The Long Night (S08E03)

Top of the range stuff. Those whining about how dark it is shouldn’t be taken seriously, either they watched it on a crap screen, or a tablet on a train ride, where it's obviously not quite the same, or they don't understand the fundamental concept of this episode, because the darkness is what it’s all about. It is, after all, about the Night King, the ultimate evil, and it’s hard to imagine him stumbling across the plain at lunch time. So, in a nutshell, we can talk about the odd military missteps, the illogical or perhaps completely dim-witted moments, but the point still stands that it's got balls, it holds together like few things, and there are so many over-the-top moments that there's basically nothing to complain about. Especially assuming that as a fan of the series you care about specific figures, because nobody’s fate is clear in that dark slaughterhouse, and the creators actually leave all the possibilities open until the last moment. Yes, The Battle of Bastards was clearer, more refined and smoother, but here the enemy is in a completely different league. There are things that could have been done better, but 80 high-octane minutes like this only come around a few times a decade. (05.05.2019)

Benioff and Weiss once again showcased their unique approach to warfare tactics, and this time, it left me almost tearing my hair out. I won't delve into all the nonsensical elements they threw into the battle frenzy. Let's just say the whole thing felt like watching a midnight scuffle between rival gangs in a tunnel - I caught glimpses of eyes and teeth but that's all I could see. Honestly, I think the screenwriters would've done better if, after the battle, two guards met on the walls and exchanged banter like, "That battle, huh?" "Oh yeah! Did you see how they kicked the Dothraki's asses?" Maybe I'd have a clearer picture of what went down. Hopefully, the fourth episode sheds some light on things because, amidst the inadequate lighting, I have a feeling some major characters met their end. But hey, who knows? (14.08.2019)