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‘ Game of Thrones’ is tantalizing in its return
Season 7 gives up speedy pace to explore themes
Spoiler alert! The following contains details of the Season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones. battles,its It Game seventhcan’t we of suppose.all Thrones expectationsseasonbe dragonfireSunday returned higher withand for than strong, ever, following forward- a moving Season 6. It seemed like we were in for something bombastic in the premiere, titled “Dragonstone,” after the ancestral home of Daenerys Targaryen, one of the series’ more fiery characters. But while Thrones moved at a speedy pace last season — and now has just 12 episodes remaining in total — the episode played out like the slow- moving and exposition- heavy premieres of seasons past. And there isn’t really time for that, not anymore.
an bloodBut Sure, openingtheyof viewersthe also scene entiresat were soakedFrey through treated family.in thean to almost agonizingly unsubtle Ed Sheeran cameo, monologues from minor characters and overlong meetings. And even Arya’s mass murder felt like an unnecessary extension of a better scene in the Season 6 finale. Who knew the epic story of Westeros had this kind of time?
Our major players were mostly stalled in their seats of power. Jon confirmed his status as a great leader by not executing children for their parents’ sins ( and promoting gender equality on the battlefield). Cersei dipped her toe in the water of an alliance with Euron Greyjoy. Dany arrived at Dragonstone and took a tour. We were reminded of the locations of most of the armies and characters. It was very educational.
found But as still, much Thrones greatnesshas in often its smaller moments as it has in wildfire explosions and murderous weddings. Sam, who arrived
at the Citadel hoping to learn the secrets Walkers of but destroyingended up the doing Whitemenial labor, highlighted this best. His bedpan- heavy montage was perhaps unnecessary, but added some levity and was an excellently edited bit of filmmaking. His discussion with the Archmaester ( delightful cast addition Jim Broadbent) allowed the episode to explore the series’ larger themes. Life, war and power are all fleeting, so why does any of this matter, even the war with the White Walkers? The Hound, Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion also played more thematic roles, reappearing more to remind us of the endless war’s toll on the people of Westeros than for the images of the White Walkers’ advance the Houndseriesthe ters’ must people confront Cersei consequencesactions.has buryhe saw and theirhad had the in a Arya troubleNow, handownthe bodiesof may flames.in ghosts,theits portrayingkilling.have charac-Houndof Thetoo. theto And,was scene young incrediblythough soldierswith him Sheeran’sbrought distracting,and theup presence impor-Arya’s other tantter. Is questionsshe going aboutto kill her these charac- men with families and hopes just because they wear Lannister red? Is she just a killer now, or is there something more to her? That’s a question the show should spend its time on — if it has any to spare. Game of Thrones always has aimed for a balance of huge, shocking moments with smaller, more intimate ones. And in any other would have season, been a “Dragonstone”perfectly serviceable premiere. But the series finale is looming, and with only six episodes remaining this year, there’s not as much time to tease. We don’t want the inevitably bigger and more consequential moments to be rushed. In a series with so much mythos and windup, the conclusions need to be satisfyingly delivered. “Dragonstone” closes with Dany, done with her emotional tour of her birthplace, returning to business. “Shall we begin?” she asks. We couldn’t agree more.