Game of Thrones 'Blackwater' review: The show's greatest episode?
Published May 29 2012, 14:12 BST | By Alex Fletcher
Blimey. You don't see special effects like that on the BBC. Game of Thrones much-hyped Battle of Blackwater episode finally saw the show's creators unleashed with the full power of HBO's hefty budget and delivered what could easily be argued is the most visually stunning TV ever made.However, Game of Thrones isn't just big bucks effects, blazing fire battles and sword-slashing wars. The beauty of HBO's fantasy drama is that it packs an emotional punch to match its visual treats and tricks.
Watch the trailer for 'Blackwater':
Of course, when it came to the crunch Tyrion and Cersei stole the show once again. If Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage don't scoop up their fair share of awards this year, there's something afoot and very wrong, because the duo add heart (or cold heart in the case of Cersei) and gravitas and not a single line or look is wasted by either.
Tyrion proved to be the hero of the hour when the Lannisters needed him most. Heading up the defence of King's Landing ("Those are brave men knocking at our door... Let's go kill them!"), Tyrion stood tall while Joffrey ran off to his mother and even the usually fearless The Hound was left having some sort of emotional breakdown over the destruction and devastation occurring around him.
Meanwhile, Cersei briefly took a break from mocking Sansa, Shae and anyone else who got in her path to reveal her emotional core. Shaken by the prospect of being captured, raped and killed by Stannis's men, she decided to take not only her own but also her son Tommem's life. Headey's steely performance brought genuine conviction to the character's dark intentions, but also managed to flicker with touches of humanity.
© HBO
© HBO
The protective mother was willing to murder her own to save them from a far worse death. It was cold and tough to watch, but perhaps stole the show from all the dramatics and head-slashing going on outside King's Landing.
Cersei and Tommen were saved at the very last moment by the return of her father and his men, who cleared up Stannis's forces. Tywin Lannister looks likely to be named the victor and hero in the Battle of Blackwater, so will Tyrion ever be given credit for his heroic battle cry when the chips were down?
Where does this leave Game of Thrones heading into the season two finale? Stannis is captured and looks to be in all sorts of bother. Tyrion has taken a nasty slash to the face, The Hound has gone AWOL and Joffrey remains King. Shudder.
Next week's extended episode will surely deal more heavily with the storylines that didn't feature this week. What will become of Jon Snow with the wildings? What on earth is going on with Danaerys? How horrible can the petulant Theon Greyjoy become? And when will we see some bloody dragons?
How did you rate the season's penultimate episode? Share your verdict below!
Watch the trailer for 'Valar Morghulis', the season two finale of Game of Thrones:
IMO this was the best episode yet, George RR Martin writes the best episode every season IMO. The battle was fantastic, some people are moaning but are they expecting LOTR scale or something? LOL
For me Cersei was the stand out character of the episode, seeing how she coped with what seemed like inevitable death for her and her son was really compelling and emotional especially the scene when she was on the throne with Tommen.
Tyrion continues to evolve into a better and better character and I've really started to like Sansa lately too who I was never fussed about at all in the past. Cannot wait to watch the finale and then I can read "Clash of Kings" :D
May 30th 2012 at 12:31pm
Though it wasn't shot in a way that made it entirely clear, Stannis was not captured. Those were his own men dragging him away. Normally I wouldn't refer to spoilers from the book, but this isn't really a spoiler, you're not meant to think he was captured, it just wasn't made clear enough. Stannis is absolutely still a free man.
May 30th 2012 at 1:46am(+1 like)
I thought it was obvious it were his own men. They kept telling him the fight was lost when he wanted to keep on going.
May 30th 2012 at 2:28am(+1 like)
I was out of breath by the end of this episode. So much happens it felt like it had gone on for two hours.
The effects were of high class movie territory and the tension was bursting at the seams. The wildfire explosion is just brilliant.
Having not read the books I obviously have no idea where the show is going but the more I watch the more I continue to absolutely love it.
May 29th 2012 at 9:20pm(+1 like)
A brilliant episode. It focussed in exactly the right place and thankfully saved us from watching Dany or Jon pout and make the same speeches over and over. Joffrey is such a legend, and Jack Gleeson brings him to life. From swaggering king to scared little boy in one facial movement, while Tyrion and, finally, The Hound, get to bring some brilliant scenes to life. This show is the best thing on TV and I cannot wait to see what it does as the story continues (but please, someone stop having Dany and Jon pout and progress their stories!)
May 29th 2012 at 6:25pm
I agree, I hate Joffrey but that's a testament to how good an actor is playing him.
May 30th 2012 at 12:33pm(+1 like)
Ive always felt that the CGI moments with the shadow, and also in this episode with the wildfire - will be the signs of if Game of Thrones team can survive whats to come, because quite honestly its easy to do awesome baby dragons and whatnot, but whats ahead is real amazement.
Wildfire and Shadow moments really did color it in for me, and proved that although the show is eventually going to venture aware from the writers view, this show is the best show in a long time.
PS: Arya ftw.
May 29th 2012 at 6:08pm(+1 like)