Part of Game of Thrones' excellence has been in managing to maintain huge suspense and excitement in spite of the fact that many millions of viewers who have read the books already know what's coming up.
65 Reviews
Emotionally Exhausting
OmarHartwellWhite1 June 2014
Amazing episode. I think as good or better than "The Laws of Gods and Men". The last 3 episodes of this season are definitely going to be a crazy ride, and this episode starts it off. Like almost every episode this features great acting and dialogue, but this also has a couple great action scenes. All the plays and events from this season and really the entire series, are coming together and things are going to places I could have never seen coming. It is amazing to think back on what many characters used to be like in the beginning of the series, and what they are like now. This episode is really going to make you emotionally exhausted from the events you are about to witness. This show has always screwed with my emotions and this episode is no different and is pretty unpredictable. This episode is one of the most intense episodes of the series. It is going to be a long week waiting for the next episode and I can't wait to see where the final two episodes go from here.
Epic!
a_nikoloyiannis25 June 2020
Crushed
hellraiser731 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Warning do not read unless seen episode.
There really isn't much to say, some of the scenes before the one on one fight were solid. I always like the back and forth scenes between both Jamme and Tyron both I feel have a healthy sibling relationship as opposed to their relations with the rest of the Lanaster family.
But of course it all comes down to the fight which to me is one of my favorite one on one battles of all time. In a way it was sort of once again the David vs. Goliath battle. The Viper we clearly can see has a big advantage over the Mountain as he has agility, acrobatics, speed, and skill where as the mountain relies only on his brute strength and despite welding a sword he obviously has very little skill and coordination to weld it as we see him just stupidly swing his sword a bit randomly.
The chirography was just spot on excellent as we see the Viper utilizing the spear with Wu Shu martial arts movements and just going to town on the mountain. The fight goes so well that he topples the mountain and delivers a fatal blow which gives the mountain a slow death (though personally I would of double tapped him). Just seeing him down I couldn't help but chear and know that tables are finally turning for Tyron. And of course who can forget that line he keeps reciting which is similar to the famous line from the film "The Princess Bride".
But unfortunately fate doesn't smile on the Viper as we see the Viper gets a tad cocky/careless and fraks up when he gets too close to the mountain, obsessively urging the mountain to confess to his crimes. And of course as an old saying goes "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." and get it the Viper does when we see the mountain in his last moments of life give that confession while giving the Viper a fatality worthy of the "Mortal Kombat" video games. When I saw that I thought "damn" but also just as the Viper's head was crushed so was our last hope of Tyron's life.
I can't help but feel what happened is also part of the morality of the series (if you can believe that) the moral to me is to quit while your ahead. If you have a clear shot at victory then take it, don't frak around. But also to not get lost in the forest of revenge, the Viper unfortunately got lost in that forest and slithered straight toward a cliff.
Rating: 4 stars
There really isn't much to say, some of the scenes before the one on one fight were solid. I always like the back and forth scenes between both Jamme and Tyron both I feel have a healthy sibling relationship as opposed to their relations with the rest of the Lanaster family.
But of course it all comes down to the fight which to me is one of my favorite one on one battles of all time. In a way it was sort of once again the David vs. Goliath battle. The Viper we clearly can see has a big advantage over the Mountain as he has agility, acrobatics, speed, and skill where as the mountain relies only on his brute strength and despite welding a sword he obviously has very little skill and coordination to weld it as we see him just stupidly swing his sword a bit randomly.
The chirography was just spot on excellent as we see the Viper utilizing the spear with Wu Shu martial arts movements and just going to town on the mountain. The fight goes so well that he topples the mountain and delivers a fatal blow which gives the mountain a slow death (though personally I would of double tapped him). Just seeing him down I couldn't help but chear and know that tables are finally turning for Tyron. And of course who can forget that line he keeps reciting which is similar to the famous line from the film "The Princess Bride".
But unfortunately fate doesn't smile on the Viper as we see the Viper gets a tad cocky/careless and fraks up when he gets too close to the mountain, obsessively urging the mountain to confess to his crimes. And of course as an old saying goes "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." and get it the Viper does when we see the mountain in his last moments of life give that confession while giving the Viper a fatality worthy of the "Mortal Kombat" video games. When I saw that I thought "damn" but also just as the Viper's head was crushed so was our last hope of Tyron's life.
I can't help but feel what happened is also part of the morality of the series (if you can believe that) the moral to me is to quit while your ahead. If you have a clear shot at victory then take it, don't frak around. But also to not get lost in the forest of revenge, the Viper unfortunately got lost in that forest and slithered straight toward a cliff.
Rating: 4 stars
Shocked!
giuliano_vsf1 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Oh my God, George RR Martin is completely sick! It's been 30 minutes since the episode finished and I'm still numb in my seat. Before getting into the so expected part, this is a great episode which you can see the development of Sansa character, where she finally turn into a more mature woman, deciding to lie for the sake of her and Lord Baelish life instead of messing up things. The Castle Black part also create a lot of expectation, since the war with the North Beyond the Wall is even closer than before. And I enjoyed Arya laughter at the point she find out her aunt is dead. It is so ironic. All her family beside Sansa and Jon Snow is dead, so what is one more relative dead? It's so tragic it becomes comic. Nothing to say about Sir Jorah Mormont, his relationship with Daenerys was always faded to an end, I don't really enjoy his scenes. And of course, what was this EPIC DUEL? Oberyn was a really amazing character, motivated by revenge of his sister. He is a bisexual, oriental, light armored fighter who awoke interest in most of audience precisely for being so exotic. Tyrion hadn't much expectation about his combat skills, mostly because the opponent was a 2.06m monster. Instead, he showed outstanding agility and dexterity fighting The Mountain, but before finishing up his enemy, his pride and anger diverted his attention, resulting in one of the most shocking scenes I have seen in Game of Thrones series. Until this point, you can see a sketch of a smile in Tyrion's face. But when The Mountain grabs Oberyn and smashes his head it was really heavy, I felt it so deep because the short happiness created when Oberyn pierce Mountain's body turn out into despair: Tyrion is going to die. Well, 10/10, surpassed all my expectations.
Jawdropping till the last second
sharky_551 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
It's a tendency to use the night setting for fights in Westeros in order to increase the sense of confusion and chaos as we saw this week at Mole's Town. I can't say I love it, but the lighting is at least adequate for us to admire Ygritte's brief moment of humanity. More hopeful was Sam and his brothers reminding us just how resilient Gilly is, as well as the impending dangers of the Wilding assault on Castle Black.
The Grey Worm/Missandei love story was lacklustre to say the least. I saw it as little more than an extra bit of nudity pushed in for a relationship that wouldn't develop or go anywhere anyway. One of the weakest scenes of the season so far.
A more dramatic reveal in Tywin's letter finally reaching Meereen sees Jorah's prior intentions laid bare. Barristan's scenes are sparely used and never really utilise the legendary knight's presence but we see a bit of it here. His loyalty to Dany is admirable and Jorah is left with no choice but to confess. Emilia Clarke puts on a great performance as she lays out her contempt and unforgiving nature.
The dynamic of Reek and Ramsay continue to steal their scenes. It's a complete transformation of the proud, arrogant and strong Theon from the time he took Winterfell and flayed boys for the sake of it. Alfie Allen takes it to new heights with his 'portrayal' of Theon, son of Balon as he attempts to lift the siege of Moat Caitlin. It's a shallow and weary impression of confidence and we see a falter in his facade as he mutters Reek over and over again in fear. What was more gruesome was the lack of mercy Ramsay gives to the surrendering Ironborn and the result of that: their sigil, a flayed man.
The relationship between Roose and Ramsay is a complicated one but you get the sense Roose is fiercely protective of his house name and lineage. In a scene reminiscent of Mufasa showing Simba the Pride-lands in Lion King, we see Ramsay legitimised. House Bolton is here and they are here to stay.
It's nice to see Littlefinger back to his witty and confident self after all the lurking and plotting in the shadows. The Lords Declarant of the Vale show up to find justice in the wake of Lysa's death, and find a new player of the game in Petyr's 'niece', Alayne. It's a far cry from the weak and helpless Sansa in King's Landing, now finally realising her potential and giving a passionate acting performance to boost Petyr's credibility. It's chilling to see Littlefinger sit in silence, so rarely helpless as Sansa lays bare her testimony. A great act by Sansa completely sells the story and solidifies Petyr now as Lord Protector of the Vale.
The Hound and Arya's banter is once again natural and great and they seem very comfortable with each other. Comfortable enough that Arya's insane, cackling laugh is a brief lull from all the death and pain.
In what may be the last brotherly scene we get, Tyrion and Jaime both seem rather calm before the storm. The beetles talk was quite the foreshadowing of the great chaos and irrelevance of most characters in the Game of Thrones world, most just beetles in the background. But not Tyrion, the heir to the Lannisters, the accused murdered of the king, the half-man.
Pedro Pascal's "I'm going to kill that" is quite the epic line but even the most ardent supporters of Oberyn may have been as worried as Ellaria at the sight of the man mountain, Gregor Clegane. This was what we had waited for.
It's quite the spectacle Oberyn puts on a show for the crowd. We got the "Some dead man" from Gregor but Oberyn is determined to draw out the truth of her sister's fate those long years ago. The fight choreography is nothing short of brilliant as we feast on the acrobatics of the Red Viper and the crude, tiring swings of the Mountain. The iconic lines "You raped her, you murdered her, you killed her children" had finally come to life. For a moment there Oberyn's victory seems certain as he repeated those chilling lines to the murderer of his sister, Elia of Dorne.
Then it came, the brutal CRUNCH as the Mountain gouged out his confession and Oberyn's eyes and leaving a mess on the floor as well as the hearts of Ellaria, Tyrion and all show watchers devastated.
9/10 (Though that last scene is perfect in itself.)
The Grey Worm/Missandei love story was lacklustre to say the least. I saw it as little more than an extra bit of nudity pushed in for a relationship that wouldn't develop or go anywhere anyway. One of the weakest scenes of the season so far.
A more dramatic reveal in Tywin's letter finally reaching Meereen sees Jorah's prior intentions laid bare. Barristan's scenes are sparely used and never really utilise the legendary knight's presence but we see a bit of it here. His loyalty to Dany is admirable and Jorah is left with no choice but to confess. Emilia Clarke puts on a great performance as she lays out her contempt and unforgiving nature.
The dynamic of Reek and Ramsay continue to steal their scenes. It's a complete transformation of the proud, arrogant and strong Theon from the time he took Winterfell and flayed boys for the sake of it. Alfie Allen takes it to new heights with his 'portrayal' of Theon, son of Balon as he attempts to lift the siege of Moat Caitlin. It's a shallow and weary impression of confidence and we see a falter in his facade as he mutters Reek over and over again in fear. What was more gruesome was the lack of mercy Ramsay gives to the surrendering Ironborn and the result of that: their sigil, a flayed man.
The relationship between Roose and Ramsay is a complicated one but you get the sense Roose is fiercely protective of his house name and lineage. In a scene reminiscent of Mufasa showing Simba the Pride-lands in Lion King, we see Ramsay legitimised. House Bolton is here and they are here to stay.
It's nice to see Littlefinger back to his witty and confident self after all the lurking and plotting in the shadows. The Lords Declarant of the Vale show up to find justice in the wake of Lysa's death, and find a new player of the game in Petyr's 'niece', Alayne. It's a far cry from the weak and helpless Sansa in King's Landing, now finally realising her potential and giving a passionate acting performance to boost Petyr's credibility. It's chilling to see Littlefinger sit in silence, so rarely helpless as Sansa lays bare her testimony. A great act by Sansa completely sells the story and solidifies Petyr now as Lord Protector of the Vale.
The Hound and Arya's banter is once again natural and great and they seem very comfortable with each other. Comfortable enough that Arya's insane, cackling laugh is a brief lull from all the death and pain.
In what may be the last brotherly scene we get, Tyrion and Jaime both seem rather calm before the storm. The beetles talk was quite the foreshadowing of the great chaos and irrelevance of most characters in the Game of Thrones world, most just beetles in the background. But not Tyrion, the heir to the Lannisters, the accused murdered of the king, the half-man.
Pedro Pascal's "I'm going to kill that" is quite the epic line but even the most ardent supporters of Oberyn may have been as worried as Ellaria at the sight of the man mountain, Gregor Clegane. This was what we had waited for.
It's quite the spectacle Oberyn puts on a show for the crowd. We got the "Some dead man" from Gregor but Oberyn is determined to draw out the truth of her sister's fate those long years ago. The fight choreography is nothing short of brilliant as we feast on the acrobatics of the Red Viper and the crude, tiring swings of the Mountain. The iconic lines "You raped her, you murdered her, you killed her children" had finally come to life. For a moment there Oberyn's victory seems certain as he repeated those chilling lines to the murderer of his sister, Elia of Dorne.
Then it came, the brutal CRUNCH as the Mountain gouged out his confession and Oberyn's eyes and leaving a mess on the floor as well as the hearts of Ellaria, Tyrion and all show watchers devastated.
9/10 (Though that last scene is perfect in itself.)
Who are you
dannylee-7808228 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
1. Sansa pulls off a performance of her lifetime
2. Daenerys tosses out Jorah
3. Oberyn goes pop
WHAT. Unbelieve death... GoT really does a great job in writing unexpectedly. You root for Oberyn because he has a personal stake in it. He wants revenge. But his desire for revenge is what killed him because he didn't confirm Gregor's death. And what a gruesome death too. The visual shock of that scene is insane. Reminds of Viserys' death scene in season 2. I was spoiled because I clicked on Gregor's wiki page but it was nonetheless an effective scene. This scene also was foreshadowed by the beetle monologue by Tyrion - people just die meaninglessly by greater force like the beetles.
Lots of other development and subtle scenes. Sansa's interaction with Baelish shows that after all she's gone through, she's a completely different character with more apt and mature social skills. Jorah's departure from Team Daenerys is sad but that was the best outcome.
Overall, very good episode. Loved it.
WHAT. Unbelieve death... GoT really does a great job in writing unexpectedly. You root for Oberyn because he has a personal stake in it. He wants revenge. But his desire for revenge is what killed him because he didn't confirm Gregor's death. And what a gruesome death too. The visual shock of that scene is insane. Reminds of Viserys' death scene in season 2. I was spoiled because I clicked on Gregor's wiki page but it was nonetheless an effective scene. This scene also was foreshadowed by the beetle monologue by Tyrion - people just die meaninglessly by greater force like the beetles.
Lots of other development and subtle scenes. Sansa's interaction with Baelish shows that after all she's gone through, she's a completely different character with more apt and mature social skills. Jorah's departure from Team Daenerys is sad but that was the best outcome.
Overall, very good episode. Loved it.
Great episode, mostly true to the book
Imaculata2 June 2014
There's been a lot of epic episodes in season 4, but this one takes the cake. Some viewers have expressed being turned off by the violence, but time for them to wake up, this is exactly like it happens in the book. And I for one applaud it when the show copies the book word for word, scene by scene. The final show down in this episode is exactly as it is written on the page. They speak the exact same dialog from the book too. And yes, it is shocking, yes it is violent, welcome to Game of Thrones. It's when the show departs from the book, that the quality lowers. There's been a fair few moments like that in this season. But not this episode. Good for them for not trimming any of the violence as it was in the book. It needs to be this shocking for it to work. That is what makes the scene great.
There's also some incredibly good dialogs, and foreshadowing of future events in this episode. Like Arya's discussion with the Hound about the use of poison, or Littlefinger's remark how some people die on their chamberpot. The book readers are more likely to pick up on these subtle nods to things that are still to come. There's even some early foreshadowing by Prince Oberyn himself before the fight starts. It's just a very clever episode. And we still have two more epic episodes to come before this season is over.
There's also some incredibly good dialogs, and foreshadowing of future events in this episode. Like Arya's discussion with the Hound about the use of poison, or Littlefinger's remark how some people die on their chamberpot. The book readers are more likely to pick up on these subtle nods to things that are still to come. There's even some early foreshadowing by Prince Oberyn himself before the fight starts. It's just a very clever episode. And we still have two more epic episodes to come before this season is over.
Purely amazing episode!!!
shakilurrahman773 June 2014
This episode was mind boggling. Even having read the books, seeing the events unfold in real time, was just amazing. Sansa seemed to have finally caught up to the game of thrones world, while a heartbreaking truth was revealed to Dany. Arya and the hound had a short but a memorable scene and the Grey Worm scene was a fun side scene. Poor Tyrion is expected to watch his champions fight for both their and Tyrion's life. The last five minutes were intense and the ending was one of the most shocking and gruesome that had only been achieved previously by The Red Wedding. Hopefully poor Jon Snow will be able to handle the wrath that is about to come to the wall. 10/10 for this episode.
The episode before the big war episode was pretty damn big
megaranks101 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
For those that have read the book and have read the titles for the episode, you would have known for the beginning that this episode contained one of the most anticipated scenes, and that next episode would probably be the best episode of the year out of any TV show. Well this episode did contain that amazing scene, as well as many others. We start off with a perfectly written dialogue between Gilly and the leader of Mole's town. The wildling's arrive and a brilliant slaughter is written, ultimately reminding me why I love Ygritte so much. Now I never thought I would say this but Sansa's acting skills have improved so much this season, and Little finger still proves himself to be the best villain on the show. Arya and the Hound are in the episode for only two minutes, and still managed to make me smile and Reek/Ramsey did a good job pleasing Lord Bolton (I still have to remind myself that he is the man that stabbed Rob in the heart). I was a little disappointed with the Jorah scene as it definitely was not like that in the books, but that may cause a speed up to his next plot line real fast. Finally- The Mountain vs. the Viper. It may have been shorter than I anticipated, but OMG WAS THAT BATTLE AMAZING. Perfect, every trick in the book used, and I guess since it didn't go on for to long it didn't become tedious. How it ended was violently perfect and it goes to show that Game of Thrones will never hold back (that was banshee).
To sum it up: Best episode of the season, and this season has been amazing.
Next week will probably be the best episode of the year out of any TV show. Nights watch vs. Wildlings. One plot line, One hell of a war.
To sum it up: Best episode of the season, and this season has been amazing.
Next week will probably be the best episode of the year out of any TV show. Nights watch vs. Wildlings. One plot line, One hell of a war.
The Viper that climbed the Mountain and fell to his death.
Joumaa26-559-6853091 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
For those of you whom admire this show as much as I do and appreciate the artistic value as well as the compliments of the original writing, then you can understand I say this next line with a heavy heart. The battle that we see between Clegane and Martell was so magnificent I personally thought it was spot on if not better than how it was written in the book. Don't get me wrong the emotions that flow through the pages of Tyrions fate were stupendous but I must say for a show that is one hour long and actors who are not very well known, this episode was just perfect. To top it off, we get to see a beautiful Sansa come into her own in this treacherous world and the prelude to the battle between the Nights Watch and the Wildlings. Stay tuned as the unexpected is yet to come. Episode Grade A+
Three seconds is all it took.
theadmon3 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Firstly, I want to point out that the vast majority of this episode is true to form and expertly crafted. The acting is superb, the scenery is mesmerizing, and the balance of plot advancement and character development is (as usual) spot on. My issue, however, is with the scene that everyone else is talking about.
Don't get me wrong. It's one of the best 1-on-1 fight scenes I've seen in a looooong time, with incredible setting and emotion, and perfect timing and choreography. So what's wrong with it that I would only give the entire episode only 6 stars? Two things:
1. THE MOUNTAIN TAKES A SPEAR THROUGH THE CHEST. Now this may sound a bit like nitpicking, but bear with me. This is a show that, although it has a fantastical setting, is deeply grounded in reality. Particularly in regards to anatomy and biology. Throughout the series, we see with gritty realism just how fragile the human body is. Kahl Drogo was one of the few characters who, in my mind, could conceivably best The Mountain in a straight fight, and he died from an infected "scratch." The inconsistency of watching people die from infection, then watching a man use his bare hands to cave a guy's skull in AFTER he'd been impaled in the sternum does something to the paradigm of the viewer that could potentially ruin the show for them.
Before, people were dying like flies. And that makes sense. Because this world is a cold and brutal world that preys on the week. Nobody is ever safe. However good they might have it, just the smallest slip could lead to a tragic fall. This led to a sustained suspense for the characters that defy the odds and live long enough for us to emotionally attach to them. When Sir Gregor Clegane crumples to the ground after being stabbed in the chest by Oberyn Martell's spear, I was excited for sure (I was rooting for Martell), but not at all surprised by the fall of The Mountain.
I was, however, completely shocked that Clegane not only didn't die in short order, but then mustered the strength to savagely kill the Prince. In that moment, Clegane wasn't defying any odds. He went "Jesus" and resurrected himself from something that could/would/should kill anything that isn't already dead. In that moment, we saw that the circumstances and the odds don't really mean anything with regards to a character's survival. It's the arbitrary will of the writers that decides who lives and who dies. The "4th wall" is broken.
2. THE DEATH OF THE PRINCE OF DORNE. It's not that he dies that bothers me (although I am sad to see the character go). Or even what leads to his death. His own overconfidence and anger were displayed so astoundingly well... It's what we see on screen when he dies. Game of Thrones has never shied away from blood and guts, but those displays of gore rarely - if ever - felt gratuitous. There was always a purpose. Whether to remind us of the brutality of life in Westoros, or to impart an opinion about a character or a culture.
In this scene, it's only there for the shock value. It's a cheap tactic used by low-rent horror movies that can't rely on substance. Game of Thrones, however, can rely on substance. There's a real fear of loss here. The fate of multiple characters that we know and love hangs in the balance. We know the stakes. We know what The Mountain is capable of. Why the writers/director felt the need to put the 3 seconds of Martell's brains spilling out on the screen is beyond me.
Suffice it to say, the emotional impact of the trial could easily have topped that of Ned Stark's execution or the Red Wedding, if it hadn't been so cheapened by having to watch a man's head squish.
So there it is. 6 out of 10. I hope that in future episodes, the writers will stay away from inconsistencies and cheap shock tactics and remind themselves of the quality of show that they're trying to make.
Don't get me wrong. It's one of the best 1-on-1 fight scenes I've seen in a looooong time, with incredible setting and emotion, and perfect timing and choreography. So what's wrong with it that I would only give the entire episode only 6 stars? Two things:
1. THE MOUNTAIN TAKES A SPEAR THROUGH THE CHEST. Now this may sound a bit like nitpicking, but bear with me. This is a show that, although it has a fantastical setting, is deeply grounded in reality. Particularly in regards to anatomy and biology. Throughout the series, we see with gritty realism just how fragile the human body is. Kahl Drogo was one of the few characters who, in my mind, could conceivably best The Mountain in a straight fight, and he died from an infected "scratch." The inconsistency of watching people die from infection, then watching a man use his bare hands to cave a guy's skull in AFTER he'd been impaled in the sternum does something to the paradigm of the viewer that could potentially ruin the show for them.
Before, people were dying like flies. And that makes sense. Because this world is a cold and brutal world that preys on the week. Nobody is ever safe. However good they might have it, just the smallest slip could lead to a tragic fall. This led to a sustained suspense for the characters that defy the odds and live long enough for us to emotionally attach to them. When Sir Gregor Clegane crumples to the ground after being stabbed in the chest by Oberyn Martell's spear, I was excited for sure (I was rooting for Martell), but not at all surprised by the fall of The Mountain.
I was, however, completely shocked that Clegane not only didn't die in short order, but then mustered the strength to savagely kill the Prince. In that moment, Clegane wasn't defying any odds. He went "Jesus" and resurrected himself from something that could/would/should kill anything that isn't already dead. In that moment, we saw that the circumstances and the odds don't really mean anything with regards to a character's survival. It's the arbitrary will of the writers that decides who lives and who dies. The "4th wall" is broken.
2. THE DEATH OF THE PRINCE OF DORNE. It's not that he dies that bothers me (although I am sad to see the character go). Or even what leads to his death. His own overconfidence and anger were displayed so astoundingly well... It's what we see on screen when he dies. Game of Thrones has never shied away from blood and guts, but those displays of gore rarely - if ever - felt gratuitous. There was always a purpose. Whether to remind us of the brutality of life in Westoros, or to impart an opinion about a character or a culture.
In this scene, it's only there for the shock value. It's a cheap tactic used by low-rent horror movies that can't rely on substance. Game of Thrones, however, can rely on substance. There's a real fear of loss here. The fate of multiple characters that we know and love hangs in the balance. We know the stakes. We know what The Mountain is capable of. Why the writers/director felt the need to put the 3 seconds of Martell's brains spilling out on the screen is beyond me.
Suffice it to say, the emotional impact of the trial could easily have topped that of Ned Stark's execution or the Red Wedding, if it hadn't been so cheapened by having to watch a man's head squish.
So there it is. 6 out of 10. I hope that in future episodes, the writers will stay away from inconsistencies and cheap shock tactics and remind themselves of the quality of show that they're trying to make.
not the best episode so far...
adfi-12 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I found too many aspects of this episode to be unbelievable and somewhat the plot becomes predictable in the way that it seems to be tailored to maximum unpredictability. First, Mormont is released by Daenerys after receiving a letter signed by Robert Baratheon. I accept that she is upset and emotional, as fits her character, but everyone else involved should question that decision and follow the line of thought why such a letter emerges by coincidence just a couple of years later. That is very unbelievable and would have needed more explanation to work out, for example Daenerys overruling advices given. But instead we get to see a completely useless love affair between Grey Worm and that translator. For what reason exactly? I would even doubt that is in the books (though I haven't read them) but is a HBO trick in showing some more (admittedly nice) boobs and asses.
Then the fight. Okay, I really would have liked to see more of Oberyn, but the end was just over dramatic and again completely tailored for shock. Why was the beheading of Eddard Stark such a powerful scene? Because it was not a splatter scene, it was emotional. This one looked like taken from a cheap horror B-movie. The evil guy is dead (spear through the sternum) but comes back from the dead just for a shock effect - cheap! Oh dear, I really hope they step up their game, this episode is sadly not convincing...
Then the fight. Okay, I really would have liked to see more of Oberyn, but the end was just over dramatic and again completely tailored for shock. Why was the beheading of Eddard Stark such a powerful scene? Because it was not a splatter scene, it was emotional. This one looked like taken from a cheap horror B-movie. The evil guy is dead (spear through the sternum) but comes back from the dead just for a shock effect - cheap! Oh dear, I really hope they step up their game, this episode is sadly not convincing...
The Mountain and The Viper. S4 EP8 review
mohammedadallawati27 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Soundtrack : (9.4/10)
Dialogue : (9.4/10)
Story : (10/10)
Cinematography : (9.3/10)
Character Development : (9.5/10)
Conflict : (9.8/10)
Excitement : (9.5/10)
Reasonableness : (9.7/10)
Overall : (9.6/10)
Pros :
-Baelish manipulating these lords is fun. I love the tension that occurs when they question Sansa about Lysa's death. I really love Sansa's development.
Cons :
Pros :
- the wildings attack was terrifying. A really fine start to the episode.
- Reek is amazing. His arc is so interesting. The acting is phenomenal.
-Baelish manipulating these lords is fun. I love the tension that occurs when they question Sansa about Lysa's death. I really love Sansa's development.
- Jorah's scene with Daenerys was great. The truth has finally been revealed. Poor Ser Jorah. What a heartbreak
- Ramsey becoming a Bolton.
- Arya's laugh is hilarious.
- Jaime and Tyrion with an adorable nice little talk.
- Oh my God what an ending. One of the best twists in the show. What a painful scene. The fight is full of tension and even the editing was great as we could understand everything that is happening in the fight. I love how slowly and gradually we get the hope of Oberyn living and we feel safe about that. Only so that in one second every hope flashes out and we end up with a brutal horrifying ending. I can't even rewatch the death scene from how painful it is.
Cons :
- Greyworm and Missandie's scene was meh. I felt it was a bit too long.
- the plot armor was a bit thick when Yigrette for some reason saved Gilly. Her having sympathy for the baby wasn't the best excuse.
Best fight
amirrezatayebli21 May 2019
10/10
Piotr_ScienceMan28 September 2019
Another epic episode and a great set-up for the last two episodes
gavin-thelordofthefu-48-46029723 April 2016
The Mountain and the Viper is another classic episode for Game of Thrones. Not only is it as interesting as I thought, but it advances the story lines left in the previous episode including the story-arc for Tyrion if he can either be spared or sentenced to death and the ending is really suspenseful.
The performances are still compelling, the storyline/script is well-written, the music score is great and suits the combat sequence really well, the writing is superb, the characters are still believable, the pacing, once again, never drags, the directing and editing is even sharper, and the scenery and sets is really solid. Also, the combat sequence is well-choreographed. So, overall, another epic episode and great set-up for the last two episodes. :)
The performances are still compelling, the storyline/script is well-written, the music score is great and suits the combat sequence really well, the writing is superb, the characters are still believable, the pacing, once again, never drags, the directing and editing is even sharper, and the scenery and sets is really solid. Also, the combat sequence is well-choreographed. So, overall, another epic episode and great set-up for the last two episodes. :)
Brutal, Visceral, Unrelenting
FormerlyDoh112 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
***Spoilers through season 4 episode 7, Mockingbird***
The Mountain and the Viper was one of Game of Thrones' best episodes this season. Every scene moved with purpose, three in particular were heart stopping, all for different reasons.
The Night's Watch receives disturbing news that the Wildlings are closing in on Castle Black, and that it's only a matter of time before they storm the once great castle with an army that greatly outnumbers the Night's Watch forces. This was merely a setup for what is to come next week as it appears that an all out war will commence between the Night's Watch and the Wildlings.
We see the aftermath of the events in the Vale after Littlefinger pushed Lysa Arryn through the moon door.
Sophie Turner turns in her best performance to date, and she's been doing a brilliant job for years. It felt like all the torture and torment she has endured has led to this one moment, and its pay off was tremendous.
Sansa has fully evolved into a different beast in every aspect. From the way she dresses to her motivation, to her candor. Everything about her is heading in an entirely new direction.
A ghost from Ser Jorah's past is revealed and results in he and Dany's best scene since probably the first season. It was a true stunner and tapped once again into what Game of Thrones is all about, the evolution of its characters.
Emilia Clarke and Iain Glen deliver first rate performances as true emotions are revealed and their relationship changes forever. This was every bit as good as any scene in the history of the show.
Ramsay Snow and Theon attempt to take an important castle in what was probably the weakest moment of the episode. Not because it was handled poorly, or anything like that, only because it couldn't match the emotional gravitas of the rest of the episode.
Jaime and Tyrion share one last moment together before the trial by combat commences in which both characters are trying not to think about Tyrion's possible doom, but thinking back to different times in Casterly Rock.
Jaime and Tyrion's scenes have been great this year as the two are reunited for the first time since season 1. This scene caps off what has been a slew of great scenes between Peter Dinklage and Nikolaj Coaster-Waldu. It also perfectly foreshadows the impending fight as Dinklage waxes poetically about the meaning behind death.
Then we get to the long awaited showdown between Oberyn Martell and The Mountain, as Tyrion's fate hangs in the balance.
The fight's choreography is superb, and the emotions of the two characters drive it. Oberyn screaming for the Mountain to confess before he kills him and the Mountain not caring who Oberyn is, he just wants to murder him.
What plays out is one of Thrones' most shocking, disgusting and most powerful moments.
A tremendous scene for a tremendous series. While season 4 has been my least favorite season thus far, this episode reminds us of just what Game of Thrones still has to offer when it's focused, condensed and strikes hard and true.
The Mountain and the Viper was one of Game of Thrones' best episodes this season. Every scene moved with purpose, three in particular were heart stopping, all for different reasons.
The Night's Watch receives disturbing news that the Wildlings are closing in on Castle Black, and that it's only a matter of time before they storm the once great castle with an army that greatly outnumbers the Night's Watch forces. This was merely a setup for what is to come next week as it appears that an all out war will commence between the Night's Watch and the Wildlings.
We see the aftermath of the events in the Vale after Littlefinger pushed Lysa Arryn through the moon door.
Sophie Turner turns in her best performance to date, and she's been doing a brilliant job for years. It felt like all the torture and torment she has endured has led to this one moment, and its pay off was tremendous.
Sansa has fully evolved into a different beast in every aspect. From the way she dresses to her motivation, to her candor. Everything about her is heading in an entirely new direction.
A ghost from Ser Jorah's past is revealed and results in he and Dany's best scene since probably the first season. It was a true stunner and tapped once again into what Game of Thrones is all about, the evolution of its characters.
Emilia Clarke and Iain Glen deliver first rate performances as true emotions are revealed and their relationship changes forever. This was every bit as good as any scene in the history of the show.
Ramsay Snow and Theon attempt to take an important castle in what was probably the weakest moment of the episode. Not because it was handled poorly, or anything like that, only because it couldn't match the emotional gravitas of the rest of the episode.
Jaime and Tyrion share one last moment together before the trial by combat commences in which both characters are trying not to think about Tyrion's possible doom, but thinking back to different times in Casterly Rock.
Jaime and Tyrion's scenes have been great this year as the two are reunited for the first time since season 1. This scene caps off what has been a slew of great scenes between Peter Dinklage and Nikolaj Coaster-Waldu. It also perfectly foreshadows the impending fight as Dinklage waxes poetically about the meaning behind death.
Then we get to the long awaited showdown between Oberyn Martell and The Mountain, as Tyrion's fate hangs in the balance.
The fight's choreography is superb, and the emotions of the two characters drive it. Oberyn screaming for the Mountain to confess before he kills him and the Mountain not caring who Oberyn is, he just wants to murder him.
What plays out is one of Thrones' most shocking, disgusting and most powerful moments.
A tremendous scene for a tremendous series. While season 4 has been my least favorite season thus far, this episode reminds us of just what Game of Thrones still has to offer when it's focused, condensed and strikes hard and true.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Hitchcoc12 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Poor Tyrion. He can't buy a break. He is the most wise and honest character in this series, but his honesty is the last thing that these horrible people want. He ends up picking the perfect champion, one who has incredible agility and fighting skills, enough to defeat the monster. The problem is that he is possessed. He is filled with hatred for what the Giant has done to his family, and is not satisfied with just killing him. Meanwhile, Littlefinger is interrogated, concerning the death of the queen (for which he is responsible). Sansa defends him and makes it appear the Queen committed suicide. But what are her real motives? Is she coming into her own as a counter threat. We shall see. Then there is Dany who is beginning to reveal more and more bad judgment. Then there is Jorah. This is the man that is more responsible than anyone for where she is. She can't forgive. Her inconsistent compassion is making her reign harder and harder. Arya and the Hound finally get to where the ransom is to be paid, but the person who had the money has died. Arya goes into hysterical laughter as the Hound realizes he will get nothing for all his efforts. It is pronounced at the end that Tyrion's champion has failed and so Tyrion will face execution. I have to wait several days to see the next episode. Please help me be a patient man.
More shocking than the books.
ahmed_dfsf2 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The third last episode of the series start with , what's next to come in the show. The Wildlings have made their way to moles town and thus the slaughter begins. Killing what they can get their hands upon. But Gilly and her baby seem to survive the massacre due to Ygritte , we all know she could have taken their lives. Good to see there's still a little bit of humanity left in her. OR IS THERE??
A hundred men against a hundred thousand, a battle to decide the fate of castle black and what lies down below.. Jon snow and his brothers in black are up for the biggest battle of their lives.
"Sword in the darkness, watcher on the walls, the shield that guards the realm of men , " NIGHT GATHERS AND NOW MY WATCH BEGINS.
Baelish is trying to pull every string he can to get what he want. But what does he want?? That yet remains a mystery , well right now the husband to the deceased lady of the Vale has made up quite a story about her wife's death . Which is backed up by Sansa , who reveals her self in front of the other lords and the lady of the Vale. This is a little turn from the books but as long as it's amazing, hey who cares?? The show is as bright as the books and in some aspects much better.
Ramsay Snow, Oh I mean Bolton. Yes! Ramsay is now the true son of Roose Bolton warden of the North. Well thanks to the heir of the iron islands and son of Balon Greyjoy aka "REEK". Theon manages to get moat cailin for his lord and thus the Bastard son of Roose is legitimized. Happy are we now , eh Ramsay? What a Jerk!
Arya and The Hound manage to reach the Vale only to know that the beloved aunt is deceased. I still didn't quite understand what was the laugh about . Maybe she couldn't believe how her fate is turning out to be or maybe she was just excited to hear that another one of her blood has died.
Sayonara Ser Jorah. Well well, it's about time that Khaleesi gets to know what happened. Apparently ser friend zoned was a spy for Robert of the house Barratheon. That ended in Jorah falling in love with Daenerys which ended in Jorah being dragged into the friend zone. But it goes on as the queen hears the stuff he has done in the past and thus the friend zone is also no more for Ser Jorah who is asked to leave Meereen and so he does. That was quite a surprise and shock , will we get to see him again? Only time will tell.
And now the main event of the episode. The fate of the imp is placed in hands of "The Red Viper" of the Dorne Oberyn Martell. One of the best warriors in the seven kingdoms. Whose on for some justice gets to face "The Mountain" Gregor Clegane. But what Tyrion failed to realize is that a Snake has no hands , it moves swiftly and with a chance it strikes down it's opponent , but what if the rival is a mountain? . Well we all now how that ends. First of all the set was splendidly awesomely well designed , crafted and built. Next, the lines taken from the book " I'm going to kill it" ,"you murdered her, raped her, killed her children". That role could not have been played better. Pedro Pascal brings the prince of Dorne to life on our TV screens with the splendid acting and performance. But the life was short as we saw one of the most gruesome deaths ever. Seriously I don't remember it being that horrific in the book. There were punches and he bruised , and died. But Dan and David are one of their kind , the producers like gore and violence more than the Maestro George R R Martin. Poking eyes? And smashing the head with bare hands? WHAT THE HELL did I just see? I was waiting for the fight and as I really liked Oberyn in the book I built up the courage to watch his death , but this was unexpected . I'm still shocked and I really don't wanna watch this episode again. Because it's that splendidly horrific . *slow claps* well done producers , well done!!!! . Hats off to the cast as well. Who keep pushing the show to the very top of the TV network.
A hundred men against a hundred thousand, a battle to decide the fate of castle black and what lies down below.. Jon snow and his brothers in black are up for the biggest battle of their lives.
"Sword in the darkness, watcher on the walls, the shield that guards the realm of men , " NIGHT GATHERS AND NOW MY WATCH BEGINS.
Baelish is trying to pull every string he can to get what he want. But what does he want?? That yet remains a mystery , well right now the husband to the deceased lady of the Vale has made up quite a story about her wife's death . Which is backed up by Sansa , who reveals her self in front of the other lords and the lady of the Vale. This is a little turn from the books but as long as it's amazing, hey who cares?? The show is as bright as the books and in some aspects much better.
Ramsay Snow, Oh I mean Bolton. Yes! Ramsay is now the true son of Roose Bolton warden of the North. Well thanks to the heir of the iron islands and son of Balon Greyjoy aka "REEK". Theon manages to get moat cailin for his lord and thus the Bastard son of Roose is legitimized. Happy are we now , eh Ramsay? What a Jerk!
Arya and The Hound manage to reach the Vale only to know that the beloved aunt is deceased. I still didn't quite understand what was the laugh about . Maybe she couldn't believe how her fate is turning out to be or maybe she was just excited to hear that another one of her blood has died.
Sayonara Ser Jorah. Well well, it's about time that Khaleesi gets to know what happened. Apparently ser friend zoned was a spy for Robert of the house Barratheon. That ended in Jorah falling in love with Daenerys which ended in Jorah being dragged into the friend zone. But it goes on as the queen hears the stuff he has done in the past and thus the friend zone is also no more for Ser Jorah who is asked to leave Meereen and so he does. That was quite a surprise and shock , will we get to see him again? Only time will tell.
And now the main event of the episode. The fate of the imp is placed in hands of "The Red Viper" of the Dorne Oberyn Martell. One of the best warriors in the seven kingdoms. Whose on for some justice gets to face "The Mountain" Gregor Clegane. But what Tyrion failed to realize is that a Snake has no hands , it moves swiftly and with a chance it strikes down it's opponent , but what if the rival is a mountain? . Well we all now how that ends. First of all the set was splendidly awesomely well designed , crafted and built. Next, the lines taken from the book " I'm going to kill it" ,"you murdered her, raped her, killed her children". That role could not have been played better. Pedro Pascal brings the prince of Dorne to life on our TV screens with the splendid acting and performance. But the life was short as we saw one of the most gruesome deaths ever. Seriously I don't remember it being that horrific in the book. There were punches and he bruised , and died. But Dan and David are one of their kind , the producers like gore and violence more than the Maestro George R R Martin. Poking eyes? And smashing the head with bare hands? WHAT THE HELL did I just see? I was waiting for the fight and as I really liked Oberyn in the book I built up the courage to watch his death , but this was unexpected . I'm still shocked and I really don't wanna watch this episode again. Because it's that splendidly horrific . *slow claps* well done producers , well done!!!! . Hats off to the cast as well. Who keep pushing the show to the very top of the TV network.
Revenge must be quick
caballero-1922 December 2021
Amazed by cruelty of Game of thrones, the series play with your expectations and emotions to give you not always what you want but what it has to be done.
In the middle of that desilusion is the real apothegm, wich is brutal and hopeless The development of character has been deft mostly because some character are force to change to survive in one piece, tearing apart everything they represented in the beginning. And I am really excting to see how those characters will continuing refreshing from their roots.
In the middle of that desilusion is the real apothegm, wich is brutal and hopeless The development of character has been deft mostly because some character are force to change to survive in one piece, tearing apart everything they represented in the beginning. And I am really excting to see how those characters will continuing refreshing from their roots.
A bit disappointing
johannes-h-n2 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Except for the ending this episode was actually quite good. I liked the scene where Sansa lied to save Littlefinger, I liked that Ygritte still has some humanity left in her and I liked Reek's performance as his former self, Theon. What i didn't like however was the cheap death of one of the most interesting characters in the whole series. I have no problem with seeing characters that i like die as long as it is in a good and believable way (red wedding), but when you kill off someone just for the shock and gore it's disappointing. I find it very hard to believe that the viper would be so unprepared for a counter attack from the mountain just after seeing him almost fly around the "arena" kicking the mountains ass. I know that the show is based on books but from what i've heard they haven't followed it to the letter before so why not rewrite that part? Let the viper die, sure. Just not in the cheapest way possible.
Overall this episode was good except for the very bad ending. 6/10
Overall this episode was good except for the very bad ending. 6/10
Disappointed with some details and a big howler
zubbus2 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The plot played out in this episode was exciting as ones before. But I can't help but wonder, with the level of success achieved by the TV series, why not make more episodes and fill in more of the actual story? Because from series 1, clearly the TV series was just a taster of the entire story told by the big books. A lot of names and events barely got a mention in a dialogue. That itself has been great for the first series where you were not 100% sure how it is going to go. Except now we are and there's really no need to skim. People are ready to watch another 15 series of this.
However, this episode has slowed things down, but not in ways I wished. No longer we see clever cut scenes where viewers were expected to workout what happened from what has been cut. People were just walking slowly and talking about things of no importance.
And while George R.R. Martin clearly has absorbed political and militant wisdom of every culture in the entire world before creating his own, he (and the TV script wrights) lacks experience of fighting for his own life and it shows up in this howler:
In the "big fight" between Oberyn and the Mountain, Oberyn out-skilled his opponent and whittled him down to demand "a confession", but in his delays he give his opponent an opportunity to turn the fight around. That is a mistake no seasoned warrior can make as making such a mistake prevents you from becoming a seasoned warrior, probably even in your first "season". You want to talk to your opponent when he's down like Dragonballs Z or American wrestling, fine. That are ways to do that but this is not it. A simple way would be to disable all his limbs first. Then you wouldn't have, well, let him kill you.
However, this episode has slowed things down, but not in ways I wished. No longer we see clever cut scenes where viewers were expected to workout what happened from what has been cut. People were just walking slowly and talking about things of no importance.
And while George R.R. Martin clearly has absorbed political and militant wisdom of every culture in the entire world before creating his own, he (and the TV script wrights) lacks experience of fighting for his own life and it shows up in this howler:
In the "big fight" between Oberyn and the Mountain, Oberyn out-skilled his opponent and whittled him down to demand "a confession", but in his delays he give his opponent an opportunity to turn the fight around. That is a mistake no seasoned warrior can make as making such a mistake prevents you from becoming a seasoned warrior, probably even in your first "season". You want to talk to your opponent when he's down like Dragonballs Z or American wrestling, fine. That are ways to do that but this is not it. A simple way would be to disable all his limbs first. Then you wouldn't have, well, let him kill you.
The Conclusion Is a Cold Shower with the Unexpected Twist
claudio_carvalho3 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Theon Greyjoy is sent by Ramsey to Moat Cailin to convince and ironborn garrison that is sick to surrender, promising that they will return to their land, but Ramsey kills and flays them. The Wildlings slaughter Mole's Town but Ygritte spares Gilly and her baby. When Sam hears the new in Castle Black, he becomes worried with Gilly but his friends comfort him telling that Gilly is a survivor. A boy gives a scroll to Barristan with the pardon of Jorah signed by Robert Baratheon and Daenerys expels him from the city. Littlefinger is explaining the death of his wife Lysa to a court and Sansa is asked to testify as a witness and she lies to protect him. Oberyn fights against the Mountain and wants him to confess that he raped and killed his sister Elia Martell.
"The Mountain and the Viper" makes worthy wait for two weeks without "Game of Thrones" since it is among the best episodes of this show. The arrival of the Wildlings near Castle Black increases the tension among the 102 Night's Watch since they can not hold 100,000 Wildlings. I believe Daenerys will regret to send Jorah away since he was an experienced adviser. What is the hidden agenda of Sansa? The conclusion of the show is a cold shower with the unexpected twist. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): "The Mountain and the Viper"
"The Mountain and the Viper" makes worthy wait for two weeks without "Game of Thrones" since it is among the best episodes of this show. The arrival of the Wildlings near Castle Black increases the tension among the 102 Night's Watch since they can not hold 100,000 Wildlings. I believe Daenerys will regret to send Jorah away since he was an experienced adviser. What is the hidden agenda of Sansa? The conclusion of the show is a cold shower with the unexpected twist. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): "The Mountain and the Viper"
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