Yeah, you'd think for an episode that had a reveal, brought in a much-referred character, and revolved around a near revolution, that it would have been a bit more engrossing or memorable. But kinda meh. Benjen coming back to the show was pretty poorly handled, in my opinion. Firstly, there was absolutely zero reason to have a 'reveal' halfway through the show, when it was clear that it was him from minute one. Moreso especially for Bran; how does he not recognise him, or at least his voice? Erm. And, evidently, I am assuming they are making him Coldhands, which kind of sucks, because no sweet elk (or raven flock), Martin saying specifically he wasn't, and him being referred to as being dead 'a long time ago' by someone 200+ years old. But anyways, let's assume he either is or isn't, I would have
still have liked to see some more 'special' appearance to him, nut just a kinda blue face. This show has always cut down the fantastical elements, which I can't really understand, b/c look at the material, but outside of some CGI zombies we have yet to see any really cool looking/magical characters in the world. A small thing, but one which is made just that much more obvious by the showwriters having him hide his face with a scarf for half the episode. The connection to the children, them saving him, apparently teaching him everything they ever knew about the Others, the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran's powers, giving him magic weapons, etc., etc., was a bit too convenient, but fine, I will buy it, he was missing for a while after all. But how could they 'rescue' him by the same method they made the Others? Wouldn't that make him an Other? And why him (outside of plot convenience's sake, because Stark) when tens of thousands before were not? I dunno, don't ask stupid questions. Bonus point of order: Bran doesn't seem all that bothered by the loss of Hodor or Summer; both of which have literally saved his life and several occasions and he has warged to be 'one' with. That seems.... kinda cold (pun only half intended). But he is also not all that excited to see his uncle, so who knows. This is the kind of character development the show has long decided to set by the way side I gather.
So it turns out the HS orchestrated this all from the beginning, as I has theorised. The question is how he is going to be brought down from here, what Margaery is playing at, and when we will finally get the conclusion to
gold their shrouds (seriously, enough with Tommen). And how would the new power really handle the attempted coup by Westeros' most powerful remaining houses? I mean, sure Jaime gets sent away, but that really isn't anything. I look forward to Bronn's return to the show, but wonder if the whole bit about about Jaime heading off to the Riverlands, but not really, was kind of a dig or nod to the fact that yes, that happened in the books, but we are just going to drop it altogether.
I think the show should have ended with Arya blowing out the candle. I am under no impression at all that she is in any danger, but at least it would have left us with something. I really did not need to see another ended of Dany giving her pep talk about being queen and showing her power through dragons YET AGAIN. Is this just the GoT go-to ending now when they can't think of another way to wrap the show and have seven minutes left? Uhm, there are a dozen other more interesting stories happening in Westeros they have dropped completely, and they are cutting so much, I wish they wouldn't waste time on these scenes. But Dany.
Duh. Remember how she was all the rage when season 1 finished (and sparked a boom in the US of people naming their kids Khaleesi?
)
1 2 . Yeah, there is no way that was ever going to come back on us.
More thoughts on the episode, but one final parting one for now. Do you think the flashing scenes as Bran 'greensees' through time are a strong indication of the theory I mentioned, where he - either intentionally or not, I guess we will see - set so much of all this history in motion?