SPOILERS for last night’s episode of Game of Thrones, Episode 8.1, “Winterfell.”
It’s been forever and a day since we’ve had new Game of Thrones episodes, but within the show, about a month has passed since Jon Snow and Daenerys banged on her ship at the end of Season 7, all while Bran and Sam Tarly were putting the pieces together about who Jon’s parents really were. The season premiere opened with the changed graphics for the opening sequence, which almost made me cry. Then it really opened with Daenerys’ assorted forces – Dothraki, the Unsullied, plus all of the advisors she’s accumulated – all marching or riding into Winterfell, with Jon Snow and Dany riding side by side. They were followed by Missandei, the Hound, Gendry, Grey Worm, Tyrion and Varys (bitching at each other like an old married couple) and many others. Then when white folks were giving the side-eye to Grey Worm and Missandei, the dragons showed up and put the fear of God into everybody. Let’s get to the recap – again, this is not the most comprehensive thing, these are my own personal highlights.
The introductions at Winterfell. Sansa knows Bran is different, so you’d think that would be one of the first things out of her mouth to Jon. Like, she would say with an eyeroll, “He calls himself the Three-Eyed Raven now and he has visions, just FYI.” Instead, Sansa busied herself with giving icy stares to Dany. Bran was all “bitches STAHP we don’t have time for this” and Bran was right. I guess Bran was the one to break the news about Zombie Viserion the dragon? Or did Dany already know?
Lady Lyanna Mormont isn’t here for this sh-t. There’s a meeting with the northern lords and ladies and everybody is grumbling but Lady Lyanna – this amazing child – isn’t here for the dragon queen, nor does Lyanna appreciate that Jon abandoned his King in the North title. Jon is like “it really doesn’t matter.” Tyrion tries to speak but that doesn’t go over too well either.
Sansa is smarter than Tyrion. Finally. They have a little reunion and he says something about Lannister forces coming to fight the undead and Sansa is like “LOL you believed Cersei, you dumb summer child.”
The Arya & Jon Reunion. It’s been eight season in the making but we finally got it. Arya crept up on him and he was just SO happy to see her. He jokes that he wishes Arya had been there to smooth things over with Sansa and Arya TAKES SANSA’S SIDE. Damn, chica.
Arya reunites with the Hound & Gendry. First off, did anyone really think that the Hound was going to be mad at Arya long-term? I didn’t. I think the Hound has always felt completely protective of Arya and Sansa no matter what they did or didn’t do. Yes, Arya left him for dead. But he appreciates that she survived. As for Gendry making weapons out of dragonglass… I was hoping for a better reunion, like maybe a hug or something. Oh well.
The Dragon Date. Jon and Dany ride dragons to a waterfall and then they bang in front of Dany’s dragon children. OMG. The dragons were watching too, like “R U MY NEW DAD??”
I didn’t mind the Greyjoy story at all. Usually I’m like GMAFB with the Greyjoy sh-t but it’s been a while since we even saw Yara, and I like that the writers allowed us to extrapolate the fact that Theon had been watching his uncle’s boats and Theon waited until Euron was at the Red Keep to make his move to rescue Yara. We didn’t need to see Theon plotting or whatever, and it was a good rescue. As soon as Yara was free, she headbutted Theon (remember, he left her to be captured by Euron in Season 7) but then offered him a hand up. Later, they’re sailing to the Iron Islands, which Yara figures they can recapture with Euron away. Yara also reasons that if everything goes to hell in the North, Daenerys will need somewhere safe to go and the Iron Islands would be that place. Theon calls Yara his queen (that was beautiful) and she gives him permission to go North and help the Starks.
Cersei’s Elephants are a metaphor for something. Euron has transported the Golden Company to Kings Landing, which involves 20,000 soldiers and 2,000 horses… and no elephants. Cersei is so mad about the elephants. Bitch was promised elephants. Euron was all “so now that I’ve done all this sh-t for you, we’re going to bang right” and she’s all “nah, I respect myself too much” and then five minutes later she’s postcoitally bitching about the elephants again. I actually loved Euron in that scene – he DGAF and Cersei finally appreciates it. Euron’s like “I’m gonna get you pregnant for sure gurl” and she’s all “mmhmm” while thinking about the Kingslayer baby she’s already carrying.
Dany the Daddy-Killer. It started innocently, Dany wanting to thank Sam for saving Jorah’s life, but then she’s like “oh you’re name is Tarly, btw I killed your dad and your bro.” Sam is devastated, but… like, remember his father? His father was a total douchebag who verbally abused him all of his life. His brother Dickon Tarly wasn’t a bad guy, so I get the grief for him. But Sam really could have shrugged off his father’s death, I think.
Tormund is alive! I’m so happy that Tormund is alive but that zombie child hanging on the wall scared the crap out of me. Tormund and his crew are joining up with the Night’s Watch to ride to Winterfell. It’s all happening, people!!
Aegon Targaryen, Sixth of His Name. Jon visits the Stark crypt to light candles for Ned Stark, the man who raised him as his own son. Sam Tarly comes in and is like “hey did you know about my dad?” and Jon is like *shrug*. Then Sam is like “oh hey Bran and I figured out who you really are, you’re the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen and you’re the real king of the seven kingdoms” and Jon is all ZOMG. Sam should have emphasized this: Ned lied to him his whole life for a reason, because Robert would have killed him. Ned honored his promise to Lyanna. The thing is… how would Jon ever be able to prove any of it? He wouldn’t. Sam has evidence that Lyanna and Rhaegar married, but that’s it. We also know Jon is good with dragons. I don’t know.
The Three-Eyed Raven Remembers. A shadowy, caped figure enters Winterfell on horseback. He dismounts his horse and checks out his surroundings, prepared (perhaps) to announce himself and join in the fight. The figure is… Jaime Lannister with a dye job. The first person he sees… Bran Stark, in his wheelchair. Bran hasn’t seen Jaime since Jaime pushed him out of the window. And that’s how the episode ended. OH DAMN. This is some full circle sh-t huh.
We didn’t even get to Bronn and how he’s been tasked with killing Tyrion and Jaime. Here’s a preview for next week’s episode:
Photos courtesy of HBO/Game of Thrones.
OMG! The wait is over!!!!!!
I have to say that this episode was packed with one liners and excellent banter between the characters. Sigh! It almost made us forget about the Night King and then…. zombie kid on the wall. My shattered nerves.
Best lines though 😉
Dolorous Edd “Stay back, he’s got blue eyes!”
Tormund “I’ve always had blue eyes!”
I laughed so hard and then… zombie kid! Seriously, that image is burned into my mind (no pun intended).
That WAS one of the best GOT lines
see, i liked the sansa and dany interaction.
what do dragons eat anyway?
whatever they want.
*side eye* *side eye*
cracked me up.
also bran seems like such a brat. all emo and sh!t.
why are you here?
waiting for an old friend,,,,cue jamie arriving.
For split second I thought it was Coldhands. But then they showed Jamie’s face and I was like “yeah, that makes more sense.”
I was SO happy Tormund “I’ve always had blue eyes” Giantsbane survived! But when he was turned and that child opened his eyes I thought he was a goner for sure and panicked for a second. I would have been so mad if he had gone down like that. Thankfully he didn’t. I loved Arya seeing Jon and Gendry, their reunion etc but at the same time it all felt a little too forced in some scenes. That last scene with Jaime and Bran was amazing! The look on Jaime’s face when he recognized him was everything…also any ideas on the weapon Arya wants Gendry to make for her? Does it have any type of significance?
I’m feeling very confident that Tormund will survive in the end. He’s the only named Wildling left, and like Gendry, the last Baratheon, I think they’re needed to present hope for the future. Now whether there’s a living Lannister in the end, I’m not so sure.
I’m guessing that Arya’s weapon will have the ability to burn, similar to Ben Jen’s flailing flaming mace. It looks like it can hold wild fire. Does Arya know about wild fire?
I think it’s some kind of shooting harpoon thing to take down the zombie dragon
I would really like Tormund and Brienne to get together now that he’s alive.
If Dany and Jon survive, does anyone think they will end up together? I feel like the writers wouldn’t be against it
Eh, the Brienne and Tormund scenes were funny and cute but as Gwen says “she really isn’t into him.” When a lady isn’t into a guy he needs to just accept it.
She’s obviously not interested, but I love that Tormund sees her as such a desirable woman. When he looks at her, he sees nothing unfeminine about her, and that’s a first for Brienne. And wildlings fight alongside their women, so her strength even elevates her further in his eyes.
I don’t see them being together romantically in the end, but I do hope they have a moment where Brienne just accepts Tormund’s praise and awe of her. Every woman deserves to feel that at least once….especially Brienne. Jamie is not worthy of her, IMO.
Jamie is in love with Brienne and she with him. That would be the better chance. Actually think one of them will sacrifice for the other in some way,
The little boy wight’s shrieks were unreal. I told my husband that was going to fuel my nightmares.
I was kind of disappointed with all of Arya’s reunions. The reunion with Jon was heartfelt, I just expected it a little sooner. Although in retrospect, it is something she’d want to do in private. I don’t think The Hound ever blamed her for what she did. I think he loves her as a daughter… or as much as someone with his effed up family background could love a child. The Arya/Gendry reunion was just weird. If they do some kind of weird love story angle there, I am going to be pissed.
I predict Dany will die, and the Seven Kingdoms will be better for it. Remember in season 7 when Missandei tells Jon and Davos that she serves Dany because she chooses to. She does so because Dany has earned it. That Dany is gone. The Breaker of Chains who was so concerned about freeing the slaves and doing what’s best for her people is gone, and now they have a dictator who demands people “bend the knee” and burns anyone who refuses.
Also… WHERE THE F IS GHOST???? I will burn the Seven Kingdoms to the ground!
That zombie child was Lord Umber. sadsies. and Bran was waiting for an old friend, Jaimie. I DIED
I agree with this. Parts of the episode seemed more like a soap opera. Dany has a lot to prove with the northerners. Why should they trust her or take Jon’s word when he broke his promise to them? Jon better straighten himself out. That’s fine if he doesn’t want the iron throne, but don’t assume Dany is the correct person for it.
I’m already loathing all the shit she’s going to say to Jaime. Jesus Christ, Dany’s a-hole father was about to light King’s Landing up and murder all it’s inhabitants! Not to mention, he sadistically burned Ned’s father and brother alive. Those were effed up times and all these youngins should move on. Jaime does need to answer for Bran – 100%. I think he especially would admit that. This is the reformed Jaime. Brienne will be there to keep him in line.
Maybe Ghost is off trying to recruit Nymeria back in the fold? Heh.
I predict that Jaime will die in Brienne’s arms. Tormund may want to bed her, but Jaime is her true love.
The second the Hound sees Arya the thought that popped into my head was “Chickens”
Pop Sugar has a little piece about the Night King’s Symbol.
Jessica – I really don’t get why everyone gives Jaime such a hard time given what the Mad King was about to do. Like, I REALLY don’t understand.
@Agirlandherdog RIGHT… i was like Dany is CHANGED…. she just wants total loyalty and uses her dragons to enact her ferocious at times will
It was a little bit of blah when Bran broke the news that Viserion was “alive” and the wall was destroyed and not even Danarys, who is the mother of dragons, or Jon, whose friends were at the wall, cared much.
Give the army and the dragons to Sansa and Lyanna and they can beat Cersei.
You’re right. Sansa and Lyanna could take all of Westeros if they wanted AND everyone would be better off for it.
They can’t address it because Bran is a *huge* plot hole. He is not supposed to be there because he knows everything. He can see the past, the present and some possibilities of the future. If any of the characters actually ask him what happened to him and why he knows stuff, the movie will wrap in one hour. Bran knows the history of the WhiteWalkees, the King of Light and what happened when man created the White walkers. He can “see” any part of Westeros with a wirdwood (sp) tree, including the path the Whitewalkers are taking. This is why in the books, he is kept separated from his family or any adult with an army.
I, too, was confused why Sam was upset about his father’s death. Didn’t his father basically kick him out of the family and banish him to the wall!? And when he did come back, he treated him like a garbage maggot!
Arya’s faces when seeing John, the Hound, and Gendry ride in? [Kisses fingers to sky]
Can someone explain who was burned at the end? The scene was so dark on my crappy screen I couldn’t tell!
He didn’t care. He basically shrugged it off until she told him that she killed his brother too. That’s when he got upset. The person at the end was the little boy at the beginning that was sent with more wagons and horses to go get his house and bring them to Winterfell.
The little boy was Ned Umber…Lord of House Umber. He asked for more help earlier in the show. Now I wonder if any of his people made it to Winterfell or if they were all taken by the Night King.
@Ilsalund:
Best scene from the first episode. We’ve got a (shocking) glimpse of what my boyfr…I mean, The Night King, can do. He definitely means business.
Giggled at Edd and Thormund encounter though I wondered how could Edd have seen Thormund’s blue eyes in all that darkness (his pupils must have been pretty dilated as well).
The Umber child who Jon had made leader of his House. Sansa sent him back to his castle to gather his people and bring them to Winterfell but the White Walkers slaughtered them and turned him into a wight.
Dany is a stranger to him basically saying “yeah I burnt your father to death.” I think that would rile anyone no matter their relationship. The fact that she is calling herself Queen and rode in with the biggest army anyone’s ever seen plus 2 dragons means that Sam can’t even react to his father’s death the way a normal person would. He basically had to just take it up the rear and then to hear his brother was killed as well, his brother who was good to him, of course he’d tear up. Not only that but she came on the premise of thanking him for his good deed to Jorah, clearly something he was proud about. Talk about incredible high to incredible low.
I thought he took it all like a champ. And I absolutely love how he went to Jon and was like “WOULD SHE SACRIFICE HERSELF FOR HER PEOPLE? YOURE THE REAL KING DUDE.”
Bit of foreshadowing I think.
Yeah – I think when it comes to it she would run rather than sacrifice herself for her people. She’s coasted along on those dragons and being fireproof and its made her arrogant, thinking she is indestructible. She’s in for a rude awakening in Westeros.
The plot is setting her up for a fall, I still think she is going to die and its Jon who will kill her in the end.
@digitalunicorn
I don’t like Dany much at all so if that happens I’d be happy haha!
But I really think it will be a joint effort between Jon and Dany when it comes to saving Westeros, one where she doesn’t survive and is fine with that.
For as dramatic as it was, Dany was actually playing it low key (for her). She could have arrived on Drogon, like her meeting with Cersei. Her armies are meant to aid, but I’m sure it doesn’t help that they’re foreign armies, commanded by a Targ, whose hand is a Lannister. It probably felt like an invasion. I don’t blame the northerners for their initial reaction.
Maybe Dany turns into a wight and that is why Jon will have to kill her. She has always been my least favorite character. For the first four or five seasons I just skipped her segments and skipped her segments in the books. Then was forced to go back in order to put together plot lines. I hope that Sansa rules the north and Tyrion joins the nights watch by taking the black in his trial for treason.
Lesanne: I am the opposite of you. It’s difficult to even look at Sansa, can’t help myself, I see the chica with Joe Jonas and lol. I don’t mind Dany anymore, even though she will have a child and die, and Jon will rule. Jealous of your brother’s woman, really Sansa? The Jon and Arya reunion made it worth the watch for me. Every episode will be epic. We were warned ahead of time, the ending will be bittersweet. Watch out for Bran, he’s not playing. Revenge is sweet.
Lord umber – the kid who asked for wagons and horses to get his men in the beginning
Good episode but I hope more things happen in future episodes! It was a little boring :/
I hope this was one of those “get the pieces in place” episodes, because that preview of ep 2 looks really good. Fingers crossed!
Although I expected at least one death, I cannot say any of that episode was boring. They did not waste any time bringing plot points together. Brand cut right through the quick stopping a small talk Sam let John know right away about his parentage like things are moving along at a very fast pace this season is going to be a roller coaster. And I am here for it!!!!
i legit was PISSED …like when the episode ended I told my fiance YEA THIS IS DONKEY ISH of a SEASON OPENER LETS GOT TF TO BED…. he was laughing so hard lol like my babe is pissed this show got her arse
also whhattttt happened to the 2 hour episode HBO promised…. i feel like i kept the HBO Now acct for 2 damn years and yet all we get is a 58 min episode then the last 8 to 10 min hbo trailers for their lackluster other shows…GTFOH
@Mash:
8th season:
Episode 1 (April 14): 54 minutes
Episode 2 (April 21): 58 minutes
Episode 3 (April 28): 1 hour, 22 minutes
Episode 4 (May 5): 1 hour, 18 minutes
Episode 5 (May 12): 1 hour, 20 minutes
Episode 6 (May 19): 1 hour, 20 minutes
Dany seems really different in Westeros. She’s harder, has less sympathy for people. You’d think she’d appreciate all that the North has gone through, and try to be more tactful. I mean, at that council at the beginning the only thing she contributed was a threat.
I think she’s going to get a rude awakening next episode.
I think Dany’s problem is that they are not pleased to see her and don’t really see her as their saviour – they distrust her because of her father and what they have suffered under her family and she doesn’t see this.
She has no clue about the people or politics of Westeros and yeah it gonna bite her in the ass.
I agree @digitalunicorn. She assumed that she would sweep into Westeros and be welcomed like the returning queen she thinks she is. THEY don’t see her as the returning queen, they see her as an outsider, and she makes no effort to change that. To the extent they recognize her as being from Westeros, its with the bad memories of her father and family.
Oh please.
Dany is doing the north a favor by bringing her and her big ass army up north to help their ungrateful asses. She deserves respect simply because she is helping them. She could be doing exactly what Cersei is doing and waiting them until they die, but she isn’t. They don’t need to like her but all of those northerners and probably everyone in the comments acting like Dany has no reason to complain about their reaction is ridiculous.
@Aiobhan: WHAT?!?! If Dany didn’t bring her army to try to defeat the White King, she wouldn’t have 7 kingdoms left to reign on a year from now. She’d be stupid to ignore the menace. The northerners have all the rights to side-eye her, would it be only that all these people take room and will need to be fed during what’s probably going to be the longest winter ever recorded (and, like, southern monarchs have the nasty habit of killing their lords)
@Arpeggi, you have a point there. If Dany has already proclaimed herself queen of Westeros, it’s her responsibility to fight the AOTD. But they should find it admirable, eventually, that she’s fighting and risking her own life.
@Digital Unicorn yes, she’s pretty green with little diplomacy skills and reliant on I’ve got some dragons to steal the show. They are a wonderful weapon and magic to have on their side for sure, but you can’t assume a rapturous welcome each time. Well, she can, obvs. It shows her immaturity and I’m excited to see how this plays out.
For me too her attitude is super arrogant, she expects people to welcome her like a queen and respect her because she is the legitimate heir to the throne of iron and and she has dragons.
This attitude for me tell me that she will not be delighted when she will know that she is not the legitimate heir to the iron throne. And that it will have tensions with Jon then with all the starks and Tyrion and that the madness of Targaryen will her win it
Sam’s line to Jon was poignant. When he asked him if she would give up the throne to save her people, the way Jon did. That’s going to be the test. She did come off as arrogant. But much like Sansa and Cersei, I imagine we have to remember that they are trying to assert their power as a women, and being more compassionate could be seen as weakness…
Except the way Sansa was asserting her power was pointing out logistical issues and showing her organizational prowess, all of which isn’t really arrogant.
And Cersei is…. Cersei. She’s always had a chip on her shoulder.
But Dany has shown far more understanding and concern for the people she rules in the past than she is showing to the Northerners.
@ arpeggi She does not need the northerners as much as they need her. They have proven that they cannot defend themselves against the night king or any other antagonist. She does not need the northerners alive to take over the land. In fact it would be a lot easier for her if they all froze to death.
The moment they found out she was coming up there with her army to help is when they should have started to rethink their biases against her. She was more than cordial when she got there but was met with coldness. She is helping them and they have the nerve to be cold to her. No one up in the north should give two shits what the starks think as the starks have put the north in danger several times. Did they not lose to the lannisters and the Boltons? Ned was supposed to be protecting the north but refused to pay attention to the Bolton threat and the whites too. The northerners should be questioning everything, not just dany.
@Aiobhan:
Agreed (both of your comments).
My opinion: the Northerners are a bunch of xenophobic, ungrateful a**holes (see: House Glover). They hate and are suspicious of anyone from either the south or north of the wall.
When she started whining about Sansa not respecting her, I yelled STFU at my TV. Honey, your dragon son has been turned into a zombie monster. You can worry about family dinner conversations later.
Yes, when she was griping about Sansa not respecting her, I too wanted to throw things. Does she really think she can roll up in a strange land and get instant respect simply because she demands it? Especially from Sansa, after all that character has been through?! Please.
The dialogue in season seven was so bad. The trend seems to be continuing in season eight.
Agreed, Megan. I felt like it was an absolute cringefest. The scene at the waterfall with the dragons, my god. What a mess.
Especially after she tried to make Sansa like her with the “oh you’re so pretty” bs. Sansa was like, I’m a rape survivor, a fierce combatant, and an excellent military strategist. GTFO with that “what a pretty girl” talk.
Another vote for the dialogue being generally terrible. If they were struggling to cram everything in then do more than six bloody episodes!! I fell in love with GoT (books and series) because of its richness. It was huge because it had this huge cast of characters and locations but took the time to realise all of them fully. This episode felt like they were ticking off a list – Jon and Dany get to Winterfell – check. Jon meets Bran and Arya again after YEARS apart – check. Wall down -check. Dead dragon now undead dragon – check. Arya meets the Hound and Gendry again – ooh, let’s do both of these in one go to save time – check. Jon rides a dragon, Tormund’s not dead, Beric is there too, Dany appears to be turning into a baddy, Tyrion meets his half-ex-wife, Sam – your family’s dead, Jon – you’re the rightful heir to the throne AANNDD Jaime’s here! The end.
Was she whining or threatening Sana if she didn’t show respect? Jon made a face at that line. Dany keeps showing up to places expecting people to bend the knee but she knows nothing about those people or their way of life or what they have been through.
The waterfall scene felt straight out of a soap opera! Drogon is staring at them the way Tyrion was at the end of season 7. Very creepy. And Dany’s all like, No Worries! Honey – you don’t make out with your new boyfriend in front of your children. The incest vibes are just grown stronger – they need to sort this fast or I’m out. No way the show is making it ok for Dany and Jon to be a legit couple. it’s already gone too far.
But, I told her she’s pretty and she still doesn’t like me. Ha ha. Edit: kinda what @outoftheshadows said, just saw it.
She has always been “hard”. She isn’t a good person throughout the whole series. she just as Cersi is after on thing and one thing only the crown. The reason she wants to stop he dead it interferes with her plans.
I feel that Martin has always planned for Dany to be the ultimate ‘baddy’.
He wanted us to root for her when she was young and defenseless and sold to Drogo, when she survived her journey through the desert and ended up taking the free cities and liberating the slaves, only to then turn despotic and Targaryen-mad like her father.
From the 3rd season on, there have been lots of signs showing that she is not a great stable leader, and that will lash out when criticised. She is getting increasingly obsessed with the idea of the throne and there is no way she’ll react well to Jon being the rightful heir. She will no want to be the consort.
I think the fact that she is so pretty and such an ideal kickass heroine is a red herring.
I don’t find Dany “hard”. I also don’t find Sansa hard. They are asserting themselves as strong women. They’ve both been captives, hostages, rape victims, and treated as pretty little, empty headed things. Sure, Dany could have been more humble and Sansa could have been more gracious. They will get there eventually, IMO. And I kind of like the more stern Sansa. She spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a lady from King’s Landing, was horribly disillusioned, and now fully embraces being a northerner – stern, suspicious of outsiders, strong, and resilient. I’m all about the strong women on this show. I so appreciated the round table with Dany, Olenna, Ellaria, Yara – too bad it ended so horribly.
I don’t think Martin sees in terms of gender. He was heavily inspired by the Middle ‘Ages and there were lots of female rulers in those days- some of them led armies into battle as often (and well) as men did. They were also ruthless and ambitious.
I think he sees it in terms of good/bad rulers.
Throughout the series there are references to the Targaryens being pretty terrible rulers. They gained powers because of their dragons, and lost it when the dragons went.
I feel Dany is showing all the strengths (dragons) and weaknesses (instability) of her house.
Also I agree with the fact that Sansa is ‘hard’ but her instincts are to protect her people- she’s practical and gathers food etc.
As has been repeatedly mentioned, Dany is a conqueror. She frees slaves but then leaves Daario, a man who has advised her to kill half its population, in charge of Meereen without a second thought.
She also burns all of Highgarden’s food during the Tarly battle.
Not an ideal ruler.
Disagree on burning the food. That wagon train of supplies was going to help Cersei’s armies defeat the armies of the North. She is now in almost the same boat as the North, she has an extra army of 20 thousand, 2,000 more horses that need to be fed, and Euron’s fleet of sailors in addition to the King’s Guard that also needs to be fed on the road. I think burning the supply train was a brilliant strategic maneuver.
LadyD an episode or so before Tyrion and Dany were discussing the food issue re her own army.
She had utterly defeated the Lannister army, all she had to do was seize the Highgarden food supplies and ship them off to Dragonstone.
Burning them was thoughtless and hugely counter productive- first rule of war- win a battle. Then get the bounty- food, weapons, horses etc
I think it’s difficult to aim Drogon strategically. His tactic is to burn the house down. It’s a miracle there’s been no friendly fire at this point.
Wow, they’ve started right off the bat.
Going forward, will be interesting to see how things between Sansa and Dany progress, esp as Sansa is the smartest one there and am betting money she (and the badass Lady Mormont) has a backup plan for when Cersei betrays them all.
Given that Dany is showing signs of her the famed family madness/arrogance am not sure she will react well to Jon’s true heritage – his claim is better than hers and her claim and the dragons are all she has left. She loses them and whats left of her sanity goes with it. I have a feeling that the dragons will abandon her for Jon. I think in the end she will betray them and Jon will be forced to kill her.
As for Bronn, not sure he will follow through on killing Tyrion and Jaime and am not sure Dany will either (I think Tyrion will beg for mercy for his brother).
I so want to see the hound take on what is now his brother – that will be EPIC!!
The North will fall to the whitewalkers thus meaning the final stand will take place at Kings Landing, Cersei has to know this so what is she planning? Me thinks she’ll make a deal to be the White/Night Queen. Will Ayra kill her only for her to be raised again by the Night King?
I think whatever she is planning, wildfire will be involved *cough* Mad King’s Bastard daughter *cough.
So are you saying that none of Tywin’s kids are his?
@M.A.F. Granted its been a while since i’ve read the books but it has been hinted at, esp Tyrion. In the books it mentions that the mad King may have raped Joanna, Tywin’s wife and the 3 siblings mother. It was said to be the reason Tywin HATED that Targs, esp the Mad King.
@Digital Unicorn- It’s been a while too for me regarding reading the books. A co-worker last week brought up the Joanna/Tywin/Mad King theory and it plays well into Tyrion being born a tail & scales but I didn’t think it always meant the twins too. Interesting.
I think Sansa is smart when it comes to political maneuvering…she learned a lot from being in King’s Landing, Cersei, Littlefinger, etc. But she really needs to trust and listen to Jon about the Night King and the Army of the Dead.
She also needs to learn WHEN and HOW to speak. Undermining your brother in front of the people your family needs united behind you is counterproductive. Bring these issues up in private. Ask for a small council meeting to hash this stuff out before the larger meetings. Have conversations with your brother in private and then support each other in public. She should no better and I think her character would no better and this is just poor writing.
I think that when you’ve finally found your voice, it can be difficult to rein it in sometimes.
Arya is right she is the smartest person period in the series. She right away had the instinct of how to survive the Lanisters, Ramsey and take position as the so called lame queen. Her battle calls have been right and she has been right on many things.
Also did anyone notice Arya bow her head as Jon rode though the crowd? She did is instinctively. It was just a small of respect from her to him.
Sansa has made so many mistakes, calling her the smartest is an attempt to apologize for making her a rape victim (which doesn’t happen in the books)
1) From the very beginning Sansa hated Jon growing up and treated him like crap. She didn’t think he would ever have any power.
2) Sansa got her Direwolf killed by lying about the Arya and Joffrey fight.
3) When the Starks were trying to sneak out of King’s Landing, Sansa is the one who went and told Cersei. Sansa wanted to stay and become a princess.
4) when she was married to Tyrion, she could have really analyzed his character and his mixed feelings about his sister and convince him for them to move to Winterfell away from Cersei.
5) Instead Of number 4, she believed that fool guy and fell for the trick that he was going to help her escape King’s Landing.
6) Trusting the Tryells- right off the bat because the girl said she hated Joffrey. Girl you don’t even know these people. Haven’t learn from mistakes with Cersei.
7) Longfinger over Jon: sigh
Sansa was the dumbest person in the series, second only to her mother.
Come on.
1. In the books there is no mention of hate- she didn’t interact with Jon because he wasn’t involved in her life. She was dismissive of him because he was a bastard (in the same way she was of Arya), but she didn’t ‘hate’ him.
As the series progresses and she becomes Alayne, she remembers him fondly and feels guilty about how she always saw him as the bastard- in fact she starts to feel it is something they have in common.
2. She hardly ‘got her direwolf killed’, that was all Cersei.
3. Throughout the 1st series, Cersei was always kind to her. She is a 12 year old girl who wants to be a princess, is that so bad? No way in the world would she have expected Cersei to be a ruthless bitch.
The Stark kids were very naive at the beginning of the books. Growing up in a loving family environment ended up being their downfall.
4. She was married to Tyrion at 13, literally dragged to her wedding without knowing. In the books she doesn’t have Shae to look over her, Tyrion has been hideously disfigured and she has just found out her family has being brutally murdered by the Lannisters- and did you really think Tywin would have let them go?
5. The fool guy (whose life she saved) did get her out.
6. The Tyrells were actually trying to get her to marry Loras’ brother, They were thwarted by Littlefinger.
7. In the books she has a peculiar ambiguous Stockholm syndrome attachment to Littlefinger, possibly because of his history with her mother.
She seems to cure herself of that pretty nicely on the show… 🙂
I thought Arya bowed her head because she was a little disappointed that Jon didn’t incidentally make eye contact with her. She was filled with joy to see him, but he couldn’t share in that moment with her.
As to Sansa being responsible for Lady’s death, even Ned explained that to Arya. Sansa was betrothed to Joffrey, it was her responsibility to stand by him. At least she didn’t full out lie and back Joffrey’s story. She was torn between her love for her family, and her desire to please Joffrey. Plus, she was a kid. And I love, in the book, how Ned was chilled by how Bran was saved by his direwolf, and the realization that he had just killed Sansa’s. He instinctively knew that Lady would have been Sansa’s protector.
In the first few seasons, Sansa was a pre-teen/teen who knew nothing of the world. Of course she was going to do stupid things; everyone does at that age. But she certainly grew up…
“In the first few seasons, Sansa was a pre-teen/teen who knew nothing of the world.”
She is now 14/15 years old at the beginning of season 8, still a teen. So if she was too young to know better at 12/13, you are saying that 2 years later she is smarter than everyone about everything? IMO, she is now more Street smart (politically smart) than the other Northerners. She knows that their enemies don’t follow the code of honor, that they are sneaky and to not depend on anyone. She has grown up and learned as well as become appropriately cynical (which also describes Arya). But that’s a far cry from the smartest person and she knows nothing about the Whitewalkers and how to defeat them.
@ original…you do realize she made the so called mistakes, which really aren’t mistakes when she was an innocent TEEN. Sansa hate baffles me as people don’t’ want to admit she is one of the smartest if not the smartest person in the series. Name one person in the series who would have lived till the end being under the close eye of the Lannisters and Ramsey? Jon would even be able to do it.
The opening music made me almost cry, too. Part from nostalgia (having watched this show for nearly a decade, so much has changed, and not just in Westeros), part from excitement, anticipation and relief (finally!), plus sadness that we have only 6 episodes before it’s over forever, and scared of who and what will die, plus: there’s never been a more beautiful theme song. Truly.
Great episode but it just crammed in so many scenes, plots & reunions, as if they are rushing, which they are. But compared to earlier seasons, it diminishes the depth of storyline, writing and character development. (I complained about this in Season 7 too.) Other complaints: No chemistry between John and Dany! They don’t seem like they’re in love at all. Which is fine since they have to break up now anyway, due to being siblings (or is it Aunt/Nephew? so confused there…)
Is Cersei plotting to become undead and rule beside the Targarean (presumably, as he is dragon-riding) Night King? Kings Landing and the Iron Throne never looked darker. She’s dead inside already, why not go all the way?
Perhaps King Jon or Queen D will execute Jaime (foreshadowing of this in the crypt scene with Sam “I wasn’t a king”) and Arya will take Jaime’s face to finish off Cersei as many here predicted.
The Night/Wight King has to be the Mad King. He’s cast a big shadow on the show from the beginning and now he’s riding a dragon.
But we saw how the Night King was made, and he wasn’t the mad king. A lot of people think he was a Stark.
AryasMum can you pls remind us how the Night King was made & when did we see that? Through Bran’s 3-eyed Raven eyes?
The Night King was created by the Children of the forest long before there were Starks or Targaryens, he was part of the First Men (from which Starks descend).
They created him to help them fight the First Men. It ended up working a little too well.
A man was tied to a weirwood tree, gagged, and a child of the forest plunged a dagger (dragon glass?) into the man’s heart. His eyes turned blue, and he became the night king. I *think* it was a vision of Bran’s. I’ve read that this scene did not occur in the books.
Book hasn’t been that far yet.
Hold the door hasn’t happened either but Martin has confirmed it was his (genius) horrible idea.
Sheereen is also still alive, some think her sacrifice won’t be for Stannis (who is already snowed in and half defeated) but to resurrect Jon Snow (who is so far still dead- it’s the cliffhanger of the latest book).
@Maum, since Shireen’s sacrifice didn’t help Stannis, didn’t it actually resurrect Jon on the show? I know it wasn’t explicitly stated, but it was implied.
Aunt and nephew. They don’t have to break up…incest was kind of the Targaryen’s thing.
But not a Stark thing. Dany might be cool with it, but Jon won’t be. Finding out that he’s Targaryen won’t change the way he was raised.
Jon will get over it when he learns Dany is pregnant.
That’s a good point, but he is already in love with her. I don’t know what he will do but I don’t think it’s an automatic deal breaker like it would be for us today.
True, but it is a good excuse to break up with someone, if you deep down wanted to, lol.
I agree on the opening theme song, my husband and I were late to start watching and binged on it a few years ago while we were first dating, we NEVER once skipped through the opening like we do with every other show. We didn’t even discuss it at first we just had a mutual understanding and respect for the music, lol. The song gets me tingly every single time, it just gets you in the zone to watch and amps you up in a way. I can’t even describe it properly, but I love it so much.
Last night, during a break in the Blues/Jets hockey game, the opening strains of GOT was played. The crowd went insane.
@Lady D I love that hockey game story!
@Jess – yep, indescribably good! I never skip the opening credits to GoT, either. The animations are amazing, and #bestthemesongever
Ramin Djawadi, the composer, is beautiful too:
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/04/game-of-thrones-composer
He was born in Germany, from a German mother and an Iranian father.
@Eve,
Well, hello there, Herr Djawadi…(fans self)
Thought it was a good opening show and effective in setting up things to come. Loved when Sam asked Bran what was he doing there and Bran responds “I’m waiting for an old friend.” And then Jaime shows up at the end and Bran is waiting. Can’t wait to see what happens with Jaime as both Dany and the Starks have a score to settle with him.
I was kinda hoping the old friend would be Meera. I think the sword she picked up in the cave is Dark Sister, one of the Targaryen Valyrian steel swords.
Which would make sense since the last 3 eyed raven was a Targaryen
Yes, based on the preview for the next episode it does seem like Jaime ends up in some sort of trial. However I feel like maybe Bran is gonna tell him he couldn’t have been the three eye raven otherwise and let it go no? Danny’s viciousness in the preview does seem overboard, I mean isn’t it at this point stated enough that technically Jamie killed the mad king to protect the kingdom? Even Danny seems to have understood that her father had done some really horrible things in past episodes so something else definitely happens for her to act like that in the upcoming episode. Can’t wait!
Does Sansa and Arya know that the Lannisters’ were the masterminds of the Red Wedding? I’m sure Bran knows. One more nail in Jaime’s coffin.
I agree that Bran couldn’t care less about what Jamie did to him 7 seasons ago. He’s not really Bran at this point; he’s let go of all those kinds of emotions.
I think Brienne will put her neck on the line for Jamie.
Jaime is my absolute favorite character, and I’m both thrilled and dreading where they will take him this season. I think it was either fan service to put him and Bran back together, or Jaime plays a much, much larger role in defeating the night king than has been outright stated. I love the theory that he is Azor Ahai, but they’ve spent so much time banking on the two wet dishrag main characters that i don’t see it happening.
This was my friend’s theory! That it wasn’t sassy Bran waiting to freak out the guy who flung him from the tower, but the Three Eyed Raven anticipating the arrival of the ‘old friend’ figure who helped him stop this zombie shit last time a few thousand years back.
Further upthread, but idk why the Red Wedding would come into Jaime’s trial. Everyone knows Tywin orchestrated it, but Jaime is literally the only Lannister who has a rock solid alibi for not having known about it, having been a captive on the road at the time while everyone else was in King’s Landing.
Where was Ghost?
And where was a Man?
And elephants. Where are the elephants?
Also, I don’t think it will be Tyrion who convinces Dany to spare Jamie. It will be Brienne, Varys, and the Hound who convince her they need him as a soldier and she can kill him later.
I’m really getting angry at the lack of Ghost. He’s just as important as the dragons, and we get dragons constantly.
I read an article that said the special effects budget could do dragons or direwolves – but not both. Since the dragons are strategically critical, they won.
I’ve heard that too, but I don’t buy it. No need to go cheap on the final season of the biggest show on TV. Sure, the dragons are war weapons, but Ghost should be fighting at Jon’s side just as Grey Wind fought at Robb’s. They’ve really downplayed the connection between the Direwolves and Starks, IMO. And fan service or not, I want Nymeria and her pack showing up for Arya.
Supposedly, Ghost will be seen on screen this season. The episodes where having him present over the last two seasons would have been useful have also been dragon heavy episodes, i.e. S6 finale and most of S7. Having him not present at Jon’s acclamation as King of the North was a noticeable absence.
I hope we get him in the next episode to show that Jon is as much a Stark as he is Targaryan. He needs to give his approval to the Dany/Jon relationship in the same manner that the two dragons gave their okay to it in this episode.
I agree with AryasMum. Considering they can use real dogs as a basis for the CGI Dire Wolves, it shouldn’t be too crazy expensive to create these characters. Not like creating the dragons which are huge, which fly, with and without people on their backs, and which don’t really exist! Dire Wolves should be a bargain effect. I’ve been waiting for Nymeria, patiently… Come back, Nymeria!
Seeing Summer’s reaction to Lady’s death was so sad. I want to see Ghost and Nymeria unite!
…and then have lots of beautiful litters. From what I understand, there isn’t a lot of dire wolves out there.
So did Bran sit out there in the snow all night waiting for his “old friend” Jamie? The previews of next week show Jamie facing judgement from Daenerys for killing her father, but wouldn’t Bran know now that Jamie acted to save everyone in King’s Landing? Not that it would really matter, because as y’all point out above, how does Bran prove anything?
Same with Jon/ Aunt Dany- how does he prove it? And why does it even matter, if they were probably going to marry anyway (other than the whole incest thing)?
I don’t think Bronn will kill Tyrion or Jamie at all. He’ll either say “Eff Cersei, these are my bros,” or see the Night King and realize gold doesn’t matter if everyone dies.
How are Tormund and Edd supposed to get around the army of the dead? Or, how are we supposed to believe they get to Winterfell before them without being detected?
Best moment: Jon’s “Not While The Kids Are Watching!” face
Oh I totally forgot about Howland Reed!!! Where is he?? He could vouch for Jon Targaryen!
It seems ridiculous at this point that no one has talked to Howland Reed. Why else is the character still alive?
I think all the Reeds will be back. The North is pulling into Winterfell. And at the end of last season, Meera told Bran she was going home to be with her family. She was hurt by Bran’s response, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Bran knew she needed to go back, in order other things to fall into place, so Howland Reed shows up at Winterfell.
The North is massive. So it is possible that they could get around the dead army. Although, it’s a risky trip.
The Wight’s can only move by night, so it is possible for Edd and Tormund to arrive at Winterfell before them.
I was also disappointed in not seeing Ghost.
There was chat at the end about Beric having horses that they could ‘double up’ on and the dead army only being on foot. That’s how they are, hopefully, going to beat them to Winterfell.
I’m just here to say Sophie Turner has really beautiful eyes
I loved the epic side eyes she has given to everyone!
She’s stunning. The red hair looks so great on her, too!
Dany and Jon continue to annoy me, so I’m going to pass on bitching about them. But I thought it was strange that Jon rode on a dragon and Dany acted like it was no big deal? Also, LOL at Tyrion calling Jon a hero. The only reason The Night King has a dragon is because Jon hand delivered it to them. He’s not a hero. He’s totally responsible.
Sansa is my true MVP.
I loved the scene between Theon and Yara. She’s always there for her brother(even if he needs a punch to the face) and he’s going to Winterfell to fight.
Poor Sam. He may have hated his father, but that doesn’t mean he wanted him roasted by a dragon. I’m sure he’s thinking about his mother and sister as well. And given that Sam has always been the truth-teller, seeing him talk frankly about Dany is a red flag. I’m not sure what she is going to turn into once she finds out the truth about Jon.
As for Jaime and Bran, I was laughing so hard at the Twitter reactions.
And once again, we saw the symbols from The Night King. I’m expecting we’ll get the answer to what that all means. That scene was scary AF.
Dany and Jon annoy me too. I found all the kissy, lovey dovey scenes to be really smarmy and the dragon riding scene a little cheesy. The rest of the episode was great.
OK, glad I’m not the only one thinking the Dany/Jon stuff is OTT. And that dragon riding! My husband and I were lol’ing over how bad and how cheesy.
I was singing A Whole New World, the magic carpet ride song from Aladdin, during that scene.
Everyone is getting ready for the war and those two are doing what exactly? Taking joyrides on the dragons? I thought they were going for food, but they just went to bang?
That 5 second shot of Jaime was better than everything Jon and Dany related.
Yeah but their “love story” has to be a set up for whatever happens later down the road.
I fully expect Dreamworks to send a letter to the showrunners complaining of GoT ripping off ‘How to train your dragon’ music and all hahaha.
Now we know what happened to Ghost, they spend all the CGI budget on the dragon ride and death glare.
Like others above I didn’t like the “let’s escape do this beatiful place and make out, tee hee!!!” scene featuring Jon Snoo Snoo and Dany. Lovey-dovey scenes ALWAYS make me cringe (that’s maybe because I hate PDAs in real life).
P.S.: Jon riding the dragon…that most have been reeeealy expensive CGI, yet it
reminded me of the first Harry Potter movie (the Quidditch scene).
P.P.S.: Besides the gorgeous landscape, I only loved Drogon’s glare at Jon.
*heavy sigh*
I meant:
P.S.: Jon riding the dragon…that must have been reeeeally expensive CGI, yet it
reminded me of the first Harry Potter movie (the Quidditch scene).
Tyrion is the one who gave the Night King a dragon. If he hadn’t randomly decided that Cersei could be convinced to help then none of that ever would have happened. He should have been more realistic about his sister since he knows how bad she is.
I don’t think taking a wight to King’s Landing was a bad idea. It’s how they went about it that was crazy. Tyrion has no idea what the army of the dead or The Night King is capable of. After Hardhome, Jon knew what he was facing. And after getting his a** kicked at Hardhome, he still went north of the wall totally unprepared. Just like Battle of the Bastards, he continues to be sloppy and ends up leading his men into dangerous situations. I don’t know how anyone still follows his lead.
How so? Jon didn’t ask Dany to come up North with the suicide squad? I mean Gendry sent word with a Raven but that was her choice to go. Even Tyrion told her to keep her behind at Dragonstone. But she is stubborn and wasn’t listening to her council. You may not like Jon, but Dany delivered Viserion to NK. She said so herself. She had to see it for herself and it was what it was or else she still wouldn’t have believed it.
I always thought the idea — of going north of th wall to a wight and show Cersei the threat was real — really bad.
But I blame Viserion’s death entirely on Daenarys. Bringing all her three dragons was really stupid AND she could have lost two — remember the Night King almost killing Drogon too? His spear flew by, inches from her favourite “son”.
*sigh*
I meant “(…) the idea of going north of the wall to capture and bring a wight (…)“.
Arya and Jon made me cry. Bran (with his constant staring) and Tormund made me LOL. Gendry made me SWOON. The fact that Arya and him acted as if no time had gone by is the reason why I loved their reunion. Also, A Girl was flirting up a storm 😉
i don’t think she was flirting. I’ve always seen Arya as gender nonconforming. She stands on her own without a heteronormative relationship.
Well, I think it’s perfectly possible for her to stand on her own, which she always has, AND to also fancy a guy (or anyone else for that matter). If anything, I think Gendry is a reminder of what her life used to be like.
Nah they were a bit flirting.
Arya is not gender nonconfirming. As a kid she was a tomboy, and she knows how to use a sword. Doesn’t mean she’s gender nonconfirming.
Arya and Gendry were flirting.
Oh my Lord, Gendry. I was wondering when someone was going to bring up the most important part of the episode. Dragons shmagons, the man is smoking hot.
Honestly. The way he smiled right after calling her “Lady Stark” KNOWING that it would annoy her! Homeboy’s a goner (and so is she).
I’m always team Dany. I love her.
Same. She’s the one character I don’t want to die.
Dany’s coat – I was reading an article yesterday in which the costume people said they made it out of a rug they found at an IKEA.
It’s Ghost’s pelt. 😂
YOU TAKE THAT BACK!
All the furs are IKEA sheepskin rugs, cut and dyed and sewn together. That’s my favorite costume detail about this show.
@OutOfTheShadows:
Really? Because I love the show but could never get over the fact that there is so much fur in it.
If I knew they’re all faux fur, I’d feel less guilty for watching GoT (however, I still think a lot of that is real fur).
Really Ikea furs… sheep fur. It isn’t fake.
@OutOfTheShadows:
But they don’t kill and skin the sheep, do they?
Don’t sheep need to be regularly groomed anyway?
the rugs at IKEA are not “wool,” which is just the hair of the sheep that is shorn off.
the rugs are sheepskins, ie, the sheep is killed and the thing is leather ie the whole skin with the hair and all.
Love the Princess Bride reference. Mostly everyone is accounted for but where is Ghost? Is he free-range wolfing or did he perish at the wall, or going to Winterfell with Tormand and co? A girl wants to know.
Three things to ponder:
1.Cersei was drinking. She may have miscarried.
2. When Jon tells Arya he’s still family, she tells him ‘I hope you remember that.” She totally knows he’s half Targ and that’s why she said that. Pretty sure Bran told Arya and Sansa and that’s why they’re so concerned about where his loyalties lie.
3. The positioning of Ned Umber and the limbs at the Last Hearth, once lit on fire, looked eerily similar to the Targaryen sigil. I think this may foreshadow something.
OK now.with that out of the way, this episode was everything. Jon riding Rhaegal, Drogon giving Jon a look every single patent has seen from their kid looking at mommy’s new date trying to kiss her lol
Dany starting to look and feel like the heel in the North, with Sansa’s distrust of her and now Sam feeling some type of way. This is why you DON’T go around burning everybody, Dany!!!
Theon being able to swoop in and get Yara thanks to Euron being a little occupied with his fingers in a royal bum and then Yara letting him be his part Stark and fight for the family that raised him!
Loved Jon’s heartfelt reunion with Bran and Arya!
And I ship ship ship Gendrya with my whole heart. When she saw him riding in her face gave me a ‘damn, my man looking real fine right now. ” And he reciprocated with him trying to find the proper way to tell her she’s looking good as well.
Bran the MVP coming in to put a halt to the pleasantries. Lol No time for this! Your dragon is dead, the Wall has been breached, and we’re all gonna die so cut this shit out lol. Ahhhh. I wish they would have dropped this Netflix style I would have binged all night lol. Damn. 5 mire episodes!!
I think Cersei was drinking because she’s an alcoholic, pregnancy wouldn’t stop her. Cersei will obviously lose the baby, but I’m wondering if Euron causes it. No way he will accept another man’s child.
But she wasn’t drinking when Tyrion offered her wine when trying to convince her to join the fight against the AotD. She actually pushed it away. Unless she was never pregnant to begin with and was trying to play Tyrion. But she also told Jaime she was pregnant. Or maybe not that Jaime left her she doesn’t care anymore?
I think she may have been lying about the pregnancy–it’s the main reason Tyrion believed her–“she has something to live for.”
I assumed the lack of wine in front of tyrion was a throwback to joffrey’s wedding. Some deep part of her still thinks he was involved in poisoning the wine he drank, she won’t drink it either. All of this, “she’s pregnant and won’t drink” speculation is placing modern beliefs on a fantasy world unless i missed something where she was at one point advised not to drink during pregnancy. Drinking while pregnant wasn’t super uncommon in the middle ages.
@ReginaGeorge – good point! I forgot about that. I did think she had a little twinkle when Euron patted her belly, as if – Yep, there’s a little prince there already and I’m tricking you into thinking it’s yours. I assumed she could lie about the DOB, because Qyburn is blindly loyal, and because Euron will be at war. But it’s widely believed she will lose the baby.
I don’t think they know about FAS in Westeros…
And Cersei would be showing by now. She’s been pregnant for quite some time.
I never believed she was pregnant. I thought she lied to Jamie because she knew she was losing him, and the best way to keep him loyal was another child to protect. When she perpetuated the lie with Tyrion, I thought it might actually be true, but she could have still been lying to lend credence to her lie to Tyrion about sending her forces north. I also thought she should be showing by now, but then there’s the whole “not every woman’s body show pregnancy the same way” thing. So really… I just don’t know anymore. She seemed pretty pleased with herself last night after Euron’s comment about getting her pregnant. *shrugs*
You’d think she’d be showing by now, but then you’d also think her hair would have grown out of that horrible pageboy.
She’s keeping that haircut (even if itsoesn’t suit her, I know). Her servants now have the same cut too.
But yeah, Cersei lied. The prophecy was 3 kids and none of them would rule. She’s not preggo (possibly starting menopause actually. Sorry Greyjoy!)
Her belly was rounded when Euron touched it, the camera specifically panned to it, thought it implied she is/ had been recently pregnant. But she started drinking the wine and began crying so my guess was she had a miscarriage. She was sleeping with Euron to fill the emptiness and disappointment.
For sure she was pregnant when Tyrion mentioned it season 7. Remember this is the show-runners writing, they modernized some other things. But the confirmation of the lost pregnancy was when the cut to Jon and Dany, “making a baby”. Only death can pay for life. The death of Cersei’s baby is allowing for the life of Dany’s, removing her cursed womb from season 1. Coming full circle.
I thought it was kind of a boring episode, but they have to do a lot of set up for the rest of the series, so I got it.
Dany is really getting on my nerves. She has never been my favorite, but now I’m like…”of course Sansa doesn’t like you. Are you stupid?!?!?!”
Cersei and the elephants just cracked me up.
Dany is being ridiculous. Sansa rightly points out that all she has delivered with her army so far is an increased chance of starvation for everyone. So, Dany threatens her? Dany’s ego is out of control. She clearly expects everyone to greet her the same way she was greeted after she freed the slaves.
Hints of madness.
Yes, I agree on the slightly boring bit. There were some nice one liners but other, extremely important bits were glossed over. Viserion being the equivalent of an undead fighter jet in the hands of the Night King? Oh well. The Wall’s ‘come down’ you say? That magical Wall, the one that’s stood for thousands of years, the ONE thing we thought would protect us from the undead? Right. Onto the next scene! Oh look, randomly and with no explanation, Dany just expects Jon to be able to climb aboard a dragon and fly it. You know, dragons – those creatures that only the Targaryens are supposed to be able to master – but Dany doesn’t question for a second that her now boyf can just climb aboard and fly. No wonder, no surprise….sigh.
Seriously scriptwriters – WTF? I know you have a lot to cram in but this is pretty one dimensional compared to the richness of the first six seasons.
I have to agree. I made the mistake of watching Hardhome and the very first episode. Absolutely no subtlety or nuance anymore. It’s almost Twilight levels right now.
The elephants part is kind of a wink to LOTR, no?
Or Winnie the Pooh and the heffalumps
I’m so sad/happy! We were so ready for last night. I made sangria, milkshakes of the poppy, bowls of brown, Theon’s bloody sausage, chicken little fingers and Sansa’s Brienne of lemon tarts (combo coverage lol).
I loved the episode. I know it was full and fast, but there’s only five left. The procession, along with that little boy running around trying to see the commotion, was an awesome way to remember season one, episode one. Jon caught me off guard when speaking about Sansa with Arya. It was worrisome. I loved that image of Drogon’s searing stare at Jon at the make-out waterfalls. Very I-know-all-about-you. The whole Sam and Daeny scene is troublesome because we’re talking Sam here. He would’ve been fine with only his dad dying, but his brother dying turns tides. I completely lost it when the Umber kid started screaming. Wasn’t ready for any Game of Thrones jump scares lol. And yes, Bran sitting there watching Jaime dismount was some pretty good full circle shit. His character arc is steep, so I can’t imagine too much time will be spent on his consequences. We have Cersei, her new ‘baby daddy’ (possibly) and the dead to deal with. I didn’t want it to end that’s for certain.
I actually did not hate the first episode. I loved all of the sets, Dany’s coat, missandei and grey worm looking at all those northerners and the northerners reactions to seeing so many dark people. Love that beric and tormund are still alive.
I don’t care for any of the starks other than bran. His staring match at the end of the show with jaime was my favorite of the whole episode.
I think I am starting to buy that the night king might be a targ too. One of those dumbass head writers said that only targs can ride a dragon. Viserion may be dead but is still a dragon carcass. He might be half like jonas or full targ like Dany. More than likely half because of abilities that are similar to what bran can do.
Sansa and those ungrateful northerners can stfu.
The Night King has existed since the age of the First Men. The Targaryen’s arrived centuries later. Therefore the Night King is not a Targaryen, but a First Man.
Then explain how he is riding a dragon even though targs are supposedly the only ones who can ride dragons. One of the writers clearly said this at the end of the show.
Mind control? The dragon died then came back to life. Could be that when the dragons are alive then only a Targaryen can ride them but when they die and come back to life, all rules are thrown out.
M.A.F. – Agreed. And there’s hope that Bran may be able to warg Viserion. I think Targaryen control ends at death.
Valyrians could ride dragons, of which the Targaryens are descended from. The Targaryens were just the only family to survive the doom of Valyria, but technically if any of the other Houses of Valyria had survived they’d be able to ride dragons also. Just saying…
@Diane – okay but we saw how the Night King was created. Granted, they don’t always put dates in the show, but what is time frame (date wise) from when he was created to the Doom? I figured he was there way before the Doom.
The Doom was 100 years before Aegon’s Conquest, which was 300 years before the events of A Song of Fire and Ice. The war between the Children and First Men was thousands of years ago. The Long Night was 8 thousand years ago.
Eh. My biggest take away is the same take away from most zombie movies; the dead will defeat the living because the living refuse to set aside petty differences in order to come up with an effective strategy to beat the dead. Dany, Jon, and Sana’a all make good points; but they also have the blinders on when it comes to seeing things from each other’s point of you.
Yes, the North needs all the help they can get but Dany could take her smugness down a bit. Yes, Sansa has every right to be concerned about how to feed a massive force, but she could also be more welcoming to people who are coming to fight in defense of her homeland.
Also, the people of the North were side eyeing the heck out of not one but two foreign armies marching to Winterfell. They didn’t single out Grey Worm and Missandei because they have brown skin.
Everyone should be concerned about the dragons not eating and not liking the cold weather.
Loved all the reunions, Jon Snow riding a dragon and Sam telling the truth like it is!
Best way to end the episode was bran staring at Jaime. A very powerful scene!
The Umber kid scene scared me too. Wow…
If the knight King is a targ, goes on par to my prediction that Bran is Bran the builder and he changed the GoT by going to the past to maybe save the present/future.
Like I said in the predictions post, the Kingslayer remembers the Mad King screaming “burn them all”… It could be Bran affecting the future. The knight King is coming for Bran and the Kingslayer…
I am here for Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell. Not only is she smart and tough, she will survive everyone around her.
She’s really reminding me of her mom though who was terrible to Jon. Kinda worried about her backstabbing him to “save the north”.
Is it weird that I thought of you immediately when Gendry appeared in Winterfell? I started shouting, “Reunited! Reunited!” and my husband got really pissed.
I was confused at Sam’s reaction to the news that his father was dead until I remembered all the comments I’ve read from people with abusive parents that are dying/have died. For many people it’s not so easy to not give a crap. And I think Sam was hoping to prove himself to him eventually.
He did say, “well, at least I’ll be welcomed back now that my brother is Lord,” but after he found out that Dickon died, that’s when he really got upset. I think his sorrow about his father has more to do with the rest of the family being affected–he really loved his brother.
I think that even though his father was so horrible to him, Sam still loved him deep down, respected him as a military man and some day hoped to earn his respect. he is one of the few unequivocally good people on the show, and also his father’s (and brother’s) death will put his beloved mother and sister in peril. I was never a huge fan of Sam, but I was watching on YouTube John Bradley’s history of his character and he has such fantastic insight not just on Sam but on other characters on the show that I walked away with him becoming one of my favorite actors on the show.
“I’m waiting for a friend”, when Bran says that before Jaime turns up – wth does that mean? And, allow me be to be the first to predict that JON SNOW WILL BE THE SECOND UNBURNT, as proof of his birth right. Dany will demand it.
He was waiting for Jamie, that old friend who pushed him out the window!
You think Dany will set Jon on fire to prove his heritage? That doesn’t guarantee anything – Viserys was definitely a Targ and he was not burn-proof.
Aryas face when she seen the dragons………she is totally riding one
She can’t. She’s not a Targ and both dragons are already claimed. I do think that whatever weapon Gendry is making for Arya will play a significant role in the plot. Maybe she issues it to pierce the Night King’s heart to kill him; that would be a full circle moment considering that’s how he was created.
Pretty sure ” back in the day” families other than Targarians had dragons as well. These being families of Valaryia. So if she is of Valaryian blood, she could.
Actually, Gendry might end up riding one for all we know. He does have some Targaryen blood in him, doesn’t he?
I am LOVING Sansa this season. Finally, someone who isn’t afraid to check Dany’s thirst for domination. I don’t agree that the Northerners should be bending over backwards for Dany because she’s bringing dragons; if Dany doesn’t help, there won’t be 7 kingdoms for her to rule over at all.
Bran’s tea dropping sessions are so funny to me. He spends a whole day waiting for Jaime Lannister to make his dramatic entrance, so he *knows* Jaime’s coming and coming alone and yet Winterfell minus Sansa is still waiting on Cersei’s army. It was the same with Littlefinger last year, the plot doesn’t hold up when you stop to wonder why nobody’s thought to ask the omniscient tree god what’s up.
This is why he’s probably going to be kept completely separated from everyone in the books, because everything would be resolved in an hour otherwise. The show can’t do that so using him as a bit of black comedy and convenient exposition isn’t a bad solution.
Jon will have to decide what’s most important.. staying loyal to the north and his Stark family ..being king or siding with his love ..think Dany will become more ruthless and jon seeing this, they will become rivals, and there will be a epic and emotional battle between them for the throne. Poor guy lol
Good theory. I also think Jon will keep his birthright a secret bc he doesn’t want the throne and Dany will find out and feel betrayed… which will further the division.
Jon’s too honest. I don’t see him hiding this from Dany. She will know something is wrong immediately. Now whether he asks her to keep their secret is a different story.
Am I the only one who didn’t quite buy Qyburn’s statement that Cersei wanted her brothers dead? She had Tyrion before her and couldn’t bring herself to order his death, as well as Jaime standing before The Mountain. Now she impulsively wants them dead? She’s a monster, no doubt, but her weakness has always been her family. I think it’s a stupid plot point to take Bronn to Winterfell and make him look like a hero. I’ve never really liked the character – he’s a pure opportunist. He abandoned Tyrion in a flash when Cersei bribed him, and I absolutely love that she didn’t come through. He also almost killed Drogon, so again – not a fan.
Bronn’s a mercenary. His loyalty is to whoever pays him. Also, there’s nothing for the character to do in King’s Landing because Lena Headey has it in her contract that she won’t do scenes with him
What? Why??
I wonder if she is trying to get *Bronn* killed simply in his attempt? Remember in the last season finale when she asked Jamie what was he going to do to Bronn since he betrayed Jamie (in setting up the rendezvous with Tyrion)? [Even though in the same conversation, she accused Jamie of betraying *her* even though she just said Bronn set it up therefore Jamie didn’t know about it?] Is this Lena Heady’s pure-fire hatred of Jerome Flynn spilling over into the script?
I seriously wonder what happened between them. All accounts say he is a genuinely nice guy and she is broke and a bit looney.
could you guys please spill the tea or provide links on this thing between the two actors? i’ve never heard of anything like that. in all the HBO “the actor remembers” recaps everyone’s (of course) all teary and profound talking about how drama-free and family-like the whole cast has been the whole time and kumbayah…
I wonder if the producers still send President Obama advance copies of the show.
ha! that would be awesome 🙂
he deserves it 🙂
I think will be all HELL NOOOO to Dany now that he knows she’s his Aunt….she will be all MEH incest smincest its normal for us.
I gave my Barbie dolls better haircuts than the one Cersei has
I have nothing to say besides the fact that I’m just SO HAPPY GOT is finally back on! What a time to be alive!! 🙂
Me too. I dread the day when the last episode is aired.
I loved it! Can’t wait to watch it a second time and soak it in.
“Lady Lyanna Mormont isn’t here for this sh-t. There’s a meeting with the northern lords and ladies and everybody is grumbling but Lady Lyanna – this amazing child – isn’t here for the dragon queen, nor does Lyanna appreciate that Jon abandoned his King in the North title.”
I think Lady Lyanna was a bit jealous too. Come on, she totally has a crush on Jon Snow — that kind of innocent crush girls have on older men.
Seeing him with a beautiful, powerful and, the horror, a stranger, southern AND age appropriate woman must have pissed her off.
We didn’t get to see any conversations between Lady Lyanna and her uncle Jorah.
@Lightpurple:
I don’t get what you mean….
I based my opinion above on her (Lyanna Mormont’s) enthusiastic “King of the North” claim after the battle of the bastards.
And on the stink eye she gives to Daenarys the entire time.
Girl has a crush on Jon Snow, that’s all I meant.
oh yeah that’s right!
totally forgot that link, that now he’s back in the North despite being banished & bringing massive dishonor on the family & all, & how she’s therefore burdened with that kind of insane responsibility at such a young age.
they wouldn’t know each other of course, but they’re both still the only mormonts left now. hope there will be some kind of at least glance at each other or recognition of the fact at some point coming up.
I loved it and it’s fun to read what others have to say. As a very new recruit to the show I can’t pretend to have any particular insights and simply enjoy some escapism. The characters flaws, growth and drama is mesmerizing, for me. Can’t believe I avoided it forever, but it makes me glad that as such I didn’t wait forever for the final season.
I’ve gone radio silent since last night, travelling, couldn’t watch, avoiding spoilers. Finally saw episode, ready to discuss, picked up phone, and saw Notre Dame news. Don’t know what to say.
And now I’m going the opposite way. Have to know about these Notre Dame news you mentioned.
ETA: Saw it. Oh, dear…
Hey, Eve! I’ve only been to Paris once, and I’m not Catholic, so its not a personal attachment for me, but gawd the tragedy to the western world (and I’m kinda freaked out that I got the news literally seconds after turning off a show based on Medieval Europe).
I understand. I’m not a Catholic either but I love History. So even though I’ve never been to Paris, I know the importance of the Notre Dame as a historical landmark.
Last year, an even bigger disaster (in terms of destruction) happened to The National Museum of Brazil.
In case you’re interested, you can read about it here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Brazil
Here’s an excerpt (to save your time):
“Although some items were saved, it is believed that 92.5% of its archive of 20 million items were destroyed in the fire, though circa 1.5 million items are stored in a separate building, which were not damaged.”
That’s heartbreaking!
@BettyRose:
Heartbreaking indeed. Even worse is knowing that most of the population didn’t give two sh*ts about it.
yeah i’m here in paris and had been planning to watch GoT Monday night.
Instead found myself on a rooftop literally watching the cathedral engulfed in flames, the spire falling, the knave collapsing, the whole thing. to think that in the morning i thought the main event of the day was a TV show- –
still, i watched GoT last night. after a whole night & day of constant analysis and news updates and nascent polemics about what went wrong & who’s trying to take advantage, as well as the somewhat relieving news that some of the more amazing parts of the cathedral (i feel like it’s just a miracle that the Rose Window somehow survived intact), the relics (crown of thorns, piece of the cross, saint louis’ robe) got out in one piece, and that no one was seriously injured- so it was a welcome break & escape into the engrossing fantasy world to watch the show last night.
man, wonder what excitement *tonight’s* gonna bring?? – hopefully none, i’m getting worn out 😉
I honestly thought Sansa had the best line the entire night when she reunited with Tyrion up on the walls of Winterfell. It was more than just “LOL you believe Cersei” the line was more something along the lines of “And I used to think you were the cleverest man I knew” as she leaves him in the dust. Very good one liner.
While opinions are divided on Dany’s and Jon’s joy ride on the dragons apart from showing how in love they are, I think it was also to establish to the audience Jon is a Targaryen as he managed to ride Rhaegal (ALSO the dragon named after his father Rhaegar which he didn’t know yet which can’t be a coincidence). Only Targaryens are supposed to be able to ride dragons. And the waterfall they stood next to–I am 100% convinced that waterfall is in Iceland. I just came back a few weeks ago where a lot of GOT is filmed and there are SO MANY waterfalls in that country.
The White Walker wall art with the zombie boy and severed arms spiral was pretty gory. There have been many gory moments on the show but that had to be one of the most disturbing I’ve seen in awhile. We haven’t really seen much intelligence from the white walkers apart from how they all follow the Night King in a zombified fashion. Apparently they are also artists (of the gruesome kind).
This episode wasn’t action packed as it is a set up for the rest of the season so it was a little boring. But I enjoyed all the character reunions and also how Sam was the one to reveal to Jon his true parentage. Jon and Dany’s romance is now doomed!
@Amelie:
“The White Walker wall art with the zombie boy and severed arms spiral was pretty gory.”
White Walker wall art…*muffles laughter*.
That’s the same pattern and…*ahem*…material used in the prologue of the very first episode.
Haha I can’t take credit for it, I think I saw wall art in a NYT episode review. I haven’t rewatched ANY of the seasons so I have been wanting to rewatch from season 1 because there’s so much I forgot. Like the whole procession in the beginning of Dany’s forces was meant to echo the procession of Cersei and Robert Baratheon to Winterfell in the very first episode. I forgot all that until I read a few episode recaps. I added HBO to my Hulu subscription until the season ends so I have a few weeks to rewatch everything… but it’s a lot of commitment!
There was some part way back in the day, can’t remember which season, in which the Men in Black come upon frozen horse carcasses in a huge spiral on the ground – i think when they’re at the fist of the first men north of the wall- and someone, i think lord commander mormont? says, sort of in disgust: “Always the artists…” , which I thought was darkly funny.
@Amelie, agreed and then today with HBO I could re-watch and also see the “inside the episode” thing at the end and they re-stated the thing about only Targaryen family having the ability to ride a dragon. Jon should start piecing all of that together. My first thought on the “wall art” was how it looks like the Targaryen sigil and, of course, so did many people. It will be interesting when that symbology gets broken down, with their patterns. Unlike you though, I didn’t find it boring. But, I’m a newbie.
Serious question. How is it that you guys can tell the difference between the dragons?! Because I never know which is which but everyone else always seems to. What am I missing?
@Mel:
It was easier to tell when they were babies but here we go:
Drogon is the biggest, most protective of his mom dragon — black with some crimson parts (underneath his wings, for instance);
Rhaegal is the greenish one;
Viserion is (was) the yellowish/ ginger one.
Rhaegal and Viserion are about the same size.
I hope that helps.
ETA:
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkIk2zlx5SQ/WSQn8lEh5xI/AAAAAAAAISs/VfboHOouYJUNthp5vgM0mu0NfcZfUd9WwCLcB/s1600/daenerys-dragoes-filhotes.jpg
Drogon stands on her left shoulder, Viserion lies on her left arm and Rhaegal is on her right arm.
Another picture:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7p_j4gCYmPU/maxresdefault.jpg
thank you!! I can definitely see the differences there (I had forgotten how cute they were smaller) its so hard now, people are always saying, oh she rode this one and Jon rode that one, and I’m like, how, HOW do you know this? they look the same to me.
@Mel:
Daenerys always rides Drogon;
Actually, no one else has ever ridden the other dragons before. Only yesterday someone else (Jon) rode Rhaegal.
Now Viserion can be easily identified because he’s blueish and belongs to the Night King.
GoT has referenced numerous times that a short weapon is much more effective than a long blade in close quarters. Arya’s dual purpose blade against the Night King’s spear anyone?
This had me howling earlier!
https://www.polygon.com/game-of-thrones/2019/4/14/18310938/game-of-thrones-bran-stark-meme-jaime-lannister-season-8-episode-1-winterfell
Great episode last night but I am so nervous as to which of my favorites will die early. Because of the white walker holding up the head of the wolf in the opening sequence I fear one of the starks will be killed. I thought Jon Snow was the one but now we know he is a Targ I don’t think so.
Just as Samwise saved the day in LOTR I have a feeling Samwell will be the unlikely hero here.
As to the show itself, I enjoyed Arya’s reunion with the hound, Jon and Gendry. How many people are left on her kill list? I am looking forward to how she will use her many faces and I am sure the spear weapon is for the dragon.
Unpopular opinion: I may have some issues with Daenerys, but I thought she was as gracious as anyone in her position could be.
Sansa, on the other hand, was totally obnoxious in her presence and in that meeting with lords of the North.
As for Daenerys making small talk to Sansa and people upthread saying that was silly because Sansa had been through a lot…I don’t Daenerys would know about that.
It’s ironic to read “Sansa is a rape survivor and a fierce combatant…she’s not there for girly talk”. Guess what? SO WAS/IS DAENERYS!
Actually, she’s been through A LOT more: abused since early age by her brother, enslaved, sold, raped, vilified, lost one her dragons and still managed to get herself together.
As for Sansa being the smartest…seriously? Just because she’s made a couple of good decisions (one of them out of blind luck — in The Battle of the Bastards)?
I admit Sansa’s learned a lot but she’s a slow learner — she said so herself (7th episode from the 7th season).
As for Daenerys, I feel like I must defend her on this: when she tells Sam his father and brother were killed, she was clearly saying that with a heavy heart (at least to me). She was also being honest.
I loved the episode, such a thrill, FINALLY some %^£ emotional payoff !!! After YEARS !!!
I feel like there was some of everything- weird wight shrieky horror, intense emo character stuff, questions about peoples’ emotions for each other and real motivations, coupla snarky one-liners, and OMG THAT BLISSFUL DRAGON FLIGHT. everything man, I loved it, one of the best episodes in such a long time. The pace is super quick this season, that much is clear. Looking forward to some of those bombs dropping for seasons now, it was a quick succession of those moments & I’m reeling 😉
also, totally there for a romance thing between arya & gendry. a girl gets to grow up and have feelings/ lady boners, hey!