Games of Thrones: Season 5, Episode 8: Hardhome
This is easily in my top three episodes of this show. I’m not sure what order it’s in, but the other two are “The Rains of Castamere” and “Blackwater.” As great as this show is, it’s saying a lot when they have a particularly standout episode. I mean holy crap! It really seemed as though this was going to be another tension building episode that climaxed in a later one, but it definitely fooled me, if no one else.
The episode starts pretty routinely. Tyrion and Daenerys had a very interesting interaction. Poor Jorah the Explorer got banished yet again for his efforts, which is a little messed up. I thought Tyrion and Jorah were doing a nice amount of bonding, but it seems like Tyrion was only using him to demonstrate his own value. The good news is that he saved Jorah’s life… whatever good that is considering his lethal ailment. I have a feeling this is going to get better, considering the sense of abandon both he and Tyrion are now exhibiting. Tyron really gives no f*cks, which is definitely understandable when you think about how far he has fallen from grace.
Cersei’s situation seems to be getting no better (well it’s getting better for the viewers). In addition to her harsh treatment and upcoming trial from the High Septon and the faith militant, she now has to deal with the news that her son has lost whatever balls he may have had. Tommen is just not a good king. I mean he’s a decent enough kid, but he’s so weak. Then on top of that news, she has the news of her hated uncle Kevan coming back to be the Hand of the King. It seems like there will be nothing too good in her future… unless of course you count the creation of Mountainstein by Qyburn. That may be her only saving grace, not that she deserves to be saved or anything. Luckily for Jaime, he’s gone during all of this so it may be over before he gets the chance to be put to trail.
Arya had her first faceless mission this week. The waif (who’s clearly a hater) thinks she isn’t ready, but Jaqen seems to disagree. He has set her up with a new identity with which to punish an insurance salesman who doesn’t make good on his promises. Im glad to see that she’s finally becoming the weapon she wants to be. Even though she has definitely killed in the past, I’m wondering if she would be willing to poison this man who has never wrong her with the sacred murder water or whatever it is. She’s just such a good character with so much potential for constant arcing.
In Winterfell, Sansa has confronted Reek/Theon for betraying her. I wonder if he feels better about his betrayal after she told him how she really feels about him. While watching him talk about his past before and during his early days with Ramsay, I remembered how he once was. It’s kind of hard to not look at that contrast and believe that Alfie Allen may be the best actor on the show. It’s such a complete transformation that one has to give him respect. Of all the characters on the show I feel sorry for him the most, since he was put between a rock and a hard place, came out on top and then was COMPLETELY screw by his father and then Ramsay. Fortunately he has finally confessed his great deception to Sansa. It gave her a lot of hope to hear that two more of her brothers are alive, but what she does with that information will determine her fate. I’m actually kind of interested in seeing where that goes.
Now we’re down to the nitty gritty as the once young folk used to and possibly still do call it. Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane. You two were once just kind of annoying, but now you’re the most interesting thing on the show. Jon’s quest to unite the Free Folk with the Westerosi seemed like it was mostly doomed to failure and then sh*t hit the fan! In a complete left field, “bet you didn’t see this coming moment” they were attacked by the white walkers. I can’t even explained how amazing the scene was, but it shows the clear danger that EVERYONE is in. If the kingdom south of the wall doesn’t unify, then the world is freakin’ doomed! Winter is here.
All of the dialogue, camera work and choreography was top notch here. The reveal of Jon’s Valyrian Steel sword being just as good against them as dragon glass was particularly epic. He definitely wouldn’t have survived otherwise. Another thing that I liked was the fact that they definitely showed the difference betweens the wights and the Others. It seemed like they might be interchangeable at first, but this was perfect. It’s good to see the wights can die in normal ways, even though their more intelligent masters are a bit more hardy. Let’s not even get into how insanely creepy it was to see those zombie kids murder a mother and just instead think about how awesome the giant was. Why don’t they bring a few more of those guys with them? I do doubt they will be looking for any more Free Folk to take with them though.
The scene and episode end perfectly with the display of the white walker’s most feared power. The silence involved in that and the credits was perfect for how bleak things seemed. Fortunately, Jon will have thousands of witness when he takes his information back to Castle Black where I hope he stops taking Sam’s advice. Maybe it’ll even keep him from being murdered by the brothers in black that hate him, especially Ollie, who I do not trust even a little bit.
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
