Game of Thrones: 8.05 - The Bells

[Judderman]

Brian, do you work for HBO?
Good to see there are people who really enjoyed it.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Brian, do you work for HBO?
Good to see there are people who really enjoyed it.

I think it helps to watch anything with very low expectations. I'd heard a lot of complaints so was expecting much worse.

I suspect most people had too high expectations and were disappointed when these weren't met. But GRRM has never written to expectations, as we learned with Ned Stark.

 

[L.L.Lotte]

Cersei and Jaime was a little disappointing after all the prophecies of the Valonqar, but c'est la vie.

Btw, before I watched this I heard a lot of news reporting about people being unhappy with how Game of Thrones went this season, but so far I've thought it was really good - this episode was quite fantastic for its effect - so I'm not sure what the complaints about. Then again, I can start reading this thread now so perhaps I'll get to see.

And that is why we all said in the other thread to watch it regardless of those complaints and make your own mind up about it. The problems people are having are completely subjective.

Cersei and Jaime was a little disappointing after all the prophecies of the Valonqar, but c'est la vie.

That's why I said in the other thread that I hoped you weren't too disappointed when you started talking about the Valonqar because it's like the show completely forgot all about prophecies and what not. I'm 100% positive Cersei will go out differently in the books.

 

[Al Jackson]

That's why I said in the other thread that I hoped you weren't too disappointed when you started talking about the Valonqar because it's like the show completely forgot all about prophecies and what not. I'm 100% positive Cersei will go out differently in the books.

They did fill out Dany's Season 2 'vision' , she even seemed to grab the same sword hilt in 8.6 which in 2.10 she does not touch.

 

[DawnC]

I love the creators attempt to show the horrific side of war in this with the commoners' point of view. This was the most stunning episode of the show with some of the best editing in tv. Visually, the episode is stunning, and if that's all it hinges on I might have given it higher. The problem though is that there is absolutely no sense for what happens. Daenerys descent into madness seems complete, as she inexplicably turns Drogon onto the innocent people of Kings Landing, despite having clearly won the battle.

 

[BT Jones]

Well, that was an incredibly dramatic episode!

The killing of Varys seemed a waste - Dany announced herself as queen, while stood next to Jon who everyone present knew was the rightful heir.

The attack on the fleet - out of the sun - was daring, but the dragon bursting through the walls from behind and over the Golden Company was a great moment. The whole tension about ringing the bells was superbly done, and the expressions on the Lannister officer as you could see him deciding to surrender was great.

For a moment, we had the joy of victory - and then the horror of revenge by Dany's forces.

Her dragon attack on the city itself was horrifying and well done for it - we didn't even see Dany, but it's clear she's lost it. I've mentioned in the books how she never seemed to learn how to rule when overseas, and here it's clearly demonstrated that she is not fit to rule, and mustn't be allowed to rule.

The final duel between Gregor and Sandor was brilliant - such a dramatic backdrop, and totally deserving of the fight.

Cersei and Jaime was a little disappointing after all the prophecies of the Valonqar, but c'est la vie.

Thought Arya was a goner and Jon finding her body would make him personally see to the end of Dany's rule. Now Arya has escaped the city, it remains to be seen just how everyone is going to deal with Dany.

Btw, before I watched this I heard a lot of news reporting about people being unhappy with how Game of Thrones went this season, but so far I've thought it was really good - this episode was quite fantastic for its effect - so I'm not sure what the complaints about. Then again, I can start reading this thread now so perhaps I'll get to see.

I agree with everything you say here @Brian G Turner. I only just watched episode 8.5 last night and really enjoyed it. Yes, there have been a few stark and convenient plot twists (I would have had Arya killing the Night King by wearing an undead face and sneaking up on him, given how well established it was that she was a master of stealth and imitation), but I have found it thrilling and satisfying.

I also found Danni's choice entirely plausible based on the upbringing she had, all the abuse she was exposed to, and how a number of tiny things going against her culminated in her essentially losing the plot and unleashing her rage on everything.

I think most people are upset by these character choices, the deaths of characters they have been fond, and how this wasn't perhaps the ending they'd imagined (haven't seen 8.6 yet, but I can guess how it might turn out). That's a big thing in this day and age of information / entertainment overload; people feeling they should almost be able to direct the way THEY want a show or movie to go, when that kind of attitude would have been laughable 10/20 years ago. When it doesn't meet their expectations, it's a 0/10 / disgrace / debacle.

Some fans / viewers just lose all objectivity when it comes to ratings. If a show is well written, well made, enjoyable, thrilling, and in keeping with the ethos of the show, then how can it be anything less than a 7/10? 1/10 should be reserved for lazy writing, horrible plotting, poor character development, etc. Likewise, 10/10 should be saved for shows / movies that are beyond reproach and cannot be bettered. I will always remember one particular IMDB review for something that the rater had given 10/10, and it literally started with the words 'Well, it wasn't perfect but...' Ridiculous.



Anotehr