Game of Thrones
Episode Title: “The Dance of
Dragons”
Channel: HBO
Director: David Nutter
Writers: David Benioff and D.B.
Weiss
Genre: Action,
Drama, Fantasy
Runtime: 55 min
Rated: TV-MA
Original Air Date: June 7, 2015
After last week's superb episode I had
high hopes going in to the ninth episode of this season. The ninth
episode is typically where the really big stuff happens in a season
of Game of Thrones, and if
the thrill that was “Hardhome” was too be any indication, “The
Dance of Dragons” was going to be a huge episode. Maybe I had
placed expectations that were too high on this episode, or maybe it
just failed to live up following “Hardhome.” Either way it just
wasn't quite what I was looking for.
Let's
begin with Jon's return to Castle Black. After the battle with the
White Walkers, Jon had managed to bring a few thousand wildlings to
the Wall. The audience was teased for a moment with the idea that
First Ranger Thorne would refuse to open the gates, leaving the Lord
Commander and his guests to rot on the northern side of the Wall.
The tense moment passed and the wildlings were allowed to pass
through the gate. There were a lot of hateful glares directed Jon's
way, but the passage of the wildlings was allowed to occur without
violence. This would be the sole appearance of Jon Snow in the
episode, highlighting once again a problem I've had with this season.
If a character's time in an episode is limited to a handful of
minutes and then not to be seen again in the episode; I would prefer
they held off on that character's appearance until there was more to
see. There was no need for this scene in “The Dance of Dragons,”
Jon's arrival at Castle Black and the consequences of his choices
could have waited until next week.
Arya
set out to complete her first assignment for the Many-Faced God, but
was distracted with Lord Tyrell's group arrived in Braavos. She
recognized Ser Meryn Trant immediately and abandoned her
assassination of the Thin Man in favor of following Trant around
town. The writers saw fit to remind us how bad a guy Trant is with a
very uncomfortable scene in a brothel. He rejected a couple of the
brothel's women before settling on a young girl. Part of the fun of
the previous seasons of Game of Thrones
has been the ambiguity surrounding the good or evil nature of its
characters. Sure some characters acted in such ways as to cause the
audience to dislike them, but beneath the schemes and plots you could
see how the character(s) in question could consider themselves the
good guy. The unquestionably bad guys have previously seemed evil
organically, The Mountain was just a murderous behemoth, Armory Lorch
was a sadistic sword for hire; neither of them required reminder
scenes reinforcing the level of disdain the audience should have for
them. Between Bolton, and now Trant, it seems the audience is being
bludgeoned about the head with the writers' desire for us to dislike
those characters. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence in their
own writing, or in the audience, but it has been too blatant for my
tastes. Anyway, Arya reported back to Jaqen that the Thin Man wasn't
hungry when she passed by, and that she'd try again the next day. It
seems obvious that he would know she's lying, so his motivation for
allowing things to play out may be interesting.
Dorne
wasn't as bad as it has been this week. Doran Martell argeed to
allow Myrcella to return with Jaime to King's Landing, on the
condition that Trystane Martell would still be allowed to marry her,
and that he would take Oberyn's seat on the King's Small Council.
Jaime agreed to the terms, and even managed to get Bronn freed from
his cell. Ellaria seems to have dropped the grudge she held against
the Lannisters, but her surrender seemed too easy. I expect her to
renege on her new sworn fealty to Doran at the next possible moment.
I don't believe that her tears when Doran forgave her were due to his
kindness, most likely she realized that he had become an obstacle in
her way.
Stannis'
encampment was attacked in the night, with most of their food stores
being destroyed. This made a desperate situation worse. Faced with
no options that would allow him victory Stannis made a decision I was
sure he would never made. I knew things were going to take a turn
for the worst when he sent Davos back to Castle Black to beg for
supplies. With the only voice of reason among his confidants removed
Stannis gave in to his desire for victory. He had a quiet chat with
Shireen, during which she professed her willingness to help in any
way she could, and then sentenced her to die on a pyre in sacrifice
to the Lord of Light. After so much time had been spent making
Stannis a more likable character this season it was surprising he
decided his own daughter was an acceptable loss on his way to the
throne. All of the goodwill Stannis had accrued from the audience
died in the fire with Shireen. Here's to hoping that her cries for
help and her pained screams haunt his sleep. While she begged for
mercy it was Selyse, Stannis' wife and devout follower of the Lord of
Light, who was shaken enough to try to help. By that time it was too
late.
Finally,
in Meereen, Dany was attending the festive reopening of the fighting
pits by viewing the spectacle of men killing each other. Daario
verbally sparred with the Queen's soon to be husband in what I though
was a good character moment for Daario. Jorah made his appearance
and after some hairy moments managed to win his fight. During his
fight you could see Dany's stance towards him waver every time he was
in danger. Upon his victory she seemed relieved, until Jorah took up
a fallen spear and threw it in her direction. It wasn't intended for
her though, as it struck an approaching Son of the Harpy. Soon there
were dozens of Sons making their way towards the Queen, with a small
band of defenders struggling to keep them at bay. Tyrion gave a good
showing for himself, killing one of the assailants and saving
Missandei in the process in the process. Once again the Unsullied
were made to look like the Stormtroopers of Westeros as they proved
rather ineffectual in protecting the Queen. When all seemed lost
Drogon, aka deus ex
dragon, entered the battle. After man spears through Drogon's hide,
and even more Sons of the Harpy burnt extra crispy, Dany clambered
upon his back and took to the skies.
Conclusion:
“The Dance of Dragons” faced a tough task this week, and fell
short. If not for how good “Hardhome” was I think my reaction to
this episode would have been different. None of that is to say this
was a bad episode, it just failed to up the ante the way the ninth
episodes of seasons had before.
Rating:
8.5/10
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