode.

The Killers at Work: Bronn, Sandor, and Stannis

This episode was gory.  People were getting all sorts of slashed and killed.  Scalps were taken off, bodies disemboweled, limbs being cut right off.  The main men making this happen were Bronn, Sandor, and Stannis.  Bronn and Sandor had a touching moment before the fight as they were about to face off.  It’s clear both of these guys are trained killers, as obvious to their pasts.  Bronn was taking out soldiers with only a knife, Stannis was leading the vanguard despite being a King and a loose arrow couldn’t ended the war, and Sandor was cutting men in half.  The only one showing weakness was Sandor when he was confronted with his fear of fire which led him to one of the best lines of the night: “Fck the King”.

Greenfire

Visual candy of the night was the not the brothel scene at the beginning, but definitely the wildfire explosion to take out many of Stannis’s ships [and apparently Davos…].  A truly formidable weapon that was definitely key in the survival of King’s Landing.  It’s just another excuse to use this picture again.  My eyes literally lit up as this scene happened because of the sheer destruction that went with it.  A different approach than the book, but once again, understandable.

Highgarden Arrives

Stannis was on the brink of victory.  He was even on the wall on King’s Landing, ready to cast his flag, but of course, someone had to come in and save the day.  I almost didn’t want them to, even though I knew they would.  I actually wanted Stannis to win because I know what follows after Highgarden comes in to save the day…and I wish it were different…

The final episode of the season: Valar Morghulis [yip yip yip!] airs next week on HBO at 9:00 pm

Be prepared to see her there…