re: I rewatched "Blackwater" last night.

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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.