The Wars to Come

Came to 'Game of Thrones' fairly late in the game and due to being so busy the binge-watching was gradual. Have found myself truly loving the show, very quickly becoming one of my favourites. It totally lives up to the hype and not only does it do the brilliant source material justice (a rarity in television) it is on its own merits one of the finest, most addictive and consistently compelling shows in recent years and quality-wise it puts a lot of films in recent years to shame.

"The Wars to Come", while not living up to the previous season's finale "The Children", is a very promising start for Season 5. It is not the most dramatic, action-packed, story-advancing or most emotion-filled of episodes, instead going the slower, more reflective and intimate approach. This is not a problem because, although some may disagree, 'Game of Thrones' has shown numerous times that it does these types of episodes excellently.

Some characters are better developed than others, Tyrion continues to have plenty of meat to him and is getting more fascinating with each episode. Am also really appreciating Cersei getting more development and becoming more prominent. Sansa is rather bland though.

The episode does a great job beginning where the previous season left off, reminding us of what happened and sets things up for what is to follow. There is not a massive amount in terms of character progression however, though it's certainly evident if not quite deep enough, and other episodes have done better in moving things forward.

'Game of Thrones' has always been strong when it comes to acting and "The Wars to Come" is not an exception. Peter Dinklage can do no wrong, he is a fan favourite for great reason, and Lena Headey, Aidan Gillen and Emilia Clarke also do a huge amount with their characters.

Visually, "The Wars to Come" looks amazing, as one would expect for 'Game of Thrones'. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. The visual effects are some of the best of any television programme and are not overused or abused, the scale, the detail and how they actually have character and soul are better than those in a lot of the big-budget blockbusters. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.

One cannot talk about "The Wars to Come" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.

It is hard not to be bowled over by the quality of the writing, outstanding isn't a strong enough adjective to describe how good the writing is once again. It always has a natural flow, is layered and thought-provoking and demonstrates a wide range of emotions. The story is still riveting, even with the quieter and slower approach to the storytelling, and has enough passion and sensitivity.

Overall, promising start to Season 5. 8/10 Bethany Cox

As RavenGlamDVDCollector, I am not really here for the story, No, I am that pseudo stage-door-Johnny bringing flowers for the actresses. But I must speak up, give credit where credit is also due.

Much of my contributions for IMDb is usually before having seen the entire episode, and I noticed that other reviewer going "disappointing start, nothing significant happens" and at about midway, I kinda saw it was down from the previous season, thought this bit of me having jumped (however belatedly) onto the GAME OF THRONES bandwagon, full fury and throng, well, now it's past the apex anyway, like other reviewers say, bah...

Fortunately though, turns out, not the case...

This show does something IMMENSELY right. Look, I'm here for the actresses. I joined up for the beauty of Emilia Clarke. GAME OF THRONES was suggested to me by a friend who showed me a sneak preview in the knowledge I'd flip my lid. You get the picture, I'm sure you do.

But I've recently had one of my few deviations in my reviews when I praised Peter Dinklage's performance in that episode last season, his confrontation in court with Tywin. I've just realized that something similar happened here. This is all about respect.

Mance Rayder wasn't even that much liked by myself up till now, but I'm glad to report that on a freezing cold winter's morning (I call it my GAME OF THRONES Winter Is Coming The Wall Sensurround), here I sit with tears in my eyes. Like Ser Allister, when the chips were down, this guy really showed how to fly the flag.

You will have to watch for yourself. I'm not giving the outcome away.

A powerful word is invoked here. Respect. This show, through sparse scenes with a vast multitude of characters, achieves greatness beyond what I could possibly convey. These characters, whether good or bad, that doesn't matter... They're destined to be immortal legends in this modern classic.

Coming from me, here for the actresses, much, much impressed by these stellar performances, this is the HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.

So scr*w the other reviewer... :)

I'm not one to expect a death/shock/twist every episode and can appreciate a slower more narrative approach in an episode, but this felt like neither and was more of a reflection on what has happened so far.

This reflection is felt by many of the characters after the last couple of episodes last season...it's not so much the hurt but rather the unknown and how many of these characters do not know how to move forward.

The most interesting scenes were played out at The Wall - with some great dialogue on pride vs. survival (I may have over simplified it here but it was quite powerful stuff, especially in how that climax played out). Also great was the scenes with Varys and Tyrion - this could have been played out with sympathy or regrets or feeling sorry but was very well shown by the main two leads. One of GOT's biggest strengths is the relationships between characters and this one should be great to see develop over the season.

In summary, a decent start but you do get the feeling that more is to come in the season!

Among many shortest sequences split in the episode, three draw my attention, firstly the whereabouts of the Kingslayer Tyrion Lannister who ends up at an port full safe at Pentos aided by Varys who has policy intentions over the future of the drunkard and prickly dwarf in near future.

At Meereen Daenerys is in trouble with the sudden murder of one Unsullied due he pays a visit of the brothel, something forbidden to them, also appears a petitioning about the comeback of fighting against free men, Daenarys refuses due it was a slave mortal games, otherwise will be the return of the primitive habits.

The mainly fact comes across at Castle Black where the King Stannis already receives the new about the death of the leader Tywn Lannister, in absence of it he decides be the right time to trigger a war, he asking for Jon Snow convinces the adamant Mancy Rayder kneel down at King Stannis and gather all savage tribes to fight for Stannis, what goes against his own principles, he denied under pain of death, whatever it may be.

Sadly along the series were losing many key characters, each season one here one there and the producers will making an everlasting replacing process, most probable it seems be the hidden secret of so undeniable success of the series.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 2022 / How many: 1 / Source: Blu-Ray / Rating: 8.5.

A lot of new character's purpose, story are moving forward and building up to the War to come.