Game of Thrones is a flawed show by nature, albeit in a glorious way. As the story expands and becomes more epic in scope, it often loses focus, leaving certain characters and plotlines neglected (Hi Bran!). As great as most episodes are, they often bite off more than they can chew by trying to advance the progress of too many players in this massive game. But Blackwater is different. Abandoning the shows traditional sprawling structure by focusing the action entirely on the battle for Kings Landing, its the most narratively precise episode of the series. But at the same time, its also the grandest and most bombastic. In short, its the closest any episode has ever come to perfection. Unlike Baelor or The Rains of Castamere, both great episodes made legendary by their final events, the entirety of Blackwater is an event. From the spectacle of wildfire on the bay, to the sickeningly gory combat sequences, its the most impressive battle scene ever produced for television. But all the sweet kills and colorful explosions would be meaningless if it werent for the smaller, more intimate moments peppered throughout the hour. The oncoming war takes its toll on the characters, causing them to react in surprising yet realistic ways. Sansa turns defiant, The Hound goes from fearsome to fearful, Cersei becomes strangely likeable after shes had a few, and Tyrion transforms into the leader we always knew he could be. Those are brave men knocking at our doors, the Halfman declares as he rallies his troops. Lets go kill them. Tyrions speech isnt meant to provide inspiration or hope. Its a blunt and unsentimental reflection on the realities of war, much like the episode as a whole. What separates Game of Thrones from other fantasy stories is that even in a world full of dragons and magic, the inhabitants feel like real people. Blackwater plays off this unique strength by presenting these flawed characters in their most desperate hour, making this fantastical war feel shockingly real. Couple that with the masterful acting, writing, directing, and visual effects, it all adds up to the greatest episode of one of TVs greatest shows. Its so good, youll almost forget about the chain. Almost.
J.D. Laney is an aspiring novelist and screenwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. When he isn't trying to write his own material, he is constantly consuming the work of others for analysis and, occasionally, for fun. He has a particular interest in film, literature, and video games.
