Salutations, Watchers! Time for another trip down Memory Lane with Geoffery as your host! This time I’ll be revisiting Season Four, Episode Nine of Game of Thrones: “The Watchers on the Wall,” written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and directed by Neil Marshall. Hmm, Watchers on the Wall…sounds like a good name for an amazing website, that does.
We open with a gloriously bleak shot across the wall, as my two favourite Night’s Watchmen have one of their patented awkward conversations about women. Sam wants to know how big Ygritte’s feet were while Jon is more keen to demonstrate his lack of poetic ability.
It’s moments like these that make this episode one of my favourites. Even though the focus is on the colossal and epic battle sequences, there’s still time made for little character interactions that remind us who we’re rooting for in this big ol’ wintry war. Plus I love it when an episode breaks from the Thrones’ tradition of jumping about from storyline to storyline, and concentrates on one area or group of characters. It’s one of only three episodes that doesn’t feature King’s Landing, statistics fans! (The other two are “The Kingsroad” and “The Rains of Castamere.”)
Meanwhile, Tormund Giantsbane is proving to be even less poetic than Jon, as he regales the wildlings with his inventive sexual fantasies. Ygritte is having none of this, as she uses her pre-battle time more wisely, sharpening up her arrows for crows. After being mocked by Styr, she proclaims her intent to kill Jon, if he’s still alive, and leave nothing but his ‘fun bits’ to hang around her neck. Charming!
We next see Sam, employed in his favourite non-Gilly related pastime: reading. Maester Aemon played as adorably as ever by Peter Vaughan, finds him to dish out some sound relationship advice.
Sudden Gilly arrival and Sam has to get sassy with Pyp.
Open the FUCKING gate
Word. It’s fair to say Sam spends the entirety of this episode being badass.
Sadly his loving reunion with Gilly is all too brief as the horns are sounded and the battle preparations begin in earnest. There’s an impressive turn from Owen Teale as Ser Alliser Thorne as he lectures Jon Snow on the meaning of command.
Do you know what leadership means, Lord Snow? It means that the person in charge gets second guessed by every clever little twat with a mouth. But if he starts second guessing himself, that’s the end. For him, for the clever little twats, for everyone. This is not the end. Not for us. Not if you lot do your duty for however long it takes to beat them back. And then you get to go on hating me, and I get to go on wishing your wildling whore had finished the job.
Sam stashes Gilly safely away and they share a kiss. I absolutely adore this whole scene. Even though I can be a bit of a book!wanker when it comes to the order of storylines, I don’t mind their relationship developing here in the slightest. It makes sense in the context of the show and the two of them are adorable together.
Sam ‘The Coolest Guy in Westeros’ Tarly then comforts a terrified Pyp about what’s to come. Bonus Randyll Tarly reference! Season Six: Get Tarly Hype.
The wildling march begins in earnest, with giants and mammoths galore! Game of Thrones certainly had its work cut out compositing the various green screen and physical effects together for these scenes, but they look wonderful.
Alliser Thorne gives the Night’s Watchmen a brief lesson in etymology
Does “nock” mean “draw”? Does fucking “hold” mean fucking “drop”?
Unfortunately he also gives command of the Wall’s defenses to Janos Slynt, which is the worst idea. Slynt is the worst. Luckily, Awesome Grenn (that’s his full title, I checked on Wikipedia) steps in and tells Janos he’s needed down below, so Jon can take charge. Sneaky lot, them Night’s Watch. I’m particularly fond of the scene where the giant shoots through the bunker so powerfully his arrow takes the black brother clear over the Wall, and and of Hobb’s brief moment of glory cutting up wildlings with his meat cleaver.
Sadly, my joy is short-lived, as is poor old Pypar. I’ll take a little solace from the fact he’s still alive and kicking it in the novels, but his end scene with Sam is truly tragic.
Jon orders Awesome Grenn to hold the inner gate and although Grenn seems certain he can do it, it’s sadly obvious what fate will befall him and his brothers. I think the show did brilliantly with the secondary Night’s Watch characters like Grenn and Pyp, eschewing a couple of others from the novel so that they could be more fleshed out, resulting in ultimately their deaths having real resonance. Grenn’s recitation of his oath just before the giant gets them is particularly effective and heart-wrenching.
Sam continues to be the King of Everything by killing a warg, before having a really poorly judged conversation with Olly. This kid is gonna kill, like, your best friend. And your best friend’s girl-friend. Don’t stop to learn his name- shiv him in the back! Oh, why do I bother…
Jon finally gets down to some proper sword fighting and engages Styr in single combat. He manages to gain the upper hand by spitting blood in Styr’s face, giving Jon the moment he needed to grab a hammer. This is more or less the same move Karl Tanner used against Jon when they fought at Craster’s Keep. Like I said, sneaky lot those Night’s Watch. Whatever doesn’t kill you, and all that. Although Styr is very much dead. And speaking of which:
OLLY YOU LITTLE BASTARD. I have some satisfaction though- I totally called Olly killing Ygritte before this episode aired. But even so, Ygritte’s death is a real kicker. Lovely, restrained use of slo-mo and the rising score throughout the scene compliment the sad moment. They really should have stayed in that cave.
You know nothing, Jon Snow
A moment to appreciate Dolorous Edd and his MASSIVE SCYTHE. It’s not a moment from the books but nonetheless, it’s cool.
Sam returns to Gilly, only to find Janos Slynt cowering in a corner. I hate finding a Slynt in the corner of the room. Jon heads off to find Mance because who doesn’t want to spend time with Ciarán Hinds?
The battle is over, for now, but you can’t keep a good wildling army down.
Introductions: The giant Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg and Night’s Watchmen Cooper, Hill, and Hobb
Departures: Giants Dongo and Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg; a Thenn Warg and Styr; Night’s Watchmen Cooper, Hill, Grenn and Pypar; and, of course, Ygritte, immortalised in this episode’s Beautiful Death
Rodoh
My favorite episode of season 4, closely followed by The Children, and possibly my favorite episode overall (I cannot decide between this one and the Blackwater).
Hobb could get it.
That’s all.
Great episode.
Ygritte’s death is hearthbreaking…. Laslie and Kit where fantastic togheter.
Just rewatched this episode – each time I watch it I am stunned all over again by the great cinematic quality from start to finish. I believe that this is in the top ten episodes of TV ever –
Nice write up, Geoffrey. Thanks!
My second favorite episode of the entire series. Every single second of this episode is perfection.
I have to say, the last few days, although I have always and will always worry about Jon’s fate, with the trailer and stuff and all the awesomeness theyre showing, I have been “mehing” a little about that.
But after reading this recap, I need my man Jon back. NEED.
Deesensfan,
Just remember what Sam said:”He always comes back.”
My favorite episode <3
I loved the addition of the scythe and all the defense tactics. The scene where Jon jumps from the elevator and goes ham on all the Wildlings (followed by that long camera pan) is brilliant. That must have took a while to film and get right. I'm hoping we get to see more of that in the future.
I saw this episode in IMAX twice, and it was amazing. Game of Thrones is made for IMAX so I hope they will be doing this again in the future … maybe Bastard Bowl next year??
Neil Marshall, the director, introduced the episode on the first night, in his hometown – Toronto.
Mihnea,
*praying* *praying*
Red Viper,
I want to see Hardhome in Imax 🙁
My favorite episode of TV period right here. Saw it on the big screen at the IMAX Experience last year and it’s a moment I’ll cherish forever. Just another brilliant episode of a brilliant season.
Geoffrey
Great review! Love the episode. The fact that the show combined the two attacks on the wall, put Sam and Gilly at the wall, Put Alliser and Janos at the wall during the attacks, great adaptation. The staging of the fights and the camera sweeps were amazing. And yes Pyp’s death was heartwrenching.
Even with the Wildling army looking so much smaller than the way you picture it in the books (sorry but it did bother me haha), this episode was AWESOME. Just that shot after Jon gets off the elevator and joins the fight, when the music comes back in and the camera surveys the whole of the conflict in Castle Black in one beautiful movement. That was slick as hell, man.
Great episode, but I found the ending disappointing. It would have packed a better punch if they’d kept it going until the Stannis reveal. Instead it seemed like they tacked the last five minutes of this episode on to the beginning of The Children.
Darkrobin,
Some where angry that Pyp and Grenn died, while they didn’t in the books.
But I think it was a great idea, it sad to see them go, but it added much needed emotional charge into the battle.
Also a interesting thing. Allister was injured by Tormund, saw friends die by their hands…etc. This must surely have added to his hatred of the Wildlings and in the end his decision to kill Jon. I think some book-readers forget that Thorne is quite different in the show. Much more loyal to the NW and it’s oath, then he is in the books, for one.
Adam,
Yeah, but what would have been the ending of Stannis’s story in EP10? Him just looking as they burn corpses?
I agree to a certain extent but I think they made the correct decision in the end.
I actually like the character scenes before the battle more (I always appreciate scenes with Maester Aemon), but this was a consistently strong episode throughout.
I still think this whole plot would have been better-served earlier in the season. The need to hold it until 409 led to a lot of stalling and wheelspinning (also things like the Sam-sends-Gilly-away, Gilly-comes-back stuff).
I think this episode should have been Episode 8, and The Mountain and the Viper should have been Episode 9. With Stannis army defeating the wildlings in E9 and The Children ending Jon’s arc with Stannis offering to name him Lord of Winterfell.
This was my episode of GOT ( apart from the whole of series 1) until Hardhome cam along
Sorry for the grammar mistakes
I really hate the fact that Grenn and Pyp basically vanished in book 5. At least Tv series gave them a proper send-off. And I agree about ser Alliser. He is very complex character and one of the biggest improvements over the book characters and it pains me, that several watchers consider him one-dimensional villain because he stabbed Jon.
“You know nothing, Jon Snow”
false!!!
“I know where to put it”
He knows the most important thing 🙂
Still the best whole episode of the series in my opinion.
Lord Parramandas,
Alliser’s behavior was consistent.
When Jon fought against the Wildlings, he was with him. When Jon made an alliance with the Wildlings, Alliser was against him.
.
I really don’t understand what is so hard for book purists to understand here.
He had a cool monologue in this episode. The monologue against the Wildlings. And at the end of S5 he killed the traitor, because of the Wildlings.
A shout out to the actor playing Styr, whilst it was a rather one-dimensional villain (not a slight), he played him with such ferociousness it was simply beastly. I consider the fight between him and Jon one of the best in the series.
Maybe in this season, but when you watch the show as a whole Jon’s election logically belongs to S5.
And I’m not even sure that his election would be a good way to end S4.
That just feels like a set up, not a climax of the story. The same applies to Stannis and his plans about the Boltons. That just doesn’t belong to S4.
GRRM often ends his books on some random points, when he has enough pages, but I’m not sure that ending Jon’s storyline there in ASOS was a good idea. Jon in ASOS had so many good moments. His election would be a good start of ADWD where the majority of Jon’s chapters were extremely boring and repetitive.
The actor who played the Magnar of the Thenns was named Yuriy Kolokonikov, who one recapper said is “such a cool name they should have just let him use that on the show.”
And agreed, he was a one-dimensional type that we usually don’t see on the show – which means he also gets one of the few real satisfying deaths among villains who are killed on Game of Thrones. He goes down, and you can’t help but think he deserved it.
I always like the scene where they’re all talking – the one that includes Tormund’s great “Husband to Bears” bit, if only because the Thenn looks so uncomfortable in a seated position; it’s completely unnatural for him; he only looks natural when walking, swinging an axe or otherwise killing things.
My favorite shot in a TV series. I really dislike fights with quick edits (looking at you sand snakes…) & that long camera panning across castle black when Jon gets down is epic.
mau,
GRRM would have probably changed a lot about ASoS ending had he known there’d be no 5 year gap.
This was a masterful episode.
However, it never emotionally hit me the way Blackwater or Hardhome did.
my favourite episode of the series
that beautiful death poster is incredible
Mr Fixit,
I agree.
Cant decide between this or blackwater for my favorite battle scene They were so amazing, in very different ways. This one I think ws more personal because you did see so many characters interacting and involved. Incredible camera work, and acting. The episode as a whole is among my top 5.
Loved the conversations Sam has with aemon, Jon and Gilly. I so hope he ends up being around at the end of all this
This.
I officially became a Ser Allister fan after his rousing speech, which IMO may be the best speech given in the entire series:
“Brothers!
A hundred generations have defended this castle…
It has never fallen before and it will not fall tonight…
Those are Thens at our walls…
They eat the flesh of the men they kill…
Do you want to fill the belly of a Then tonight?
Tonight we fight!
And when the sun rises I promise you…
Castle Black will stand!
The Night’s Watch will stand!
WITH ME NOW!!!
NOW, WITH ME!!!”
I’ve watched that scene easily over 20 times now and I get goosebumps every time I see it.
I would absolutely follow that man into battle!
Hope the scythe makes another appearance. Wow!
Thorne was amazing in this episode
My favorite episode of tv ever made. Also loved seeing Ghost get in the mix.
Thanks for the nice words guys, glad to see you’re enjoying our Memory Lanes 😀
Its ok, im sure you’ll make FEWER in future… 😉
Its become a routine of mine and my work colleagues to read these Memory Lanes before we start work. Great way for the Unsullied amongst them to recap and fill in the gaps/get little references etc.
Great work, from your readers in Newcastle, England!
“We could spend all night trading tales of lost loves. Nothing makes the past a sweet place to visit than the prospect of imminent death.”
God, I love that line. And this entire episode, really (Great write-up, Geoffery!) Having the opportunity see it in IMAX last year was a thrill and a privilege.
Honestly, I think “The Watchers on the Wall” is probably my favorite episode of Game of Thrones. It’s tough, because I felt my affections shift towards “Blackwater” when I watched that episode a few weeks ago. They may shift again once we reach “Hardhome” in this countdown. But right now, this one’s at the very top of that exalted list. Whether or not it’s the “best” episode of the entire show is another matter (though it’s definitely a contender for that title as well – it’s firmly entrenched in my Top 3). But the affection I feel for pretty much every aspect of this episode is immense.
Maybe I just feel protective of it. It seems as though the consensus among the general audience is that this episode is the least of the show’s three major battle episodes to date. I can understand the arguments as to why. The Wall isn’t as nearly dynamic of a setting as King’s Landing at this point in the show – at the very least, there are fewer beloved characters to follow. As a Jon-centric action hour, “Hardhome” is both more technically impressive and more significant in its implications for the larger story (the scenes that don’t take place at Hardhome are excellent as well). As one of the Epic Episode 9’s, expectations for the hour were sky-high, especially after a full season of build-up. The absence of Tyrion from an episode immediately after he was sentenced to death certainly rankled more than a few people at the time. Some book readers were waiting for Stannis to ride in at the end, and were disappointed when he didn’t. I’m not trying to be comprehensive, but the list goes on.
I understand those issues, and for the most part I won’t refute with them.* But God, I love it. As a standalone story that commerates the Night’s Watch fighting against impossible odds on one hellish night, I think “The Watchers on the Wall” is a masterpiece. As an action-packed spectacle that features moments I didn’t know television was capable of producing, I think it’s breathtaking. And as the heart-wrenching conclusion to the doomed but beautiful love story of Jon Snow and Ygritte, I think it’s damn near perfect.
Take a bow, David Benioff, Dan Weiss, Neil Marshall, and all of the actors and crew members who brought this remarkable hour to our screens. You deserve all of the acclaim I can offer, and more.
*(The lone argument that I will strongly disagree with is the claim that Stannis should have been in this episode. I couldn’t disagree more. The entire hour was focused on the Night’s Watch and their struggle. I greatly appreciated that we kept our focus entirely on the black brothers and the impossible challenge they faced with seemingly no hope of a reprieve, let alone a rescue. Stannis’s sudden arrival with minutes to go before the credits rolled would have detracted from that. I’m glad it was delayed until the following episode).
Mista C,
Yes. I forgave him for much after that. Then 510 took all that away. But for a while I thought he was starting to be human.
Jared,
You know, Jared, sometimes I come here to comment and scroll down and see that you’ve already said everything I wanted to express. I too feel protective of the episode, and love it to pieces on its own merits. Thank you for your eloquent post!
And thanks to you Geoffrey for this memory lane post. It’s one of my favourite episodes (along with Hardhome and Winter Is Coming), and it was a pleasure to rewatch.
Jared,
Nice comments. This was also the episode that convinced me that Kit Harington – like Sean Bean, Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage – could carry an episode on his back. He’s also one of the strongest with the physical aspects, swordfighting, et cetera.
And I’m convinced the scythe, which is totally unnecessary, is a nod to the book readers who wanted to know where Tyrion’s Blackwater chain went.
I love the opening scene between Jon and Sam,
“What was she like?”
“She… she had red hair”
“Oh? How big were her feet?”
“What d’you want want me to say?”
“I want you to tell me what it was like to have someone. To be with someone. To love someone and have them love you back”.
I love that exchange. It feels natural and genuine. Sam, the lovelorn bookworm who’s never so much as kissed a girl, trying to get any information he can about what it’s like to be in a relationship from his reserved and monosyllabic best mate.
And Sam’s scene with Maester Aemon is sweet too. When Aemon describes his long lost love it’s both sad and beautiful. And obviously the look on his face when Sam expresses astonishment that he was ever in love is priceless.
mau,
I agree. The election of Jon would be a terrible way to end S4 (three reasons: 1) it belongs to his S5 arc, 2) it’s visually boring, 3) there’s no mystery about who’s going to get elected). Episodes 409 and 410 pere absolutely perfect for the Wall storyline (as was Season 5 overall) and that alone is enough to justify the placement of the Battle of the Wall.
Morover, I’ve grown fond of Craster’s Keep subplot. It’s a good way to build Jon’s leadership qualities, and provided a nice oportunity to merge a bunch of different subplots (Mutineeres, Bran, Locke, Jon and White Walkers)
Greatjon of Slumber,
Ya know, I have been pretty accepting of just about every change made in the show from the books, but that was one thing that irritated me. It was such a perfect plan, and while it wasn’t necessary, it did show how much Tyrion did to protect the city. Was looking forward to seeing the chain appear, but alas. Ah well, that was such a wonderful episode that I could forgive. (and before anyone jumps in and calls me a book purist – I am not. There were just one or two things I shook my head over, then got over).
Poor Olly, he gets so much hate. He’s a child that just saw both parents killed by the Wildings, then is being used by the adults for the Nights Watch to “stick it to Jon Snow”. Cut him some slack.
Yep, me too. Just amazing to see it swing across the wall 😉
The VFX in that episode was amazing. The giants riding the mammoths was brilliant also. Cinematically, one of the best episodes in GoT along with ‘Blackwater’ and ‘Hardhome’.
My favorite episode from season 4 for sure! I’ll never forget the first time I saw those areal shots showing what was happening on each side of the wall. Fucking epic
JustanotherSchemer,
Might have something to do with the writing.
When I first saw this episode I was freaking out when I saw giants riding fookin’ mammoths! Great special effects work, my jaw dropped when I was looking at them.
My favourite episode of season 4 by far, the action felt like a movie, no other show can pull this off in my opinion.
Mista C,
You know, in all my hatred of Thorne the Jon-killer, I’d forgotten this speech. He has had his moments.
He also knows about the “Lord’s kiss”. 😉
The 360° shot will forever remain as one of the most visual moment of the show !
Hard to say who had the best scene that episode.
Grenn’s “Vows” scene, or Thorne’s “With me now! Now, with me!” scene. Both were awesome.
Which makes it doubly sad that Jon died last season.
;-^
Not to mention that having Stannis save the day in this episode would have made it end the exact same way episode 9 of 2nd season ended. Two episodes dedicated to an assault over a wall, two episodes ending with outside force winning the battle for the defenders.
Season 4 imo is the best season of all
Watchers…Children…Mountain n Viper…Lion and the Rose
Followed by Season 1…3…5…2
Watchers might be the crown jewel of it all…
But Season 6 will be the best of ALL so far…i feel it in my lord of bones
Favorite whole episode of this season, third favorite episode of all-time.
I don’t care if the scythe isn’t a thing in the books, it was so goddamn metal it doesn’t even matter. “LIGHT THE FOOKERS UP!” also happens to be one of my favorite Edd quotes from the TV show, right behind “Oh, look. More shit.”
From the moment the horn blew for the first time during the episode until the scythe sent the wildlings scurrying back to the woods, I felt as if I were climbing the high part of a roller coaster – Tight stomach, nearly breathless. It is so cinematic in its VFX, acting caliber, writing, and production value that it is simply a joy to watch. Pyp’s death was gut-wrenching, Grenn’s last stand was heroic, Jon Snow – Well, he did okay, too. RIP Ygritte, care of Chekov’s – I mean, Olly’s – arrow.
TL; DR: It doesn’t get much better than this episode. Iconic.
Arkash,
Agreed!
CatspawAssassin,
:'( exactly
I should note that Robert Ball’s Beautiful Death poster for “The Watchers on the Wall” is my favorite piece of art that he’s created for the series so far. I think it’s just stunning. To be fair, they’re all stunning, but this one? This one is special.
It’s also the only poster in the series of which I’m fortunate enough to own a copy – they were handing them out at the IMAX screening I attended last year. I kind of wish I’d gotten it framed, but it looks damn great all the same.
If I had unlimited finances and wall space, I’d love to own the entire series of Beautiful Death posters someday. But if I can only have one, this one will do.
I really hope Hobb comes back in season 6 as a jon Supporter XD
he was such a boss this episode.
Got GøT,
Nice choices, and don’t forget the fourth season opener, “Two Swords,” which features the great “all the chickens” scene. Just finished re-watching that episode a few minutes ago. Now on to episode two. 😉
Jared,
Beautiful. I couldn’t have phrased it better, myself. And I agree with you through and through.
4×09 is my favorite. And I feel protective of it, myself. And I’m so damned glad to see someone cover all the bases like this.
Mihnea,
I totally agree. I was sad to see Grenn and Pyp go, but you are right it did add to the emotional impact. Which was so amazing with all the major players there. Good point on Alliser being injured, didn’t connect the two, but that did create a more recent and strong reason for his inability to elevate above the instinctual hatred of the Wildings. The changes in this episode were spot on.
Adam,
But the wait was even longer in the books … it was days in between the battle with the wildlings beyond the wall and Jon’s visit to their camp … time enough for Alliser and Janos to return and throw Jon in the ice cells so they did speed up the pace quite nicely for the show… for people who hadn’t read the books it added a cliffhanger until the next episode
ash,
I think the scythe was a good, dramatic addition given how the show was portraying the climbers. In the books, scaling the wall appeared to require more effort. Jon and Ygritte did not mountain climb the wall – others made the climb with ropes, the ropes were lowered down, premade ladders were unrolled and hoisted up the wall and then they climbed the ladders. Still not easy but a lots easier than a 700 foot climb hand and toe hold to hand and toe hold. But if more people can scale the wall, a scythe makes more sense. And its quite visually dramatic.
I did miss the chain. I thought it displayed Tyrion’s ingenuity to a greater degree than the wildfire, which Cersei had started production of anyway. But I understand that there are only so many plot elements you can include before things become too cluttered. That’s one that it might have been better to have made room for … as his saving the city becomes a central part of the dramatic arch of his trial.
I liked Jon’s chapters in ADWD actually. Only Theon’s chapters were better in that book, for me at least. In the earlier chapters, with Jon and Stannis discussing the Northern houses, it showed that Jon had a very good knowledge and understanding of the Northern Houses and Northern politics. His advice to Stannis was sound, not to speak of the conflict of whether he should be advising Stannis in the first place. Plus the beheading of Janos Slynt, Maester Aemon’s advice “kill the boy” and Jon’s actions after that, all of this was interesting to me! Especially if, in WOW, he does get involved in the battle for Winterfell, which certainly is extremely likely to happen.
Regarding the show, yeah you are right, thematically it makes sense that Jon’s election was held back to S5. His arc in S5 felt complete, even though I would not have minded more focus on the political side during his time as LC.
However, his arc in S4 did suffer a bit because a lot of his episodes until ep 9 felt like they were holding episodes. But i guess this was a consequence of splitting one book into 2 seasons.
If I could die like any of the characters in the entire series, it would be GRENN. Taking out a giant on the way out and reciting the Night’s Watch oath as my last words would be an epic way to go. It never fails to give me goosebumps. Also the scene in 4×10 when Mance says “Mag the Mighty was the last of a line of kings that goes back to before the First Men” and Jon replies, “Grenn came from a farm”. One is a giant and the other a human. One is royalty and the other is a farmboy. But they were united in death. That’s so poetic.
A girl NEEDS Jon Snow back!! ??
This episode and Hardhome are the best in the whole series for me!
But seriously… Jon please be back!!
Looks like we’re in for a epic season!!?
LadyStark,
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this and Hardhome. Love to see J in action and taking charge 🙂 I will disagree with some that it was fine for Grenn to go though. He did go out in the best possible way, but I would have liked to see an original friend still alive now who knows all the history they’d been through, other than just the one, Edd. Sam I don’t count cause he went off on his own and who knows when we’ll see him interact with anybody from the NW.
Yep…it reminds me of Theoden’s battle cry at the start of battle of Pelenor Field…..Bothe scenes are epic….
ghost of winterfell,
Jon’s chapters were boring and repetitive after Stannis left the Wall.For me.
mau,
Yeah same here. He was counting food and waiting for Tormund.
He didn’t really had anything interesting happening to him until the very last chapter.
Sending him to HH and giving his story, much needed, action was a very good decision.
I have lots of wall space, and maybe not unlimited finances, but I’ll get by ok.. 🙂
How do I get my hands on these? I’ll pay good money for them! Anyone know?
my favorite episode of the whole series so far. favorite scenes; Jon handing Sam the key to Ghost’s room, “I need him more than I need you”, when the elevator isn’t going fast enough for Jon and his action star jumps, tucks and rolls into action, and when Sam unleashes the Ghost! Seeing it in IMAX was a beautiful thing as well, especially the 360 pan around scene inside Castle Black, such a great piece of filming.
This is my favorite episode of all time! I love everything about Sam, Ed and Grenn. And Jon taking charge, so powerful!
Btw i read this website for long time, but i never comment… U r awesome, keep up great job. Cheers from Cyprus!
Have you read David Gemmell’s Legend? The book examines what courage and heroics mean when faced with insurmountable odds, as a 500,000 strong army advances upon hopelessly outmatched defenders of a legendary fortress. There’s an intriguing notion that Gemmell plays with: it’s not necessarily strength and courage that make a hero, but being able to rise to the occasion. Anyway, not particularly deep literature, but a solid fantasy book that stays with you.
Reminded me of the way you chose to describe this episode, so I thought I’d ask.
Mr Fixit,
I have not read Legend, but I’m always interested in hearing recommendations for fantasy novels. I’ll check it out!
Mack,
Neither the Beautiful Death website nor Robert Ball’s own website appears to have a link where you can buy them, which is a shame. The HBO Store does have a handful of them available for sale (I see Baelor, Blackwater, The Rains of Castamere, The Watchers on the Wall, and The Children). But unfortunately they don’t have all of them, and the ones they do offer are relatively expensive.
http://store.hbo.com/maps-posters/index.php?v=hbo_shows_game-of-thrones_posters&catnvbar=Collectibles:Maps+&+Posters
You can also try your luck on eBay, I guess. Some people there appear to be offering the posters they got at special screenings for sale.
Jared,
(first of all, changed screen name :))
I googled it and found Robert Ball’s and the Beautiful Death website, but as you said, no luck there. I got some hits on eBay, but just some of them. I’ll try to get some if i can..
When i’ll follow your link it takes me to the European HBO Store (I live in Sweden) which doesn’t seem to have the posters 🙁 Damn it!
How expensive are they in the US HBO Store?
andriakenas,
Each poster is $12.99 in the U.S. store, which doesn’t include shipping and handling (domestic shipping brings it up to $18.94). I’ve paid more than that for posters before, but if you want to buy more than one, that adds up quickly. The posters are also only 11″ x 17″ – ideally, I’d like them to be bigger. I love the poster that I got at the IMAX screening, but I don’t know if I would have paid that much money for it.
Hopefully, all of the poster will be available one day in a way that’s more comprehensive and cost-effective (perhaps a bulk package).
Jared,
I could live with paying $12.99 and get me at least five of them – if I had the possibility.
Well, well, I’ll have to wait and see if they will be available somewhere in the future.
Thanks though!
YgiTTe,
Oh Sam is gonna be so upset when he hears about Jon!
I wonder if Edd is gonna make it!
Kit’s best work was in those episodes! The fight scenes are awesome. He knows how to swing a sword . I really enjoy watching the behind the scenes footage. Interesting how they do all this stuff. The 360 sequence was awesome! And of course Ygritte’s death was heartbreaking. Olly..If I could spend 5 min with you little twat!!?
I’m more than ready to find out what’s next ( or not ) for Jon.
And it better be good news …
Anyone involved in Jon’s betrayal better meet their maker soon!
These last days waiting for the show are gonna take forever lol:)) ?
Loved this episode so much, and in retrospect I think it was a smart decision to kill Pyp and Grenn. (even though I like both). It’s funny that Game of Thrones always tries to deconstruct common tropes and play with people’s expectations, and yet, sometimes we have romantic moments like their deaths.
Even though they never intended to join the Watch, and initially weren’t very excited to uphold their vows, Pyp and Grenn sacrificed their lives and fought until they died – Like true heroes from the songs.
YgiTTe,
Watching this episode at the IMAX was amazing too!
Wish they’d done the same with Hardhome. I wish I could watch all of them on the huge screen!
Loved Tormund and Jon near the end..lol
Tormund: …I should’ve thrown you from the top of the wall
Jon:…aye….you should’ve …
Tormund is a really great guy too. He’s probably toast too
All the good guys die on this show ?That’s why I’m worried about Davos too…
I might just start rooting for Drogon lol:))
Deesensfan,
No kidding…even with all the “evidence” out there, Kit being photographed at Saintfield in Stark armor. And I’m still worried about Jon’s fate!!
He’s been pretty persistent about him being gone and done with Thrones. ?
I’d hate to be upset all over again! NEED my man back!!
Lady Stark,
Filming spoilers! Please cover. 🙂
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Oops….sorry ?
Lady Stark,
These last few weeks have been flying by for me actually! Never got the chance to see any at the IMAX. I believe I was still binge watching at that point so wasn’t following much on-line yet to hear about it. Hardhome would be amazing, I am surprised they did not offer it.
I really like Tormund too. His humor and when he teases Jon. He can be a savage for sure, but otherwise he’s level-headed and bit of a softy. Yes love that exchange at the end, it’s one I rewound a few times 🙂 Jon is slick there and the way Tormund bellows that line is great, I laughed hearing it the first time.