It takes a lot for Game of Thrones to bore me, but here we are. I’m not one of those people who only watches the show for tits and dragons, but I need something to happen – is that so wrong? “Kill the Boy” was the quintessence of a transitional episode, as if Benioff and Weiss decided to take a full hour to tease things that will happen eventually. I’ll say one thing about the episode, though: we’re definitely at the middle of the season.
Much of “Kill the Boy” took place at the Wall, which is always in danger of becoming boring. With the exception of last season’s “Watchers on the Wall,” not a whole lot actually happens at Castle Black. Jon wants to appoint Tormund Giantsbane as the new head of the wildlings – although Jon is calling them free folk now, which is a nice touch – but Tormund is wary of appearing subservient. Ultimately Tormund agrees to help Jon round up wildlings north of the Wall, but Jon has to come too. This is promising, because Jon’s most interesting stories have taken place away from the Wall.
At the same time, Stannis – whom Jon refers to as King Stannis, another nice touch – is getting ready to march on Winterfell. “The North remembers” is an oft-repeated refrain, and it’s nice to see that the surviving Northerners are looking out for Sansa. Ned Stark’s honor might have gotten him killed, but the goodwill it fostered in his subjects is probably what will save his daughter’s life. Ramsay is in full-on creep mode, and he seems to be positioned to fill the villain role vacated by Joffrey. Even Roose is embarrassed by his son, as Ramsay makes Reek apologize to Sansa for killing Bran and Rickon, before suggesting that Reek give her away at the wedding. Later, because the Boltons are in a contest to see who can be the worst, Roose tells Ramsay the blood-curdling story of his conception. “Kill the Boy” had a lot of boring scenes, but Game of Thrones perks up whenever the Boltons are on screen.
“Kill the Boy” sags when it leaves Winterfell. Of course it was necessary to check in on Dany in Meereen, after last week’s battle with the Sons of the Harpy left Grey Worm wounded and Ser Barristan dead. Dany’s response to this pushes her more into antihero territory, which could really help her. She lets Rhaegal and Viserion incinerate and eat the head of a Meereenese family, just to send a lesson to the others, just in case they might be behind the Sons. (This scene came at the beginning of the episode, which maybe set my hopes to high. Dany’s dragons look fantastic, the man’s death was suitably brutal, and feeding someone to a dragon is a baller move.) Dany decides to reopen the fighting pits, and to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq, in an effort to appease the Meereenese. I just hope Tyrion gets there soon.
Tyrion is still stuck on that boat with Jorah, and to the show’s credit, the scenes of them at sea are the most beautiful (to look at) in the entire episode, especially that shot of Drogon. Jorah makes the mistake of sailing through the ruins of Valyria, where they’re attacked by Stone Men. (Note: this is the first time we even see a sword in “Kill the Boy.”) Jorah fends them off, but he’s coming down with greyscale. Iain Glen has done great work as the haunted, angry Jorah, so adding “dying” to the mix should give him a lot of room to stretch.
It’s hard to say much about “Kill the Boy,” because, well, not much actually happened. I don’t know, maybe I missed something, or maybe Game of Thrones shouldn’t tease me by showing Dorne in the credits, then having people talk for an hour.
A Few Thoughts
- This is probably the harshest review I’ve ever given a Game of Thrones episode. I’m fully willing to admit that it’s possible the greatness of the episode just soared over my head. Maybe it’ll grow on me, but as of now I’m not feeling very charitable towards “Kill the Boy.” Maybe it plays better on repeat viewings, maybe it’s better suited to binge watching.
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