The Broken Man

It's my first review, and I am writing it because this episode pleasantly surprised me.

It was surprising how little cheesiness was in this episode compared to others in this season. And the dialogue was so much better, with some of Blackfish's quotes taking the top. And the final scene was really WTF for me, it contained the raw realism that Game of Thrones is known for.

Overall, I haven't checked if they changed a director or screenwriter or something since the last change, but the approach is quite different and true to canon. It looks like someone who knows what GoT is about did it. Certainly not looking like a fan-fiction.

I've been reading a lot of people's opinions on this episode, with some calling it boring, others slow, but to me, I was reminded of Game of Thrones back during seasons 1 and 2. This builds up epic battles which will be taking place in the next few episodes and the tension here is spectacular.

Without any spoilers, this episode starts of brilliantly, with an arrival of someone that made me smile from ear to ear. The Jon and Sansa's storyline was also very good here, as it will pay off when the big battle arrives. The scenes at Kings Lander were not all that important, with some good lines thrown in there, but little happening, but still enough to hold your interest.

The Arya scenes were very well done, but very rushed. All of the episodes this season have been way too short, and there feels like they could have had time for some more scenes.

However the best part about this episode is its build up, every character we see if thrown in a cliffhanger of sorts. Also the production this episode was outstanding, the sets the beautiful landscapes and new regions we have never seen before, were done so well.

This is a slow episode but it is by far not boring, it was like the older episodes that built up tension that will pay off soon.

9/10

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 Broken Man" may not quite be one of the best 'Game of Thrones' episodes. As far as Season 6 episodes go, it's not quite up there with "Home", "Book of the Stranger" and "The Door". That is in no way a knock because it is still a great episode that has almost everything that makes 'Game of Thrones' such a favourite. It doesn't matter that "The Broken Man" is not the most action-packed episode, that there aren't the big moments quite on the same level as other episodes and that it doesn't have as many bold revelations.

What "The Broken Man" does brilliantly is the characterisation and development. One of the best episodes of Season 6 in this regard, plentiful and very rich, never less than interesting. It is one of those setting up episodes and putting things into place, again doing a great job with that and in a way that forwards momentum and like things are leading somewhere. It also does better than the previous Season 6 episodes for me actually in feeling the most like the first two seasons and like the show had gone back to its roots, possibly too the best Season 6 in general got in achieving this. No knocking here, just really liked that there was a return to this story approach.

Did feel that Arya's scenes were a little rushed and didn't fit as comfortably as the rest of the more relevant and bigger events did, her biggest moment (her attack) is shocking though.

Other than that, there are standout elements in the story and characters. In particular Sandor's return, the introduction of Lyanna, Blackfish (an awesome character), Jaime and Blackfish's interaction and the Riverrun siege.

Have no issue with the performances with not a bad performance in the bunch, with the introductory and returning characters making just as much an impression as the regulars. Rory McCann is pretty scintillating, as is Clive Russell with some of the episode's best lines.

Visually, "The Broken Man" 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. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.

One cannot talk about "The Broken Man" 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. The end scoring is especially powerful.

Plenty of layers, passion and sensitivity in the writing, loved that for Blackfish.

In summary, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Each episode of GoT, for me, is an embroidery of stories. I choose one as axis of it. And, in this case, the return of the Hound is the one. Because it preserves the tension and the human essence front to the challenges, the fundamental challenges, giving sense, a new one, to all around you. It is an episode of great fights . But the first scenes of it are the most important because, behind the novels of Mr. Martin or the seductive storytelling, the source of seduction of this serie remains its special status of serie about its public profound questions.

Season 6, episode 7. Jon and Sansa are gathering troops - trying to create their army to take back Winterfell. Jaime is now head of siege at Riverrun. Olenna Tyrell is planning on leaving King's Landing and Cersei wants her to stay. Theon and Yara have taken ships - leaving their home, Yara has plans to meet with The Dragon Queen Daenerys to form an alliance. Arya tries to leave but her plans were stopped. The Hound was saved by Brother Ray.

8/10