A Potpourri of Vestiges Review
By Murtaza Ali Khan
By Murtaza Ali Khan
I just finished watching 'Eastwatch', the Episode #5 of Game of Thrones, Season 7 and before I share my views I must give the mandatory SPOILER ALERT!
Compared to 'The Spoils of War', Game of Thrones' Season 7 Episode 5 'Eastwatch' is like a slow dance. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing! We all know that it's these ebbs and flows that make the show what it is. Traditionally after an action packed episode the show runners typically go for an episode like 'Eastwatch' where the focus is more on characters and plot advancements than carnage.
Eastwatch opens up just after the cliffhanger from the last episode wherein Bronn had barely saved Jamie from being roasted alive by Drogon, only to fall into the nearby river. The way the episode ended had given fans of Kingslayer jitters. For, it wasn't clear if Jamie with all his heavy armor would be able to swim upwards or would he drown. But, thank god, Jamie is alive after all. Only he is a tad bit wiser now. The overhead shot of Jamie with the smoke still rising up reminds us of the damage that Daenerys Targaryen/Drogon and the Dothraki did in 'The Spoils of War'. Speaking of wisdom, it's Bronn who is definitely the wiser of the two man. He plainly tells Jamie, "Dragons are where our partnership ends". But certainly we haven't seen the last of Bronn yet. More on him later.
Next we move closer to the battle scene with Tyrion walking through the ashes and the debris. He is obviously aghast by the very sight as the Dothraki are busy robbing the dead of their weapons. Next we see the captured Lannister soldiers being rallied off by the Dothraki. Khaleesi seems to be in a jolly good mood as she offers them amnesty in return of their loyalty. Almost all of them agree to bend their knee. What other option do they have with a mighty dragon on the watch? Alas, Lord Tarly and his brave son Dickon (what a D**k!!!) are stubborn enough to cling to their honor. The ever so kind hearted Tyrion tries to convince his queen to send them to the Nightwatch but their fate his sealed when Lord Tarly refuses to take the Black. Dany doesn't waste her time in listening to Tyrion's excuses and spells out the death curse 'Dracarys' and in a jiffy Drogon burns them both alive as the Imp watches helplessly.
Back in King's Landing, Jamie comes to see Cersei and gives a account of Dany's might. But Cersei is unfazed. Jamie then tells Cersei that it wasn't Tyrion who killed Joffrey. Meanwhile Dany returns to Dragonstone on Drogon's back after her triumph as we witness something extraordinary: a bond of trust developing between Drogon and Jon. By now we all know that Jon is not Ned's bastard but the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. But Drogon's affection towards Jon leaves Dany a bit amused to say the least. Maybe it will trigger an affection in her heart for the King in the North. Certainly it boosts Dany's trust in Jon. Speaking of trust, her most trustworthy servant is back to serve her and he looks fit as a fiddle, thanks to the efforts of the abandoned son of the very Lord she just burnt alive along with his other son. Khaleesi is so delighted to see Ser Jorah that she just can't resist hugging him. It's a beautiful moment that almost brought tears to my eyes. Jon sees all this is a bit shocked to see a mighty queen embrace her servant. But then what does Jon know about love or anything else, for that matter? Poor Ygritte!
In possible the most important scene of the episode we see Bran sending ravens beyond the wall to get an estimate of the Night's King and his army of the dead. Bran also asks for ravens to be send to the Citadel but the ignorant maesters there are as skeptical about the White Walkers as anybody else in Westeros. Sam tries his best to convince them but fails. More on Sam later.
In Dragonstone we see a pensive looking Varys discuss his premonitions with Tyrion about the Mad King's hot headed daughter. Next, in Dany's war room, Jon shares his fears about the approaching army of the dead as Tyrion unleashes another of his master plans which involves convincing Cersei beyond doubt about the existence of the White Walkers so that every living soul in Westeros is united against the army of the dead. All that's required is to capture a Wight and present it to Cersei. No, I am not kidding! As suicidal as it sounds, Jon agrees to it. But first Tyrion must meet Jamie and convince him about the danger that Winter is set to bring with it. So Davos arranges a passage for Tyrion who finally meets his estranged brother. And it's Bronn again who makes it happen. The two Lannisters meet but it's less of a union and more of diplomacy. Meanwhile Gendry, King Robert's bastard son, finally makes a return to the show after years of absence and yet again it's courtesy of the Onion Knight. He has a really cool hammer that he doesn't mind brandishing. Gendry meets Jon in Dragonstone and reveals his true identity against the wishes of Davos.
In Winterfell, we see tensions rising between Sansa and Arya. And it gives just the right opening to the one man who has been rather quiet this whole season. Littlefinger has been the master of almost all the bad things that have happened in Westeros so far. It was Petyr Baelish who masterminded Jon Arryn's death. He also betrayed Ned Stark. He was also behind Joffrey's death which resulted in Tyrion's exile. He also gave away Sansa to the Boltons resulting in that horrific rape that Sansa suffered at the hands of Ramsay. Littlefinger is the personification of evil but let's not forget that he once loved someone truly. It was the rejection that transformed him into the cold blooded person he is. That makes him a tragic figure no less than Heathcliff or Hamlet. He is certainly my favorite character and I am particularly happy to see him finally making some moves that may pay dividend in the coming episodes. According to some he may not live beyond this season. While I hope that's not the case I would very much like to see him redeem himself before his bids adieu.
In King's Landing Cersei learns from Qyburn that she is pregnant. When Jamie comes to her with the proposition for an armistice made by Tyrion she surprisingly accepts. This means that Dany wouldn't be attacking King's Landing with her dragons any time soon. But let's not forget that Cersei is only trying to buy some time and sooner or later she will go trigger a war. Also, going by the prophecy of Maggy the Frog it's difficult to imagine that Cersei would bear another child. I strongly believe that the worst is yet to come for Cersei. And I just can't wait for that moment when she finally rests in peace.
Another important development in 'Eastwatch' involves Sam who at least for now doesn't have any clue about the fate of his father and brother. But he does seem to have found a clue about Jon's true parentage. In fact, it's not Sam but Gilly who seems to discover something about Rhaegar's secret marriage to someone. However, I don't think that Sam has managed to make a note of it but I am certain that this bit of info can prove to be handy some time later. Sam who is frustrated reading accounts of 'better men' finally decides to leave Citadell without becoming a maester. But, maester or not, few men can brag about feats like killing a White Walker and curing the Greyscale. There is no doubt in my mind whatsover that when Uncle Martin would have written the character he would have had Tolkien's Samwise Gamgee in mind.
Back in Dragonstone, Jon bids farewell to Dany (they share a tender moment when Dany says that she has grown used to him) and leaves with Davos, Gendry and Jorah who head towards the Wall to complete the mission. At the Wall, they meet Tormund Giantsbane who gets the shock of his life when Jon tells him about his plan. He also tells Jon about the three weird looking men he has captured. If you haven't guessed it already, I am referring to the humble servants of the Lord of Light: the Hound, Thoros and Beric. All these men share a lot of history and are highly unlikely allies, but Jon sees it differently. "We are all on the same side," says Jon. "We are all breathing," he adds. And that's that! We can expect some kickass fighting North of the Wall as confirmed by the Ep. 6 preview. Night's King and his army are already on the march and so capturing a Wight isn't going to be a cakewalk. I hope that all hell breaks loose. Valar Morghulis!
Btw, GoT Episode 6 Preview is out and it's already trending on YouTube. You can watch it here:
Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your valuable thoughts are highly appreciated!
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