Much has been written about the poor pacing, and it definitely applies here. Dany's motivation here is to some extent understandable considering her history with casual cruelty, especially when she sees herself in the right (something pointed out numerous times by Weiss and Badioff, as well as fans who are among the fierce defenders of this episode), but the problem here is definitely the pacing. Her transition from Mother of Dragons to, basically, Adolf Hitler was somewhat too rash.
Imagine if season 1 had gone like this - Ned Stark is executed in episode 3 or 4, while the season finishes with the Red Wedding. That's the kind of pacing we're talking about here, and I doubt the fan base would be as massive if that had been the case.
All the other strengths are here - the acting, the music, the effects, the editing, the sound design, the stunt work - all of these components are superb, as they usually are in GoT. However, it is overshadowed by the breakneck pace which has undermined much of seasons 7 and 8. Alas.
Imagine if season 1 had gone like this - Ned Stark is executed in episode 3 or 4, while the season finishes with the Red Wedding. That's the kind of pacing we're talking about here, and I doubt the fan base would be as massive if that had been the case.
All the other strengths are here - the acting, the music, the effects, the editing, the sound design, the stunt work - all of these components are superb, as they usually are in GoT. However, it is overshadowed by the breakneck pace which has undermined much of seasons 7 and 8. Alas.