Ok I think I've composed myself here goes.
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Kings Landing: that opening montage over the Light of the Seven track was beautiful. Loras being dragged out was well done, as was his confession. It was kind of an example of how they say people will say and do anything to stop torture. In Loras's case, it was join the enemy. I liked how Margaery and Mace reacted as they mutilated him in front of everybody, yet another wicked display of power. Margaery's quiet outrage was good as well, and Mace trying to run to him made my heart hurt.
The build up to the explosion was masterful, IMO. Everyone realizing Cersei has yet to arrive, to Lancel chasing the child and finding the wildfire, to Qyburn killing Pycelle. The High Sparrow was blinded by faith, but Margaery was not. She knew something was up, and in the end, her compassionate nature beat her little converted scheme, and she said fuck the gods, these people need to leave if they're going to survive. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and the High Sparrow dragged hundreds of people down with him on his suicidal crusade.
Cersei's sneer at the explosion was perfect because it wasn't over the top, just a quiet satisfaction. I loved the touch of Gregor leaving as soon as it was over. Cersei didn't care about protecting her son, only ensuring that he didn't thwart her.
Cersei torturing Unella was extremely dark. I like how it showed how cruel and depraved she truly is. I think that scene is what Cersei really is, at her core. Everything before that was show, but this, taunting a Septa as she is tortured, is the real Cersei. But I am unsure what Gregor did to her. He seemed to be undressing, but he was standing by her head, so it didn't
look like he was raping her, but I don't want to linger on the logistics of rape, so we just know he was doing terrible things to her.
Tommen seemed so defeated he literally just walked out a window. He didn't even hesitate, it seemed like it was his first and only response. I agree there should have been a big crescendo in the music or something to signify the weight of this event, but whatever. The quiet was equally unsettling. Cersei's reaction was completely cold, and her orders to burn him show just how unattached she's become.
And then the crowning. The scene I have been waiting for for years. It did not disappoint. She with her guards and her subjects was beautiful. I also enjoyed the look she gave Jaime, as if to say "don't fuck with me." He looked terrified of her, as he should be.
Winterfell: Melisandre really stole the show here. Davos showed a rage and grief we haven't seen from him, and the way Melisandre looks shocked and embarrassed and guilty and desperate is just phenomenal acting. She insists she did the right thing. I'm glad Jon banished her. Her look of defiance, almost, when Davos got in her face, was amazing, and showed that, while she wasn't proud of her actions, she wasn't ashamed either.
Jon and Sansa on the balcony was great. I'm glad Jon knows Sansa deserves recognition, and the way the knew they had to stick together was beautiful. Then Sansa telling Littlefinger to stay away from her was really good.
THE KING IN THE NORTH. This scene gave me chills. Manderly. Lyanna. Glover. As soon as the swords came out, the goosebumps were real. The chanting, the music, the looks. I particularly enjoyed Sansa's almost "ha ha" look at Littlefinger.
The Twins: Jaime and Walder was pretty good. For all the shit he's done, Walder Frey actually seems like a pretty smart dude. He knows he's not a fighter, and he doesn't give a fuck if you have a problem with it.
Arya. Arya Arya Arya. Her presence, I'll admit, was a little awkward. It wasn't unexpected, as she's been constantly talking about how she wants to kill him for like three years now. But, i do think there should have been some build up. The Frey Pies were a nice touch. The throat slash and the bleeding was long and drawn out, as it should be.
Dorne: Olenna straight up called Obara ugly. I cackled. Ellaria seemed a little intimidated, but regained the upper hand. I liked Varys's ominous entrance. Also, Olenna showed genuine emotion for a minute there, which was a welcome sight after year after year of cold bitchiness.
Oldtown: this was fine. Sam and Gilly were cute, as usual.
Mereen: I'm glad Daenerys got rid of Daario. I'm surprised to hear her considering marriage proposals, but it's not out of the realm of possibility, so i understand. And I also loved the touch of her calling it "Dragon's Bay." To me, things like that show how world-changing the events we see on screen really are in the show. Maybe that's weird but I fucking loved that detail. Also, never liked you Daario so ha.
Her conversation with Tyrion was great. I liked how she was surprised at how cold she's become. But she was still aware enough to realize that, so she's not completely gone. Her giving the pin to Tyrion made my eyes sweat. I liked her "I'm not sure if it's right" line, because it shows just how little of Westeros she actually knows. And lastly, I liked her admitting her fear of actually doing it, of actually setting sail. It's very humanizing.
And finally, the ships. The scene was amazing in every way. The ships with the dragons on the helm were fucking awesome. Theon looked a little bit less miserable for a second there. I loved the dragons flying above them.
Bran: I liked that Benjen admitted that he's technically dead, and can't pass the wall. It was actually very tragic to me, to think that he's confined to the "land of the dead." Seems very mythic to me.
And then, the scene every single person who has ever read an ASOIAF or watched an episode of GoT have been waiting for. The Tower of Joy. Lyanna seemed vulnerable, which was a great switch up from the usual steely/badass women the show has. I'm glad for the line "Robert will kill him," which is essentially the root of Ned's entire ruse. No rose petals tho
