Game of Thrones’ fifth season aired in 2015. (same year The Witcher III: Wild Hunt came out) It received critical acclaim from critics, fans and viewers alike. Peter Dinklage won an “Outstanding Supporting Actor for a Drama Series” for his performance as Tyrion Lannister. “Game of Thrones” ultimately earned an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.” A prequel titled, “House of the Dragon” is streaming on HBO Max.
This review contains no crucial SPOILERS. By the way, a recap of Season 4 will include plot elements unrestricted. Tread carefully.
Positive & Negative Aspects
Positive: The Main Cast reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
David Benioff & D.B. Weiss both did a decent job adapting “A Feast of Crows” as a ten-part season. They also serve as executive producers alongside George R.R. Martin.
Death Scenes are extremely savage. If you have a weak stomach, be prepared. If so, get a barf bag.
Ramin Djawadi (Iron Man, Westworld) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Cinematography captures in-depth locations in Westeros.
Visual and Practial Effects bring Westeros’ lore to life.
Nearly every single character is unique and has a fascinating background. Daenerys is my favorite.
Negative: There’s one issue involving the Season Finale.
Season 4 Recap
- Littlefinger & Catelyn Stark’s sister, Lysa murder King Joffrey via poison.
- Tyrion is framed for the murder of Joffrey. After the latter’s death, his brother, Tommen takes over as king.
- Littlefinger takes Sansa to her aunt’s place
- Daenerys becomes a queen.
- Tyrion demands a trial in combat. Oberyn represents him as a fighter. However, his carelessness let’s his guard down allowing The Mountain to literally blow Oberyn’s head.
- Littlefinger pushes Lysa, causing her to fall to her death via floor trap
- Tyrion escapes prison. He murders Tywin for abusing him since he was born. He then smuggles himself in a crate on a ship.
- Brienne embarks on a search and rescue mission to find Sansa. She defeats The Hound.
- Arya leaves Hound to die from his wounds.
- Ramsay Snow manipulates Theon as his pawn.
- The Night’s Watch defend their turf from The Wildlings and Thenns. Ygritte dies from an arrow.
Primary Themes are Loyalty, Honor, Legacy, Betrayal, Loss, Family & Revenge. Each one is handled maturely.
“Hardhome” is my favorite episode from Season 5.
Episode 41 – The Wars to Come
Tyrion is relocated to Pentos. Meanwhile, Cersei puts a bounty on his head.
One of the main leads has a flashback.
Jon decides on what to do with Mance.
Cersei attends Tywin’s wake.
Episode 42 – The House of Black and White
Arya arrives at her destination.
Brienne confronts a familiar face.
A chase scene ensues.
Daenerys has a meeting deciding what to do with The Sons of Harpys.
A member of The Night’s Watch ranks up.
Episode 43 – High Sparrow
Littlefinger relocates Sansa to a “safe house.”
Brienne & Podrick scout a castle. The former talks about her past.
Arya has a sad moment.
Jon commits a savage act.
Episode 44 – Sons of the Harpy
Somebody gets arrested.
Stannis has a father and daughter talk with Shireen.
A fight scene ensues.
Tyrion deduces an exiled man.
The Body Count racks up.
Episode 45 – Kill the Boy
Daenerys hosts a “barbecue.” Plus, she has other plans.
Jon recruits a fellow soldier for an upcoming mission. He also seeks advice on how to be a good leader.
Ramsay and his family eat dinner discussing “nostalgic memories.”
Tyrion & Jorah encounter something “huge.”
Last scene will make you gasp.
Episode 46 – Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
Daenerys is caught in a moral dilemma.
Tyrion attempts to talk his way out of a predicament.
Jamie & Bron partake in a stealth quest.
An individual is sentenced to prison.
Two people get married.
Somebody crosses a huge line.
Episode 47 – The Gift
Jon heads out on a mission.
Ramsay shows Sansa his new “art on display.”
A Plot Twist reveals who’s in cahoots over a king’s demise.
Bron experiences strange symptoms.
The Night’s Watch honor a veteran’s memory.
A focal character is screwed.
Episode 48 – Hardhome
Tyrion makes a proposition.
Two characters have a conversation sharing their similarities. Hence the phrase, “We’re not so different you and I.”
The Night’s Watch & The Wildlings unite in an epic battle. It gets Bonus Points for raising the stakes. Plus, this episode is my favorite from Season 5.
Jorah attempts to make a comeback.
Sam has a valid point about Jon’s leadership.
Once character says four words. “This is the way.” Now it makes sense. Jon Favreau was inspired by Game of Thrones, so he made this aforementioned line a motto for “The Mandalorian.”
Without giving anything away, all heck breaks loose.
Episode 49 – The Dance of Dragons
Arya makes a shocking discovery.
Shireen reads a book about Westeros’ history.
Stannis & Melisandre do something appalling.
Daenerys watches a gladiatorial tournament. Cue Russell Crowe’s line from Gladiator… “Are you not entertained?!”
A bloody massacre escalates. It receives Bonus Points near the end.
Episode 50 – Mother’s Mercy
Victory: Stannis has a major setback.
Sam makes a drastic decision.
Brienne delivers a fatality on an important figure.
Arya also delivers a deadly attack showing her inner “John Wick.” Cue Mortal Kombat’s line… “Flawless Victory!” “Fatality!” But wait, she experiences a “sudden change.”
Theon’s actions set a course.
A Plot Twist is revealed in the most disgusting way no one can ever imagine. In the words of Marlon Wayans in “Scary Movie.” “But wait, there’s more!” Another twist happened.
One scene pays homage to the jumping scene from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
Daenerys receives “company.”
Cersei’s forced to make an unpleasant public appearance.
Defeat: The final scene is gonna piss you off. When I first saw it, I was devastated over one of my favorite characters who never got a glorified destiny.
The Final Verdict: A-
Game of Thrones’ fifth season is a nearly perfect season. If it weren’t for that one problem listed above, it could’ve gotten a flawless grade. An A FOR APEX. If you wanna refresh your memory before binge-watching House of the Dragon, start with the first season to the last.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 