As with all of this season of Game of Thrones, there are spoilers in this review – both in the recap of previous episodes and in the review itself. You are warned not to proceed if you do not want spoilers.

 

Spoilers below

 

 

In the aftermath of the Night King’s defeat, Daenerys is eager to move on and take back the Iron Throne as quickly as possible. But already with the apocalyptic threat of the white walkers vanquished, old divisions are rising to the surface once again.

Last week gave us an action-packed episode of fighting and epic moments as only Game of Thrones can, as the battle of Winterfell stretched out for a glorious hour and a half. This week, the writers revert to the sort of intimate drama and intrigue that the show does so well, in another bumper length episode which unfortunately can’t help but feel a little like it’s running in place.

Don’t get me wrong – I love when Thrones takes its time, and this isn’t an episode devoid of action either, but this is one of those instalments where it feels like everyone could get where they are going a little quicker and where it’s obvious where the heads and hearts of some characters are at way before the script actually allows them to get there.

It also has some moments which just feel too obvious, where characters do or say things that we know after all this time will be received by the characters to whom they are addressed in certain ways, but then tries to stretch out the tension by taking its time getting to that reaction.

That said, it’s both fascinating (and a little disheartening) to see the alliance that stood together to defend the North against the existential threat, which had been slowly bearing down on humanity for seven previous seasons, begin to fracture so very quickly. Not that there is an open split, but there’s plenty of tension between Daenerys and Jon in the wake of his revelation to her last week, plenty of tension between the Northmen and the queen they never asked for, and even some dissension in the respective camps of all concerned. It’s inevitable, but it doesn’t hurt any less for all that after the brave way in which everyone united last time out.

The episode also still doesn’t feel as if it spends enough time anywhere but Winterfell. Unlike last week, there are parts which take place elsewhere, but they don’t feel adequate, given that we are so close to the very end of all this, and after the season has spent more than half its runtime focused on the Stark ancestral home, it’s starting to feel that the ending to all this is going to be more than a little rushed.

Still, there’s some great moments, some nice character interactions and some genuine heart-in-mouth moments, but honestly, this feels worryingly like the season has shot its bolt with last week’s extravaganza.

Verdict: By the standards of the genre generally, this is still strong stuff, but by the very particular standards of the show, and of this season specifically, this can’t help but feel like a weaker entry. Here’s hoping the conclusion after all this time and investment doesn’t end up as rushed as it feels it might here. 7/10

Greg D. Smith