The Small Council: What was the best action scene of Season 5?

WiC Awards Season continues. We’ve covered the most dramatic and the funniest moments of the season, and now we’re going to turn our attention toward different kinds of scenes. First up: what was the best action sequence in Game of Thrones Season 5? This is one of those topics that wouldn’t seem to leave much room for discussion, but we’ll do our best.

DAN: Look, here’s the thing about this topic: in my mind, there’s no doubt whatsoever that the Massacre at Hardhome was the best action scene of Season 5. It was epic yet intimate, sustained tension over a long period of time, and gave us new insight into the White Walkers. However, it would be boring to just sing its praises for the length of this post, so I’m going to talk about another massacre I think really got the job done: the massacre of Stannis Baratheon’s army in “Mother’s Mercy.”

Compared to the Massacre of Hardhome, this scene is very brief. It consists entirely of alternating shots of the approaching Bolton army and close-ups of Stephen Dillane and Sophie Turner—we cut away before anybody lands any blows. Initially, I was upset we didn’t see more of the actual battle, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it was a smart choice. We’d already seen a protracted slaughter in “Hardhome,” and rather than repeat themselves, the producers went for a minimalist approach.

Plus, those few alternating shots are used very effectively. Cutting between the coming mass of mounted Bolton soldiers and the resigned, weary face of Stannis Baratheon is powerful editing. We see Stannis, a man who was so certain he would become king that he was willing to sacrifice his own daughter, decide to throw himself onto the breach one more time, even though he knows he’s almost certainly going to die.

The overhead shots of the battle, where we see what remains of Stannis’ diminished army being overcome by the Bolton’s mounted force, are epic but sad, and do a great job of letting us know that the rightful king of Westeros has no chance. Finally, the close-ups of Sansa provide a dramatic counterpoint to Stannis’ despair, as we remember that the fates of people outside Stannis’ army are also riding on the outcome of this battle. It may not be as lavishly produced as the Massacre of Hardhome, but this is a tight, evocative sequence with a distinctly melancholy mood.

ANI: I’ve already voted for “Hardhome” once in the past month, so Imma give someone else a chance to sing its praises. My choice for the berst action sequence was the heart-stopping moment in Daznak’s pit. You know the one. The dead silence. And then the sound. For those Meereenese watching the MWE Smackdown at home (that’s Meereen Wrestling Entertainment), they would have heard it followed by Meereen’s own barbeque king Jim Ross scream in horror: “MY GODS THAT’S DROGON’S MUSIC!”

Yes, it was the sound of Drogon. After a long season of watching Daenerys “Mother of Dragons” Targaryen muddle along without dragons, it was finally time for Mommy’s Little helper to swoop on in and start lighting a few fires under some harpy asses. Or lighting some harpies on fire. You know. Details, details.

But what really made that scene the one to beat wasn’t the fact that Drogon had Finally! Come Back! to Meereen! It was the heart. Drogon is Dany’s favorite. He always had been, and he’s always been the one to burn the bad men for her when she needed him to. (Recall Season 3 in Astapor.) So when he turns and looked into her eyes, and the music just swelled….so perfect. So loving, such a beautiful, long-awaited reunion.

Now let’s go burn this place to the ground and go flying. After this, Drogon is going to need a nice nap.

RAZOR: Okay, I’ll bite…the best action scene of the season was the Massacre at Hardhome. Kit Harington’s amazing skills with a sword are greatly under-appreciated. Yes, Kit has grown by lengths and bounds as an actor, but that kid can swing a sword with the best of them. This was on display during the entirety of the 15-20 minute Massacre scene, as the Night’s King’s horde descended upon the living at Hardhome. And here’s the thing…Jon wasn’t the only badass there. Tormund dispatched his fair share of wights, while Wun Wun stomped more than a few into tiny grease spots. Even the Thenn chieftain, Loboda, slashed through the wights he came into contact with. Too bad his ax was no match for the White Walker’s blade.

And then there’s Karsi, the surprise of the episode, and possibly the year. Karsi did more with 15 minutes of screen time than the Sand Snakes did all season. I actually cared about her fate and nearly shed a tear at her horrific death…I mean come one, little kid zombies? There’s also the underrated fighting skills of my favorite morose Night’s Watch brother, Edd. He fought valiantly alongside Wun Wun, and when he came to bring his Lord Commander back to the boats, Edd proved that he was a loyal friend.

However, all of these pale in comparison to the fighting prowess of Jon Mother F$@king Snow. Of particular note is that moment when he spin-slices the skeleton-wight that charged him as he was making his way toward the burning hut. Then, once inside, we see just how badass the 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch was. Even when he had been disarmed, Jon was able to dodge the White Walker’s attacks and even countering with a few punches of his own, although they didn’t connect.

The final blow, the one where he shattered the White Walker into a bunch of ice crystals, cemented Jon Snow’s reputation as one of the greatest swordsmen in Westeros, as he had done something that no other living man had done: successfully parry a White Walker’s blade and strike back with his own killing blow. Jon Snow better be coming back from the dead next season, or Westeros is screwed.

CAMERON: I think I’m gonna go ahead and give this one to Tyrion and Jorah’s encounter with the Stone Men. The whole sequence is just wonderful, from Tyrion and Jorah witnessing Drogon’s flight to that turn when you just know something’s wrong with this weird-ass bridge…Action sequences on this show usually means “fight scenes,” often with swords (or spears), but I liked the feeling of the struggle, especially with lifelong underdog Tyrion in the mix. Heroism is often exposed as a lie on this show, but by saving Tyrion—and exposing himself to greyscale in the process—Jorah reveals that, no matter how many times he’s exiled from one place or another, he still believes in something greater than himself. It’s a small moment of redemption, but a nice one all the same.

KATIE: I, too, am electing to put the Massacre at Hardhome on the back burner—otherwise we won’t talk about anything else. With or without the inclusion of the totally rad “Thriller” extras, my vote would still go to Brienne’s excellent escape in “The House of Black and White.” One minute Littlefinger is siccing his men on Brienne and Pod, and the next the dynamic duo is owning it and coming out on top.

Brienne springs into action, freeing the horses and gutting some dudes and it’s basically anarchy—glorious, heart-pounding anarchy (insert heart-eyes emoji here). In a well-used but nevertheless effective action device, Brienne takes on multiple opponents on her own and emerges unwinded and victorious. No wonder, since she’s flawless, but all the same I think the general audience had a moment of trepidation for our beloved Podrick, and moments of trepidation only make an action sequence sweeter. Separated from his liege and protector, abandoned by his horse, he looks death straight in the face before Brienne shows up to thwart it once more.

It doesn’t even faze her, which is what makes it all so satisfying, because you have to give Brienne props for being the epitome of warrior. She’s earned that title in a world where women are seldom allowed to earn anything, and she doesn’t take it for granted or let her skills waver. Gwendoline Christie’s performance has provided us with so much action and so much heart, I think we’re all pulling for her.

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• Published on 07/10/2015 at 1:00 PM CDT
• Last updated on 07/10/2015 at 1:29 PM CDT