Firstly, I'd like to start by saying that I don't understand all the hate that this episode has been getting. Yes, I know, it's no "Red Wedding" but if this episode had been shown to people without the Red Wedding then they would consider it one of the best. So that's why I've called it one of the best.
The episode starts with a great scene that directly follows the Red Wedding. The scene includes some nice shots of Stark flags burning but the most crucial thing about the scene was when The King in the North rode again (along with his Direwolf). This was the moment, for me at least, when we could finally accept that Robb Stark was dead and it's when Arya accepted the fact. Later on, we have to come to terms with Arya having lost everybody she loved and started her descent (or ascent) to being a killer.
Then we come to King's Landing, where Joffrey is in glee at Robb Stark's death and decides it would be a good idea to feed his head to Sansa at his wedding. Tyrion stands up to the King and Joffrey starts to kick and fuss. Tywin decides to send him to bed. Then comes the best bit, Tywin's family teaching lesson to Tyrion and one of the coldest lines of the show, "The day that you were born!". Later on, more Lannister family teachings from Cersei as we learn how deep her character really is. Most of the time she is over the top evil but there are a few moments where she shows the greatest love out of anybody.
After that we go to Bran telling a story about a cook who killed a guest in his house. Enter Walder Frey and Roose Bolton, discussing Robb Stark and the burning of Winterfell. At last, for those few viewers who didn't, we find out that it's Ramsay Snow who's torturing Theon. Theon's over-sized story arc this season is given reason when we return to Pike to see Balon given "Theon's favourite toy" and Asha (or is it Yara) venturing to rescue Theon. This was one of the episode's other great scenes and was, for once, a good diversion from the book.
Continuing with Bran, we go back to the Wall where Sam gets south and Bran journeys to the Land-Beyond-the-Wall. But he doesn't leave alone, as Sam arms him, Hodor and Jojen with the Dragonglass he found at the Fist of the First Men. This has a beautiful shot of Bran going North with his Direwolf silhouetted against the moon. Meanwhile Sam gets to Castle Black and Maester Aemon returns!!! He is instructed to send 44 letters to the Lords of Westeros concerning the army of Wights and White Walkers. I'll talk about this later.
Jon and Ygritte have a wonderful scene where it seems that there love is broken and Ygritte tries to kill Jon. Luckily, after three arrows, Jon gets to Castle Black for a Lord-of-the-Rings-esque moment. In other Westeros love news, !Varys! tells Shae to take some diamonds, head back to the Free Cities and live a long happy life. However, she opts to stay in the capital and refuse wealth. This is a significant turning point for Tyrion and is a story we'll see escalate at the beginning of Season Four.
Nearly there.
On Dragonstone, Davos talks to Gendry about growing up in Fleebottom and about getting from a river of sh*t outside you front door to becoming Hand of the King to the rightful King of Westeros. Because of their similarities Davos saves Gendry from Melisandre. This is completely in character and is what Game of Thrones is great for. He is nearly sentenced to death for his treason but is saved by Sam's letter about the dangers beyond the Wall and Melisandre convinces Stannis to work with her and Davos to defend the Wall. This will become one of the most important story lines and I'm really pleased with the set up it had for Season Four. The lighting in Davos' scenes and the music was truly great and was one of the best achieved parts of the whole season.
Finally, and unfortunately, we have the final scene. We could have had Stannis' awesome speech or Joffrey's Purple Wedding but no we have Daenerys' Mhysa scene, the worst part of the entire episode. This scene was just disappointment through and through. There was only one redeeming quality and that was the music by Ramin Djawadi which was just beautiful. However, the whole scene was just underwhelming and, yes I know the word gets thrown around a lot now but, slightly racist.
To conclude, this great episode, and great season, and great show, cannot be ruined by the lacklustre ending. The best parts were Davos' story, Tyrion's story and the Greyjoys' story (for once) and I would rate this episode 9.5 out of 10. The only thing I have left to say is, bring on Season Four!
The episode starts with a great scene that directly follows the Red Wedding. The scene includes some nice shots of Stark flags burning but the most crucial thing about the scene was when The King in the North rode again (along with his Direwolf). This was the moment, for me at least, when we could finally accept that Robb Stark was dead and it's when Arya accepted the fact. Later on, we have to come to terms with Arya having lost everybody she loved and started her descent (or ascent) to being a killer.
Then we come to King's Landing, where Joffrey is in glee at Robb Stark's death and decides it would be a good idea to feed his head to Sansa at his wedding. Tyrion stands up to the King and Joffrey starts to kick and fuss. Tywin decides to send him to bed. Then comes the best bit, Tywin's family teaching lesson to Tyrion and one of the coldest lines of the show, "The day that you were born!". Later on, more Lannister family teachings from Cersei as we learn how deep her character really is. Most of the time she is over the top evil but there are a few moments where she shows the greatest love out of anybody.
After that we go to Bran telling a story about a cook who killed a guest in his house. Enter Walder Frey and Roose Bolton, discussing Robb Stark and the burning of Winterfell. At last, for those few viewers who didn't, we find out that it's Ramsay Snow who's torturing Theon. Theon's over-sized story arc this season is given reason when we return to Pike to see Balon given "Theon's favourite toy" and Asha (or is it Yara) venturing to rescue Theon. This was one of the episode's other great scenes and was, for once, a good diversion from the book.
Continuing with Bran, we go back to the Wall where Sam gets south and Bran journeys to the Land-Beyond-the-Wall. But he doesn't leave alone, as Sam arms him, Hodor and Jojen with the Dragonglass he found at the Fist of the First Men. This has a beautiful shot of Bran going North with his Direwolf silhouetted against the moon. Meanwhile Sam gets to Castle Black and Maester Aemon returns!!! He is instructed to send 44 letters to the Lords of Westeros concerning the army of Wights and White Walkers. I'll talk about this later.
Jon and Ygritte have a wonderful scene where it seems that there love is broken and Ygritte tries to kill Jon. Luckily, after three arrows, Jon gets to Castle Black for a Lord-of-the-Rings-esque moment. In other Westeros love news, !Varys! tells Shae to take some diamonds, head back to the Free Cities and live a long happy life. However, she opts to stay in the capital and refuse wealth. This is a significant turning point for Tyrion and is a story we'll see escalate at the beginning of Season Four.
Nearly there.
On Dragonstone, Davos talks to Gendry about growing up in Fleebottom and about getting from a river of sh*t outside you front door to becoming Hand of the King to the rightful King of Westeros. Because of their similarities Davos saves Gendry from Melisandre. This is completely in character and is what Game of Thrones is great for. He is nearly sentenced to death for his treason but is saved by Sam's letter about the dangers beyond the Wall and Melisandre convinces Stannis to work with her and Davos to defend the Wall. This will become one of the most important story lines and I'm really pleased with the set up it had for Season Four. The lighting in Davos' scenes and the music was truly great and was one of the best achieved parts of the whole season.
Finally, and unfortunately, we have the final scene. We could have had Stannis' awesome speech or Joffrey's Purple Wedding but no we have Daenerys' Mhysa scene, the worst part of the entire episode. This scene was just disappointment through and through. There was only one redeeming quality and that was the music by Ramin Djawadi which was just beautiful. However, the whole scene was just underwhelming and, yes I know the word gets thrown around a lot now but, slightly racist.
To conclude, this great episode, and great season, and great show, cannot be ruined by the lacklustre ending. The best parts were Davos' story, Tyrion's story and the Greyjoys' story (for once) and I would rate this episode 9.5 out of 10. The only thing I have left to say is, bring on Season Four!