It's time, it's time, to write my finale review of the year. It's a bitter sweet feeling. I didn't gush over last week's episode, but I've got a good feeling about tonight. Let's load it up and check out the previously on.
I'm so excited, I can't wait to see what they tease! Awesome, they start off with some of the best shots from BotB, from Bolton Phalanx formations, to Stark flags flowing down upon the walls of Winterfell... I'm feeling psyched! What's next?
...oh god. OH GOD!? Dorne!?
I thought we were done with this? Ugh, Okay, it's just the previously on... we can get through this. But in the meantime, I'm absolutely disgusted. I do like the new dramatic music used for the recap.
The credits fade out, as the sunny rooftops of King's Landing fade in. The bells are ringing again, and there's never been a more ominous sound in this show, than the King's Landing bells. Cersei looks out over the city, with a stoic expression grim determination. Thus begins a brilliant montage of confident dressing and vulnerable music. A ceremonial necklace is wrapped around Tommen, but without the proper context, it looks more like a noose. Queen Margery, wearing beautiful braids, is helped into finery that finally emphasizes her proper standing. Meanwhile, the High Septon helps himself into his dirty, humble sack. The bells continue to ring as we see finery, both symbolic and practical draped around our King's Landing nobility. A sense of dread permeates the scene. The crown is gently placed on Tommen's head, and he peers at his reflection through a broken and distorted image.
A soft yet foreboding piano melody takes control as we see the Faith Militant lead the way for the trial to commence. The nobles shuffle into the Throne room, as a broken and trembling Loras lies in the shadows. The faith scoops him up, as the High Sparrow and his six holy allows take their place in the trial to come. All while the soft and foreboding piano melody trickles under our sense of ease.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. It's time to welcome the King, and his Mother into the trial.. but neither seem interested. They are both lost in their own thoughts. Tommen is pale as a ghost, and Cersei is looking far... far into the future as she is dressed. The music slightly intensifies, now the piano trickling is including a tragic sounding violin melody.
The piano gently dings as Grand Maester Pycelle slinks away from another whore, but is stopped by a gentle looking child, with new information. And thus the trial begins. We see the sun shining into the hall from above. The High Septon steps towards Loras, who is quick to plead guilty. Loras admits to everything, we see the High Sparrow from a low angle as the monuments of the Seven loom imposingly from above. The crowd watches in awe as The High Sparrow finds a passive way to get Loras to kneel. He admits to everything that a noble would normally have the right to, but the High Sparrow finds fit to punish. He asks if Loras understands the implications of his confession and pledge of loyalty as he gently caresses his face. Then the violence starts. A symbol of hatred is carved into Loras' forehead, Mace tries to stop it, but Marg stops him, as she knows the depths of hopelessness they now stand in.
A single key stroke takes us to Cersei, who stands like a proud silhouette of death and patience. Tommen sits, wearing his crown and looking out the window, but merely sitting. Cersei stands, so does Loras, but his own blood drips onto his bare toes. Marg accuses the High Sparrow of deception. He dodges the accusation. But where is the Queen (mother)? The High Sparrow sends Lancel to collect her. It's sure to be over soon. The piano strokes multiply and grow more melodic as Queen Cersei pours a tall glass of wine. Lancel follows a small child carrying a torch.. How could we know.. that the children were in charge? Lancel chases the child down infinite steps. The piano that was soft grows stronger. Ding ding dong ding ding dong. Pycelle finds himself in Qyburn's dungeon. Ding ding dong.. ding ding dong. Lancel follows the torch bearing child even further. Ding ding dong... ding ding dong! Qyburn apologizes for Pycelle's fate, so sad, but inevitable. His time is over and the children pierce him and make him bleed.
The music escalates and we hear a child choir sing louder and louder as Lancel fumbles his way through the dark. A blade strikes from the darkness and brings him to his knees. A sudden organ breathes both rhythm and chaos into the spectacle of Lancel clutching his injury in the mud. That simple piano melody strikes again. Back in the throne room we see the nobility, trapped in their own feebly constructed prison. Loras wears his new red crown. Margery wears her heavy golden crown. Mace is wealthy, feeble, and totally helpless. The High Sparrow steps forward in his rags and demands attention. Underground, Lancel crawls through the dirt towards the light. The organs grow louder and louder, the nobility panics above, but Lancel works his way through the mud and water, towards the candle, in a position to save the city. Sometimes a flickering candle is enough to bring hope... or enough to destroy half a city and countless innocent people.
Cersei watches as the dreaded bell is blown into the sky and falls down into the city. At her lowest moment, she's managed to destroy her enemies... but at what cost? The fallout is still blowing the foliage nearby as she sips from her wine. The great smirk is back. What's next? SPLISH SPLASH we're taking a bath! Pysch, it's a wine bath for Septa Nutella. And it's going to be brutal. Cersei pours out an entire bottle of wine on the Septa's face, and that's how you know she's in control. She wouldn't do that lightly. Out of context this scene would be on par with Ramsay levels of torment, but knowing what Cersei has been through, I'm ashamed to admit my support for her in these scenes. She's clad in black like an angel of death, and I can't help but root for her. Shame on me... Shame. Shame. Shame. Then Tommen gives in to despair.
And that was twenty five minutes of brilliance. I wasn't the biggest fan of last week's episode, but the finale was so supremely directed and edited, I have really no complaints, it was very well done. We have a smooth transition right into the Twins, because who didn't miss the Frey escapades? You guys know what it's like to be drinking at a wedding and then the father of the bride sits at your table. OMG. What do I say? Do I be honest? Or respect our family treaty? It's a tough decision. Walder Frey sits down with the practical fear of giving his family a bad name. Oh.. god forbid! Walder trys to reinforce the bond between families, but Jaime will have none of it. It's by the grace of the Lannister name
and tactics that the Freys not only survive but flourish in the Riverlands.
Qyburn lifts the sheet for Cersei to bear witness her final child as a corpse. She's been through this pain time and time again. And she's less sentimental and eager to move on for what must be a painful retribution.
Jon snow enjoys walking through the dining hall with a semblance of respect for the first time. Melisandre quickly reminds him of how unfortunate most people actually have to live life. Suddenly Davos bursts into the room. It's time to make amends. Shireen was an innocent that died, and Davos demands justice, his eyes are overflowing with tears, his voice trembles with anger. Melisandre tries to appeal to logic, but makes no apologies. It's up to Jon Snow.
Sansa joins Jon on the wall of Winterfell, and it's yet another complicated relationship in what should be a secure moment of triumph. Sansa apologizes for not telling Jon about Littlefinger's army. She assures him that she wouldn't trust him. Jon expresses his wish that that unite as family and kisses her forehead. The snow falls fast and heavy over them. Winter is here.
Dany sips a glass of wine like I swig a bit of whiskey following a scene from Dorne. If it's strong enough, it might not have happened... No? Okay. So Daario enters the scene and it's kind of sad. Dany explains how Daario can not come along on her quest to Westeros. For better or worse, Daario is a scoundrel, but he's open with his heart, and Dany is reducing him to a tool, a placeholder in the continent she's leading behind. And soon enough we learn it was Tyrion's idea and notice how Tyrion looks at Dany longingly and we start to put the pieces together. He's a great adviser and deserving of respect, but he's falling in love with her. And that's not good. Now more than ever Tyrion needs to be strong, and not confuse Dany for another Tysha. But Dany does respect Tyrion, and names him her Hand of the Queen. His eyes water and he bows down. I hope the relationship stays full of respect.
We're back at the Twins. The candles are dark and Lord Walder finds himself alone on the royal table. He's served a fine meat pie, but in typical fashion, he's eager to harass the help and smack her bottom. Naturally, Walder feels disrespected by his loneliness. He demands to know where his awful sons are, but the helpful new servant assures them that they're close by. Well, shit, that's good to know. Let me know when they're here, I'll be enjoying this salty meat pie in the meantime. Nom nom nom, hell yeah... wait, what's this.. a toe nail? Oh.. god OH GOD!
Arya rips off a mask and slices Walder's throat. And... I'm getting a similar vibe from Sansa's dog feeding moment from last week. It was mildly satisfying, but also pretty disturbing. Arya looked content and then almost too far gone along the path of empathy. I wonder if it's too late for the Stark girls, or are they just killers? Like their father, like the brother. like the Hound?
We see Sansa finding peace momentarily before Petyr storms his way into Sansa's meditation. He admits a desire to rule the Iron Throne with her as his queen(which doesn't feel genuine) but Sansa pushes him away. The snow trickles down on both of them. Petyr reminds her that she is a trueborn Stark. Even in this time of brief unity.. Littlefinger is quick to tear it apart by the manipulation of simple formalities.
Coldhands has to go, Meera helps Bran to the Weirnet, and asks if he's ready. Yes. He's damn ready, the audience is so beyond ready, let him touch the tree!
Oh god, I wasn't ready. Young Ned consoles his sister in a bed of blood. And I start bawling. She whispers into his ear, and begs 'promise me' as the infant is handed into Ned's arms. Meanwhile I've maintained my composure. I'm definitely not getting choked up with tears streaming down my face.
It's time for a war council. Jon can't relate to the lords, which is typical. But Lyanna Mormont is there. to handle shit! She reminds every fat stubborn man of supposed worth what it means to be a strong, loyal supporter. Lady Mormont's words moved more than I can ever remember. I guess back from season one's King of the North moment! So yes, ! Triumph... or trepidation? It didn't go well the last time... Oh well, something tells me thing will go well just fine now.
Jamie and Bronn find themselves approaching a blackened and scorched King's Landing. Cersei steps through the double doors wearing all black with the weight and gravity of a queen with the power of finality. Qyburn and the Mountain walk behind her at a respectable length. She approaches the Iron Throne as if it was inevitable. And it was. She sits down with the ease of a monarch who has been tormented by every possible type of bullshit, but here Cersei sits, on the throne with her loyal sidekicks and a legion of obedient subjects. Long may she reign.
Long may she reign.
Long may she reign. 