Neal Mahoney

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8

Welp, like Tryion said, We're fucked. Living vs. The Dead. Season 8 A fight that only comes once.

The dragon pit scene was awesome. Getting so many characters all in one place at the same time was great to see. So many quick “oh, hey you’re still alive” moments. One of the best was Brienne and the Hound. Speaking of the Hound, we did not get the Cleganebowl we have been wanting for so long but at least he was able to tell his brother off. Maybe next season…

Cersei, as the hound would say, is a real cunt. She truly is the biggest villain this show has seen. She is lying to everyone about sending her armies north and bringing in more mercenaries to help fight while Dany is a little occupied. She not only threatened to kill not one of her brothers but both of them is the same episode. Jamie is finally getting smart and getting away from her, even if he is leaving to go fight an army of undead. I honestly think she might stick around to the end and keep the iron throne. She has no problem doing whatever it takes. She has a kid on the way and that is all she is worried about now (I still don’t think she will have the child because of the prophecy said she would only have three). Oh and the shot of snow falling on King's Landing was a beautiful reminder that winter is here.

The winterfell storyline finally did something amazing. Sansa’s “trial” of Littlefinger was a long time coming and with Bran there was no denying. I’m so glad Arya got to kill him with his own dagger. The sisters finally started acting like family.

Nice to see Theon having another chance at redemption. He had a nice moment with Jon about their dad, well technically Ned was neither of their father. I hope he gets to save Yara next season. I wonder where she is if Euron is going to Essos or could she already be dead?

The show finally says what all the fans have know for years, Jon is a true Targaryen and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. And they say it just as the two have sex for the first time, nothing new for this show. I’m sure this won’t be a problem. Dany will be cool with it, right? I mean the old Targaryens were into incest too. Maybe not we'll just have to wait and find out.

That last scene really was a little frightening, to see something that has been keeping the white walkers out for 8000 years to just go down like that. Now that the Night King has a dragon they are really going to cause some havoc. RIP Tormund and Beric? I don't think there were able to get off the wall in time but were they on the part still standing?

Great season, moved a little too fast and missed some of the slower character moments from old season. They definitely had some of the largest battle scenes TV has ever seen and I’m sure we are not done yet. Let the wait for season 8 begin…

I don't really know how to put in words my love for this show. This was a very satisfying finale and the description could not be more perfect.

We got the answers we needed but its up to us whether we want to believe them. I believe Nora but it doesn't matter. This has always been a love story between two very broken people. Kevin realizing he has been just running from his life and just keeps coming back (see the end of every season). He becomes obsessed about finding Nora and him coming up short for all those years is truly heartbreaking. Nora finding her children and realizing that she is not needed. Spending all that time to just look at them from a distance and see them one last time. They fixed their problems the best the could. In the end, when they finally get back together, they are honest with each other and can be happy together, no more bullet proof vests and bags over the head. The last shot was beautiful with the two of them in a house and the messages of love coming back home. This was a surprisingly happy ending to an overall very depressing show and I'm ok with that.

This is one of, if not, the greatest TV shows ever.

Danys back! That last scene was amazing. It was a long time coming and it was worth it, now lets see what she does next.

The scene between Cersei and Jamie with Euron was great. I wonder what the gift could be? Maybe he is bringing Robert's last bastard, Gendry? Jamie's look on his face when Euron said you should try killing you brother made me laugh. It’s like it just crossed his mind that she is actually capable of doing that.

Arya is not content with just killing Walder Frey, she had to kill them all. I realized about halfway through that scene and it was awesome to see her be a badass. The North Remembers! Oh and there is Ed Sheeran I wonder if we will see him again?

I loved that The Hound basically made fun of Thoros for having a man bun. Its crazy to see the way he has changed as a person and burying the people he left for dead a few seasons ago.

Sansa questioning Jon in front of everyone makes me think she wants to be in charge. I wonder if Littlefinger is rubbing off on her? Jon is concerned with the North but I think Sansa has more knowledge of everyone else and she is going to be important going forward.

I can’t get enough of Tormund hitting on Brienne. "You're a lucky man."

Sam's poop/soup montage was disgusting. He might be the most important part of this epsiode though. Finding the Dragon glass "mountain" might give the living folk an actual chance. Jon will probably be going to Dragonstone next week and we will finally get Jon and Daenerys face to face. And we get a glimpse at poor Jorah which seems the grey scale has gone into full effect.

Great episode to kick off the new season. We don't have a full 10 episodes so hopefully some big things happen next week.

"Wasn't sure I'd find you. Thought you might still be rowing." Davos finally said what the internet has been thinking for years.

So Jon is a true Targaryen and Sam is like shut up about the shits we got to go fight white walkers.

More reunions, besides Davos and Gendry, we have Jorah and Daenerys (which looks like he is still in the friendzone), Jorah and Tyrion, and Jaime and Tyrion (even if it is only for a minute).

Arya thinks she is spying on Littlefinger but acutally Littlefinger is manipulating like he always does. The scroll was from Sansa telling Robb to swear fealty to King Joffrey back from season 1. Trying to cause some sister fighting.

I love that Tormund doesn't even know Brienne's name. He just calls her "The big woman."

Is Sam the man of the Tarly house now? Or was there another brother? Does he have to back to Castle Black?

Cersei can’t have a fourth baby. The prophecy said she would only have three.

Thats a lot of wights. I’m not sure how 7 men are going to get one back below the wall. And is Tormund the only free folk that could go with them, wouldn't they want a few more? Next week looks like is going to be another Hardhome episode. Can’t wait!

That last scene was awesome. Too bad Euron couldn't of waited five more minutes for Ellaria to "invade" Yara. That drawbridge smashing someone was a perfect start to a big fight. RIP two of the three sand snakes. One of them cut Euron, did she poison the blade like Oberyn did to the Mountain? If he is poisoned and gets back to King's Landing fast enough maybe Qyburn can save him and turn him into an undead zombie too. So the gift is Ellaria Sand? It makes sense since she killed Cersi's daughter. Also poor Theon, Ramsay has ruined him for life. That cockless coward. The look Euron gave Theon and that laugh makes him certified crazy, right?

Daenerys plotting how to take over the Seven Kingdoms was fun. I'm glad they started right where they left off last episode. It is interesting to see all the women in power at that table. Daenerys calling out Varys was needed. He always seems like he is out for himself. He made a convincing argument but I'm not sure how much is true. Tyrion seems like he has the right idea with taking King's Landing with Westeros armies and Casterly Rock with the Dothraki. Too bad it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Will Daenerys take Olenna's advice and act like a dragon?

So is Melisandre going to be staying in Dragonstone and supporting Daenerys? Does she think the prophecy says Daenerys could be the one to bring the dawn or does she think that is Jon? It was also nice to see Missandei and Grey Worm finally show real feelings for each other. It did cross my mind that this is a sex scene with a unsullied.

Cersi trying to recruit is sad. Didn't seem like many came to her when she called and they aren't all convinced. Jamie talking to Randyll Tarly to become warden of the south but he still isn't sure he is on the winning side. So Cersi has a big cross bow that can go through an old dragon skull. I don't think they will kill any of the dragons. The only way I see any dragons dying is if they are fighting the white walkers. Then the Night King will bring it back and we could have a zombie dragon. Now that would be trouble. Would it breath fire or ice?

Jon leaving for Dragonstone is exciting. Daenerys and Jon meeting will sort of be a family reunion, because you know, Daenerys is his Aunt even if they don't know it. Sansa just keeps undermining Jon in front of everyone so might as well just put her in charge. Littlefinger is now on both Sansa's and Jon's shit list. I wonder how much longer he stays there or if he decides to turn on them?

We finally got the reunion we all wanted, HOT PIE and Arya! But seriously I'm glad someone told her and winterfell so she can head home. Too bad it looks like Jon will be gone. Another reunion with Arya and her direwolf Nymeria was short lived. At least she got to see her pet was still alive even if she has to let her go live her own alpha wolf life now.

That Jorah Greyscale scene was gross. I'm guessing Sam isn't going to get it to work. He was writing a letter to khalessi. Maybe he will try to go to Dragonstone before he loses his mind and maybe the dragon glass could cure him. Stannis' daughter was cured and they lived on Dragonstone, it could happen?

Good episode, things are moving pretty fast.

RIP Olenna Tyrell. The OG badass bitch, even when she is dying she still has to have the last laugh. She is right though, Cersei is a disease and she has infected Jamie. Cersei really is just the worst. What she is doing to Ellaria Sand is awful, fair but awful. Her alliance with Euron might really change the war or at least make it more even.

The battle for Casterly Rock was great, I loved Tyrion narrating how he expects it to go but it never goes as expected. This will end up being a huge misstep for Daenerys. Her army is spilt and they are now landlocked. At least she still has the dragons and the Dorthraki. Looks like Cersei has a couple of tricks up her sleeve.

It was nice to see another Stark reunion. Bran was a little creepy like, you looked so beautiful the night Ramsay raped you. Sansa seems like she is a natural born leader. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up Warden of the North or maybe even on the Iron Throne at the end. After all she has been through it would be fitting. Hopefully we will get another Stark reunion next week with Arya.

And of course we only have the biggest meeting of characters so far on this show. Jon and Daenerys finally meeting and they introduced her with a thousand names and Davos was like "This is Jon Snow... He's King in the North." Jon seems a little petty not to just bend the knee. Its not like he wants the iron throne. The Starks were loyal to the Targaryens in the past. A little gesture could of gone a long way but at least they have some dragon glass. I think the only way he is going to convince her or anyone is to capture a white walker and bring it back.

Quick thoughts:
Theon is alive, maybe another chance for redemption?
How will the iron bank play into this war? If Cersei has money who is she going to get to fight for her?
Jorah is healthy, I hope he goes to dragonstone right away and she takes him back. I bet she was just thinking when she sent him to "find a cure" that he was going to die. She is in for a surprise.
Why does Melisandre, and Varys, need to die in Westeros?
Cersei gives zero fucks now, who cares that people she her in bed with Jamie. The Targaryens did it so why not the Lannisters.
I can't get enough of Euron and Jamie, I hope they more awkward scenes together.
I wonder if Daenerys is going to follow up on "taking a knife in the heart?"

Sad to Nikki die. I wanted her to get her revenge. I'm also kinda bummed Emmit died too. Mr. Wrench must of really be fond of Nikki and who wouldn't be. Side note how did Emmit drive away after the shootout with the cop, I thought his car broke down right before that? I kind of like it that they left it on a cliffhanger letting us decide what happens. Do we root for evil, manipulating the truth to get the facts they want and getting away or do we root for the good, the truth is the truth and you can't change that.

I think the theme of the season between good and evil, truth and lies, Gloria and Varga was very interesting. Looking back on the beginning of every episode where its says "This is a true story" and then true goes away and then it is just story really hits on this theme. What is being told is it the truth or is it just a story? I always thought it was just funny they did this like the movie but it has some real meaning this season. Truth vs facts.

I went back and watched the first scene of the first episode and it was very similar to the last scene. A man is accused of killing his girlfriend and he denies it. He's not the same name or age but lives in the same location as the dead girlfriend's boyfriend. The cop doesn't believe his "story" because he has proof of where he lives and they need to pin this on someone. So which is true, the story or the facts? It ends where we don't know who "won" there just like the end of the season.

"This is not going to go the way you think"

That's what kept happening to me. I thought one thing was going to happen and then something entirely different happens. I find that very entertaining. I really liked the way this was shot, the editing was fantastic. It was a little long. I really liked what Rian Johnson was able to expand on this universe while still focusing on a Skywalker story. I think the new Star Wars trilogy he is in charge of is in good hands.

I need a little more time to digest the movie and I would like to see it again before I give all my thoughts on the story. This felt like its own story and not a rehash at all. I think this is going into a very interesting direction. I look forward to seeing what J.J. Abrams can do.

EDIT:

After a second viewing I still really like this. I think it moves the story and universe forward. Not much happens directly happens between the First Order and the Resistance. A lot of resistance die and their base is blown up but that’s nothing new for them and they did blow up the First Order’s base in TFA. The main point of the movie is character development. Like Kylo Ren said, "Let the past die." I think that is what this movie does. And not just because Luke dies or Snoke dies but they aren't going to rely on the original trilogy for everything.

I think part of the reason this movie having some fan backlash is because this movie does its own thing. It takes what The Force Awakens sets up and just kills certain plot points people have been theorizing about for 2 years. If you just sit back and go with what the movie is trying to accomplish then you will have a better time then trying to fight everything this movie does.

Rey's Parents: Nobodies. Unexpected but I can totally buy i . Especially with the last shot on the orphan kid with force powers. The Force was trying to balance itself matching Kylo Ren with Rey. I know people wanted her to be a Kenobi but I think this is more interesting.

Snoke's backstory: We got nothing. He is killed off without finding out anything about how he rose to power. Was he someone we would of known from before or are we just spoiled and expect him to be someone? Did Kylo Ren want his power or was he just trying to get away from him.

Luke training Rey: We all thought this was going to be like Yoda training Luke in Empire Strikes Back but it goes in an unexpected direction. There really wasn't any training. Rey has the Jedi books but will that help her? Maybe Luke will come back as a Force Ghost to coach her like Ben did for him.

Yoda coming back, as a puppet, was great to see. Luke and Leia's "reunion" was also nice to see. The Crait landscape was really cool with all the salt and red dirt. Crystal Critters and Porgs are specifically in here to sell toys. I totally thought they were going to be annoying but I was surprised and I actually really like Porgs.

There were some things I thought were a little stupid. Leia saving herself using the force to fly? I was genuinely shocked because I knew they weren't going kill her off after Carrie Fisher's unfortunate death but I thought maybe they would. Her having strong force powers I assumed but her never really using them and then all of a sudden flying to save her life was a little Deus Ex Machina.

Finn and Rose's story was my least favorite of the three main plot lines. It felt a little point less. Why did Finn call Maz too? He barley knows her. So they go find a code breaker, which happened to be played by Justin Theroux and I got super excited because I love The Leftovers TV show, but it just was a cameo. Benicio Del Toro's DJ was an interesting character. He is right, there are no good guys and bad guys, only people who are looking for personal gain whether it is ruling the Galaxy or more money. Is Phasma dead now? She fell into fire but I hope she can come back. She still really hasn't done much. It really is this plot line that expands the universe with weapon dealers and Force sensitive orphans and most of new creatures. I think this is what Rian Johnson's new trilogy could be the most like, more of a political drama with interesting new planets and creatures then a space epic. That might not be what people want from Star Wars but as a fan of Sci-fi I'm excited to see what he can do.

If The Force Awakens was about looking back and connecting it to the past, The Last Jedi was about looking forward and looking to the future.

This movie is right behind TFA for me. Here is a list of my personal rankings of all the Star Wars movies:

https://letterboxd.com/nmahoney416/list/star-wars-ranked/

That last scene was amazing. I love that we are getting huge battles more than once a season, probably because they have more of a budget per episode. Drogon is a total game changer, one second Jamie thinks he can hold off the Dorthraki. The next he is just about shitting his pants. Bronn did show that they are mortal and can be hurt. Jamie charging at Daenerys while Tyrion was watching was great. Tyrion still cares, at least a little, for Jamie and wants him to live. It not often we see two main characters directly fighting each other. Glad to see Daenerys get a win and Jamie not dead, hopefully.

Jon and Daenerys are getting closer. They seem to start to like each other more every scene they have together. Jon finding the cave paintings of white walkers was convenient. Hey look at this giant rock we are going to mine. Oh, look over there, there are old paintings of white walkers. Told you there were real. Jon still won’t bend the knee but he doesn’t want to be the king. A little stubborn, like daenerys too. Someone is going to have to give.

Another stark reunion only this time it didn’t feel as special. Maybe it's because we have seen a lot of reunions lately but it didn’t seem like they were that excited to see each other. Then Sansa’s like, Brans home too. Why did littlefinger give that dagger to Bran? Will Bran find out who tried to kill him with it? Was it actually littlefinger himself, he said he “lost” it to Tyrion. But hey at least Arya now has some valyrian steel.

The Arya and Brienne fight was fun. It crazy to see how well Arya was trained as an assassin by ’no one’. She still is a little girl that can be kicked down by Brienne but still very deadly. Sansa is seeing it for the first time too. I’m sure she is wondering who her sister has become fighting like that and having a list of people to kill.

I love how Davos introduces Jon. "King Snow, isn't it? No that doesn't sound right. King Jon?" Personally I like King Jon Targaryen.

"To be born is to have a soul, I guess"

EDIT: Third time seeing it and still in awe of how beautiful this movie is and how perfect the score is.

This is sci-fi done right. Everything from the cinematography to score to the color palette to the acting were all fantastic. Denis Villeneuve has another winner. It seems like he did the impossible and gave a worthy sequel to a classic. Hans Zimmer's score really sets the mood. The visuals are where this movie really shines. The colors, the landscapes, the holograms and even the ads are all beautiful and it really expands on what Ridley Scott was able to do 35 years ago. This deserves to be seen on the big screen. Ryan Gosling gives one of his best performances. Harrison Ford was good with his limited screen time but it was Sylvia Hoeks' Luv who really stood out.

I can't wait to see this again and see what new things I will catch. One of the best films of the year and one of the best sci-fi films so far this century.

EDIT: I saw it again, twice in three days, and it just got so much better the second time. Usually if I watch the same movie that close I get bored but I was so into it that the 2 hours and 43 minutes run time went by quick. I think it became my favorite movie this year so far. It still is a visual treat to watch and must be experienced on the big screen. What Roger Deakins was able to do is Oscar worthy and I hope he finally wins one.

Some things I picked up on the second were more of the symbolism of the two female leads, Joi and Luv. Joi isn't real and K has Joi that makes him happy and gives him joy. Even when K gives her the ability to move around freely and the go to the rooftop and have an intimate moment only to be ruined by a work call. That really is what joy is, an illusion of happiness, but it can be ruined by work or something else. Then there is Luv where she is determined to do what Wallace asked her. She ends up fighting with K and destroying Joi, whose last words were I love you. Love will destroy your joy and you will struggle with Love.

After K has been beaten and bruised and lost the only thing that made him happy he happens to run into another (large) Joi is just a slap in the face. Joi repeating phrases K's said earlier and saying he looks like a Joe. I think it is at this point he realized that Joi was never real. He realizes he can be more than human by fighting (and dying) for the right cause. He has to fight for what is real, Deckard and his daughter. This scene was beautiful but I think it has much more meaning and depth.

There really aren't any villians in this movie. Wallace is fighting to help human kind by making more replicants. Lieutenant Joshi is trying to keep the peace by not letting replicants reproduce. The old nexus replicants just want to live their lives in peace. K is caught in the middle of all of this.

P.S. When Ryan Gosling started to play the piano in Sapper's house I really wanted him to go full La La Land and play City of Stars.

“Death is the enemy. The first enemy. And the last.
But we all die.
The enemy always wins but we still need to fight him.”

That's what the white walkers are, Death. There is no reason for them wanting to kill everyone, they don’t want the iron throne, they just want to bring death. The battle scenes were intense. Jon and his crew did fight but it is not without death. Thoros, Uncle Benjen (he was on screen for like 10 seconds) and most importantly Viserion. RIP sorta. The night king has an arm and he now upgraded from an undead horse to an undead dragon.

I’m glad Jon decided it is more important to swallow his pride and bend the knee. I was surprised it was Tormund who kinda talked him into it. I’m sure another near death experience also put some things in perspective. Side Note: How did he not die of hypothermia, I mean he was under a frozen lake for a while and then had a long ride back to the wall in wet clothes?

Daenerys is really going on the offensive recently but one of these times Tyrion is going to be right and she won’t listen to him. She already lost one of her dragons. Will that slow her down? It looks like Jon and her really have some strong feelings for each other now. Once they find out Jon is a Targaryen will she be happy about it or mad since he has a greater claim to the iron throne?

I really enjoyed all the chatter from everyone north of the wall before the fighting. I loved the hound and Tormund going back and forth. Especially when he brings up Brienne. “Ah, dick. I like it. I bet you do.” It's crazy how intertwined everyone is and how they all came from different places to fight this one battle.

The whole Arya and Sansa fighting is a little strange. I don’t know why Arya would just want to kill Sansa? I mean does she really think she is going to betray her family now? When Sansa found the faces it made we think was Arya acting as Littlefinger earlier in the episode? Was she acting as Sansa when she sent away Brienne? Why is Sansa needed in King’s Landing? Does she need to kill them before she can use their faces?

You can really see with the shorter season where the budget is going. The special effects are amazing with all the wights and dragons and undead polar bears. They aren’t cutting any corners. Now the long(er) wait for the finale begins.

Nobody makes movies like Tom Cruise. I was hooked the entire time. Great action throughout but the plot was a little hard to follow at first. There are too many separate characters to follow. I loved Hayley Atwell and hope she sticks around in the series but killing off Rebecca Ferguson should be a crime. Can't wait for part two.

Seeing this again confirmed my feelings that this is a great movie but not as great as the last few Mission Impossibles. Some loose thoughts:

I'm still mad they killed Ilsa. She is such a great counterpart to Ethan. She deserves better than to just be part of Ethan's motivation. I'm holding out hope that she could come back somehow in the next one.
Grace is cool but is no replacement Ilsa.
Plot feels a little rough overall.
The cops following Ethan felt unnecessary. Maybe they will have something more to do in the second but in this one they felt extra.
The AI is interesting and I want to know more on what it can do.
Gabriel's backstory and motivation are lacking. Hopefully part 2 makes him a better character.
The train scene was great. The jump was overhyped but still impressive. The car chase was fun. None of these lived up to Fallout's stunts and that's not fair.

The second one can definitely make this better but for now on its own, it's a great movie.