Yes, definitely better than the previous one. But still many flaws and average writing. Wildings cavalry arriving to Castle Black showed how poor and pointless was the mutineers plan in killing Jon: their enemy was already passed the wall, so what could their goal be? Definitely, Jon Snow's killing immediately after the return from Hardhome with all the wildlings was rushed and poorly built. Anyone can easily can see why in this episode. Best moments in this episode were maybe Tyrion in the dragons dungeons ("I'm here to help you, don't eat you help") and Bran's visions. Touching to see young Hodor speaking more or less fluently, young Nan, young Ned and Benjen, and, especially, young Lyanna for the first time. Disappointing, rushed and poorly written was the death of Roose Bolton, essentially just the same scheme as Doran's death: an important news come, the bad guy is precisely present there at the victim's side when he receives the news, then the bad guy quickly makes the killing, while the victim is taken by surprise and cannot even react. Poor writing, when you think this identical scheme is used with two of the shrewd and smartest people around, very unlikely to let their guard down that stupid way (otherwise they would be dead much sooner). Frankly, it was highly delusional seeing that the great architect, the evil mastermind who set up the red wedding, was to be dismissed such a lame way. And we also lost a magnificent actor, a wonderful villain , while we are left with his cartooinsh Joker-esque son. Balon Greyjoy's death was also rushed, we hadn't seen him in centuries, then he walks on a rope bridge after arguing with his daughter and (waht a chance!) there appears the bad guy from darkness. Arya's training is boring as usual, basically being smashed while begging, then having to answer "No One" to all questions by the Jaqen (not so difficult, you have to reckon it). The final Lazarus scene was also unconvincing and poorly built up, with no motivation at all. The new attitude of Davos toward Melisandre has no serious foundations at all. But let's delebrate Jon's revival, now we have the big hero in full charge.
The episode had anyway a nice flow, with many unconvincing moments and an overall weak construction and average writing, not in par with seasons 1-4.
The episode had anyway a nice flow, with many unconvincing moments and an overall weak construction and average writing, not in par with seasons 1-4.