I will say I wish there was better writing in that it wouldn’t be so preposterous that they’d survive and that if they chose to kill characters, it would go on to rich, developing growth and stories. But I don’t expect that from GoT as much at this point. Still an entertaining show with plenty of fun or touching moments.
I also really wish they had actually shown us some of the escapes and close calls for more characters. Jon surviving BOTB was pretty ridiculous, but at least that long sequence of him almost being trampled put you through the whole situation with him. There were so many moments in this one where people are completely surrounded and overwhelmed and then five minutes later they’re in an entirely different location and totally fine.
A lot of people tout the "realism" of this series and yeah nearly all of the important characters all surviving the most important and deadly battle in history flies in the face of "realism" but narrative and thematic import matters more. People also tout the way the series subverts expectations and killing off characters who seem like they have more to their arc left could be subversive if handled the right way. It's not like this story hasn't done it before. So yeah two big components to this series haven't really come to play in the show's biggest battle ever. I personally don't mind, but I get why it stands out to people
On.......? I still love that Sam was just weeping openly on a pile of bodies and somehow made it out. Truly my hero.
So what does Bran do now? I’ll tell you what he doesn’t do. He’s not going to be using his powers to spy on Cersei and give Jon/Dany any kind of hints as to how to beat her.
Oh sure, bring real life into it! I’m talking about when it’s an army of the undead piling on you from all sides and biting you tirelessly. Whether or not they are diseased or can turn you with a bite wouldn’t really enter into the danger of that situation.
It did make me sad to see Sam fall apart so completely. Not that he wasn’t justified given what they were up against, but he has grown so much and been so brave in other scenarios. I really hope whatever happens as far as battles go they just let him off the hook to stay with Gilly.
Jon: so Bran, can you tell us when Cersei’s army is off guard so we can attack at the perfect time? Bran: I must go now *wargs* Or even better, he just fucks with everyone Bran: You’re a good man, Tyrion Tyrion: Wait, What? Bran: *wargs*
Said it before, but the big battles in this show haven't been what makes this show subversive at all. They usually go as expected from the viewer's pov, really. -All of the important people survive Blackwater -Ygritte dies in Jon's arms while Tormund is literally the only survivor in the battle at the Wall -All of the important people survive Hardhome -All of the important people survive Ramsey v. Jon (tho RIP Wun Wun) -All of the important people survive Dany vs. Jaime and the Tarlys die afterwards.
Ugh, now I’m having flashbacks to the Battle of Hogwarts and how devastating that was. A scene in this of all the dead lined up and characters not even realizing they were lost until they see them there would have been so painful.