House of the Dragon: Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood

The first episode of the new season should have been the finale of last season. I guess it was going to be, but HBO did not have the budget for it (which seems a little stupid if you ask me). I went back and read my complaints of the season two finale, and it definitely did not feel like a finale. So this at least explains why. I guess you should probably stop reading if you want to avoid spoilers.

The episode portrays the Battle of the Gullet, which is the largest naval battle in Westeros history. The Triarchy vs. Corlys Velaryon’s fleet. There were a bunch of very tense moments, but I wish they would have pulled back to let us see the entire scope of the battle more often, rather than focusing so much on Corlys and Lohar’s high speed chase through some rocks. I think it would have been cool to see the ships ramming each other, and different tactics being used by the navies. But oh well. At least we got a somewhat cool battle between Lohar and Corlys. I read a complaint about the gender-swapping of Lohar, and how it was really unnecessary since the show is about powerful women leaders. Also, there is the whole thing where she is fighting sailors in armor and she easily kills them with each swipe. Remember in GOT, when the Dothraki fights Jorah? Armor vs. No Armor…whatever, not a big deal.

The show did change some of the book details. For example, Sheepstealer showing up and causing havoc is not in the book. Jace dies the same way, but in the book he is a much more likeable character. He does not lock his mom in her room. In the book, they fly out together. I actually loved Jace in the book, he was such a likeable character, especially during his time with the Starks. This version just felt…meh. Granted, I was still sad when his dragon died, but his death left me feeling almost glad. 

Speaking of the Starks…they are always true to their word. Cregan Stark sent his 2000 Graybeards south, and they have now joined up with Daemon. This part of the story reminds me of World War I. The British army had a group of veterans that spent a decent amount of time before WWI fighting in Africa, and they were used to the tactics, and the automatic rifles. I remember reading about them doing major damage to enemy armies that were much larger because they just knew how to fight, and experience is such a huge multiplier. That is how I picture the Northerners. Just wily, ruthless, and completely fearless. 

Anyways, there is a battle coming up, hopefully soon that better be as good as I hope. The GOT universe has a way of disappointing us with these battles (not in a bad way, they just pull the rug out from under us, think of Jaime vs Ned). But the battle I am hoping to see, better be the most epic one yet.

What did you all think of the episode?