Just watched the episode.
- The battle episodes, in general, aren't my favourites. I prefer character-based stories with dialogue, confrontation, suspense, plotting, etc. This one was 80 minutes of quick cuts and blurry motion, punctuated by a pause where everyone gasps for breath, then starts fighting again. It was like watching the Super Bowl from the point of view of the ball -- sounds cool, but is impossible to follow. The whole thing was a buildup to an endless, swelling sense of hopelessness. Which was the point, I know. But for all the effort towards making survival look hopeless, I found the pace too fast and impersonal.
- The NK's big finale was surprisingly one-dimensional. Like so many, I was expecting a big reveal. But y'know, I think it's better to get him and the wights out of the way now, so they could concentrate on the real characters and get back to the actual game-of-thrones. As I said, the show is at its best when it focuses on people and human motives. To be honest, I'm much happier knowing I won't have to see any more dumb zombies interrupting an otherwise brilliant drama.
- Tyrion & Sansa's scene was sweet. Arya's climactic moment was cool. Daenerys and Jorah's final scene was very nice. Otherwise, the main characters lurched forward as mindlessly as the zombies. This might have been Jon's most boring and useless performance of the series. You did nothing, Jon Snow.
