Some observations to share after my rewatch…
Sophie Turner has given her best performance to date in this episode. Her power here is almost overwhelming. So much is accomplished wordlessly.
In the war planning meeting, after each dubious plan is made, it cuts to Sansa with this very subtle skeptical look. At the end, it cuts to her and she has this expression that very clearly says “uhh yeah, this is dumb, we’re gonna need the Vale for sure.” (More on Sansa later.)
Did people notice that the Vale's war horn was sounded like 2 or 3 times before it was loud and clearly audible? That was such a fascinating choice. As if the first couple times might have been in the viewer's imagination.
Correction/elaboration:
At dawn, Davos hears a horn blow three times. This is some deep foreshadowing. Later, when they’re encircled and Jon is being trampled, you hear the horn in the sound bed, pulsing and resonating through that whole sequence. It’s amazing. The sound manifests itself as a kind of hopeful premonition in the midst of all the trauma and horror. Because soon after, we hear the Vale’s horn clearly, and the knights ride in.
In this moment, everyone’s expressions are priceless:
- Jon is bewilderment personified.
- Littlefinger is like aww yeah, look at me. Relishing this with every fiber of his being.
- Sansa is like, Jesus Christ, Jon. This is
pathetic. Ugh, I totally called this!
- Ramsay: No. Seriously? Just no. This is
not fair.
Also, I was surprised to realize that the actual battle occupies only 11 or 12 minutes of the episode:
38:50 – Jon charges forward.
49:46 – The Vale horn is heard.
55:06 – Jon’s final punch.
When Ramsay says “you can’t kill me, I’m part of you now,” Sansa’s reaction is endlessly fascinating. The camera invites you to follow her microexpressions. She does what could be a little gasp of horror, but that immediately reveals itself as disgust, and she is actually just taking a breath to deliver her epic correction, which I’ll quote again: “Your words will disappear. Your house will disappear. Your name will disappear. All memory of you will disappear.” Her face is quietly defiant, confident, and victorious, and she’s clearly struggling not to let that smile come out too early. It’s so perfect. Give Ms. Turner all the awards.
By the way, Daenerys being charmed by Yara was so delightful. And lots of interpersonal progress between Dany and Tyrion, finally. Her leadership squad feels like a cohesive force now. A very interesting team is forming.
If this is how GOT handles resolutions and trying things together, then I am so on board with the process of concluding ahead.
Yep. They'll just have to make sure this director keeps his schedule clear. He (Miguel Sapochnik) is also directing the upcoming finale.
My fingers are crossed for a 'Daenerys doesn't learn from the mistakes of predecessors' ending where her advisors can't stop her from enforcing her brutal tactics so we have up with a conflict with the two 'forces of good' in the show- her and the Starks. I know she just stopped the Ironborn leaders to stop reaving and stuff but I struggle with her keeping the Dothraki horde in check (dragons or not). She doesn't need to go wildfire crazy but that would be a nice touch. I'm surprised she's so normal considering she's literally the most inbred person on the planet. They do need her dragons to kill the evil snowmen though.
In my mind, the only certainty is that Daenerys does break the wheel and return the seven kingdoms to Targaryen rule, but of a new kind. I think it’s possible she’ll become a mad queen, but not in the scope of this narrative. As long as Tyrion can calm her fires, it looks promising — they’ve been carefully dispensing exposition that indicates Daenerys is developing a clear mind about things. She even demanded that the Iron Islands reverse their way of life (as you said).
Here’s my random prediction on the Dothraki. First of all, they worship Daenerys like a god now, so they will most likely do as they’re told. Dany’s whole point with them is, you know what, maybe the Dothraki wouldn’t be just raping and pillaging if they didn’t have leaders with that goal in mind. (As she told them, they were small men with small goals, not fit to lead.) I think if they actually take part in a victory against Westeros elites and frozen demons, they will be more than happy with the incomprehensible levels of glory they've attained with Daenerys, and more than willing to remain faithful.
We know they get restless, so how about this: the Dothraki patrol the seven kingdoms in a circle, led by Daario and the Second Sons (as they were in this episode). Perhaps one of the dragons tags along to keep the soldiers in line and serve as a reminder to all Westerosi that Daenerys rules.
Side note. It would be interesting if some of the key players survived and found themselves exiled to Essos. A continent swap. And maybe someday they will return to challenge Daenerys. I’m wondering which of Daenerys’s forces, if any, she could afford to send back to Essos to ensure the freedom of Mereen etc. (She can't actually rule both continents, right?)
