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Reviews
Game of Thrones: Dragonstone (2017)
A Topsy - turvy start
I was eagerly waiting for Game of Thrones to return ever since Cersei blew up the Sept and Danaerys set sail to Westeros in Season 6 Finale. But does this episode live up to this hype? The answer is not a strict yes or no. Instead, this premiere marked a Topsy - turvy start to the season.
Although nothing eventful happens in season premieres, but considering the reduced episode count for this season, this premiere should have been action packed. It had its moments - humour, revenge, remorse but the narrative momentum never attained a desirable pace. The starting sequence of Arya's revenge increased the hype manifold and as soon as the opening theme started, I couldn't wait anymore. But again, the episode didn't really take off.
The scenes at King's landing - Cersei and Jaime realizing their odds in the war to come, Euron Greyjoy's entry and his proposal to Cersie - were well enacted and laid a foundation to an alliance to be witnessed in the war. Things started going downhill when Euron left promising to return with a "gift" (This was really predictable). Then we see Sam cleaning "pots", having weird meals, sorting books and weighing organs. The editing in this part was on point and prevented the scene from seeming out of place. I, honestly, would be happy if Sam did not return for further scenes in the same episode. But, nah. Another scene where Sam gets "access" to the restricted area in the library and him finding out important information about dragon-glass, seemed rushed and I think, was not necessary to be shown in the premiere. Maybe this would have been more appropriate in the next episode?!
Also, Jorah Mormont is at the Citadel locked in a room. He extends his arm out of a small window just to ask if Dany has reached Westeros. This was weird and honestly, disappointing. Also, there is a rather long sequence of Hound with BWB (Brotherhood without banners) where they find a suitable place to rest for the chilly night. The sequence was really long (about 10 minutes long) where certain things happened (all of which, IMO, has little to no impact on the overall story). It seemed rather unnecessary and just for the sake of giving a certain depth to Hound's character but there is just not enough time (and need) for this.
Also, Ed Sheeran's cameo scene is strangely humorous and weird and feels out of place. It is also uncomfortably long and feels rather forced. The last six minutes are devoted to Danaerys and her allies arriving at Dragonstone. Emilia Clarke had one dialogue throughout the scene but she was supposed to (at least) show some emotion as she arrived at her ancestral home. Like, why is she so expressionless?
The biggest complaint I have with this episode is its editing. Why didn't they edit some unnecessary long sequences to accommodate sequences of other characters who weren't shown in the premiere at all (Melisandre, Olena Tyrell, Sand Snakes, even Bran and Meera were just shown arriving at Castle Black). A huge chunk of time was devoted to Sam, Arya and Hound & BWB. A crisp editing would have enabled about 15 minutes to spare on other characters as well which were absent. Even Jon is given a mere 5 minutes of screen time but he shines (as always). A brief argument (disagreement?) between him and Sansa and littlefinger's smirk really set up the political disturbance yet to be experienced at Winterfell. Tyrion Lannister (one of the most important characters) had (close to) no screen time, no dialogues. Another problem is that this episode was largely predictable and nothing (big) actually happened.
So all in all, it was a largely average episode (bad, considering the standards set by the series) which had its moments. But that's it. A large portion of it was some unnecessary stuff which nobody really cares about.