Review: Game of Thrones — Stormborn

Here come the wolves, here come the wolves. (With a side of Kraken).

Nick John Bleeker
Jul 24, 2017 · 5 min read

here’s a lot of “this is a great plan, but” with this week’s Game of Thrones; Jon wants to go to Dany, Dany wants to split her attack, Arya turns back, Theon want to save Yara but baby’s out.

“Stormborn” opens on Dany talking about her strategy for taking King’s Landing — with a few people screaming at me / the show for having her not just go and raze King’s Landing with her dragon monster trucks. Well, this episode answers the question — Dany and Tyrion have a plan and while, yes, it seems smart enough for her forces to split between King’s and Casterly Rock to ensure a total annihilation of Lannister control you can’t help but feel something might not work.

Why?

Because motherfucking Grandma Tyrell, that’s why.

Olenna’s counsel feels sought after throughout the realm at this point and Dany — who threatens Varys earlier in the scene after she questions his loyalty — quickly turns to her wisdom regarding her plan. Olenna is on board because vengeance and all that (with a wonderful shout out to Marg) but emphasises that Dany’s plan lacks fire. After all, Dany’s sigil is a fucking dragon. We get the feeling that Dany and Tyrion’s plan may hit a speed bump.

And it does, as the episode ends on a chaotic attack from Euron’s forces as they intercept Yara’s fleet on the way to Dorne to grab all the Dornish forces.

If you didn’t like Euron last season, that’s fine, but this season he’s firing on all cylinders ESPECIALLY with his unbelievably scary descent down his ship’s gangplank to murder any and all forces on the Greyjoy fleet. I’d heard stories about Euron’s cruelty (shout out to Hugh on the latest GoT pod) but this feels like the first in a few pieces we’ll get this season that tell us how mad this bloke is.

It also looks like Reek makes a return when Euron takes Yara hostage with a mega battleaxe. For a split second, I thought we’d see the end of them on that ship as Ellaria is captured, but Theon opts to jump off his ship and float in the water. Now, I do understand the frustration of Theon going full-Reek but I also understand his thought process (does this guy think?) in not taking on an insane Euron who almost single-handedly defeated a dumbass Greyjoy fleet. STILL, Theon JUST FUCKING DO SOMETHING.

ver at King’s Landing, our time with the Lannisters is short. Turns out Qyburn and his squad have actually been building surface-to-air missile sites in preparation for a dragon attack. It’s no dragon horn — which I’m thankful for — but it could serve a purpose in defending Cersei against a dragon fucking.

Speaking of Cersei, we find her pleading to the smaller houses and nobleman that the “foreign” invasion that’s coming is different to any other attack; zoning in on the region’s xenophobia is interesting and not entirely surprising given the lengths Cersei has gone in the past. From that, Papa Tarly is persuaded by Jaime to swear allegiance to the Lannisters; an allegiance that involves the killing of Grandma Tyrell. It’s something that Papa Tarly isn’t fond of, and Jamie’s veiled threat makes him think. Still, it’s a rare human moment from the old bastard file that is Papa Tarly.

On the subject of the Tarly’s, Sam gets more time with Jorah this week as we desperately try to cure him of his greyscale. Eagle eyed viewers last week would have noticed that removal of the scale and application of some ointment could potentially cure advanced greyscale, and the scene with Sam (CLASSIC SAM) disobeying the orders of Professor Slughorn was excruciating to watch as Sam rips off each bit that has taken over Jorah. Puss and all. YUMMO. I still maintain that Sam is a major player in the defense of the realm and his curiosity could be key in saving Jorah’s life.

Grey Worm and Missandei’s scene this week is an emotional one and involves something that is missing from the show almost entirely — love. (EWWWWW) But, seriously, the pair’s conversation about weakness and fear FINALLY sees Grey Worm lay some kissies on Missandei. What happens after is some sex. Putting that aside, I’m just chuffed these two are a couple of young adults in love. Be careful, readers, because this could be the last time we see them together.

pnorth, Winterfell ponders an alliance — or, at least, a meeting with — the Targaryens. Jon stands in the halls talking to his houses (again) and receives a shitload of hate for even considering the proposition of allying with the dragons — despite his logic (and Davos’) that dragons breathe fire etc etc. But we all know how stubborn (and dumb) Jon can be, so he leaves Winterfell with Davos and Sansa is left to look after the shop. The Starks were finally getting the fucking band back together but lol that’s not happening.

While Sansa and Jon split, Arya is reunited with her beloved direwolf, Nymeria (WITH A FUCKING WOLF ARMY) who disappeared almost SEVEN YEARS AGO. It’s feels like a random appearance for her wolf to show up, but it also is underlined by her also reuniting with Hot Pie (zomg he back and cookin’) who reveals that Winterfell is back under Stark control. Arya’s initial plan of hitting the capital is derailed as she marches back north to see her family.

Nymeria’s reappearance is a tense one as she tries to recognise Arya before her and HER WOLF ARMY fuck off into the cold — Arya’s quote, “That’s not you,” after her wolf leaves feels a bit confusing. Let’s add some context to it, though, because when you do I think it unlocks more about Arya’s character progression. Is Arya’s character becoming less and less the more faces she acquires / uses? Or is Nymeria — like Arya at this point in her life — doing the same thing Arya is? Wandering about, killing people, seeing old friends and moving on. Remember: Arya left familiar faces in Hot Pie. I get the sense that Nymeria and HER WOLF ARMY will be back soon enough, but for now Arya seems to be finally heading home.

The Afterthought

Bears, Beats and Battlestar Galactica

Nick John Bleeker

Written by

Editor at The Afterthought. Podcast Host at Definitely Not Popcorn & The Goal Circle.

The Afterthought

Bears, Beats and Battlestar Galactica

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