7x05 Eastwatch

"Wasn't sure I'd find you. Thought you might still be rowing." Davos finally said what the internet has been thinking for years.

So Jon is a true Targaryen and Sam is like shut up about the shits we got to go fight white walkers.

More reunions, besides Davos and Gendry, we have Jorah and Daenerys (which looks like he is still in the friendzone), Jorah and Tyrion, and Jaime and Tyrion (even if it is only for a minute).

Arya thinks she is spying on Littlefinger but acutally Littlefinger is manipulating like he always does. The scroll was from Sansa telling Robb to swear fealty to King Joffrey back from season 1. Trying to cause some sister fighting.

I love that Tormund doesn't even know Brienne's name. He just calls her "The big woman."

Is Sam the man of the Tarly house now? Or was there another brother? Does he have to back to Castle Black?

Cersei can’t have a fourth baby. The prophecy said she would only have three.

Thats a lot of wights. I’m not sure how 7 men are going to get one back below the wall. And is Tormund the only free folk that could go with them, wouldn't they want a few more? Next week looks like is going to be another Hardhome episode. Can’t wait!

[9.5/10] So much to like about this one. The show is really moving at an impressive pace at this point, with events and aftershocks and reunions that would have taken entire seasons in prior years happening one right after another. But despite that, what I like about "Eastwatch" is that it features a lot of people reflecting and taking stock and worrying about what the future holds. For as much happens personally and in terms of setting the table for later events, this episode is kind of an inbetweener, one that moves our heroes and villains around before the next big event, but gets so much mileage out of the interactions and face-to-face meetings from the show's deep bench of characters.

In the big picture, that means that Dany and Cersei are likely to have an audience together, but for that to mean something, Jon and a motley crew of uneasy allies has to set out north of The Wall to retrieve a wight for proof of the oncoming invasion. That means that Dany and Cersei are willing to set aside hostilities, however temporarily or connivingly, and that Tyrion and Jaime get a tense but impactful reunion as well. It also means that we get a much tenderer reunion between Jorah and Dany, some tension between Arya and Sansa, and most notably, a tenuous union among Jon, Jorah, Tormund, The Hound, The Brotherhood Without Banners, and Gendry.

That's right! Gendry is back! And his repartee with Ser Davos, his instant rapport with Jon Snow, and his quick-thinking warhammer use with the Gold Cloaks makes for a fistpump-worthy return for King Robert's bastard. He's one of the last few major characters whom we haven't seen in ages, and it's a thrill of a return engagement from him.

But the thing I liked most about this episode is Tyrion's concerns about what kind of ruler he's backing. The moral and political questions involved in Dany turning the Tarlys to ash are many and thorny, but it's a very timely worry that a leader who's ready to easily threaten fiery death may very well be one who raises serious concerns. Varys's remembrance of his time serving the Mad King, and the way he left himself off the hook ethically for his complicity in the deaths of Aegon's "traitors" makes for an interesting counterpoint to the view of the bold leader we've come to appreciate over the course of the series.

On the whole, it's a stellar episode, filled with humor, character history, moral ambiguities, and the kind of high-minded reflection grounded in long-standing characterization that I really like. Best of the season so far.

I love these writers! xD All these antagonisms, hatreds, and bloodlust in every faction. Back at the wall was one of my favorite scenes but every setting they move to shows illustrates these little intense conflicts with loose alliances. Or what you might've thought was a tight alliance.

At the wall, when Lord Berrc was about to give a rousing speech to unite their cause the Hound thankfully interrupts him and cuts to the chase in classic style, "are we going with you or not?"

"He's right, we're all on the same side."
"How can we be?"
"We're all breathing."

Gotta love the lines that just sum up the character's personality. The Hound's "ffs, are we coming with you or not," John Snow's, "we're all breathing,", or Davo's, "then we're fucked. Best hurry."

Speaking of King's Landing, seeing Jaime's face as he considered the consequences of having another son and his shift in loyalties and priorities was both heatwarming and tragic. Queen Cersei's warning to never betray her again, and his facial and body reaction was so awkward while they were hugging in a way that was so ironic. It let us know that Jaime clearly knew Cersei wouldn't hesitate to kill Jaime if he betrayed her again- despite being lovers, father of her children, and future father of her unborn son. To love Cersei and also be horrified of her- which emotion will overcome the other? Will he betray her as he did the Mad King who ordered him to set fire to the whole city? Or will he choose to support her to the end. Can't wait to see.

That meet and greet between Tyrion and Jaime was great. Such great acting on both sides.

Other than- I gotta really give Sam props. He really understood the perspective and importance of what he was doing and the most important factor being time. I liked how they portrayed the meisters, as the establishment, skeptical, petty, and happy to debate to utter inaction is something we're all too familiar with in our daily lives. The fact that Sam, was like you know what? Screw you- I'm taking what I need and going- and his perspective on what's really important but also what he was giving up was amazing. I loved his parting words, "I'm tired of reading about the achievements of better men." Touche Sam.

About the only other thing I wanted to comment on was the Sansa and Arya division seems a bit forced. Perhaps it just passed over my head but what was Arya even implying about what Sansa wanted or was thinking about? I see the differences in how to solve problems- politics vs heads - and defending Jon vs alleviating alliances but pointedly insulting her, especially of how she once was seemed a far stretch. They both went through hell. At the least you'd think they talked about it or at least had some sort of distant mutual respect. I suppose though in the end maybe Arya hasn't really grown at all- she know show to fight- but jabbing at Sansa seemed really nearsighted and immature. Resolving to kill everyone's that ever crossed her though might take a little crazy. I guess we'll see where they take it.