Game of Thrones (TV Series) The House of Black and White (2015) User Reviews

Review of season 5: Episodes 1-2

[851222 · 8/10 · 21 April 2015]

Greetings from Lithuania.

Both first episodes of season 5 are 8/10 in my opinion. While the story haven't moved drastically or very intriguingly, it's still a show to wait and to admire. The production values here are like no other - you can simply watch this show for production values - they are truly create this rich world.

Acting was as usually very solid from everyone involved. Directing is good, but this show has seen better, as well as writing. It's good, but not as good as it gets and this show has featured some series that were as good as they could possibly be.

Overall, season 5 started good, but not great. I know that it's a slow burner start which will definitely lead us to a great and unforgettable moments, so it has to build it on something, and this "something" are these first two episodes.

And so the plot thickens...

[hiren8484 · 8/10 · 24 April 2015]

Second episode in and this time the story telling is a lot better and more engrossing. We continue to see the struggles from nearly all the characters, some trying to keep hold of what power they have (Cersei, Danerys) others trying to keep hold of what they believe their purpose is (Brienne, Arya) and others who are unsure of what they want (Tyrion, Jon Snow).

Highlights in particular were the election/voting at The Wall (where you knew Jon Snow would win that - as the people's vote!) and the scenes with Danerys. I'm sure i'm not the only one, but I really wanted Jon to take that offer from Stannis, but knew deep down that is too good to be true. Should be interesting to see how that plays out for Jon and Stannis.

For Danerys, her glorious rise to power and overtaking other kingdoms was starting to become repetitive but now we actually start to see her losing her status of Mhysa, from the people and her dragons! It'll be fascinating to see if she can recover from this.

Great to see a couple of familiar faces back too, in Bronn and Jaqen! With such a massive cast, it's no surprise, but always fun to see them back after a while.

In summary, a good episode with more plot development!

Power Struggle

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 19 April 2015]

It's quite clear that this show has been about the struggle for power, and it always has been. But I really like the episodes that particularly focus on that. Jon Snow, (possibly Jon Stark?), is somewhat unwillingly to take on another leadership role. Cersei struggles with the council, Tyrion misses the power, and Daenerys grapples with the right punishments. Even though there wasn't a whole lot of action, I loved tonight's episode. It was another one of the great dialogue episodes that the writers consistently give us. Whether it was Tyrion and Varys talking about the lack of power and what people do with it, or Stannis continuing to tempt Snow with possible leadership titles, it was a well written and directed episode.

Arya arrived in Braavos to the House of Black and White only to find her old pal Jaqen H'gar! Obviously not reading any of the books I was quite pleasantly surprised to see him appear for the first time since season 2. Speaking of Starks, Brienne finally met Sansa Stark. Sadly, much like Arya, she wasn't too open to her protection. You have to feel for Brienne. She has spent the last few years trying to find the Stark girls and yet neither of them welcomed her. Fingers crossed they change their mind in the future. Jaime and Bronn are apparently on a trip to retrieve Myrcella from the Viper's wife and brother. I'm starting to really like these unlikely duos that go on adventures together. Brienne and Jaime, The Hound and Arya, and now Jaime and Bronn.

It was once again really fun to watch Jon Snow and Stannis in the same scene. The characters that you grow to care about for seasons finally meeting is extremely fulfilling. Which is why it will be incredibly once Dany and Tyrion meet. Dany is really struggling with her power and the problem of the Sons of the Harpy. I would hope Tyrion and Varys would fill the gap that Jorah has left Dany in helping with the many political decisions that go along with leading these people. Hopefully next week will be that week.

+Stannis & Snow's interactions

+Power struggle

+Unlikely duos

+H'gars return

-Brienne can't catch a break

9.0/10

John Snow and his Evolution

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 4 April 2016]

There is more jockeying for position in this episode. Our favorite Dwarf continues to feel sorry for himself, not seeing what he had become. He has betrayed his own integrity. We know, of course, that when the pity party is over, he is the person with the most character in the entire series. The Queen mother continues to overstep her bounds and is not getting an easy path, but she really wields a lot of power and is filled with venom. John Snow continues to move toward a place of equality. His bastard status haunts him and he now can remove it if he only sells himself out. A big question ahead. Arya has finally been brought to her destination, but she isn't sure what is going to happen. Littlefinger meets Brienne and needs to realize that she is incredibly committed to her vows, even though she has been mistreated all along. He, her adversary, should know that one who puts fear aside becomes incredibly dangerous. Dany may have made a great misstep but she feels she must maintain her power position. She now turns to fear. A really intriguing episode.

More plot development and more action

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 18 March 2016]

As this episode opens we see Arya Stark for the first time this season; she has arrived in the city of Braavos and gone to the House of Black and White where she hopes to be reunited with Jaqen H'ghar… she doesn't get the reception she hoped for; the man at the door claims that there is nobody of that name there. After a night in the rain she heads into town and later on is confronted by a trio who think she will be an easy victim; this leads to her meeting Jaqen H'ghar and finally entering the House of Black and White. In Meereen a member of the Sons of the Harpy is captured; Daenerys is inclined to have him executed; something the freed slaves are keen to see. She is counselled against this course of action and agrees to hold a trial; however Mossador kills the prisoner believing that this is what Daenerys really wants. This leads to him being tried and executed… something the people are not happy about and for once Daenerys sees what it means to be unpopular with 'her people'. Elsewhere in Essos Tyrion and Varys are continuing their journey to Meereen.

Back in Westeros Cersei is worried about her daughter; she is in Dorne and there are people there who are determined to have revenge on the Lannisters for the death 'The Viper'. Jaime offers to head south on a rescue mission; to this end he enlists the help of Bronn. Elsewhere Brienne and Podrick bump into Sansa and Petyr Baelish in a tavern; Brienne offers her services to Sansa but they are rejected. North at Castle Black Stannis offers to make John Snow Lord of Winterfell and give him the name John Stark but he won't renounce the oath he made to the Night's Watch. It is also time to elect a new Commander of the Night Watch; Alliser Thorne is expected to win but Sam proposes that John would make a better leader.

I felt that this season started well but this episode is a step up from the opening instalment. It was great to see Arya again; Maisie Williams does a great job in the role. There is a decent amount of action; most notably when Brienne crosses swords with some of Lord Baelish's men. As well as actual action there is promise of more to come with Jaime and Bronn heading south to Dorne to rescue Myrcella. In Dorne we are introduced to Doran Martell; the local ruler who is played by Alexander Siddig of 'Star Trek: DS9' fame. The events in Meereen are amongst the episodes most interesting as we see Daenerys struggling to do the right thing… even if it makes her unpopular. Her missing dragon also makes a welcome reappearance although it remains to be seen whether it will come under her control. The events on the wall are interesting and after the election of the new Commander it will be interesting to see how those who didn't support him behave. There is also a nice scene between Gilly and Stannis's daughter; nothing dramatic but it was nice to see some normal interaction amongst all the plotting and power-play. Overall a good episode.

The King in the North, whose name is STARK - or is it?

[sharky_55 · 19 April 2015]

Sailing into Braavos for only the second time in the series is a much more expansive experience. When Stannis arrived last season we got a great overview shot of the Titan and the whole city, but this season with the ship captain rowing Arya in we get a feel of the busy bustling city, not just the inside of a bank. Although we don't get to visit every building, the House of Black and White is very impressive in its own right. The old man who answers the door is like Jaqen, mysterious and cryptic. In fact they are the one and the same, or maybe neither.

It's a testament to the late Catelyn Stark that Brienne is still on her weary quest to find Sansa as she swore, even though there is really no evidence to suggest that anywhere would be safe for either of them. Apart from Sansa being protected by Littlefinger of course. It's also a testament to Littlefinger's persuasiveness that one of the last people in the seven kingdoms that can be considered honest and loyal can be portrayed as a failure and untrustworthy. It doesn't help that she wields a Valyrian steel sword with Lannister Lions on it, of course. Sophie Turner proved she can act in the confession scene of last season, although so far this season we have not seen much variety other than the bored teenager tone in her voice. Hopefully there are more opportunities for her to showcase her acting. One other criticism of this scene is Baelish's lack of awareness. It seems foolish to let Brienne walk away from the table given that she knows who Sansa really is, and what's more he has now lost a few of his soldiers in a pointless chase.

An interesting dynamic between Westeros and Essos is seen in a pivotal scene between Dany and Barristan. Having served 3 different kings Barristan's wisdom is quite evident as he counsels Dany on the madness and injustice of his father Aerys. Dany takes the just and merciful route as she often has, although their remains a warning that this may not be the best option. It's an often conflicting persona that she has, as only recently she put to death many slavers and declared a new rule and world for Meereen. What's grating is that the show simplifies a very complex political situation in one of the largest cities in Essos. Nothing indicates that a fair trial exists within the city, because we don't get any real reference as to what the Sons of Harpy have done besides kill one Unsullied, or what this particular Son did. We have heard next to nothing of what happened in the retaking of Yunkai, and Hizdahr zo Loraq represents a simple proxy for the many masters and faculties of the city who all want a word with Dany. Nevertheless it's an emotional acting performance from the guilty former slave and a pretty good depiction of the slippery slope of Dany's decisions. It's a lose lose situation that she is losing control of, shown most obviously by the now even larger Drogon roosting on top of the Great Pyramid and flying away to wherever.

Jaime and Bronn's on screen chemistry is evident and it's a great choice to send the pair of them to Dorne on a rescue mission. Although Cersei's conversation and biting remarks to her former lover and brother are quite characteristic, Jaime's motivation seems up in the air. He's never really shown much concern for his offspring, never mind an actual line of dialogue directed at Myrcella. It wouldn't be surprising if he shows up in the Water Gardens and cannot recognise his daughter, new actress or not.

Even 2 season after the Red Wedding the remnants of the Stark line still live on and it is never better displayed than in the iconic Mormont line: Bear Island knows no king but the king in the north, whose name is STARK. Although Stannis' line about Thorne wanting to punish Jon for his bravery set back his character a bit, Janos Slynt's nominations speech certainly provides a case. We've seen how his character is multifaceted and not just a bitter commander, most of all in episode 9 of last season. But Sam makes the best case of all. His long standing loyalty and friendship with Jon shines through as he makes a very rousing nomination speech. Once again Jon is shown to be the one true good on the wall. But is he a Snow, or a Stark?

Preamble of the Fifth Season

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 20 April 2015]

Arya Stark sails to Braavos and arrives at the House of Black and White to seek out Jaqen H'ghar; however she is not welcomed to enter in the house and she throws her coin away into the sea. Brienne and Podrick are eating in a tavern and she contacts Sansa and Little Finger, but Sansa refuses to follow Brienne. The men that are escorting Little Finger and Sansa unsuccessfully hunt Brienne and Podrick down on the road. Cersei shows to Jaime that their daughter Myrcella is in danger and Jaime seeks out Bronn and makes an offer for him to travel with him to Dome. In Meereen, the Son of Harpy is captured and Daenerys has a meeting with her leaders to decide his fate. Barristan advises her to give a fair trial to the man; however Mossador disrespects her order and kills the Son of Harpy. Daenerys sentences him to death and there is a riot in Meereen. Jon Snow is invited by Stannis Baratheon to serve him; in return, he would give the North to Jon and he would be Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell. But Job Snow turns the invitation down and he is chosen to be the new Commander of the Night Watch. Arya is finally invited to come to the House of Black and White.by Jaqen H'ghar.

"The House of Black and White" is the preamble of the Fifth Season. The destiny of Arya in Braavos is a mystery. Sansa seems to be lost following Little Finger. The journey of Jaime and Bronn will certainly be full of action. Daenerys is following the path of her father. Let's see how Jon Snow will deal with Janos and Alliser Thorne. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "The House of Black and White"

The House of Black and White. S5 EP2 review

[mohammedadallawati · 9/10 · 29 March 2023]

Soundtrack : (8.8/10) Dialogue : (8.6/10) Story : (8.3/10) Cinematography : (9.3/10) Character Development : (8.4/10) Conflict : (8.5/10) Excitement : (8.6/10) Reasonableness : (8.3/10) Overall : (8.6/10)

Pros :

• Brienne meeting Sansa was good. The action scene following it was well done.

• Sansa and Jaime's scene was pretty fine. We can tell how Tywin's death negatively affected their situation.

• A good journey for Bronn and Jamie's relationship.

• Mereen's council scene was interesting. Ser Barristan telling Daenerys about her father was great.

• Ser Kevan is amazing.

• Shireen teaching Gilly was cute.

• Jon's talk with Stannis was good. An interesting offer from Stannis.

• The Nights Watch scene was so great. Sam's speech develops his character along with the plot of Jon being a Lord Commander. The conflict was great and saved the episode in my opinion. Maester Aemon vouching for Jon was amazing. And finally Jon gets the position he deserves.

• Arya finally meets Jaqen and enters the House of Black and White.

-Daenerys makes a difficult decision. We meet Drogon with a great scene.

Cons :

• In general, the efficiency in writing has heavily deteriorated in this season. Most of the scenes started accomplishing fewer factors. For example, in previous seasons scenes developed the plot and the character, but in this season, scenes only managed to accomplish one of these.

• Brienne saving Podrick at the last second was really unnecessary. It doesn't accomplish anything.

-the conflict in Dorne is so ridiculous. The characters are so poorly written unlike how great they are in the books. Everything is devoid of logic. Somehow Ellaria threatens the lord of Dorne with no consequences.

• the dialogue is no longer intriguing as it was.

• Celyse is so annoying. I never sympathized with her. A horribly written character.

Another great episode for the fifth Game of Thrones season

[gavin-thelordofthefu-48-460297 · 9/10 · 24 April 2016]

The House of Black and White is another great episode in the fifth Game of Thrones season.

Yes, the pacing did drag a bit longer, but what it fails in pacing it makes up for it by advancing the plot progression a bit nice. The performances are still great, the storyline/script continue to be well-written, the directing and editing is well-focused, the scenery is still gorgeous to look at, the sets and costumes are still lavish, the music score from Ramin Djawadi is still beautiful, and the relationships continue to shine. So, overall, another great episode in the fifth season. :)

Black ands white and need a key

[moviesfilmsreviewsinc · 10/10 · 2 March 2023]

When you think of opposites in Westeros, who do you think of? To me, there are no two characters who are more different than Littlefinger and Brienne of Tarth (except perhaps Pod and Brienne, but that's another story). Littlefinger is the most duplicitous person in Westeros; even by politician standards, he's a slimy little weasel who is perfectly suited for that smarmy little goatee and moustache and he's never met an opportunity he wouldn't milk dry. Meanwhile, Brienne is completely artless; were it not for her Lannister sword and armour, she'd be as plain as her haircut. As if that study of opposites wasn't enough, the episode also features the triumphant return of Bronn, his new intended Lollys Stokeworth (a great, hilarious performance from Elizabeth Cadwallader), and none other than the Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister, who needs Bronn at his back for a sensitive mission to steal his daughter Myrcella Baratheon back from the Dornishmen. The structure of the script works really well. Writers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss do a very good job of splitting things up and balancing them out pretty evenly between Westeros' rulers. We get a bit more of Dany's story, since she's the one learning first hand how ruling can be terrible, but she needs to learn the lesson that what is right isn't always popular, a lesson that Doran Martel (Alexander Siddiq AKA Dr. Bashir from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) knows quite well. Perhaps it is a lesson that Jon Snow, new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, will learn in time. Snow's election scene was masterfully done by director Michael Slovis. Everyone knows that Sam is going to speak up for Jon Snow, otherwise we wouldn't get those reaction shots of him, but it's teased out wonderfully, with Samwell speaking up at exactly the last minute before Maester Aemon starts the voting process. The speech itself is a fun character moment for John Bradley's Sam-who is finally learning that his wit and his humour is a great weapon in his role as future archivist-and Kit Harington's Jon Snow-whose mopey expression works great as he celebrates his election to Lord Commander of the Night's Watch by looking like he wants to crawl into a tankard of ale and die. It doesn't really matter how well you're trained for leadership, to someone you'll always be Joffrey, and in a world like Westeros, political enemies are more dangerous than White Walkers. Maybe Sansa and Arya have it right; Sansa's learning to play the game from a ruthless expert, and Arya's not playing the game at all, instead learning to be a Braavosi assassin rather than a lady in a damp stone castle somewhere. On-the-job training tends to get rulers poisoned in this world, and a black-and-white world view is no match for the Faceless Men from the House of Black and White.

When the night was darkest

[dannylee-78082 · 7/10 · 2 March 2022]

1. Brienne outruns 2. Cersei's council is a mess 3. Jon becomes lord commander

Lots of development this episode. Aria finds Jaqar, which is going to be a whole another subplot. I really enjoyed her subplot with Sandor, so I hope it lives up to it. Just like her sister, Sansa also rejects Brienne's protection. This is totally understandable. To them, Brienne is a stranger and because they have survived this long, they've learned to not trust any strangers, let alone anyone in general.

After Tywin's death, Cersei's position is shaky and is being challenged by everyone while she still is hunting down for Tyrion. Daenerys really being tested on her capacity as a good ruler. Lots of very difficult question and I can feel her challenges and emotions. But this is a queen-in-training and we love to see her grow. And finally, Jon becomes Lord Commander. I'm proud of my boy. He really deserves the spot but hopefully there isn't a conflict rising with Alliser.

In the election the improbable underdog contender wins!!

[elo-equipamentos · 8/10 · 27 February 2023]

So far a slow paced episode split in some speedy sequences and some lengthy, those more faster I figure out that weren't enough attractive meaning, too much talking at my point of view, the most striking sequence were when Brienne randomly meets Sansa Starks together Petyr in a tavern and offers its aids that her swore for her mother years ago, but promptly denied by the faltering lady, leaving the place Brienne and her sidekick were deadly pursued by the Petyr's hirelings fiercely, dazzling sequence indeed.

The most meaningful sequence quite sure when Jon Snow faces Stannis after he breaks the King's decision, hardly faulted by its undeniable contempt aside it was fully justified indeed, however arguing with Stannis in the same extent, soon a election takes place to pick a next leadership, thus an implausible contender comes to win, the underdog and bastard by the way, auspicious sequence by the flawed Jon Snow past day outcome.

Plus the mystic sequence certainly was when Arya Stark reach at Braavos a sort of temple of black and white door hoping be invited by the odd concierge displaying her coin at him, but somehow she wasn't recognized or something else, then she throw away her coin into the water, later the same being returns with her coin at your hand, meanwhile Daenerys deals with a hard reproof of the people, advised by their counselors she steadfast in its feelings, although mysteriously a dragon appears at night, bleak signal at sight.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 2023 / Source: Blu-Ray / How many: 1 / Rating: 8.25.

Okay Episode

[Rainey-Dawn · 7/10 · 17 September 2018]

Season 5, episode 2. Arya arrives in Braavos and meets with Jaqen H'ghar at the House of the Black and White. Brienne and Pot are eating in a tavern and run into Sansa, Littlefinger and their guards - Sansa refuses Brienne, a fight breaks out and Sansa and Littlefinger get way. Cersei and Jaime speak of their children, Jaime sets out on a mission to get back their daughter and finds Bronn to help.

7/10

Holy this was boring

[josiahvvoisin · 5/10 · 15 September 2019]

Other than John Snow becoming the Night's Watch Lord Commander, this episode was ridiculously dull and boring, other than that, nothing really happened in this episode, I barely even remember dispie watching it recently.

The House of moral complexity

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 16 February 2018]

Came to 'Game of Thrones' fairly late in the game and due to being so busy the binge-watching was gradual. Have found myself truly loving the show, very quickly becoming one of my favourites. It totally lives up to the hype and not only does it do the brilliant source material justice (a rarity in television) it is on its own merits one of the finest, most addictive and consistently compelling shows in recent years and quality-wise it puts a lot of films in recent years to shame.

There are still signs of settling, understandably, with Season 5's second episode "The House of Black and White", but it is an improvement over the still very promising and well done season opener "The Wars to Come". It is a very daunting task living up to the consistently exceptionally high standard of Season 4 and this very early stage of Season 5 is doing a noble job on that front.

What makes "The House of Black and White" a superior episode is that there is a bigger and bolder approach to the storytelling, rather than the slower, quieter and reflective tone of "The Wars to Come". There are more and bigger character moments (especially with Jon Snow and Brienne), characters having moral complexities, intensity-building and there is more emotion and drama. A better job is done advancing the story and character progressions while building upon the events of "The Wars to Come". Loved that there was more of Arya and Bronn, neither wasted, and Dorne is a worthy addition.

All the acting is never less than very strong, can't think of a weak link here.

Visually, "The House of Black and White" looks amazing, as one would expect for 'Game of Thrones'. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. The visual effects are some of the best of any television programme and are not overused or abused, the scale, the detail and how they actually have character and soul are better than those in a lot of the big-budget blockbusters. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.

One cannot talk about "The House of Black and White" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.

It is hard not to be bowled over by the quality of the writing, outstanding isn't a strong enough adjective to describe how good the writing is once again. It always has a natural flow, is layered and thought-provoking and demonstrates a wide range of emotions. The story is still riveting, with plenty of passion and sensitivity.

Summing up, the season has not quite settled yet but there is more than enough to make one convinced to keep watching. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Young girls on distant lands

[quincytheodore · 8/10 · 19 April 2015]

A collective cheer from viewers can be heard echoing as Arya Stark graces the scene safely. The city of Braavos is exquisite, both streets and rivers swerve as its vein while its buildings stand firmly in rigid tone. Different from the rest of story takes place, Braavos looks like an archaic tough monument. It's quite incredible how the show can produce such gallery of architectural glitz.

My heart goes for Brianne though, even with the best intention, honor and will she can't seem to get any of the Stark girls to trust her. Apparently, after the ordeal they have endured trust is a rare commodity, understandably so. House Martell has a brief turn, discontent is clearly present as Oberyn was killed during trial by combat. It also presents another notable view of a particular garden, the nobles certainly have it good.

Jaime is now preoccupied as he tries to save one of his remaining children. There's a change about him, a sad one. He doesn't look lively at all this season. No sudden lust, no smile and no witty quip either, the last one is definitely prove of stress. Jon Snow finds himself in brighter light, despite a series of unfortunate events he's had, he currently in receiving end of high favor, although how he accept it is another matter.

Much of the episode highlights Daenerys' struggle to keep her city and people save. There's no ultimate right or wrong decision for her to take, generations of slavery and prejudice are hard to purge no matter how beautiful her speech is or how her men are committed to this cause. If there's anything to comfort her, she has myriad of allies on her side.

Regardless of their potential perilous situations, many characters have come to terms with their relocations and hope that happier prospect would be brought by next episode.

You have to earn the entry to the house of black and white

[seshasai-tris · 9/10 · 19 April 2015]

The episode starts where it last left. Arya is angry at the Black and White (CGI) building in pursuit of . Confused Snow, Conspicuous Unsullied mark this episode. In the previous episode we see Daenerys/ Mhysa (now) is confused and is afraid she is not able to control her dragons. Her woes continue. Extrapolating to her rule, it's tentative as well. She is weaker than ever and is confused on what to do. We get to see a bit of the water gardens.

What bothers me is they give very less screen time to the poor Arya Stark. Despite that fact this is a good episode. Something heavy is up for Cersei and Tyrion. An exciting episode 3 is on it's way.

Overall Rating - 8.5/10

the other

[Kirpianuscus · 12 May 2019]

Meets. And words. And propositions. And choices. Nothing new, at the first sigh. But important for define not the story itself but the atmosphere. Long ways, strange and fragile alliances. And key moments, from the door opened by H gars to the dialogue between Stannis and Jon to the travel of Jaime.

Still not entirely up to speed

[IamInge · 8/10 · 21 July 2019]

Like the previous episode there are some nice scenes, but I still don't think the season has gained momentum yet.

Review of Episodes 1 and 2

[aidricalamea · 7/10 · 3 January 2024]

Episode 1: 8/10 Best Part: Jon is Lord Commander of the Night's Watch!

Worst Part: The actual House of Black and White... makes no sense. Why did Jaqen change his mind about Arya? Why couldn't he have explained what he meant by there is no Jaqen here in their first meeting? Why in the world did Arya just throw the coin into the river?

Episode 2: 7/10

Best Part: Jon is Lord Commander of the Night's Watch!

Worst Part: The actual House of Black and White... makes no sense. Why did Jaqen change his mind about Arya? Why couldn't he have explained what he meant by there is no Jaqen here in their first meeting? Why in the world did Arya just throw the coin into the river?

Another Regular Episode.

[ououzaza · 8/10 · 15 July 2019]

Almost nothing new in this episode. Story is moving forward without surprise. But i like the Cercei's part.

Drogon

[AvionPrince16 · 7/10 · 3 April 2023]

So Arya get accepted into the house of Black and White. Jaime also try to find his sister at high garden and to take her under the control of the Martell. Sansa reject the help of Brenne but she will followed her anyway. And there is the vote to become the lord commander. Daenerys is still fighting against the master and the slaves liberty: they caught the son of the harpy and Daenerys will be really strict with another one of her morality: Justice and will kill the slave because he murdered the son of the harpy and didnt wait for the trial and thats why. But the people seem to create a rebellion: is Daenerys will still get respected? Or does people will question her way to do and to act? And we have also the return of Drogon who dont really want to obey and leave immediately after this: pretty weird; what will happen to this dragon? Will he still put disorder and kill innocent people? We dont really know but it can make us worry if the dragons dont obey to Daenerys. We still anticipating also the meeting between Tyrion and Daenerys. Tyrion is still in the road and that sound exciting for the upcoming events. Need to see more.

A show past its prime... But not so much!

[justserag · 8/10 · 22 November 2023]

• Arya's storyline has taken a somehow repetitive cycle now despite the mesmerising eye-popping world scenery.

• Jon Snow's ark is on the rise while several other storylines are not, and this does not stop at all in this episode.

• It's never in vain to delve into a Brienne & Podrick momeny; giving Gwendoline Christie the stage to shine. A dash of Baelish in the mix cannot help but make it better.

• The King's Landing Shakespearean drama makes for great dialogue and acting for all involved, though the plot takes it slow to brew maybe a little bit more than it should.

• A visit to Dorne is delightful though not monumental.

• Tyrion & Varys give a great existential deodrama

• Daenerys's Greek Tragedy story is delightfully gory but needs to be more in tune with the rest of the show, or perhaps it's the other way around.

Very similar to the first episode

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 10 October 2020]

THE HOUSE OF BLACK AND WHITE is another solid episode with the most drama taking place at Castle Black once again. There's some heavy exposition here and the setting up of plots to come which is quite obvious when re-watching this. The material in Meereen also has greater significance when compared to what comes later. Unfortunately this is also the episode where we're first introduced to the Spanish-style Dorne, which looks pretty but ends up the most unfulfilling sub-plot of the whole show.

I'm glad they're maintaining the gender dynamics of Cersei's leadership.

[punch87 · 6/10 · 13 November 2019]

Drogon's reappearance is magnificent - he gets scarier and more awe-inspiring each time we see him, and nothing says "I'm in charge" like having a fire breathing monster at your beck and call.