1. Hardhomme--There was just something special about the frantic nature of this battle that is special. Most importantly, I think it highlights the true battle of the series: man vs the undead.

2. Bastards-- This had the most buildup, and the cinematography was the best yet. While the good vs evil narrative may be "true" against the undead, this felt more relatable because Ramsey is not unlike the evil we see in this real world.

3. The Wall-- Maybe this is a bias of mine, but seeing Jon take his place is just gratifying. Besides, even though we can empathize with the wildlings, and grow to like them in many ways, the Wall is set-up as some "true" boundary."

4. Blackwater-- Obviously this was well done, but it seems futile in the grand scheme of the narrative. It's important for many reasons, and highlighted true "bravery" regardless of status, BUT I think it's place in the lore will be a footnote when compared to the true "War" in the series.

All in all, I think it's a testament to the show/books. Even the importance of Blackwater is diminished by the slow but salient trend of the narrative arc with the undead vs. the not undead.

I can't wait to see what will happen when Daenerys finally gets herself (slowly apparently) to Westeros.

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Posted by OMLandshark

Member since Apr 2009

109840 posts

Posted on 6/20/16 at 10:34 pm to buckeye_vol

quote:
3. The Wall-- Maybe this is a bias of mine, but seeing Jon take his place is just gratifying. Besides, even though we can empathize with the wildlings, and grow to like them in many ways, the Wall is set-up as some "true" boundary."

4. Blackwater-- Obviously this was well done, but it seems futile in the grand scheme of the narrative. It's important for many reasons, and highlighted true "bravery" regardless of status, BUT I think it's place in the lore will be a footnote when compared to the true "War" in the series.

What do you mean in the grand scheme of the narrative? If Stannis had won, the entire war would be different. Half of the characters would have been executed. It was the decisive point in the show and books where the Lannisters seemingly won.

In the grand scheme of things, Hardhome didn't even happen in the books. How is that more important in the grand scheme of things? Even the Battle of the Bastards had lower stakes than Blackwater, and I'm thinking it also won't be as grand as it was in the books when we see it in the show. Yes, the Wall had the highest stakes, but that doesn't make it great. Blackwater is still the best episode of the series, so...