Game of Thrones Recap: The Watchers on the Wall
It turns out Jon Snow knows a little more than nothing. Mance Raydor’s ambitious attempt to breach the Wall filled the entire episode. Barely 100 men were there to defend against an army thought to be 100,000 Wildlings. Even worse, there was a troop of them already over the wall that attacked Castle Black from the rear. A brilliant plan! What a battle!
It was a welcome change of pace for Game of Thrones and HBO to give us a full hour of action. As bad as it sounds, I am also relieved that a number of named characters are gone. The size of the cast is always a challenge, good time to lighten the load.
Jon Snow has a lot of his father in him. He has a keen sense of right and wrong. Despite his bastard status he feels a strong devotion to the Night’s Watch and the Starks, adopting their principled nature. He seems to have a knack for tactics like his half-brother Robb. The question is whether his principles will undermine his strategic goals as they did Robb’s.
Mance Raydor’s attack on the wall was well planned and executed. Its failure is due to the incredible efforts of a small group of highly motivated men of the Night’s Watch. The real difference maker was Jon Snow. His efforts on top the wall helped slow the attack on the gate. The battle within Castle Black seem to turn thanks to the efforts of Jon and Sam. Two of the Wildling captains were killed by them, while the remaining one, Tormund, was taken prisoner.
Ygritte died in dramatic fashion. She couldn’t kill Jon and her hesitation cost her her life.
The whole battle had a romanticized Hollywood feel to it, lacking Martin’s typical realism. The deaths were all dramatic, and the stand of the Night’s Watch was a miraculous victory. Kind of cheesy. Still, I can’t deny I was entertained throughout the battle.
The aftermath looks bleak. Best estimate puts the Night’s Watch at maybe 40-50 men left. Raydor’s army remains intact and has plenty of mammoths and giants. Jon Snow’s proposed solution is a duel between Raydor and himself. Raydor would have to be a total idiot to agree to this, but if Snow tweaks his ego or maybe calls him out openly, it might work. I agree with Sam, the Wildlings are going to kill Snow whether he kills Raydor or not.
At the same time Raydor’s endgame is not realistic. Even if he breaches the wall and enters the North he faces the forces of Roose Bolton. Other regional powers: Frey and Greyjoy have incentive to join against Raydor as well and rebuild the Wall. Fighting the Night’s Watch is one thing. Fighting three major houses is another.
One other consideration: Jon Snow points out that without Raydor the Wildling Army collapses. He is right. Raydor has no second in command or successor. Once he is gone, they will fall apart and the North will probably return to the realm of the Seven Kingdoms.
Only one episode left, what subplot will be concluded?
Sansa and Arya are to be reunited. Stannis and Davos return to Westeros with money to rebuild his army. What of Jorah? Will Daenerys forgive him?
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