Game of Thrones

I have to admit, this episode resonated with me more than the previous one. Arya and the Hound have become an odd yet dynamic duo that just works for me — they've been the most entertaining part of the show for a while now. Tyrion is amusing even in his cell, and Brienne’s quest has a new direction. However, Daenerys and the Wall are still stagnating. I also have this nagging feeling that the Mountain has changed his face for the second time, but I might be wrong. (12/13/2017)

A mixed bag for me. There were significant events, but the less important ones didn't lag behind, making the episode feel unbalanced. On the positive side, the final scene with the perfect duel was fantastic. Sansa Stark’s character finally showed some development (and I don’t mean just aging another year), and Arya and the Hound once again reached their destination. On the downside, I’m pretty indifferent to the Theon/Reek storyline, and most of the conversations in this episode felt pointless. (12/14/2017)

I wish I had actually seen the battle. I get that only a madman would attack the Wall during daylight, but sometimes I got a bit lost in the darkness. And of course, there had to be a heart-wrenching scene with a dying character we were emotionally invested in. The fighting almost stops for a moment, just so the viewer can shed a tear. The creators sure know how to play that cliché. (12/14/2017)

If it weren't for Bran's annoying storyline, this could've been a five-star episode. I really can't stand that crew. The most interesting events took place in King's Landing — Cersei's talk with Tywin and Tyrion's revenge were fantastic, as was the ending with Varys. Even at the Wall, things were exciting with another solid fight scene. Downsides: Tywin's death — Cold as he was, I enjoyed him. Upsides: Jojen and Shae — I'm thrilled I won't have to watch them anymore. (12/14/2017)

Season 5 was a disappointment. I have to admit that, a couple of times, I found myself just staring blankly at the screen while my brain was trying to process the latest twist of logic. Oh well, it was to be expected as the season had two highlights for many viewers: Sansa's wedding night and Cersei's walk of shame. It seems that some people just can't find a suitable porn site, so they get off on HBO shows. What I prefer is a good fantasy story, as I have no trouble finding porn online. (12/15/2017)

I initially thought the episode would easily hit four stars, but then the show threw in a bunch of pointless conversations in King's Landing and yet another round of gay soft porn, which I could really do without. Such a shame because the dialogues between Varys and Tyrion were, as always, fantastic. (12/14/2017)

Season five isn't winning me over so far. In this episode, a lot happens, yet it feels like nothing significant occurs. Everyone talks, but few get to the point. No one wants Brienne around, so she decides to fulfill her promises regardless. Daenerys is stuck in Meereen, and after the Wall's events, Jaime heads off to Dorne. Honestly, it’s a bit of a snooze. (12/14/2017)

The third episode offered more of the same. It wasn't particularly entertaining, though I was glad to see Janos finally meet his end. The plot barely moved forward, Braavos was downright boring, and every conversation between Stannis and Jon hit the same dead end. Even Tyrion, who has drunk his way through three episodes, is starting to lose his charm. (12/14/2017)

Given my absolute disdain for religious fanatics of any kind, I've never found Jonathan Pryce more repulsive in a role. The Dornish adventure turned out to be as disappointing as I feared, and the situation in Meereen left me puzzled. Who exactly are the Unsullied supposed to be? The best soldiers? If so, this episode must have been some parody that completely went over my head. (12/14/2017)

Another standard episode from season five. We saw some decisions being made and two expeditions are gearing up in the North (one for war and one for evacuation), but the plot remained disappointingly shallow and didn't offer much new. The ending with Tyrion and Jorah was the only highlight, and if anyone nodded off during the episode, this scene might have jolted them awake. (12/15/2017)

Either season five just isn't working for me, or I'm missing something, although I had no issues with the book. Jaime's mission to rescue Myrcella feels overly naive, the Sand Snakes, who were intriguing in the book, are painfully dull on screen, and Arya's storyline is currently a snooze-fest. All my hopes are pinned on the North. (12/15/2017)

Stannis's forces are stuck in the snow like the 6th Army at Stalingrad, Jon made a decision last episode and is now starting to put his plan into action, but everything around him is painfully slow. The only part I truly enjoyed was Tyrion's thorny journey to Daenerys. (12/15/2017)

I could nitpick a few factual details, but I was so thrilled to finally be engaged with an episode that I'll let them slide. Five stars it is. (12/15/2017)

I’m starting to wonder if the creators decided to pour all their effort into just two (or maybe three? We’ll see) episodes this season. I liked this one too. Stannis is still stuck in his own Stalingrad, Arya’s adventures in Braavos are finally getting interesting, and there’s a major twist in Meereen. Judging by the number of them, it seems like every other citizen belongs to the Sons of the Harpy. (12/15/2017)

Compared to the last two episodes, this one felt like a step down. Not that I was bored — there was certainly plenty going on — but some things just didn’t sit right with me. Brienne casually strolling through the battlefield to get her revenge (did Stannis have a GPS on him or what?) and Cersei’s walk of atonement dragged on forever. I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to shock, awe, or disgust me; it just felt tedious, and I found myself hitting the fast-forward button. On the upside, Arya's brutal scene was surprisingly entertaining. (12/15/2017)

Season 6 almost buried the series for me. I’m saying almost because I've made it through six seasons, so I won't be a pussy and I'll make it through the seventh. Okay, to be fair, I enjoyed Season 4 quite a bit. Season 5 was still alright, but what to say of Season 6? The biggest problem was that the writers rejected any kind of logic. If something doesn't make sense to me, I'm hardly going to like it. They didn’t bother with storytelling either. It was just about the need to shock at any cost. But not even that worked, which it couldn’t, given how predictable everything was. (12/17/2017)

Season 6 kicked off with numerous logical inconsistencies. I was especially disappointed not to see the miraculous somersault that Theon and Sansa must have pulled off during their suicidal jump from the castle walls, as they escaped without a scratch or a compound fracture. Brienne, yet again, proved she’s guided by some sort of GPS, conveniently finding her target in the middle of the forest right on time. And that final scene? It left me feeling like my brain had just been assaulted. (12/15/2017)

I guess I missed the memo on the creators' intentions this time, or maybe the writers think I have short-term memory loss. The Night's Watch, the supposedly last bastion of the civilized world, surrenders without a fight, despite having fought to the last drop of blood just a few episodes ago. Tyrion disguises himself as a merchant in Meereen, and suddenly no one recognizes him unless he gives himself away with his noble gait? And here I was, the fool, thinking his dwarf stature might be a giveaway! After two episodes, it's still going nowhere. (12/15/2017)

Alright, I've accepted that it's not going to get any better. Arthur Dayne fought like a god against multiple opponents, but against just one, he took forever. The illogical moments were so frequent that it's pointless to address each one. I'm curious, who gave Bran that "stylish" haircut while he was stuck in the cave? The episode was filled with pointless conversations and monologues, and the "pissing contest" in King's Landing was just so "fascinating." (12/16/2017)

A totally believable adventure through the dark alleys (???!!!) of Vaes Dothrak. It seems our nomads have settled in, and civilization is clearly on the rise, bringing urbanization with it. I found significant flaws in Tyrion's plan for the Slaver’s Bay situation, and the conversations with the High Septon are dull and annoying. To remind us what a bastard Ramsay is, Osha makes a brief return, and Daenerys once again emerges unscathed from the flames (Not sure if the writers ran out of ideas or if it was just time for another topless scene). (12/16/2017)