Review: Game of Thrones — Eastwatch
Well, we’ve certainly cooled off this week.
For an episode named “Eastwatch” we spent more time talking about it than actually, you know, seeing it. Eastwatch has been something that’s been mentioned in passing earlier this season as Tormund and Co. were sent up there to lock it down in preparation for The Night King’s arrival, yet we only see a glimpse of it towards the end of the episode.
Why? That’s a good question! Given, in the past the show has a habit of making spectacular episodes from episodes that have place names in the title (See: Hardhome) I expected a full on attack from the Walkers on Eastwatch and seeing Tormund perish (and me dying on the inside).
There are a tonne of ridiculous plans and turns that happen in “Eastwatch” so much so I sat at the end of it and thought, “How in the name of fuck is any of this going to work? Right. It probably won’t.” Especially if you consider how well “strategies” seem to have played out over the course of the season. Tyrion suggests that Jon captures one of the dead to bring to Cersei to try and convince her to come north, while at the same time suggesting he go to King’s Landing to have a chit-chat with Jaime.
Speaking of Jaime, it’s nice to have the show open with a question answered! Jaime and Bronn pop out of the river immediately after the events of last week’s episode and spew up some water and fear. Jaime’s horror at the fact he only saw Drogon adds an urgency to his return to King’s Landing, but him being convinced they won’t win the war genuinely made me feel like the Lannisters time is up… or is it?
It’s another ridiculous sounding plan from Cersei as she suggests perhaps agreeing to the proposed armistice from Dany and using it to the Lannister’s advantage. Jaime is surprised by Cersei’s mindset at this juncture and then she points at her baby-carrying area. Jaime’s eyes light up with surprise and then pride, Cersei’s smile (or whatever it is) as she approaches him seems genuine but I have no idea she’s actually pregnant or not. We’re that late into the series that I don’t understand the significance of her having a kid… so I’m gonna place a bet on it not being true.
Over in Oldtown, Sam stumbles upon a maester meeting discussing a raven scroll that details what’s going on up north. The arch-maester and the gang — mostly the gang — share some heavy skepticism about what they’ve read; Sam tells them that the realm’s respect for Oldtown would mean that if the maesters sent out ravens across the land telling everyone to migrate their forces north people would listen. It feels rather convenient for the show to run down that path, and, thankfully, it doesn’t (yet). Sam’s pleas and storming out of the room are book-ended by them discussing the death of the Tarly family at the hand of Dany early on. We all collectively weep for Sam who, once again, just can’t catch a break.
Gilly and Sam both mull over the records and shit recordings (literally) with Gilly casually reading about a wedding annulment and secret ceremony that took place with one Rhaegar Targaryen. It’s a critical moment that could shape the future of the seven kingdoms and Sam… oh Sam. You just had to get the shits (not literally) at the worst possible time. Sam stands up and starts packing everyone’s shit because he’s had enough. Where is he going to go? I have no idea, but Oldtown did feel like it was wearing out its welcome.
Weirdly, I would have felt more comfortable having Jon’s moment with Drogon come after Gilly and Sam spoke about — well, attempted to speak about — Rhaegar’s ceremony. The moment Jon has with Drogon was spectacular in its execution and still rather touching; Dany seems sort of confused that Droges hasn’t gone full metal jacket on her ally, but rather, warmed to him. Kit Harington isn’t the best actor, but this bit he shares with Drogon is really nice.
Up north, Arya happens upon a meeting of the Stark allies with Sansa as they tell her they should have chosen her as the queen. Their displeasure in not having Jon present at Winterfell is starting to become more prominent as they sit on their hands while The Night King marches with a billion dead.
The show is trying its hardest to begin a stew of Arya and Sansa hate, especially here, when Arya approaches Sansa in her chambers about how she treated Jon. Arya wasn’t pleased at all with the treatment of their brother by those who serve, but Sansa disagrees saying she needs to listen to all voices. I can see their viewpoints, but I’m starting to side more with Sansa in the sane column. She has started to prove that she can lead and manage forces and I get the sense there’s something larger at play here between the two of them.
In comes Littlefinger who seems to be taking it upon himself to stir up more chaos because he’s a fucking penis. He doesn’t get much in terms of dialogue, instead Arya is on his tail. It’s the first time we’ve seen Littlefinger under surveillance. Generally, his presence has been alongside or at the forefront of the show’s shot choices, but here? We’re at all sorts of different security camera angles (note: high angle) where Arya watches with a keen, distrusting eye. And just as we thought Littlefinger was on the back foot, he’s actually secretly hiding in the fucking stairwell knowing exactly what’s going on. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN YOU FUCKING NINNY?
You know how I spoke about Tyrion’s insane plan to go to King’s Landing? Well, season MVP Davos has a plan of his own and that’s to check in on fucking Gendry Baratheon who shows up for the first time in over four seasons. Their exchange is brief, but Gendry doesn’t give a flying fuck about anything and wants out of anything to do with the Lannisters. He offers his smithing services to Davos who instantly takes him up on the offer and ships him (by his choice) to Eastwatch with Jon.
And that’s where we finally get to see Eastwatch; a small little fortress that sits at the base of the Wall. Jon has a fun conversation with a furious Tormund (because he, like us, is not so hot on these ridiculous plans) about what they want to do. Tormund gets excited at the thought of Brienne showing up, but it’s dashed with a cute Jon Snow giggle and moved on quickly to reveal that Beric and The Hound are locked up in the keep.
From there, it’s a short conversation for all as the seven of them decide to suit the fuck up and head out to take some dead people hostage. I can’t help but get excited by this crazy grouping up of the grizzled Avengers, especially seeing Beric’s sword FINALLY LIGHT UP WITH FIRE, but also I want to see how this plan is going to be executed, because I have absolutely zero faith that this will be fun, learning experience for the Snowy Seven.
PS. Yes, I know Jorah came back and it was really sweet because Jorah is so handsome and the kind of tactician that Dany needs, but this is clocking almost 1300 words and I need to sleep… I’ll touch on it more next week (provided he doesn’t die…)
