Death is the enemy. The first enemy, and the last."
Game of Thrones season 7 is enthralling and sweeping with excitement that every episode leaves you anticipating the next. Everything on a technical and acting standpoint is incredible, but everything else in terms of writing and story narrative feels rushed, unfortunately. With the show going off from George R. R. Martin books, it becomes more transparent that the details in characters and pacing is lacking. It’s not a bad season, just messy compared to previous seasons.
Let's start with the positives: The biggest praise I can give for a show like this is making TV cinematic, especially with episodes like “The Spoils of War” that is a treat for the eyes. This is the first time we’ve seen these dragons attack on this grand of a scale. There’s only small incidents where I can recall feeling tense while watching something, but episodes like this proves the excellence of TV - same thing applies with “Beyond the Wall”, in spite of the flaws.
The first interaction between Jon and Daenerys is great. I liked how they couldn’t stand each other at first with Jon refusing to knee before her and bursting Daenerys ego. I mean, we got two powerful leaders with legendary status clashing with each other. It’s until later when they relationship becomes more tender and open, which would be rush in any other show, but it takes good actors to make it believable in a small amount of time.
Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke and everyone else is fantastic as usual. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, on the other hand, I thought is really excellent this season, and in previous seasons as well. Beautifully portraying a conflicted Jaime who will make the toughest decisions in the upcoming season finale, as I’m predicting. His facial expressions says it all and I’m glad the actor is finally getting credit - long overdue.
Viserion death (Daenerys dragon) was heartbreaking and made The Night King a threatening presence. You soon realize that Jon’s bravery is sometimes his flaw, and the whole mission to capture a white walker to show the Lannister's who’s the real enemy wasn’t anything heroic, just suicide. Even when the characters reflect on their foolish decisions, it’s almost similar to when Gandalf from ‘Lord of the Rings’ questions if the whole eagle plan was even a good strategy.
The visual effects are nearly photo realistic at times, sometimes better than most blockbusters we’re getting recently. The score is breathtaking and Ramin Djawadi doesn't disappoint. The cinematography with the mixture of cold blues and striking landscapes is impeccable. As I said before, everything on a technical standpoint is flawless, but what about the rest?
Now for my issues:
I honestly think cutting the episodes down to 7 probably wasn’t the best idea, because with characters zigzagging to different locations with a certain urgency, but not once did I feel there was a pasting of time, as the whole thing felt like it took place in one day. I’m guessing characters can teleport now (not literally), but in the world of ‘Game of Thrones’ it doesn’t sound too far fetched.
Also, the whole Sansa and Arya subplot is one of the most pointless things ever. It’s only purpose is tricking the audiences into thinking Arya is going to kill her own sister for some sort of revenge, which by the way, her reasoning makes no sense whatsoever. At the end it’s just a trap for Littlefinger, even though there are plenty of scenes when he wasn’t in the room or nearby to eavesdrop - so again, WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO TRICK BESIDES LITTLEFINGER? I didn’t like how Lord Baelish 'Littlefinger' existed the show as I don’t believe the sneaky and collective slimeball would’ve at least went out with a fight. Trial by combat wasn’t an option?
I’m starting to think the show itself is embracing the fandom a little, because while winter is closing in and tension is rising, the danger for the main characters feels safe with the endless amount of fake outs and convenient rescues. The bamboozle starts whenever a beloved character is facing danger up close and you think the worst will happen, but at the last minute is saved and you sigh with relief. The entire season feels like that and takes away any sort of danger in these type of situations. It’s becoming fan fiction at this point.
Overall rating: Despite my mixed feelings - I’m still excited for season 8. I mean, I’ve been watching this show from the very beginning so it wouldn’t make sense for me not to be. Again, this is nowhere near a bad season, just wasn’t as strong as the previous ones, mainly on re-watch.
Review by Matthew Luke BradyBlockedParent2019-10-18T22:44:25Z
Death is the enemy. The first enemy, and the last."
Game of Thrones season 7 is enthralling and sweeping with excitement that every episode leaves you anticipating the next. Everything on a technical and acting standpoint is incredible, but everything else in terms of writing and story narrative feels rushed, unfortunately. With the show going off from George R. R. Martin books, it becomes more transparent that the details in characters and pacing is lacking. It’s not a bad season, just messy compared to previous seasons.
Let's start with the positives: The biggest praise I can give for a show like this is making TV cinematic, especially with episodes like “The Spoils of War” that is a treat for the eyes. This is the first time we’ve seen these dragons attack on this grand of a scale. There’s only small incidents where I can recall feeling tense while watching something, but episodes like this proves the excellence of TV - same thing applies with “Beyond the Wall”, in spite of the flaws.
The first interaction between Jon and Daenerys is great. I liked how they couldn’t stand each other at first with Jon refusing to knee before her and bursting Daenerys ego. I mean, we got two powerful leaders with legendary status clashing with each other. It’s until later when they relationship becomes more tender and open, which would be rush in any other show, but it takes good actors to make it believable in a small amount of time.
Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke and everyone else is fantastic as usual. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, on the other hand, I thought is really excellent this season, and in previous seasons as well. Beautifully portraying a conflicted Jaime who will make the toughest decisions in the upcoming season finale, as I’m predicting. His facial expressions says it all and I’m glad the actor is finally getting credit - long overdue.
Viserion death (Daenerys dragon) was heartbreaking and made The Night King a threatening presence. You soon realize that Jon’s bravery is sometimes his flaw, and the whole mission to capture a white walker to show the Lannister's who’s the real enemy wasn’t anything heroic, just suicide. Even when the characters reflect on their foolish decisions, it’s almost similar to when Gandalf from ‘Lord of the Rings’ questions if the whole eagle plan was even a good strategy.
The visual effects are nearly photo realistic at times, sometimes better than most blockbusters we’re getting recently. The score is breathtaking and Ramin Djawadi doesn't disappoint. The cinematography with the mixture of cold blues and striking landscapes is impeccable. As I said before, everything on a technical standpoint is flawless, but what about the rest?
Now for my issues:
I honestly think cutting the episodes down to 7 probably wasn’t the best idea, because with characters zigzagging to different locations with a certain urgency, but not once did I feel there was a pasting of time, as the whole thing felt like it took place in one day. I’m guessing characters can teleport now (not literally), but in the world of ‘Game of Thrones’ it doesn’t sound too far fetched.
Also, the whole Sansa and Arya subplot is one of the most pointless things ever. It’s only purpose is tricking the audiences into thinking Arya is going to kill her own sister for some sort of revenge, which by the way, her reasoning makes no sense whatsoever. At the end it’s just a trap for Littlefinger, even though there are plenty of scenes when he wasn’t in the room or nearby to eavesdrop - so again, WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO TRICK BESIDES LITTLEFINGER? I didn’t like how Lord Baelish 'Littlefinger' existed the show as I don’t believe the sneaky and collective slimeball would’ve at least went out with a fight. Trial by combat wasn’t an option?
I’m starting to think the show itself is embracing the fandom a little, because while winter is closing in and tension is rising, the danger for the main characters feels safe with the endless amount of fake outs and convenient rescues. The bamboozle starts whenever a beloved character is facing danger up close and you think the worst will happen, but at the last minute is saved and you sigh with relief. The entire season feels like that and takes away any sort of danger in these type of situations. It’s becoming fan fiction at this point.
Overall rating: Despite my mixed feelings - I’m still excited for season 8. I mean, I’ve been watching this show from the very beginning so it wouldn’t make sense for me not to be. Again, this is nowhere near a bad season, just wasn’t as strong as the previous ones, mainly on re-watch.