What a mess of an episode. I think the worst in the series for me. Nothing made sense at all. Not a single scene.
- what was ultimately Tyrion's story arc and purpose in Mereen? It seems he turned out to be an even shittier ruler than Danny. Wasn't he supposed to be the witty character in the series?
- so Tommen has sided with the Faith but can't force Cersei to talk to the Septon? Didn't Tommen apologize to her mother just a few episodes back?
- Arya's story is just lol. Why all the running, and Lady Crane rescue if she's capable of beating the waif in the dark anyhow? What was the point of the who are you I'm no one x 100000 training we had to endure the past two seasons?
- lollercaust at the whole Riverrun siege. So visually threatening to kill Edmure didn't make the soldiers budge but a voice command does carry weight? I won't even comment on the ridiculousness of the entire Edmure-Jaime exchange or the pointless Brienne intervention
Well, I mostly agree with you, but I'll
try to play devil's advocate:
- I think Tyrion basically failing in Mereen was to highlight what a catastrophe all of Dany's actions have been. Even Tyrion, Grey Worm, and Missandei - with all of their respective insights - couldn't salvage it
- Tommen still seems conflicted, Cersei has a fierce reputation and an invincible super-strong zombie, and the court in general (including the King's Hand) aren't exactly completely in charge
- Lady Crane was a tough women who followed her heart - a character Arya could relate to. Her death at the hands of the waif gave Arya strength and resolve. The preposterously stretched out origin story of Arya wasn't completely wasted though it wasn't tied up well. She was strong, then weak, then on the run, and suddenly defeated an undefeatable by relying on training from Syrio Forel at the last moment. I did like that Jaqen showed respect and let her go in the end. I thought that wrapped up their relationship quite nicely, actually
- This is another beat that's hard to justify. I suppose they weren't able to act when Edmure was threatened, because Edmure wasn't able to give them any orders and they had to defer to Blackfish. Once their liege lord arrived they were compelled to follow his orders. It's kind of silly though because all of this time we were lead to believe that the Tully's were unwavering and rebellious - so now all of the sudden they cow and allow themselves to be taken by Lannisters of all people? Yea, I can't defend this one