I rewatched "Blackwater" last night.

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Don't fight for a king. Don't fight for his kingdoms. Don't fight for honor, don't fight for glory, don't fight for riches, because you won't get any. This is your city Stannis means to sack. That's your gate he's ramming. If he gets in it will be your house that burns. Your gold he steals, your women he rapes. Those are brave men knocking at our door. Let's go kill them!

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Ah, back when Tyrion was a compelling character and the writing was good

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It is very good from a writing standpoint. But the battle scene was subpar compared to later episodes like Hardhome and BOTB. No wide shots, too few soldiers, looks like it was filmed in a studio.

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Yeah, I'd much, much rather have that than Watchers on the Wall. WotW is an episode of all style and no substance. I think D&D realize this which is why they have not whatsoever repeated the mistakes of that in Hardhome, Battle of the Bastards, and the Spoils of War. You could easily cut the episode in half, especially the scenes in the vaults with Sam, Gilly, and Janos Slynt in the vaults, which is pathetic compared to the amazing scenes with Sansa and Cersei in Blackwater. They should have intercut this episode with Tyrion killing Tywin.

I still think Blackwater is my favorite episode. I do think that it or the Rains of Castamere are the two best written episodes of the show. Just not a single wasted line of dialogue, and all the plots save for the Northmen converging was fantastic. Like you really wanted Stannis and Davos to take out Joffrey and Cersei, but then you've got tons of characters you like on the other side of the wall that you know are doomed if Stannis wins. Also the Hound's best episode for sure.

The only episode I question that I like more may be "The Winds of Winter". Despite not being as grandiose as the battles that came after it, I still feel pretty comfortable saying it's my favorite battle episode.

I actually watched it last night too by chance. It is great, but I do think Hardhorne and BOTB are better by a wide margin.

It goes to show the evolution of the show.

Yes, the writing was good, but the combat scenes were basically just suggested. There are episodes of Vikings that have better visuals (the storming of Paris), and sometimes as good in writing (Ragnar taking the king out when the king moves on him).

BOB, Hardhome, and Spoils of War are 3 episodes that, with minimal editing of the script, could be converted to blockbuster-type movies... and you don't have to wait a year for the next episode (I think Star Wars and the superhero movies might be watching that and worrying about their format longevity).

Battle of the Bastards may be the best battle sequence in Movie/TV history. Definitely one of, if not, the most immersive experiences I can recall.