Tbh I should have used the term confirmation bias as that would've been more correct, but as you said some people will love this, some will hate it and either side will take what they loved/hated and use it to color their entire argument.
And for what it's worth I don't know if I can call this a total masterpiece, in truth the Dothraki charge does kind of bother me from a tactical perspective even if the shot of the sword lights going out somewhat cures it. However, I do think it's quite an achievement in filmmaking for the television medium and a hell of a spectacle. From there it's my personal opinion that a lot of what was done worked and worked well. Others may not like the implications on the story, or may not feel as I did about the effect of the fog of war, and that's a personal opinion either way. But I don't think any of us on either side genuinely believe that having an opposing viewpoint makes the other a moron or anything like that.
“It’s an achievement for filmmaking” is overreaching. This series has the budget of a major motion picture. The visuals and overall production should no longer come as any surprise. This looked no more or less impressive than Return of the King looked 16 years ago.
The implications for the rest of the story really can’t be overstated here. Sauron is dead. Now we have to sit through 3 episodes of the Scouring of the Shire.
I may feel differently about this episode if Cersei had already been dealt with. But again, it completely undermines the entire narrative thrust of the story. What kind of conclusion with the Iron Throne can possibly top literally saving humanity? It’s a huge misstep in rising action, climax, and falling action.
Too many characters made strange decisions or made no decisions at all to give this episode a pass on “visual spectacle” alone. It was far too predictable, far too trope ridden, far too reliant on characters not communicating effectively or outright making poor decisions for the sake of tension. How many of us predicted the Stark Crypt Zombies? I even went as far to predict that WOULDN’T happen because it was so hilariously obvious. When left to their own, the Ds have always struggled with plot contrivances. This episode is no different.
Just a major disappointment for me. The first half was great, though. Miguel remains a fantastic director.
