That ... was a lot to process. I was not expecting the mummy-style undead soldiers, for one thing. RIP Jojen.
There were so many holy shit moments, I don't even know where to start. I'm going to list them just to get it straight for myself.
Stannis showing up to be pompous at the Wall. I don't like the way Melisandre was looking at Jon Snow. I feel like I understand Mance Rayder's position a little better now, though.
Cersei telling Tywin about her true relationship with Jaime (which I was surprised to realize Tywin didn't actually believe until then, I guess). Jaime falling for Cersei's bullshit declaration of love didn't surprise me, though. (Maybe it's not totally bullshit? It's so hard to tell with her.) *Cersei standing up to her father was impressive, too. As much as I dislike her, she plays the game more competitively than almost anyone (with fewer advantages in terms of actual authority or the freedom to make her own choices), and she does love her children.
Brienne and the Hound fighting! I did call Arya letting him suffer, though.
Varys and Jaime coming through for Tyrion!
Holy shit Shae! And Tyrion's "I'm sorry" nearly broke me.
Tyrion killing Tywin on the toilet was pretty perfect. And Varys turning around and getting on the boat when he heard the bells was the smartest move he could make at that point.
Arya on her way to Braavos is excellent. Oh, and Dany chaining the dragons! (Well, two of them.) Her whole story needs to picked apart (at least in terms of the show, if not the books) top examine what it says about freedom, slavery, and power.
That was simultaneously very good and very aggravating. A bunch of my calls as to what would make it in and what wouldn't were way off. I'm very surprised at a couple of things that didn't make it in to the episode.
I liked it. I was glad that Brienne found Arya, however briefly. There are things coming up that Ive been wondering when they'd happen. Now Im guessing that they'll bookend next season. I am also imagining more Greyjoys next season.
Brienne and the Hound fighting!
That was a fight I did not want to see. I was yelling "Do not want!" all the way through it because while I didn't want the Hound to win, I have built up an odd affection for him. Obviously more than Arya given the outcome.
Tywin dying on the toilet is just so perfectly undignified it felt so right. I'll miss Charles Dance, but oh the satisfaction.
The whole Brienne-Podrick-Sandor-Arya thing played out really really well. Very pleased with that.
Yeah, I adore Charles Dance, and I think he's played Tywin perfectly, but I can't say I'm sorry the character is dead.
I actually shouted "No!" when the Hound took Brienne down at first, because as much as I like the Hound (like being a relative term there), I LOVE Brienne.
I love how dirty she fought. Two non-knights, no holds barred.
Brienne vs Hound on the Cliffs of Insanity the Vale! BRIENNE AND ARYA TALKING ABOUT BEING WOMEN WITH SWORDS!!! FUCK YEAH!
I have incredibly conflicted feelings about the Tyrion stuff in here, but it's all wrapped up in Book being different than Show. Show!Tyrion is 100% fan-grade woobie, and in that capacity his scenes here were great. Book!Tyrion handled those situations...differently.
I guess that thing some of us were expecting to see in this ep will come next season. (Spoiler-averse, beware, I've seen several headlines about this finale much less vague than that.)
You know nothing, Jon Snow. Mance Rayder is a deserter and your father would have cut off his head. And I guarantee Melissandre knows that even if Stannis doesn't.
BRIENNE AND ARYA TALKING ABOUT BEING WOMEN WITH SWORDS!!!
That was the awesomest thing in awesome-town and I would like to watch much more of that, please and thank you.
