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So I went back and watched every episode of this season so I could have full context for the finale. Were there some soft spots? Yes. But overall I think the criticism is over the top. It's become cool to say how much this season sucked. I think it is more a product of social media and the fact so many people watched the series. All in all, I found it satisfying. Here are five thoughts on the finale:
1) Wow. What acting
Peter Dinklage is the best actor on the show. The first 30 minutes were about him. (Until we saw evil Dany). She has plans to burn the world. And now we see the opponents. Tyrion walked away from Dany, angering her and setting him up as a bad guy, but he also convinced Jon as to the right path. Dinklage was at his best in the final episode. Throughout the series, he, Jon and Dany had the best characters. He went out in style.
2) Bran?
The three-eyed raven wound up on the throne, elected by a group of nobles. He allowed Sansa to keep the north as her own realm. It almost felt phony seeing the north men cheer her on as "Queen in the North," but it was a solid finish.
3) You know nothing, Jon Snow
It was perhaps the most fitting ending to any character to have Jon return north of the wall with the wildlings, ghost and Tormund. His story arc ended with a perfect finish. That was always where he belonged. I know a lot of people were upset that the Targaryen reveal amounted to nothing, but I always hoped for this ending for Jon.
4) Crazy Dany
Dany's ending was unfortunate. The hope was she would bounce back from last week and try to make amends. Instead she planned on burning more of the world, and Jon had to stop her. It was a shame, but no one else could have done it. Her story seemed to end fairly abruptly. If there is one criticism here, it is that she went out with a whimper, not a bang. Her death came off as maudlin, and the dragon flying away with her was a bit much. But it was a poignant moment when Jon finally killed her.
5) And now my watch is ended
Did anyone feel like there were too many perfect endings? That the show put a bow on everything? Tyrion is hand of the king. Sansa is Queen in the North. Arya is traveling West of Westeros. Jon winds up home, All in all, I liked this finish and liked this season. Was it perfect? No. But was it better that people give it credit for? Absolutely. We have devoted almost 10 years to these characters, and the goodbyes were bittersweet. Time will tell how the show will be judged, but I don't think the ending was as bad as most people.
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Astros stumble again as Braves complete gut-wrenching series sweep
Apr 17, 2024, 4:51 pm
Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will make his season debut Friday night at the Washington Nationals.
Houston manager Joe Espada made the announcement Wednesday.
“Getting him back is huge because it brings a level of confidence to our team, a boost of confidence that we’re going to get someone who’s been an MVP, a Cy Young (winner) on the mound,” Espada said. “It's (good) for the morale and to get stuff started and moving in the right direction.”
The three-time Cy Young Award winner opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder. He made two rehabilitation starts, the first for Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7 before Saturday’s start for Double-A Corpus Christi.
Espada wouldn't say how many pitches the 41-year-old would be limited to but said they'll keep an eye on his workload.
“We've got to be careful how hard we push him early,” Espada said. “I know he’s going to want to go and stay out there and give us an opportunity to win, but we've got to be cautious of how hard we push him early in the season.”
Verlander wasn’t thrilled with the results in his rehabilitation starts, but he said Monday that those games were valuable in getting him prepared to come off the IL.
He allowed seven hits and six runs — five earned — in four innings against Frisco on Saturday. He struck out three, walked one and threw 51 of 77 pitches for strikes.
Verlander allowed six earned runs and struck out six while pitching into the fourth inning for Sugar Land on April 7.
The Astros have gotten off to a tough start with Verlander and fellow starters Framber Valdez and José Urquidy on the injured list. They enter Wednesday's games last in the AL West with a 6-13 record.
Espada hopes Verlander can be the boost the team needs to get on track.
“It’s good to get him back in the rotation,” Espada said. “With what he means to this club just to get him back on track, getting some innings from him (to) build our rotation with the pieces that we need to move forward is exciting.”