The Game of Thrones Awards, Season 5, Episode 8: Winter Is (Finally) Coming

The first forty minutes of the latest Game of Thrones installment game me plenty to write about. I was already planning to open this recap with how surreal it was to see Tyrion and Dany meet; two characters who have been involved in the same television show for almost five seasons (and the same book series for nearly two decades), yet never felt like they were a part of the same story. Heck, that was just one of several places I could have started.
But if you saw the episode, you know what I’m about to discuss. The Starks’ words are truer with each passing week: winter is coming. The long night is coming. And, perhaps most importantly, the Army of the Dead is coming.
Jon Snow’s trip to Hardhome was productive for the most part. Against all odds, and with the help of Tormund, he rallied a sizeable amount of the Free Folk to his cause. The Thenns weren’t onboard because…well, they are the Thenns. Just as everyone was leaving, the city came under attack. Despite the Wildlings brave fighting, the local giant kicking some serious ass, and Jon killing a White Walker, eventually the dead claimed the city while the survivors retreated. Part of what makes this undead army so terrifying are the stakes: no matter how valiant you are in defeat, you will eventually stand up with glowing blue eyes and a vacant stare. You will eventually become the thing you were trying to save the world from.
Occasionally I get down on Game of Thrones for throwing so much dread at us, but sometimes the dread is so spectacular and breathtaking that you can’t help but take a step back and marvel at it. The closing shot of the White Walker slowly raising his arms on the dock and “waking up” his latest minions before to watch Jon Snow and company sail away was legitimately one of the creepiest moments I have ever seen on a television screen. Karsi coming face to face with the monstrous versions of her own children before giving up was one of the most powerful moments of the season (if not the series), even though we’d only spent about 10 minutes with her character. This battle was also different than any of the other “epic” fight scenes Thrones has given us over the years, because it snuck up on book readers and non-book readers alike.
Okay, let’s talk about something that doesn’t give me nightmares. Like the continued shame and embarrassment of Cersei Lannister! Watching her lick the ground for sustenance shouldn’t have been nearly that satisfying, but it was. I have a feeling that the next few weeks aren’t going to get any better for the Queen Mother.
Speaking of miserable women, at least a glimmer of hope entered Sansa’s life this week: she found out her little brothers are not dead. Theon/Reek confessed that he charred some random kids so that no one could tell the difference, and that Bran/Rickon are still out there. Only when discussing this show could I write that last sentence no nonchalantly.
Also in Winterfell, Roose and Ramsay continue to talk about awful things in dark rooms. Roose wants to play defense in the coming war with Stannis, but his son has other (likely more terrifying) ideas. I have a feeling that the “great battle in the snow” will be saved for the season finale.
As I mentioned earlier, if it were not for the spectacular ending of this episode, I likely would have rambled on for half of this recap about Tyrion finally meeting Daenerys. While I think she appeared to trust him too easily, their dialogue was spot on, and his diagnosis of her situation was an excellent summary of what makes Tyrion the most entertaining character of the series. His political maneuvering, combined with her resolve (and dragons) makes this duo one to be reckoned with.
Quotable Quotes
“If I could do to you what Ramsay did, right here, right now…I would.” – Sansa Stark
“I’m not going to stop the wheel, I’m going to break the wheel.” – Daenerys Targaryen
Awards!

• This week’s “We Missed You” award goes to Bronn. The Dorne storyline has been an unfocused disaster, but he is by far the best part of it.
• The “Oyster Salesmen of the Week” award goes to Arya Stark. This is probably my best award title to date. I’m not really sure what is going on with her assassin training, but I definitely like it.
• The “Weak Sauce of the Week” award goes to the Lord of Bones. Tormund was all like, get that weak stuff out of here LoB!
• The “LEMMINGS FTW!” award goes to all of the creepy dead guys that piled off of that cliff and then got right back up again. I mean, for goodness sake, why do I have to look at that? Why can’t I stop looking at that?

And Now, a Haiku
Just go to sleep Ben
Don’t think about the Night King
Think about cute cats
I will be back at it next week. Until then, try not to have your soul claimed by legions of terrifying undead.