TV Review: This Week on Game of Thrones (S5 Episode 10/ June 14, 2015)

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

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EPISODE 10: Mother's Mercy

THE PLOT : The long summer is at an end, winter truly is coming and with it the cold winds of war as five self proclaimed Kings claim dominance over Westeros, but there can be only one winner when you play the game of thrones.

THE LOWDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don't recommend reading this if you haven't watched this episode). I am Jack’s seething emotions. That was one hell of a finale. I was worried going in, as there’s was an insane amount of ground to cover (thank God that battle in Meereen happened last week), and I wasn’t sure how they could possibly pull it off…oh wait, yes I did, CLIFFHANGERS! Sometimes, I hate being right.

So much for Stannis. After last week, I at least hoped he’d kick some Bolton ass, but I didn’t figure we’d see it until episode one or two of next season. I was half right. We didn’t see it (weakest battle ever), but before we get to that, umm, so much for the Lord of Light. What was up with that? Melisandre said she saw Bolton banners burning (of course, she didn’t say who lit the fire), but she seemed confident until the news of half the men splitting. Then she shakes her ass out of dodge just as Stannis finds his wife hanging from a tree–I won’t dwell on how ridiculously convenient it is to have Brienne find him on the battlefield, but at least we can now say she did ‘something’ this season. Let me be honest here, I don’t feel sorry for the guy, but damn, that’s a Bruce Lee flaming spin kick to the nuts if I ever saw one. Guess you shouldn’t have burned your daughter, dumbass

I think we all saw Theon’s turn for redemption coming, but again, it felt conveniently placed. Dude had plenty of opportunities to help her, so what made this time special? The one thing I didn’t see coming (but should have), was the Jaime/Myrcella scenario. Yes, on the one hand, I did feel it all fell into place a little too nicely, but hey, you have to win some battles on this show right? Wrong. They shared the perfect moment, and then she dies in Jaime’s arms (I thought Ellaria was going with them to sit on the small council). That’s going to severely mess him up. He’ll be looking for blood—not to mention how pissed he’ll be once he hears about all the shenanigans that took place while he was gone. That is, if he’s not met with shackles when he gets back to King’s Landing. It remains unclear, but Cersei will stand trial with incest being the primary charge, so I’m curious to see what the High Sparrow has to say to Jaime. He probably should give him some space though, or he may up getting a metal hand punched through his face.

Though rushed, I was exceedingly pleased with Arya’s revenge on Trant, but it came at a high cost. I’d forgotten about it until it happened, but once I saw it, I remembered hearing whispers (spoilers) of her going blind. If that’s what happens, and it’s permanent, that sucks some major ballsack. Another bit I knew about was Cercei’s walk of shame. Ouch. In more ways than one. She handled it quite well, considering, although I have no idea what ripped her feet all the shreds. I felt this scene carried on a good five minutes longer than it should have, but then again, I’m sure most people didn’t mind seeing Cersei get a taste of her own medicine for a change. I was more impressed with Franken-Mountain. Holy shizmuffins! Talk about an army of one. Can’t wait to smell what that dude is cooking!.

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 5's finale was a tad rushed, brutal and ended on a savagely sombre note. Jon Snow is one of my favorite characters. I’ve been rooting for that guy since day one. Yes, he’s an absolute idiot for not taking Stannis up on his offer to leave the Wall, but hey, you have to love the guy for being his father’s son. I knew he was in trouble. I cringed when Sam and Gilly left, but then regained a bit of hope once Davos and Melisandre showed up (I’ve got a bone to pick with her, but I at least I figured she was on Jon’s side). But in the end, all hope was lost when they Caesar’d his ass and left him to die in the snow. I still can’t believe it. I can live with Stannis dying, but not Jon. That’s a hit I wasn’t expecting, and it stung. I’m not sure what to make of Dany’s plight, but that insanely large group of people looked like another Khalasar, and if so, they’ll know who she is and that doesn’t bode well for her—something I’m basing on what everyone told her in S2 after Drogo died. Oh, and welcome back Varys, we missed you. Something tells me he and Tyrion will have no problem keeping the peace in Meereen. It’s going to be a long wait for next season.

SEX/NUDITY: No sex, but there was a lot of uncomfortable nudity on the march to the castle.

VIOLENCE: Trant’s death was particularly brutal, and I’d have it no other way. Apparently there was a battle, but I missed it. Stannis gets his rightful reward, but we don’t see that either. And Theon makes someone fly. Yes, I miss the Moon Door.

MOST EPIC SCENE: There were more than a couple, but I was particularly fond of Varys' return.

FINAL VERDICT :

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