[8.4/10] I feel like this episode isn't going to please most people. The critical crowd is going to be annoyed at it for indulging in fan service at times and wrapping a lot of character relationships too quickly. The more casual fan crowd is going to be upset that this episode was full of yakking and sparse on action or narrative momentum. But honestly, I really liked this one. I have to imagine that the next four super-sized episodes are going to be filled to the gils with action and high drama and excitement. In the prelude to that, it's really nice to get a series of quiet moments to reflect on where everyone has been to get to this point, and the uncertainty of the future, amid the other grace notes that "The Rightful Queen" provides.
Those are the two big ideas at the center of the episode. On the one hand, you have this sense of everyone both assuming that they're doomed but worrying about what the future holds. More than one character declares that they're all dead. And yet at the same time, you have Dany and others worrying about who might have a claim to the Iron Throne or some slice of the Seven Kingdoms. You have Tyrion and others worrying about who might become (or remain) Hand to the Queen. And you have everyone from Misandei to Sansa thinking about what the world looks like when this battle is over. There's the sense of an inevitable, mortal threat, but also of concern for where things stand after they've picked up the pieces.
But there's also a sense of marking how long the journey has been to reach this point and how much everyone has changed along it. Arya is grown, with her own skills, directness, and desires that mark a sharp contrast from the aspirational little girl who went with her father to King's Landing. Jaime and Tyrion are both much different men since they were "The Golden Lion" and "The Imp" who previously set foot in Winterfell ("the perils of self-betterment"). Hell, even the likes of Podrick has become a capable warrior (and classy singer to boot.) There's a boatload of taking stock in this episode, of remembering where everyone's been and the distance between here and there.
What's more, there's tons of nice little moments. Lyanna Mormont gets a nice scene with Jorah, Gilly gets a little time to shine, and Edd gets a chance to reunite with his Night's Watch brethren. That's all on top of Tyrion's little gathering by the fire, which makes the most of the hang out vibe this episode summons when the time is right.
All-in-all, this feels like one of those Game of Thrones episodes we'll remember beyond the bigger clashes and contretemps the series usually has in store. It's a slower episode, but one that deepens our understanding of where these characters at psychologically and developmentally after nearly eight seasons, and lets us wonder about what the future holds right alongside them.
Isobel's story was included in this season as if it was just another side plot... only to leave us absolutely devastated this episode. I did not see all these feelings coming! Don't leave us, stay another episode at least... ah, everything about it was sad, but what made it even more sad for me was Rahul Kohli. Damn, that's some acting right there.
That said, I have multiple issues with this episode. We finally had a payoff with Major's infiltration mission... which ended on a terrible note. I was a bit unhappy about Chase simply shooting the girl, it doesn't really fit with the Chase who hesitated before killing Mama Leone. I have problems there, because it's too convenient (the shooting) for Major to definitely hate and work against Chase later on... but well. I like how Chase's expression immediately changed sensing something went wrong before they even knew.
Also, I feel like iZombie is struggling hard with the "cases of the week"... As fun as it is to find out what brain Liv will be on next, I feel like they're doing so well with the stories that carry over through multiple episodes, having them spend time on explaining cases seems like a waste. I keep seeing scenes in the interrogation table and tuning off or just thinking "whatever, show us what the others are up to".
"Oh God, he can't stand. The ovation is insensitive, everybody down!" was genius and hysterical.
So were many comments made regarding similar topics and social concepts entertaining. Like the ramp thing.
If it can keep this up I sense a great new comedy show.
I also really, really like the reactions of the audience over at IMDB and RT for this pilot.
People claiming this is offensive and disgusting to make fun of a handicapped person like they allegedly do here.
I hate it, when you criticise something and someone else says to you, you mistunderstood it. Especially in anime this is an annyoing comeback to any criticism. If you don't like Minnie Driver and find her overbearing here, sure, okay. That's one thing.
But I think in this case it is pretty obvious that the comedy pokes fun at how we perceive disabled people and treat them. How we claim we want them to be included but exclude them even more as a society. By complaining how offensive this is, you do the same thing. It's the classic issue: should we include a person with a specific attribute by making fun of something regarding it or should we not, to not point that attribute out but exclude that person in the process and handle that person special that way?
Example for criticial undertones:
The school is for inclusion. So they got rid off the male-sexual-aggression-Viking mascot. It could be a reference to 3rd wave feminism. Because everything slightly "too male" is automatically considered bad and needs to be changed to not offend anyone.
The ramp thing in the back of the building by the dumpsters: inclusion by separating wheelchair and non-wheelchair, letting the former sneak in out of sight.
The ovation thing (and making him a candidate for president) references those paradox situations as well. A "don't offend anyone" mentality where you accidentally do stuff that could be considered offensive nevertheless, even if the opposite is your actual intention. While it's not necessarily pointed out by the person that should be offended but by others "for" them.
The AV club has a good review for the first two episodes
http://www.avclub.com/review/speechless-delightful-addition-abcs-stable-family--242882
