Review: Game of Thrones – The Dragon and the Wolf
It all comes crashing down.
“I can’t believe we’ve only got 6 episodes left,” was the thought I had after sitting through the 79 minutes of what was a good episode of Game of Thrones. No, it’s not “The Winds of Winter” but what “The Dragon and the Wolf” delivered was good with occasional exceptional moments.
So, yeah, it’s not an all-timer for the show, but the collection of story arcs coalescing, finishing, and prepping for next season were handled extremely well. I know we’ve had issues with the show’s pacing and time this season because of the abbreviated order of episodes, but none of that was present here. Instead, we got a masterclass in editing and a masterclass in tension during the King’s Landing Reunion Tour, a great story recovery in Winterfell, and a nice sense of dread for the future beyond the wall.
Let’s start with the reunion tour, which saw Dany and co arrive at King’s Landing to show off their dead catch to Cersei. It’s a melting pot of character reunions first with Brienne and The Hound; The Hound and The Mountain; Pod and Tyrion; Tyrion and Bronn; Cersei and Tyrion; aime and Brienne and so on, because there’s probably 150 that I’ve missed.
If you’ve been watching this show for long enough, the payoff to all of these little back-and-forths is incredibly satisfying and rather sweet. Brienne and The Hound share the story of Arya’s survival, Tyrion and Pod smile, Bronn and Tyrion tell one another they’re the best and they missed each other. It’s a nice little bit, despite there being so much tension from Cersei (either her being there or not) that it helps us ease into the next masterclass: editing.
The cutting between each and every one of those characters in the dragon pit to establish reactions and relationships was handled so deftly that I couldn’t help but constantly question what Cersei had planned. The sheer lack of trust in her from everyone fed right into my head throughout the entire sequence — even after the white walker was unleashed.
Cersei’s reaction to the walker sprinting at her and still staying alive despite its decapitation was the first time I felt like she was being genuinely vulnerable. Despite Cersei showing some form of humanity and weakness, I still couldn’t help but feel that she had ulterior motives once the walker was taken care of. Naturally, my suspicions (and literally everyone elses) were confirmed once she quickly decided to call a truce / commit her forces to defend the north.
So, the conflict between her and Jaime once she reveals that her pledges are bullshit push the idea that he’ll end up being the one to kill her, once it’s all said and done. It’s a powerful scene between the two and, again, shows Cersei at another vulnerable moment — an interesting reverse for her given she bluffed Tyrion into thinking he’d convinced her to move north, instead, Jaime tells her to jog on and begins a journey north.
It doesn’t end there, though… as Jaime travels up north a lone snowflake lands on his glove, signalling the arrival of winter; what follows is a montage of the south falling under the cover of cold darkness, with fires struggling to break through the bleak blue that has descended. The only time we’ve seen King’s Landing in such a state — from memory, at least — was through Dany’s visions of the iron throne being drowned by snow.
I’m going to forgive the show for the last six episodes (this episode as well, somewhat) of Arya and Sansa tomfoolery. Yes, I know the general consensus is that they’re both being really dumb, but the end game — while not overly surprising — was so juicy in its execution (hehe) that I was jumping off the couch with excitement.
Having Benioff and Weiss play the Dumb Stark card just one more time added even more to my frustrations about this arc. Having them pay it off with Littlefinger going from top dog to begging for his life, eliminated all disinterest and anger I held towards the Starks. Especially, when you get to see Arya and Sansa acknowledge one another as they unravel their plan. I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride as Littlefinger’s eyes rolled in shock and his laidback demeanour turned quickly into a defensive stance.
One of the most satisfying deaths in the show’s history? Absolutely. This one is right up there. This whole sequence from start to finish was enthralling, so much so I rewatched it, like, 5 times. I’m glad to look like an idiot for believing that the Starks were continuing to be this dumb, but I also stand by the fact that they were not written very well at all this season.
On the subject of the Starks, Bran and Sam have a cheeky little conversation in Bran’s Raven Room™ regarding the parentage of a Jon Snow. It’s a scene that should hold a lot of emotional weight, but, instead it’s an awkward intercut of Bran and Sam finally confirming Jon’s true name and his true lineage and Jon and his newfound Aunt FUCKING.
It’s something I never fully understood — and I’ll admit I was in that camp at a few points over the course of the series — but we’re cheering for these two to finally hook up, for whatever reason, but still shitting on Jaime and Cersei for doin’ it all those years ago? I know that the implications of this moving forward are going to make the relationship between Jon and Dany a tad rocky — and I literally can’t wait for Bran to narrate their sex night back to them — but Clarke and Harrington’s chemistry is almost non-existent, as much as they try.
So I didn’t overly enjoy the juxtaposition of Bran narrating and unveiling this information and Sam just happening to remember it after he shut Gilly down being a bit of a penis a few weeks ago. THAT scene with Gilly from a few weeks ago was the one that people were exclaiming being the gamechanger confirmation that Jon is the true heir to the throne, so did we really need a quick essay confirming everything we’ve had confirmed? I’m not sure. I didn’t need it, but, hey, some viewers might need it to be smacked over their head.
Jon’s got a nice ass, though. #assgoals
Further in the north, the episode concludes on the stunning — expected, but still — arrival of the army of the dead. Tormund and Beric just find themselves chilling at Eastwatch when the lone flag-bearer for the army appears under the shadow of the trees. We get a display of the army’s might through the giants appearing and the numbers growing, BUT FUCK THAT — the Night King rocks up in his super-dragon to TEAR DOWN THE WALL. Am I missing some or is ice Viserion WAY faster than his brothers? It felt like it.
God, why is everything related to ice so fucking powerful. If you can answer that, please tell me in the comments because I want to know. Anyway, the imagery we get of the Wall and Eastwatch collapsing is unbelievably striking. Seeing the Night King drill a hole into it and watching it crumble from a distance really sends the message that, as Tyrion put nicely early on, we’re fucked.
Another question I had — and answered poorly — was how was the Night King going to get past the Wall with the magic that’s attached? Is there a clause in the Wall’s contract that stipulates that if it’s broken the Night King and co can waltz in? I’m not sure. My bet is that Bran being on the safe side of the Wall has allowed the Night King to just ignore the magic attached. Remember how Bran got touched last season and was attacked by the walkers afterwards? Perhaps that comes into play here. Any suggestions? Ideas? I want to hear them!
On that note, this is the last review for the year for the show! There’s going to be a season finale podcast going live later in the day with The Small Council — which was a great episode, FYI — but, man, I can’t help but feel sad that this comes to an end late next year / early 2019.
“The Dragon and the Wolf” may not have been the incredible episode that some — myself included — were expecting, but still, it was entertaining and seeing the characters I love coalesce for one final rodeo is so promising and pleasing that I can’t wait for the final six episodes. Even if I still have my apprehensions.
Until next year! (or 2019…)
