Tonight’s episode was directed by Neil Marshall, the same man who directed season two’s battle episode, “Blackwater.” There’s no question for me that “Blackwater” was the better episode, although tonight’s was by no means bad- it was actually quite good in many ways. However, I can’t say I left feeling pumped as I did after “Blackwater” or even as panting as I was after Oberyn’s death last week. There are a few reasons, one of which is spoilery and I’ll make a clear note of it so non-book readers can look away (it’ll be at the very end).

Well, talk about a pretty literal title, eh? And the episode delivers on the title’s promise even though it keeps us waiting for quite some time (and more on that later). After the last few weeks of setup, we finally arrive at Tyrion’s trial by combat with Oberyn stepping in for him against the Mountain. It is hands down Game of Thrones’ best one-on-one action sequence to date and perhaps comes in third of overall action sequences, trailing just the Red Wedding and the explosion of the ships in Blackwater Bay.