The Green Council

This episode feels like a part 1 of the finale. It's got lots of great dialogue, and is filled with all kinds of scheming players on the green side.

Up front I will say that the main let down of this episode was a questionable writing choice at the end that makes for a cool visual but leaves you feeling very confused. There are ways you can justify this strange character choice but it just feels way below the level of writing we expect from GOT.

Otherwise, the episode was good. It highlights multiple characters that have been minor players until now, like Ser Harold Westerling and Mysaria. The episode mainly hinges on Aegon II - what kind of person he is, and who he will become. The real major players, however, are Alicent, Otto, and Rhaenys.

A dangerous power vacuum emerges within the Targaryen kingdom.

For me the highlight of the episode is the portrayal of the strategic actions taken by certain individuals to seize power and their ruthlessness. This generally flows in a plausible way throughout the story and builds towards a spectacular conclusion.

I agree with some other reviewers in that certain aspects are allotted too much emphasis, such as the search for Aegon, but I do not think it is as detrimental as some would suggest.

The big spectacular scene near the end feels like it happens for the sake of spectacle. It feels like the writers and filmmakers want to have their cake and eat it by giving a certain character a supercool moment, but then have her make a decision that defies logic in order to protect future storylines.

Visually it is as brilliant as ever, with great cinematography, editing, action sequences and generally beautiful art design.

All actors are on great form such as Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke, but a certain presence from the previous episodes is sorely missed.

Wow! I am impressed how this show keeps delivering every single week! The following episode keeps getting better than the last!

This was yet another amazing episode! The events of the previous episodes set in motion how this episode plays out and what is to come!

The characters are once again the best part of the show, with Rhaenys being the standout here! I really enjoyed her scene! It was cold and intense! Great soundtrack! I also like the development of Alicents character and how all this is more of her fathers wishes than her own!

This show is overall just amazing at this point! Let the Dance of Dragons begin!

The Green Council is the weakest episode of the series so far, and not because of the criticized ending, that I found fitting for the character involved in the scene. The episode starts with the tension growing and never really breaking, thus keeping the spectator on the edge of the seat for a whole quarter of an hour. The end as well is perfectly built with tension, pacing and impact of characters. The problem lies in the middle section, where the directing and writing fails a bit on the intention of some characters: some actions are not explained, and the totality seems messed up. Furthermore, the character of Criston Cole has simply become annoying, he has no evolution anymore and he's just useless; he has become the first unrealistic character of the show. Also the CGI on the end was dirtied but except these flaws the episode shares the same heights of the previous ones.

If only could Rhaenys utter Dracarys, it would be the only season!

The suspense was really good. The White Worm actress is the worst performer in the series. I wish the showrunners put some emphasis on her character.

Olivia Cooke put a stellar performance in this episode. Her expressions are spot on. She and Paddy Considine are already good candidates for Emmy nominations.

I understand the dark setting of the show but the exposure in the Red Keep could be a little brighter. Not everyone has an HDR TV in their rooms!

Hopefully tge next episode will be a firecracker (pun intended).

Overall 9/10. There will always be a desire for more!