HBO's "Game Of Thrones" Discussion (2011-2019)

[BLeClair12]

Regarding the lighting, it wasn’t great, but I found that my terrestrial HBO feed looked substantially better than the HBO Go stream. Usually I prefer the latter, but I imagine the number of people streaming coupled with an abnormally dark episode combined to make things appear murkier than they actually were. I thought it improved as the episode went on, too.

Genuinely shocked by some people’s reactions, honestly. I thought they told a competent and engaging story and ended The Night King arc the only way they really could. We’ve known for quite some time that his only weakness was dragon glass to his exposed skin. He was likely avoiding direct conflict with Jon Snow because he knew Snow was a skilled fighter and could beat him. All of his damage for the entirety of the show was done at a distance or by using his powers to raise the dead. Close quarter combat is simply too dangerous for him. Arya’s attack almost goes awry but she catches him off guard in a single moment and hits him in the only place that it counts

Those were the stakes in this episode. Either The Night King dies, or everyone in Winterfell dies and then you don’t have much of a story left to tell. I guess I’m just not sure what people wanted with regard to TNK. He couldn’t make it to the end, and he basically had to die this way to hold up the mythos they’d built for him. As for it being Arya, sure, it’s a bit of a fan service moment. But also, her entire story arc for the last eight seasons has been about becoming a ruthless, fearless, skilled fighter. Who cares how big and tall she is? She can drive a knife through skin the same way anyone else can.

The only thing that was bothersome to me was the lack of explanation of what he ultimately wanted with Bran. And, truthfully, we may still get that. He doesn’t need to be alive for them to tell that story, because he doesn’t speak.

And I don’t buy the video game character complaint for one second. That suspension of disbelief has been a requirement for seasons now. Nothing has changed. The leads are put in perilous, sure-death situations constantly and they escape. That’s always been part of the show, so to just begin complaining about it now after pretending it hasn’t been an issue all along is a little ridiculous.

The only major criticism I find to be truly valid is the lack of major deaths in the episode, given the stakes. I thought Jorah’s and Theon’s were really handled perfectly, though.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

LOL @ Bran just warging out of the entire ep then coming back and having

[Show spoiler]Theon die

. What a dick

I kept thinking Bran warging was part of some master plan throughout the episode. Like he was going to do something to destroy the White Walkers.
Turned out he was warging... for no real purpose.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

I can't deny though. The tension was palpable in certain moments of this episode. Especially the first 10-15 min. They really sold the direness of the situation. Props for that.

Also, loved the music in this ep.

Reminded me of Dunkirk

[Chedwiggen]

This show is so damn good I'm going to miss it so crazy much when it's gone.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Chedwiggen

This show is so damn good I'm going to miss it so crazy much when it's gone.

The main series will end, but the spinoffs will continue forever.

[jetthead]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

LOL @ Bran just warging out of the entire ep then coming back and having

[Show spoiler]Theon die

. What a dick

He did thank him though. So, there's that. I guess.

[mredman]

Originally Posted by Chedwiggen

This show is so damn good I'm going to miss it so crazy much when it's gone.

Lets see if the prequel will deliver. I kind of think they will make sure its got The spirit of GoT

[andantelise]

I hate to say it, but I think I'm pretty much done with anything GoT and Potter related.

[Chedwiggen]

Originally Posted by mredman

Lets see if the prequel will deliver. I kind of think they will make sure its got The spirit of GoT

I hope so but I'm skeptical right now.

[ArrestedDevelopment]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

Reminded me of Dunkirk

Exactly the vibe I got. Def the strongest aspect of this otherwise disappointing episode.

Originally Posted by ChadFL

I kept thinking Bran warging was part of some master plan throughout the episode. Like he was going to do something to destroy the White Walkers.
Turned out he was warging... for no real purpose.

Yep. I was waiting for some plot reveal but nope he just pussied out of the entire ep.

[mysticwaterfall]

Originally Posted by BLeClair12

The only thing that was bothersome to me was the lack of explanation of what he ultimately wanted with Bran. And, truthfully, we may still get that. He doesn’t need to be alive for them to tell that story, because he doesn’t speak.

Bran said earlier this season that the Night King needs to kill him to erase the memory and all traces of the past world. To read into this a little, its probably to fulfill the destiny for which he was created by the children of the forest - destroy the worlds of men.

What was the point of Bran warging is the real question. It accomplished nothing, unless the point was to tell the Night King really he was. At least he engaged the Night King in a staring contest long enough for Arya to kill him though...

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by BLeClair12

Regarding the lighting, it wasn’t great, but I found that my terrestrial HBO feed looked substantially better than the HBO Go stream. Usually I prefer the latter, but I imagine the number of people streaming coupled with an abnormally dark episode combined to make things appear murkier than they actually were. I thought it improved as the episode went on, too.

Genuinely shocked by some people’s reactions, honestly. I thought they told a competent and engaging story and ended The Night King arc the only way they really could. We’ve known for quite some time that his only weakness was dragon glass to his exposed skin. He was likely avoiding direct conflict with Jon Snow because he knew Snow was a skilled fighter and could beat him. All of his damage for the entirety of the show was done at a distance or by using his powers to raise the dead. Close quarter combat is simply too dangerous for him. Arya’s attack almost goes awry but she catches him off guard in a single moment and hits him in the only place that it counts

Those were the stakes in this episode. Either The Night King dies, or everyone in Winterfell dies and then you don’t have much of a story left to tell. I guess I’m just not sure what people wanted with regard to TNK. He couldn’t make it to the end, and he basically had to die this way to hold up the mythos they’d built for him. As for it being Arya, sure, it’s a bit of a fan service moment. But also, her entire story arc for the last eight seasons has been about becoming a ruthless, fearless, skilled fighter. Who cares how big and tall she is? She can drive a knife through skin the same way anyone else can.

The only thing that was bothersome to me was the lack of explanation of what he ultimately wanted with Bran. And, truthfully, we may still get that. He doesn’t need to be alive for them to tell that story, because he doesn’t speak.

And I don’t buy the video game character complaint for one second. That suspension of disbelief has been a requirement for seasons now. Nothing has changed. The leads are put in perilous, sure-death situations constantly and they escape. That’s always been part of the show, so to just begin complaining about it now after pretending it hasn’t been an issue all along is a little ridiculous.

The only major criticism I find to be truly valid is the lack of major deaths in the episode, given the stakes. I thought Jorah’s and Theon’s were really handled perfectly, though.

Didn’t Arya use the Littlefinger Valaryan blade not dragon glass.

It’s wasted on a cripple.

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by mredman

Lets see if the prequel will deliver. I kind of think they will make sure its got The spirit of GoT

I just want it to feel genuine. Like season 1 or season 2 of GOT.

[andantelise]

But the Citadel would still remain, no?

[integrafied1]

Very salty in here

[joshsquash729]

Wow, this episode was one of the tensest I think I've ever seen on television. It was just non-stop, and had some amazing visuals and set pieces (that scene in the library was amazing- straight out of a horror movie). I was expecting far more deaths from tonight, so in that sense, I was relieved. But a couple of them really had me emotional. I think those they did choose to die really went out in the best possible way for their respective character arcs. It defied alot of expectations, but I'm totally happy with how things ended, especially regarding the WWs. Didn't see it coming at all, but I literally cheered when it did.

Only downside to more characters surviving than I thought means more chances for death in the coming weeks. I can think of at least a handful in which it's only a matter of time. It's gonna be a long week until the next episode!

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by mysticwaterfall

Bran said earlier this season that the Night King needs to kill him to erase the memory and all traces of the past world. To read into this a little, its probably to fulfill the destiny for which he was created by the children of the forest - destroy the worlds of men.

What was the point of Bran warging is the real question. It accomplished nothing. At least he engaged the Night King in a staring contest long enough for Arya to kill him though.

Warging-misdirection as was Theron’s final attack to make NK feel there was no more protection

[mikeinvegas7]

Just watched the trailer for next week again and there’s two dragons so Rhaegal survived. Yes!!

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by neoz

imo not really considering that Davos would have killed her anyway. Why be killed by someone when you can just remove the single thing that is keeping you alive. Probably less painful then having your head cut off.

Her watch was done. Davos saw what she did and was not going to kill her. He put his hand on his blade and thought about it but then took his hand off it.

[myanks12]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

Watched the episode on my laptop and I haven't had a problem with over 95% of the content I've watched (including past GoT eps).

Looking at multiple comments on various other forums/reddit and even from YouTubers (Collider's crew mentioned darkness issues also), it seems like I'm not alone.

Maybe the filmmakers should calibrate their ****ing eyes

I guarantee they intentionally made the episode dark and foggy so that they didn't have to spend as much money on the special effects for all of the scenes. They showed you what they wanted to and hid what they didn't and/or couldn't.