Wow everyone seems to really like this episode! While this does not surprise me I did not expect everyone to be THIS positive. Let me first say that this episode was really good visually. The battles look stunning and were undeniably exciting.
But there were too many inconsistencies and ridiculous plot holes for me to really enjoy this episode and it doesn't have that Game of Thrones feel that I liked from the first 4 seasons. What do I mean? I'll tell you: (SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY)
I expected so much more from this episode and was severely disappointed. I know not everyone will agree with me and these are just minor points for most people but I feel Game of Thrones has lost what made it such a great show, the scheming, the intrigue and the mortality of every character. It felt real and now it is just like any other series to me.
But there were too many inconsistencies and ridiculous plot holes for me to really enjoy this episode and it doesn't have that Game of Thrones feel that I liked from the first 4 seasons. What do I mean? I'll tell you: (SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY)
- Are we really to believe that the Vale army made its way from Moat Cailin all the way to Winterfell without Ramsay knowing? Ramsay knew that Stannis was coming down from the wall so he's not blind and deaf. Or maybe all the knights just used Littlefinger's teleporter? It would explain why they arrived just in the nick of time.
- What was Sansa thinking? "I know the knights of the Vale are coming to our aid but I won't say anything to anyone and just let most of our men and Rickon get slaughtered."
- It was repeatedly implied that Ramsay's cavalry greatly outnumbered Jon's and they could wipe out Jon's army easily. But after Jon acted like an idiot, his cavalry (no idea where he found that many) held their own pretty well against the Bolton forces. Also where did those huge piles of bodies come from all of a sudden? Did the Boltons pile everyone up when we weren't looking?
- Why did Ramsay decide to shoot Wun-Wun, who was already down, in his eye instead of killing Jon or Tormund? Oh right, plot convenience.
- How did Sansa know Ramsay did not feed his dogs for 7 days? She trotted of before he said that to Jon and the others.
- What were those sons of the harpies doing outside the gates? They have no reason to be there except being a setup for the Dothraki arriving in Meereen.
- What was Tyrion talking about with respect to Theon? Last they saw each other he made fun of Theon who was trying to be nice.
- Why did Rhaegal and Viserion escape the pyramid exactly at the moment it was most convenient? Tyrion unchained them at least a week ago and probably more. Have they been tunneling out since then so they could help Dany?
- My final and most important point is this: Game of thrones is one of the few series where each action has consequences. We have seen this happen to many a beloved character because they messed up in some way (Ned had to act 'honourably', Robb broke a commitment, Khal Drogo acted foolish and got infected, Brann messed up when the night king touched him and this killed Hodor, the 3ER and the Children, Theon overestimated himself and got maimed, Jaime lost his hand because of his arrogance). But now, in this hugely important battle where they were greatly outnumbered, Jon did about the dumbest thing you could possibly do and not only survived but won. This is just lazy writing and takes away all the suspense for me. Just like Arya last episode, Jon survives because of plot armour even though he shouldn't.
I expected so much more from this episode and was severely disappointed. I know not everyone will agree with me and these are just minor points for most people but I feel Game of Thrones has lost what made it such a great show, the scheming, the intrigue and the mortality of every character. It felt real and now it is just like any other series to me.