Fantastical Musings

Let's all take a minute to mourn the fact that Game of Thrones season six is now over. We waited so long, and it was over so quickly. Like a candle in the wind. However, you can't say that the finale wasn't satisfying. On rainy days in November when I think I can't make it until season seven, I'll think back to the season six finale and remember how satisfied I was when Arya cut Walder Frey's throat. Yup. They certainly left us satisfied. To my mind, the theme of this season was wish fulfillment for long time fans. I feel like the showrunners just sat down and said "what would the book readers most want to see," and then put those things into the show. It was like the show was just a really, really good fan fiction. There were a few moments that fell flat for me, but otherwise I really enjoyed this season. The Good: Stark Sibling Reunion: Words cannot express how relieved I was that two Starks were finally, finally reunited in this season. In G...

If there's one rule in the Game of Thrones , it's don't mess with Cersei Lannister. Everyone who messes with Cersei ends up either dead or maimed, and this is the episode that proves the rule. Just when you thought that being burned alive by a dragon was the only thing you had to worry about on Game of Thrones, here comes Cersei Lannister -- and she has wild fire. Quite honestly, I didn't think any episode of Game of Thrones -- or any other show that has ever existed or will ever exist -- would be better than last week's episode of Game of Thrones , but this one came pretty close. So much happened! I believe this was the longest Game of Thrones episode ever, and they certainly used the extra time well. This episode was so, so satisfying, and so much happened! Like, seriously, I'm actually having trouble remembering all the wonderful things that happened because there were so many beautiful, wonderful things. (Forgive me if I forget to mention anything imp...

Finally. Finally. Game of Thrones has delivered: Ramsay Bolton is DEAD. (Oops, spoilers. Sorry.) Anyway. This episode filled me with so much joy I can't even describe it. At one point during the episode I started to clap because I was so happy. However, this episode was an emotional roller coaster for me. First of all, HBO Now was down for about 40 minutes, which MURDERED me. While I was waiting for HBO to get their act together, I spent 10 minutes screaming at my roommate having a discussion with my roommate about how I don't know why I pay HBO $15 a month for a website that doesn't work and how people basically only subscribe to HBO Now for GOT, so they should get it right already. Then, the website started working again, and I instantly forgave HBO because it was the best episode ever and all television studios should just clean up and go home because they'll never produce anything even half as good. We start off in Meereen, where we get a fantastic drago...

As great as Game of Thrones is and as much as I enjoyed this episode, I felt like it was a giant tease for next week's episode. All I can say is that the last two episodes of this season better be amazing and shocking, because they've been building up a lot of dramatic tension in the past three episodes and it needs to be released. Please, please, please, I just need to see Jon Snow kill Ramsay Bolton. PLEASE. With that being said, there were some great and interesting moments in this week's episode, so let's get to the review! Favorite Moments: Congratulations to Arya for Finally Being Relevant: Words cannot describe how overjoyed I am that Arya Stark is finally heading in the direction of a relevant plot once again. When she said "a girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell, and I'm going home," I was like "yeah you are! finally!" Like, I'm so happy that she's going home that I barely cared that half the episode was wasted with shots of M...

In the Game of Thrones , there are no winners; there are only not losers. What makes you a not loser? Keeping your head attached to your neck or, alternatively, the Red God zombie-tizes you (in a good way; R'hllor for the win). This week Sandor Clegane joined the ranks of the not losers by -- drum roll -- surviving a serious Brienne beating. But, incredibly, that was only one of twelve million really exciting things that happened during this episode. I saw some people online describe this as a building episode or a "setting up" episode, but I found it to be just as exciting as every other episode. Let's get into it. Favorite Moments: The Bear and the Maiden Fair Lyanna Mormont, Child Warrior Extraordinaire: Before we go any further, could we all take a moment to acknowledge the real MVP this week: Lyanna Mormont, AKA the Bear Boss. I feel like I say this all the time, but I have a new favorite character, and her name is Lyanna Mormont. Her scene was so great. S...

Well, I feel like I say this every week, but that was an eventful episode! However, I have to say that the biggest reveal this week for me was that Benjen Stark is Coldhands! I mean, I don't think I was alone in thinking that he didn't die (I mean, on Game of Thrones -- and in the books -- if someone doesn't die on camera, they're most likely not dead), but that was a great reveal! I have to imagine that this was originally a George R.R. Martin idea, so it's a little sad that he didn't get to reveal it in his own way in the books, but I'm still duly impressed. Anyway, let's get to the review! Favorite Moments: Coldhands, but Not a Cold Heart: Well, the Starks are certainly resurgent in season 6! Benjen Stark is back in the game, rescuing Bran and Meera just before they became zombie chow (do wights eat? I hope not). Readers of the ASOIAF books will remember Coldhands, an enigmatic character that guides Bran and his buddies to the Three Eyed Raven ...

Well, I think it's safe to say that everyone on the face of the earth now ascribes new meaning to the phrase "Hodor," I mean, if they ascribed any meaning to it to begin with. I've heard this episode described as life changing, but, honestly, I found it to be just a normal episode. I mean, I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I just don't get what everyone's freaking out about. Actually, I liked last week's episode much better. However, even the worst episode of Game of Thrones is better than the best episode of any other show, so let's get to the review. Favorite Moments: Sansa Eviscerates Littlefinger: Every season, Sansa gets a little tougher and a little stronger (remember how annoying she was in season one?) and this season is no exception. I loved seeing her tear Littlefinger to pieces and making him confront all the pain he caused her. In previous seasons, she would have taken his help without question, but I don't trust Littlef...

So, I know that this review is approximately two and half weeks late, but I'm going to review it anyway. Come and see. This was a wonderful episode. I'm am so excited that there has finally been a Stark reunion. Come and see. Favorite Moments: Stark Family Reunion: I was absolutely overjoyed this week that there has finally been a Stark family reunion.  THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD SCENE. IT WAS SO TOUCHING!!! It's so lovely to finally have a happy moment on Game of Thrones , they're so rare! I loved that moment when they see each other from across the courtyard and then they have a great emotional moment and a big hug. I think I teared up a bit. Also, it's worthwhile to note that we learned that the Night's Watch makes good soup and terrible ale! Of course, it's Game of Thrones, so their happiness probably won't last, but it's nice while it lasts. Come and See: Kudos to Ramsay Bolton for writing the most aggressive letter ever in the history of lette...

Guess who's back, back again, Jon Snow's back...tell a friend...guess who's back...guess who's back...guess who's back... Well, I don't think anyone can say that that wasn't an eventful episode. Nothing major happened, sure, but it was a good story-building episode and it was jam packed with great, entertaining moments. Let's get right into it! Favorite Moments: And Now His Watch Has Ended: Ugh, I just love Jon Snow. I love him, I love him, I love him! I love that he's back. I love that he's still Jon (or at least he's acting like Jon). I love everyone's reaction to him. And, I'm so glad that he killed Alliser Throne and Olly. If you don't kill people in Game of Thrones who threaten you, they end up killing you -- and I am not interested in seeing Jon Snow die again. Also, I'm glad that Jon has ended his watch. Remember that the Night's Watch makes you swear to serve the Watch until death. Well, he has already died...

Well, I think we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief now that we know that Kit Harrington (aka Jon Snow) will be gracing our screen with his flowing locks of hair and brooding expressions for many episodes to come. In all seriousness, even though I suspected that Jon would be resurrected, I wasn't completely sure because it is, after all, Game of Thrones . (I didn't want to jinx it though, so I did wear my "The North Remembers" t-shirt and paint my nails black in honor of the Night's Watch ( you can follow my nail polish escapades at my beauty blog ).) Favorite Moments: I Prefer Being an Only Child: Hands down, no questions asked, Ramsay Snow/Bolton is the best villain to grace the small screen. Like, I know he murdered his father and fed two people -- including a baby -- to dogs in this episode, but I'm almost thinking "well done -- I thought you couldn't go further, but somehow you did!" I'm almost impressed with his villainy. F...

Man, I did not remember how much I missed Game of Thrones . It's like I was starving and I didn't even realize how hungry I was until I started to watch this episode. Game of Thrones is just so satiating; it's like eating a nice big piece of cheesecake, except, after one piece of cheesecake I'm normally full, and I'm never full of Game of Thrones . Let's break it down: Favorite Moments: A Place By My Hearth: I'm all about the Sansa/ Brienne tag team. I'm just shipping them so hard right now; they're going to be a great team. I loved the oaths they said to each other and I loved that Sansa couldn't quite remember the words and Pod (the real MVP) had to help her. It was just great acting and a really well thought out scene. I'd Like Some Mutton: I feel like Ser Davos is one of the most underrated characters in the show, and I just love him. He's one of the most pragmatic characters in the show and he has great, dry one-liners. I fee...