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Game of Thrones episode 8 spoiler-free review: No One
Up on this week’s Game of Thrones: Build-ups to fights that we don’t get to see, a Hound who is funnier and more chill than he was before he ‘died’, an emotional reunion, an angry reunion and one of the most whistle-worthy scene exits in the series history (ranking only second to ‘F*** the King’).
Up on this week’s Game of Thrones: Build-ups to fights that we don’t get to see, a Hound who is funnier and more chill than he was before he ‘died’, an emotional reunion, an angry reunion and one of the most whistle-worthy scene exits in the series history (ranking only second to ‘F*** the King’).
No One – also the title of this episode – is largely about Arya. The last time we saw her, she was stabbed senseless by the Waif and was looking for shelter and someone to patch her up. Obviously, no one actually thought she would not make it and no one was wrong about that. It was a narrative full of loopholes but had one of the best action scenes involving Arya and the Waif (none of that one-sided cane fights that Arya was so miserable at).
The scene comes towards the close of the episode but brings a great end to a plot line we wanted to be rid of for so long. The exciting background score, the sudden change in powerplay, and finally establishing that what happened previously was indeed for a purpose, brought a peculiar satisfaction to us. After all, we drudged along wherever Arya took us in the last three seasons. Plus, that mic-drop of a last word is worthy of a T-shirt. Wait! Maisie Williams is ahead of us...
The next big highlight of the episode is Jaime, who, whenever he is handed a dialogue longer than two sentences, rips our hearts out.
(In case you need reminding, go back to the scene where he tells Brienne in a hot bath why he killed the Mad King, S03E07).
This time, Jaime is looking to benefit from his words and is not just venting sadness on a friendly shoulder like he did last time. He wants to use Lord Edmure to get the Tullys to surrender and he does it in a brilliant, 5-minute scene which begins with his condolences towards Edmure’s sorry state but rapidly escalates to subtle threats and gives a window into the things Jaime can still ‘do for love.’
Across the sea in Mereen, Jamie’s brother Tyrion is still trying to get Missandei and Grey Worm to have some fun. But just as they begin to unwind, an angry party comes knocking at the city gates. A lot of people appreciate seeing this laid back, fun-filled short between Tyrion and his two new friends, but to me it still looks rather fake and uncomfortable. So I was happy about the celebrations coming to a halt. Hopefully, the next episode will bring a great battle sequence.
Back in King’s Landing, Tommen is doing the best he can to overthrow Joffrey as Cersei’s most hated son. Now a mere puppet in the hands of the High Sparrow, he has made things for Cersei far more difficult than ever before. In contrast to how much they mean to Cersei and what she would do to keep them from harm, her children couldn’t care less about her.
Last week, when The Hound returned, I was stark raving angry. Afterall, bringing back dead characters always indicates a faltering story arc. This week, GoT makers made up for that because The Hounds brings with him his couldn’t-care-less brand of humour and an irreplaceable love for chicken. Until this week, I had almost forgotten what a treat it was to watch him and Arya together, and when he died was the exact point where Arya’s storyline jumped the shark. So, welcome back Hound, but don’t assume that this is a blessing for more people returning from their assumed deaths.
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