Some Probably Unpopular Thoughts About 8x03, The Long Night
This is kind of weird to be saying, but now that itās been 12 hours since the episode ended and Iāve had time to think it over, I unfortunately feel a little underwhelmed. At least from a narrative standpoint. Cinematically, this episode was incredible, and I loved it. I was extremely hyped as I watched it, and I even yelled with joy as Arya delivered the final blow.
However, I donāt understand the point of developing the White Walker threat for 8 seasons (not to mention that they were the opening of the show) just to have them be defeated deus ex machina style with Arya jumping out of nowhere. How could she have gotten through the circle of wights and White Walkers? Earlier in the episode, the wights could hear her blood dripping, but now they canāt hear her running up behind them? I absolutely loved the moment where Arya killed the Night King (and sheās my 2nd favorite character), but it honestly doesnāt make sense from a story standpoint. I donāt believe that she will kill him in the books, because she never meets Melisandre in the books. So how could this be the true ending? Why didnāt they set up her character more for this?
Also, do all those moments between Jon Snow and the Night King just mean nothing now? All of this development, all these years, just for a simple end to the battle where none of the primary characters die?
(And there is also no way that Jon and Dany would not form some kind of plan before hopping on their dragons. Jon has been immersed in a military-type lifestyle for about 7 years, why would he not make a battle plan between the two of them?)
I really do like the idea of the true end of the show turning out to be a fight for the Iron Throne, and that it was a political drama all along, but the end to the supernatural threat just felt rushed. What about The Land of Always Winter? What about all of Crasterās sons that were turned into White Walkers? There are a million questions I have about the death of the Night King and what this means for the supernatural of the world, but Iām scared that theyāre just not going to be answered.
This episode just made me feel as though the first scene of the series, Jeor Mormontās ranging up north, Mance Rayderās goal, Craster, the battle at Castle Black, Hardhome, Branās journey up north, the Children of the Forest, and the expedition to capture a wight was just all meaningless. And sure, cool twist, but it just feels very rushed. And what about the Song of Ice and Fire? What is the significance of that now? What about Jennyās Song? What about the Prince Who Was Promised? Arya doesnāt really fit that prophecy, she fits Melisandreās prophecy about which eyes she will close, something that isnāt even in the books.
The only way I could try to come to a conclusion here is that Cersei is the true evil, she is the true darkness that has fallen upon the realm, and Azor Ahai will have to kill her.
I loved this episode, I did, but in the end, I do feel disappointment for the story.
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