Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 1
Writer: Dave Hill
Director: David Nutter
Runtime: 54 minutes
Content Warnings: TV-MA: Adult Content, Adult Language, Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
Video Preview: Season 8 Official Trailer
Every Sunday night, we’ll be celebrating the new episode with a livestreaming podcast with the Night’s Cast! Join us now for live discussion of tonight’s premiere:
For those new to Watchers on the Wall or needing a refresher on the guidelines, here they are!
Please use spoiler coding when discussing ASOIAF book or filming spoilers- any material that has not aired or been discussed on Game of Thrones. Please do not post extensive spoilers in this Open Chat! Instructions on coding/showing/hiding spoilers are found at the top of the Comments section.
Spoiler coding is required in the Open Chat post prior to the episode official airing (9PM EDT tonight!). We ask that fans use consideration for your fellow viewers, and cover and label your spoilers appropriately. After the episode has aired, you don’t have to cover spoilers from the episode anymore!
I posted this one a couple of times before, but nothing gets me more hyped. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGNNazG8yyk
OMGGG IT’S FINALLY HERE
Happy thrones night everyone !!!!
Hold the Hodor!
Aghhhh!!!! I’ve been checking back all day for this. I am so so so hyped!! It’s 10:40pm here and I’m still on my epic rewatch of the whole of GOT over just a few weeks. I’m on to Beyond the Wall now having just watched S07E05. If I take a small break between Beyond the Wall and Dragon and the Wolf, I should be able to time Dragon and the Wolf finishing right before 2am when the fun really starts. Just gotta hope my youngest doesn’t decide to wake up all night. Let the hype begin!!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwPULUPHnFh/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1mc52hnjgimol
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Enjoy the premiere Watchers!
“Hell yeah, Beavis!!”
“Lets burn some dust! Eat my rubber!” 😛
I can’t wait! I’m ready for the Arya-Jon reunion. Might be the last happy thing we see in a while! Are Bran and Sam going to pull Jon aside and give him the “dude, you’re doing your Auntie” talk in this episode? That should be delightfully awkward.
Weird seeing “Season 8, Episode 1” instead of a title 😀
I’m heading off to bed soon so I can get up early and watch the episode twice before I take a trans-atlantic flight tomorrow so I won’t be able to join too much of this chat.
That said, what are people expecting from the premiere? Isn’t it nice to be going in almost completely blind, although I did read a couple of minor spoilers – which could be completely wrong but likely make sense.
For me I’m expecting the following:
– Army of the Dead to attack the Last Hearth
– Jon to find out about his parentage at the end of the episode
– Golden Company to reach Cersei
– Sansa and Dany to have a frosty time
– Arya, Bran and Jon reunions
– Tyrion and Sansa Reunion
– Arya and Gendry/Hound reunion.
– Jamie arriving at Winterfell towards the end of the episode
I’m so happy to see a live stream for the premiere episode … wow!
I’m rea… oh, who am I kidding, I’m not ready at all!!! And as a European I have 20 more hours to go before I can watch the episode… so think of me as I spend a whole day dodging spoilers! Well, I guess I’ll get some work done at the office!
Do you think we’ll see the NK/AotD tonight or they’ll save them for 802/803?
David Nutter is an awesome director and Hill has written some great episodes. I expect this premiere to be quite the treat.
It’s just freaking surreal that the episode is finally here. I can’t even believe it tbh.
I’ll go with this sequence of premiere moments… seems most sensible to me as well. Hope something surprises me, but I do expect these events to happen.
Tom Wlaschiha has a big “Team Arya” banner on his Insta stories. 😊❤
https://instagram.com/tomwlaschiha?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1w7gireg8f9pr
I am completely clueless. I saw some chatter on reddit about leaks of e1 coming out after the NYC premiere so I haven’t visited there or anywhere ‘unsafe’ since that night.
My own guess that I’ve had in my mind is that we’ll at least see them for a little bit, not unlike the beginning of S7. I’d still like a flyover of them along the Wall to Tormund and Beric as the opening scene… Still, if they don’t show much of the aotd in the first episode, or the second, will we get to see them mow over Last Hearth and/or Karhold at all?
Who’s zooming who this episode? Missy & Grey Worm?
I heard the episode was accidentally released early on Direct Tv now. If y’all have that, then I guess the episode is yours to enjoy before everyone else!
Tragically I won’t be able to watch episode 1 or 2 for about another 10 days, but hopefully back to normal for 3 onwards. Have read all the ep 1 spoilers (won’t mention any here) and it sounds like a good ‘un. Hope everyone enjoys themselves (doubly so for fellow Brits who follow Line of Duty, I’d no idea I could hold my breath for so long, talk about tense! We could have a cross over show where H is Cersei.) Two years has flown by, hopefully it’ll all be well worth the wait 😀
I’m just insanely happy Arya and Jon will be on the screen together again. I’m telling myself it won’t be as emotional as I want. Jon died and Arya’s an assassin so it can’t be, but I’ll still cry. Bran too. Remember when Jon kissed Bran’s forehead when he was still unconscious? Telling him he’d take him walking out beyond the wall if he wasn’t afraid? That was the last time he saw him.
*sob*
Don’t even get me started on Arya and Gendry and Arya/Sansa and the Hound, and and and…
Yeah. I’m supposed to be watching this with people tonight and I might embarrass myself.
I have to assume the episode title must be at least a little bit spoilery, otherwise why not release it?
Things I expect to see (speculation, NOT spoilers!):
– Team Jonerys arrives at Winterfell, with attendant reunions. (Jon+Arya, Jon+Bran, Jon+Sam, Tyrion+Sansa, Arya+Hound, Sansa+Hound, etc.)
– Remnants of Night’s Watch arrives at Winterfell, in other words, Edd+Beric+Tormund. The living realize how screwed they are.
– Euron+Golden Company arrives in King’s Landing.
MAYBE we’ll see:
-Jaime+Bronn arrive in Winterfell. Reunions between Jaime+Brienne/Tyrion/Bran.
– Some White Walker action at Last Hearth and/or Karhold.
Oh, it is so wonderful to see a new Open Chat thread for the first time in so very long. I’d love to stay up in the UK and watch up it live, but I just can’t cope with only a few hours sleep at the moment, and six weeks of it would be six Mondays written off. I’ll make an exception for the finale, but I’ll have to wait a few extra hours the other weeks. The only good result it that by the time I have watched the episode there’ll be lots of interesting discussion here, and review etc.!
I’m just looking to spending the better part of an hour watching (in a manner of speaking) old friends. I’m not expecting fireworks, but I am looking forward to all the reunions. Can’t wait!!!
Here’s hoping it’s happy sexual content, like Jon and Dany or M & G, and not ugh sexual content, like Cersei and Qyburn plus the man from the Iron Bank. *shudders*
Sorry I even wrote that down lol
I’m so excited! Three hours to go! Staying up to watch at 2am, I’m so hyped I’m not even a little bit sleepy.
live chat. First time Tyrion started his joke was on trial at the Eyrie.
Can’t follow the premiere chat threads live tonight, will have to catch up later. So have fun everyone! The next six weeks are going to be bonkers. 🤪
Pigeon, The Prince who was promised! <3 His photos are beautiful and he likes animals.
I feel very confident we will see them wreaking havoc at one of the northern castles Jack, the Karstarks or Umbers are going to be slaughtered I suspect. They have to show them to build up to the episode 3.
Had the same weird feeling… Is the title that spoilery???
For the premier I am making Shepherd’s pie, drinking GOT Wine in my Tyrion, “I Drink and I Know Things” Glass … and I have my kleenex box close by … I am so ready !!!
I can’t imagine trying to divide my attention between watching the premiere and following the podcast, but hats off to those of you who can multitask that expertly! Enjoy. I’ll be with you in spirit.
Wow, we did it! Waited through the Long Night, to come to, um, The Long NIght. Sooooo excited! Finished season 7 finale a few times, and realized it very much made sense, what happened and why. Also for fun this week watched the final episode in each season just to get back in the game. In three hours our watch is over!!
Where’s Ten Bears? Did he od on too many GoT oreos 😀
I don’t want it to end. But it must. So here I am. A bundle of nerves. Excited, but sad. Hopefully they stick the landing.
Edward,
It has I just saw some bloody screengrabs on Twitter!
Stay off social media folks, the web is dark and full of terrors!! 🥶
Do you think we’ll see a death(s) in the premiere?
Sadly I need to wait till tomorrow to watch it. So a day at university awaits me first. Everybody, enjoy the first episode.
For my reviews, I opened a forum thread: http://forum.watchersonthewall.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=337
Apollo,
Whew damn. Good thing I don’t Direct Tv or I’d be so tempted to watch…..
Yeah, no chance I’d do that. I usually don’t even try to read anything online during the episodes. I’ve very seldomly commented. I’ll be back on reading during my second rewatch after the first 🙂
Kim Renfro confirms the episode has leaked four hours before its due to air, lots of spoilers coming out so be warned (I have not read them).
Oh wow they really added it early? Did they add an episode title?
Apollo,
HBO, you almost made it without fucking up. Ugh!
I wonder what the significance of “Season 8, Episode 1” is in the title. This is one of the more enigmatic titles in the show’s history, I think. It’s safe to say the “1” indicates the beginning of something, but of what? Is it the beginning of the end? Or something less obvious?
It’s strange that “Season” is in this because we’ve already established that it’s winter. Maybe a hint of a spring to come? As usual I may be reading too heavily into things.
“Episode” is often used in relation to specific incidents, so I’m expecting a lot of action in this premiere. No idea what to make of “8.” Unless… making the 8? No, too crude.
Quinton O’Connor,
Ha!
Lol. DirectTV Now had the episode, but not the title! I’m starting to think not even HBO is going to add it.
Well, the folks have come to visit this evening and neighbors will be over to watch the premiere of S8. Can’t wait until the “strong sexual content!” Maybe LF’s bordello is back in business with Pod in charge?
If the posting of Tobias Menzies’ name as a Season 8 actor was accurate, then I think we need to see Jaime check in on him on his way north, probably in the first third of the episode so he can show up at the gates of Winterfell by the end. (They might save his confession/absolution scene with Bran until Episode 2.) And I would not be at all surprised if he leaves Bronn in charge of the strategic crossing of the Trident. The Twins should be Bronn’s promised two castles. His participation in the Battle of Winterfell doesn’t strike me as critical.
People are saying the first two episodes have leaked – we got this far and now this at the final hurdle.
When Euron shows up with the Golden Company as promised, he’s going to want Cersei to hold up her end of the bargain. If she balks, he may exact the Iron Price. Not that we need any more rapey scenes, but it would certainly be in character for him.
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2 episodes?
How the F*#k!? I can understand tonight’s episode by a couple of hours, but how next week’s?? Still, even today NO provider should make the mistake of pushing it out early. That would be INTENTIONAL and should be punishable!
SAdly lots of talk on twitter that the first two have leaked. I am highly annoyed.
I know if this is true then next week will be horrible. I am only going by social media comments so hopefully it’s false but there are a number of people saying it on twitter.
I am so excited for the premiere!!
2nd ep wasn’t leaked, a troll spread that story. 1st one is there though.
Ugh that sucks so much. I am not going anywhere near Twitter during the season.
It hasn’t been pulled down yet!!??
It’s ridiculous. I only see the first episode online though, not 802. I will be be waiting until 9pm to watch on HBO NOW.
Clob,
Nope, people are watching and live streaming it on twitter and fb rn.
I know, right? We wait 500+ days of the long, silent night….and then idiots post spoilers in the last couple of weeks! As if!
I think there will be some criticism about the show being focused only on the White Walker threat. I have already seen some complaints from book readers about that “not being what the story is about”. It is true, that is not what the books are about and it wasn’t what the show was about but the difference is the books are not finished and the show has to end this story which includes fulfilling the White Walker plot that has been set up and been building since the beginning.
I would agree that the White Walker plot line being the dominate narrative loses a lot of what made the show so great but the story can’t set that plot up and not go through with it in its climax. It always had to come down to Westeros vs White Walkers even in the books. Luckily based on the few leaks we’ve had about this season it seems there will still be more to the narrative than just Westeros defeating the White Walkers.
So excited! I’m just finishing re-watch of 0707, and in a few minutes will have to go and – sleep. And then first thing when I wake up is this new Ep 1.
I am soooo tempted to have iPad to do Sky-go at 2.00, and try to wake up for then, but it would be so much better to get it fresh in the morning…
This is not a drill! New clip on 60 minutes!
Was watching ice bear beyond the wall and all I could think was, “Damn, Jorah fine!” and “I wish I had some chicken wings.” Timed laundry all wrong, too. Rookie mistakes!
I’m in agreement with all of those, except I don’t think Jaime will get to Winterfell till episode 2. I think the last scene will be Jon finding out about his parents. I think the first scene will be a warm opener before the credits of the AOTD ransacking a castle (though they did start S7 with the AOTD and might not repeat the theme). Then we get the credits and then straight into Dany and Jon marching in to Winterfell. I really am looking forward to all the reunions – the Sansa and Tyrion reunion is one of the ones I am most excited for – if it weren’t for the fact that I reckon Tyrion will betray Dany and die this season, I would be hoping they form a genuine bond those two as they suit each other quite well now I think. I don’t think it’s going to happen though!
About to start rewatching the Dragon and the Wolf and then on to the premiere!
Since it’s officially past midnight in England I’ll throw a “Happy 22nd Birthday, Maisie” out there. No, she won’t see it, but pretty darn great that the world gets to celebrate watching the premiere on her birthday. ASNAWP!! 🙂
I wonder if Direct TV is just taking the opportunity to stir up trouble and business.? I do not know anything about this service – but how do you mix up 9pm and 5pm?
Anyway, we have been waiting on this for a long time….I plan to enjoy! As I think we all do!
Just finished my run to the market.
Chicken wings & hot sauce – check
Chips n cream cheese dip – check
Some wine – a nice Chilean Cabernet will do just fine so I can drink and know things tyvm.
And now my watch begins…
Mango,
Directv is owned by the same company as HBO. The fact that it happened with them pisses me off even more. Hopefully this is the only time it happens. I made it damn near two years unspoiled. I’d hate to get this close and have the dedication ruined by some easily avoidable screwup.
It is even weirder that they messed up. Hmmm.
I just turned on the 60 Minutes piece. I immediately turned it off when they started showing a piece of J&D arriving. Even with just over an hour to go I still don’t want things spoiled. I’ll wait for when we’re suppose to watch.
Idk if anyone mentioned this yet. On the info for tonight’s episode. It says the depiction of two powerful families. Then says some other stuff. I thought it was strange it says only 2. Maybe a giveaway
Directtv should have their walk of punishment. Shame. Shame. Shame.
This is a very strange mistake. Things like this is mostly automatic so how could it be released before.
And where is my title? Hopefully they don’t forget it at all. I almost have the feeling we get a newsreport tomorrow that they just forgot to add a title.
And only 1 night of sleep for me. And the whole day waiting tomorrow before I can watch. My timer is on. Around 16.5 hours.
And then my watch begin.
I’m wondering if the show will start like season 1. Cold opening white walkers. Title sequence. Then winterfell.
Yeah it’s been there on my tv guide for a couple weeks now.
With DirectTV NOW having the episode, but no title, I don’t think we’re getting one.
Testing … testing … one … two … PSYCHED!!!!
Omg 1 hour left ONE HOUR LEFT – the Internet is dark and full of spoilers – staying off everything except Watchers – turned all notifications off
Well guys, back for this last season. Look forward to discussing it with you all as usual. With the trajectory the show has taken, I doubt I’m going to be satisfied with the final six but I’m going to hope for the best and keep an open mind. As usual though most people are going to love it and I’m probably going to hate it but I promise if it’s good, I will call a spade for a spade. And I hope it’s good. I hope that D & D, now that they have all the pieces in place and have had some more time to write, that they can revert the show back to its old form and out of the Marvel / Disney stratosphere. Anyway, I’ll be back after the episode with my review as usual. Hoping for the best!
Talking about reunions, assuming that Beric, The Hound etc. all make it to Winterfell tonight, Dany should also learn that one of her children is now an ice dragon. That should stir up some emotions.
can’t wait!
35 minutes until the curtain rises!
Is this really happening?
What has become of my sanity?
I cannot believe, at my age, I’m so anxious, excited, thrilled…about a television show.
But I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I love, love, love that I am!
I cannot wait to see Jon and Dany triumphantly arrive in Winterfell.
Watching Littlefinger about to go bye bye. 30 minutes!!
Only 30 minutes left!!
That promo image of Dany looking horrified beside a worried Jorah in the new Winterfell library makes me think she just found out at that moment. They’re still wearing travelling clothes, so I wonder if she’s told as soon as they arrive.
30 minutes
Slowest 30 minutes ever!! I’m just watching the wall fall. Should have times this better!!
This episode is under 60 minutes? And will this be the norm for our last season, or will most be the 90-minute mammoths that were teased?
Oh gods, I don’t know if I can handle it.
It’s the beginning of the end! 😭
Che,
I’m on main HBO so Cersei is still smugly telling Jaime how smart she thinks she is. Keep forgetting how tired of her grimace I am. 😬
I don’t get the big deal about titles – I usually forget them, anyway. Just want the show in al its glory!
Ginevra,
54, 58, 82, 78, 80 and 80.
I had exactly the same thought!! She does that smug smile an awful lot on that scene and all I could think was how I am ready for our favourite little assassin to take her out.
20 minutes. I feel like running around in circles.
HBO schedule changed 805 and 806 to 79 minutes each.
Making ‘Frey Pie’ and Lemon Cakes for our West Coast GoT party in 3 hrs.
Next week Unsullied Bean Casserole , with little smokey sausages & eggs!
😂 Me too! How slowly can I make popcorn and pour a glass of wine?
Jack Bauer 24,
Those bastards!!! 😜
I am so anxious that I just turned on hbo to have something in the background to pass the time.
Anyone using HBO NOW instead of cable? I’m hoping the servers hold up.
Here goes the Wall. Trying to pretend like the last 585-ish days didn’t happen and we’ll be going straight into the next episode.
So psyched! Enjoy everyone! Looking forward to the WotW recap 🙂
First complaint of the new season (and this dates back to last season) but I can’t stand Arya’s new look since coming back to Westeros. Why were they so desperate to have her resemble Ned? ::eye roll:: Much would’ve preferred her look from the House of Black and White which was other worldly / awesome. Loved her hairstyle when she was there. But instead she’s ratty disgusting troll Ned look alike. Sigh…
10 minutes people. Get your snacks, drinks and go pee. You don’t want to miss anything.
Jack Bauer 24,
I’m using HBO Now and my local PayTV provider, because they said they only show it live on TV and just a few mintues ago I found out they also stream it live. So here I am now using VPN and HBO Now as well as my local payTV provider (though HBO Now seems to have the better image quality)
LatrineDiggerBrian,
To each their own. I disagree of course. ASNAWP!!!
We watch it on HBO Now. And yes, very nervous that it’s going to be choppy or not come over in HD. Also we have a tornado watch where I live. 😬
Can’t take the anticipation…!!!
An episode has no name. An episode is no one.
Whoop whoop! 6 minutes!
Whatta ya know, a Deadwood teaser!
Clob,
We are now!
5 minutes! Wine poured, lights off, ready to go!
We made it. At long last, we’re here. And we’re ready. Night gathers, and now our watch begins …
HAPPY GAME OF THRONES DAY EVERYONE!!! SEASON 8 IS UPON US!!!!!
I hope you all have a blast and love the episode as much as I expect to! We’ve waited a long time for this. Savor every minute of it!
JenStar Runner,
Me too. I’ll be soooo ticked if a tornado shows up and messes with my GOT!
Omg, how did we go from almost two years to 90 days to 4 minutes left?!?!
The last time we’ll be waiting for the first episode to start with just minutes left and I’ve loved following this live open chat for three seasons so much <3
JenStar Runner,
What a terrible time for a tornado watch! It’s like the tornado knew…
I AM SO EXCITED. OUR FIRST WATCH OF THE SZN BEGINS.
Oh wow. Yep no episode title on HBO NOW.
Enjoy everyone!
I suppose the new Episodes will show up in the series menu of Game of Thrones?
Last ad break!!! This is it!!! And now our wait has ended. We made it.
Enjoy lovely watchers on the wall!
I wish you all good fortune in the wars to come.
Almost here
it’s on hbo go now
I didn’t subscribe to HBO yet – I’m waiting for May and I’m going to binge watch. But I love to be spoiled so I’m hoping for a spoiler laden recap tonight or tomorrow so I can see what I think about the first episode.
Thank you, Clob!!
Got on my American Red Cross T-shirt “I bled for the throne”. Got my wine. got my glasses on. I am READY!
Here we go!! Ep 8 is LIVE in HBONow!
Sheez, they’re promoting everything
The episode was on HBO GO 10 minutes ago- NO FREAKING TITLE!
Here it comes
New opening design! Ahhh!
Oh my heart. Starting off with Ned’s face.
They changed the titles
Somebody had fun redoing that opening sequence!
If this is true then I think it’s like the last time – the rumor then was HBO leaked them to get more interest in their HBO Now subscription. I think the only way for episodes themselves to leak is for HBO to leak them,
NO ELEPHANTS
Jack Bauer 24,
They wouldn’t be on the deck of a ship. The ship would capsize.
Edit: no Elephants!! 🤦🏼♂️😂
He’s a beautiful man, he is. ❤
Come on I needed a bit more epic of a tune for that dragon riding sequence.
Okay so I may have just grinned and giggled my way through that dragon riding sequence. It may have been corny, but it got me. I love the expression On Rhaegal’s face when he eyes up Jon. “Daddy?”
Jack Bauer 24,
Agree.
It was a really warm, funny scene. Not sure how I feel about Jon’s first dragon ride being so rushed and comical though..
Rewatch will decide 🤔
I need some AotD.
This episode is all about dropping major bombs
Uh-Oh…. Does Bran remember now? What will he do if he finds out? Does he even care about it? And will happen to Jamie if Bran tells the other what happened back in Season 1 Episode 1?
Gh3ttoK!nG.,
That is not going to end well
Omg! “The things we do for love.”
That was not what I wanted from 1/6th of a season.
Wtf no NK? Come on.
My god, that was one hell of an episode!
Che,
Hard to get romantic with a dragon giving you the eye.
I was more than happy (understatement of the century) at the ironic tone of the episode.
I’m sorry, did I say ironic? I meant this is any easy fit in my top five list.
I’m so giddy!!!! The episode was full of emotion – laughter, tears, giggles (I loved Jon’s first dragon flight and am glad it wasn’t during a battle). For the first time, I also “bought” Jon and Dany as a couple.
Didn’t love all of it (I mean, Cercei hooked up with Euron? ew) but the twist of her hiring Bronn to kill Jaime and Tyrion was a surprise to me.
All in all, I got everything I wanted out of Ep. 1, except for a time machine to hurdle me forward to next Sunday :). I was worried I’d be disappointed after so long, but it was worth the wait.
Wait, does the Battle of Winterfell start next episode?
Season 7, 2.0.
A fine episode if it was still a season of 10. But for a season of only 6, hoped for a bit more than that. Only thing of any real importance at all was the ending.
Oh my fricking god that was fantastic!
and this is only episode 1! Acting excellent, dialogue cracking! Oh man, must rewatch this many times!
Wow that episode was damn good. It didn’t have too much mechanical table setting. I felt like a natural sequencing of how things should have transpired.
I feel like they did all the reunions justice. I had no expectations for any, simply because I’ve learned that GoT doesn’t always deliver what we want. It delivers what we deserve. And you can argue that it may not get it right all the time, but when they do, they nail it. Jon and Arya’s reunion was probably my favorite of them all though.
It’s interesting how so many characters are trying to disparage Dany’s leadership. I’m wondering if they’re doing so in order to have her become some martyr in the end. That’s what it seemed like to me. The preview for next week with her grilling Jaime will surely yield more answers.
Anyone have an idea what the symbol was behind the Umber boy?
The WW’s symbol when burnt forms the Targaryen sigil?!
Favorite segment: the scene between Bronn and Qyburn. I’m still laughing (and sorta freaked out).
So that was Last Hearth in the trailer and not WF after all. I thought maybe we’d see something of them getting attacked but that’s okay.
I’ll save extended thoughts on small things for the recap thread, but for a ‘kickstart episode’ I really enjoyed it.
Loved it!
Is it just me or does Bran seem to able to teleport to that one spot in the Winterfell courtyard? That look he gave to Tyrion with Tyrion standing in the darkness seemed ominous.
Okay, so undead Umber boy bit is up there on my “creepiest GOT moments list”. Yikes. Had to shut my eyes as soon as I saw him open his eyes. I actually thought Tormund might be an early casualty. Props to the scary-as shrieking, that got me even with my eyes closed.
I’m not sure how I feel about the way Jon finding out the big reveal was handled. His reaction was well done, but it felt a bit anticlimactic… though I suppose that is more realistic.
Bit concerned with Sansa’s trajectory. They know the threat that’s nearly upon them; Jon is right, they need to stop thinking about titles, none of it’s important. I wish they hadn’t cut away from her insulting him and us not seeing his response. Give the man his voice when she degraded him, c’mon!! Also I am not buying “smartest person I ever met”. Nope. That may be what they want us to think, but to my mind, it’s not what they’ve shown, not by a long shot.
Come on episode 2!!!
Great episode. They did an amazing job juggling all of the characters coming together at one time. That could have easily be a huge mess and it wasn’t. Jon & Dany flying on the dragons together felt slightly idealistic for a show like this, but it was a very nice happy moment before everything is going to turn horrible.
Jon finding out he is a King and Jamie seeing Bran were two great ways to end the episode.
What worries me is that Bran keeps saying he isn’t a Stark anymore.
Seeing through the eyes of this face? Whose face will she be taking? Jaime? And will she be using the tool she asked Gendry to make? Or is that for the White Walkers?
Ooo, I hope Episode 2 or 3 is “The Long Night.” About 17 years, Jon, give or take. (Don’t know that we know the actual length, but long enough for babes to be born, grow up, and die, right? Isn’t that what Nan said?)
Exceeded expectations honestly. Alreadt seeing reviews saying it was rushed but I thought it was rather perfectly paced. The world also feels richer now, more lived in, more full of joy
I would agree with you if this was an Ep. 2 or 3. But the first episode of any new season has been a lot of tying up loose ends left from the finale of the previous season. This ep. not only had to do that, but also tie up a lot of loose ends from *seven* seasons. Plus set the stage for the rest of the finale. I consider this more of a housekeeping episode. Even if we only have six episodes, this one was necessary.
I thought they did a good job and the flow seemed natural. We got big hurdles out of the way. The reunions we’ve waited years for, big revelations etc. Now the stage is set, and I suspect that next week, and the rest of the season. will be more along the lines of what you were hoping for. Fingers crossed 🙂
One of my new favorite season openers. Pity it was only an hour long.
Still processing all of my emotions about this episode. One thing that I know for certain: Samwell is my hero.
Give me some oxygen! The previous season’s episodes were Wagnerian to a fault and this first episode goes faster than the plot of ‘Il Trovatore!’ Wow! I need to re watch just to catch my breath as they cut out all of the fat and zoomed away and light speed.
I can hear Mance repeat his infamous words after the Fist of the First Men massacre…”They’re such the artists!”
Also, omniscient dragons can be very judgy.
Best thing about the episode was the brief Jaime-Bran staredown.
Good season opener. Favourite part – Bran referring to Jaime as “an old friend”
Ah, Staz Nair as Qhono, Dany’s Dothraki , head blood rider?, I guess, have not had one of those since Steven Cole as Kovarro in season 2 … and Kovarro vanished between season 2 and 3.
Catspaw Assassin,
Sorry for repeating my comment, but for a moment there I forgot how the “internet” (sp?) works. #/;-)>
I started watching a half hour late… and J just saw Jon & Arya hugging.
My life is complete. 👸🏻
PS +5 points for Sansa for telling Tyrion he shouldn’t have trusted Cersei.
PPS +10 points for the first few minutes: Arya watching from the crowd unseen as Jon, Gendry and SANDOR F*CKING CLEGANE ride past.
Now lemme unpause Jon hugging Arya and keep watching.
(But first – in Dany’s voice – “Where are my Kleenex!”)
Next episode probably ends where the trailer did and the actual battle will be ep 3
Che,
Yes, a bit of How to Train Your Dragon. Wow wonder if they flew one together they can join the one mile club….
Superb way to get us going, though Jon Umber’s screams are going to haunt me as I sleep! Arya and Jon’s reunion was everything I could have asked for. And Sam <3 <3 <3
Chills! Bran’s turned into the biggest troll of them all.
“Waiting for an old friend.”
Commence stare down of the century.
My babeeez! Jon and Arya together again along with Gendry and Arya sigh
I liked that. From the aallmost yelling out to Jon but not to the little smile she gave after seeing Gendry.
That first scene with the Climbing Kid, as GOT memory and as cinema in general , was perfection personified.
Jack Bauer 24,
Told you.
I am no Gendrya shipper but the fact that he was the ONLY one who recognized her in the crowd out of Jon, Sandor and himself was very telling.
Also, what is that weird weapon Arya wants built? It looks like a blow dart of some sort? Definitely not for the AotD. It’s for Cersei.
WHERE ARE MY ELEPHANTS
The Dany/Sam interaction was weird. Didn’t Jorah tell Dany Sam’s last name before they entered the library? Or did she know Sam is a Tarly and started to realize the consequences of her past actions? Sam crying at the news of his father and brothers’ death wasn’t what I expected.
ThisGirlHasNoName,
I wouldn’t be surprised if next episode also had the same complaints as it is the episode that is going to set up the big battle.
God start but .. WHERE IS GHOST¡¡¡ they forgot about him again.
I’m not sure what the point of mentioning the elephants was then.
Where’s the direwolf?!
I agree, the pacing was just fine. In fact, I thought the pacing and editing in this episode was indeed better that any of the episodes in season 7.
Sansa showing she still has a lot to learn.
Surprised Sam is being so upset about his brother dying but he has always been Jon’s #1 fan.
Do you think Bronn will actually try to kill either brother?
And speaking of Tyrion, Bran seems to know something about him. I’m just not buying that all of a sudden Tyrion trusts his sister. That would be a huge letdown.
That Targaryen art was pretty fucking gruesome.
WHERE IS GHOST?
I’ve been waiting for Jon to ride Rhaegal ever since I first found about R+L=J! Yay!
I enjoyed how they handled the reveal. It was nice and understated. They trusted the audience to have already grasped all the implications of Jon’s parentage. No need to make it melodramatic and soap opera-like.
Now, how are Arya and Sansa going to take the news? Or is Jon going to try to keep it a secret? It’s going to get out sooner or later, but how and when?
Something tells me that Bran is not that mad at Jaime. Everyone else will be. But Bran probably sees the defenestration as part of his destiny. If it didn’t happen, he would’ve gone south, not north.
I still think Bran is going to take possession of UnViserion at some point.
And now my (re)watch begins.
I’m noticing the Winterfell crypts in the opening sequence!!! I’ll be so hyped if the Kings of Winter wake. There does seem to be a good bit of focus down there.
Love the dragon and Iron Throne, too! What are your favorite new bits?
awesome start to what looks like an incredible final season. Yeah, to Theon for recusing Yara…and her cold cocking him. Dany didn’t tell Jon she BBQed Sam’s family because she didn’t know about Sam.
syriosnextstudent,
He didn’t really seem all that affected until he learned his brother had burned as well. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He had a decent relationship with his brother. And, he’s not used to cruelty of any type, so it’s natural that he acted out. The first thing he hears about Dany is her ruthless actions from her own mouth. The shitty thing about first impressions is that they can stick.
He is definitely living up to his name. Maybe this whole season is shot from his perspective? 😉
Ginevra,
the new opening is great. Notice the “house” on the astrolabe?
It’s a dragonglass-headed spear/staff. It’s what she’s twirling when fighting in the trailer… and then just carrying the point of it when running. Assumptions can be made that it’s broken during her fight.
Arya was all about the smiling similes tonight, t’weren’t she? Valar morghulis y’all.
That was good, alas, 54 minutes, boy Theon’s rescue of Yara was like hyper condensed, and just where does that story go? Harry Strickland we hardly go to know ya!
I was not clear as to where Dolorous Edd was? I guess they say that was Castle Black?
Gee 6 more min. could have elaborated some of the story.
Yeah, I also really liked seeing the arrival thru a climbing kid.
Poor little Umber kid. That screaming bit was shocking. What do the signs mean? I hope Bran can figure it out.
Poor Sam.
Cersei marches on. Even Qyburn thought the break in the wall was terrible news. Not Cersei…
Nice job overall!.
The title is “Winterfell”! Lol, was it that spoilery HBO? https://twitter.com/JamesHibberd/status/1117607811792408576
Edward,
Yeah, on the show they seemed much closer than book version. Dickon wasn’t nearly the asshole.
Really enjoyed it. But…
…I really hope Sam isn’t the new Olly. I mean, I get that he’s upset about his brother but his father was a cunt. Not just a cunt but a “I’ll have you KILLED if you don’t relinquish your name and title” kinda cunt. I don’t know how bad I’d feel about a prick like that.
And as for his brother well…he didn’t really know him all that well anyway, right? :^P
I’m just now realizing the boy climbing the tree should remind me more of Bran S1E1 and less of Zacchaeus.
Jack Bauer 24,
Ha! I think about 95% of people assumed an episode would be “Winterfell,” and about 75% of those guessed episode 1. 😜
Did anyone notice that both Sapochnik and Nutter were executive producers of this episode? It makes me think they collaborated quite a bit to make sure everything fits together.
It was really a great start, and I can’t wait to see Jaime next episode. It was great to see the Southerner having trouble in the North, just like the Northerners were sweating so much (Ned) in the south… I loved the details.
Though the pacing was good, the acting excellent and the reunions well done in tone, acting, and dialog.
To those saying it wasn’t enough what hey needed out of 1/6 of the season I would remind that given the length of the eps 3-6,
tonight’s ep was more like 1/8 of the season.
I really enjoyed It, for me was the best premiere along with two swords.
Loved it
My God I have no words to describe how amazing that opening episode was. JUST WOOOOOOOOOOWOWOWOW
That ending. I don’t think my heart can handle this season. Reunions, big reveal, crazy white walkers. Geez
This episode was 20/10 amazing.
LOVED the premiere. We got to see Jon have an emotional reunion with Arya (which was perfect), JON RIDING RHAEGAL, Jon learning the truth about his parentage, Arya reuniting with both the Hound and Gendry (with *clear* romantic tension in the latter), Jaime and Bran seeing one another for the first time since Season 1, a rather terrifying sequence involving Tormund, Beric, Edd, and the reanimated corpse of poor Ned Umber (RIP), a devastating sequence involving Sam, Dany, and Jorah (GREAT acting from John Bradley there), an awesome opening sequence mirroring The King’s Arrival in Season 1 (loved hearing that score come back), a beautiful scene between Theon and Yara, and so much more! All the scenes in King’s Landing were good as well! Lena Headey, in particular, killed it (loved how annoyed Cersei was about the lack of elephants).
It may not have been as action-packed as some were expecting … but that fits the pattern of every single season premiere Game of Thrones has ever had (with the possible exception of the end of “Two Swords”). Any criticisms of pacing are sliding right off me, as they have for years. Too fast, too slow … I’ve been hearing that crap for years. You can’t please everyone. I was entirely satisfied.
The only negative thing I have to say is entirely directed at one character … Lord Glover. I loved him in Season 6 after he helped declare Jon King in the North, but after his discontent last season and his letter in this episode … the Night King can have him. Other than that … everything’s golden. Beyond hyped for the rest of the season!
Ghost really should have been in the premeire. They didn’t even need to spend any of the budget on the AotD 🤦♂️
Jack Bauer 24,
That was the leaked title for Episode 3 that posted to Wikipedia last night. So, are any of the others true?
I wonder what Dany’s ‘grand gesture’ (or whatever Davos said they needed) is going to be?
All of their concerns with Dany being too bloodthirsty coming back to roost.
The image of young Lord Umber’s corpse pinned to the wall in front of a spiral of severed arms was metal AF!
Trarecar,
Still his family, the boy he grew up with, the father who hated him but wouldnt have wanted him to go that way. Not surprised at all
Really disappointed in the Arya / Sandor reunion, and the lack of Sansa / Sandor reunion. Also was disappointed by the Tyrion / Sansa reunion. No warmth or fondness whatsoever…
I thought the wikipedia title was “Winter Is Here”?
RBloodworth,
I won’t assume anything since, as I said, “Winterfell” was a very common guess for the premiere.
You cracked me up–thank you.
Still kind of shaking after that premiere. Eeeeeeeeee!
Those opening credits were gorgeous…totally appropriate, too, to see the inner workings of the seats of power, the guts of the soon-to-be corpse of the Seven Kingdoms, especially if people keep bitching and moaning about what’s whose proper title and who’s kneeling for which queen or any of that elevated high school BS when, like, the Wall that has stood for a thousand years went down, an army of corpses are headed in your direction, and you now have two FIRE-BREATHING BEHEMOTHS to fight ice demons. Yeah, who needs em? We voted you homecoming king and you didn’t even go to the dance. Jerk!
All the emotions that played across Jon’s face in that reveal…anger horror disbelief betrayal confusion helplessness fear, all of it. Kit’s so SO SO much better than that first season. Then allllll the feels with Arya/Jon. Sigh! All this reunion, all these moments from s1e1 with the same music, the parallels, the echoes of actions that seem worlds away, and wrapped in a bow from beginning to end with the arrival of Jamie to a waiting Bran…the things you do for love, indeed.
Did Cercei sleep with Euron just because she ran out of blood relatives to screw, or so she can say the baby is not Jamie’s and really twist the knife?
Will Dany have as many mixed emotions about Jon’s parentage as he does? Will she feel threatened and lash out and/or be grateful to have another family member in the whole world, someone with whom she can really belong? Will she auto-suspect a Northern plot to usurp her authority? How long will it take Jon to tell her?
What’s an appropriate end for Cercei, I wonder? A quick and invisible death, then forgotten. She’d hate that most of all–being irrelevant.
6 more weeks of perhaps the best television that will ever air to go. Damn, this is fun!
Pilou 😀🤦♂️ https://twitter.com/PilouAsbaek/status/1117616428100747267
as we will disect this ep into pieces in another post I am sure just my first impressions/thoughts
-Dany’s little smirk when the dragons flew over head prolly pissed alot of people off..me.. i was like “go girl..YOU have the dragons..you win” lol
-Ayra/Jon reunion gave all the feels
-Euron telling Cersie he was gonna put a “prince in your belly” and then watching her snicker was awesome
HE FUCKING RODE A DRAGON!!!!!!! IN THE FIRST EPISODE!!!
okay…*takes breath**
and then trying to have sexy time with dragons staring at you ….hehehehe his reaction was PRICELESS
Oh god, loved that Jon/Arya reunion, loved that it was in the godswood, loved how Arya’s face broke into a smile and ran into his arms, loved how it looked like Jon’s face was crying while they hugged, loved how it looked like he was holding her for dear life, loved Arya’s face. I was putting on my skin stuff while I was watching it and I think my tears may have totally washed all of my toner off ;;;;;;!!!
And what Arya said to Jon after! Telling Jon not to forget he’s part of the family. MY HEART.
Loved the reunions. And I thought the reveal was really well done. I thought Jon was going to pass out from WTF for a second XD;; I don’t think he made the Auntie Dany connection yet 😉
QUITE entertained by Cersei’s annoyance at no elephants!
I really enjoyed the episode. And I look forward to rewatching it!!
Really wish we had gotten a Sansa/Hound reunion.
I rather enjoyed the conversation between Varys, Tyrion and Davos about J&D ruling together. Although, I’m thinking that was just enough to hint that it won’t happen.
orange,
Dude if you’re going to be like that then just stop watching now, it’s annoying looking for commments on the episode and seeing nothing contributing except the same shit, this is not as good, blah,blah,blah, then stop watching. I stopped watching for shows that i don’t care anymore,it’s not that hard
I also liked the scene in which Lady Mormont (speaking to the Snow Man) expressed humility. Nice job, Bella. Your theatre experience is showing, and in a very good way
Anyone else think the Theon rescue was a bit wonky?
John Bradley was the acting standout of this episode by a mile. He’s always been quietly excellent, but he got a really excellent showcase scene with Daenerys (Clarke and Glen also played that well).
I liked all the various Arya reunions we got this week, and the opening bit of her watching everybody arrive in the procession.
There’s no reason for Sansa to love Dany right out of the gate. However, the way she’s characterized here is nonsense and completely undercuts how smart and skilled a player the writers keep telling us she is. While Jon kneeling when he didn’t have to is dumb, that’s not public knowledge, and when Jon makes the fairly obvious pitch that they need Dany’s armies to survive, the writers don’t bother giving Sansa a rebuttal, probably because there isn’t one, but the writers want to have conflict anyway. Giving Dany the cold shoulder so publicly is pointless and only diminishes Sansa’s own influence. If she’s “the smartest person [Arya’s] ever met”, she wouldn’t be venting her spleen to no purpose.
It’s amazing how much the dragonriding effects have advanced compared to the very fake-looking sequence in episode 509. The way they broached the subject of Jon riding a dragon was really anticlimactic, though, and really, that sequence make no sense, because D&D even say that in the Inside the Episode that only Targaryens can ride dragons, so why does Dany think Jon is capable of it when she doesn’t know he’s a Targaryen?
The bit with Ned Umber’s eyes opening in the background was some of the more effective horror filmmaking in the show.
RBloodworth,
I thought Winterfell was said to be episode 3 on Wikipedia, and “Winter is Here” was the title of the premiere.
https://twitter.com/JamesHibberd/status/1117601467618267136
Lol! So Eddie was a reference to Sheeran?
Hello, fellow watchers, I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have.
How to tame your Rhaegal & the flight were wonderful, including the sympathetic humour. It was sweet and playful, but I kept in mind that Jon/ Aegon was riding the dragon named after his father. If I had had a dragon, I would have wanted him (not it, it’s not a beast!) to be green.
I’m focusing only on the good aspects and I am pleased with Arya’s reunions. I wished the ones with the Hound and Gendry to be warmer, but then it wouldn’t have been realistic. It was not all sunshine and rainbows with their relationships, but this does not exclude deep feelings.
I was drinking Lowenbrau beer because it has a lion on the bottle. that’s my superstition for keeping Jaime alive.
“His eyes are blue!!!”
“They’ve always been blue!!!”
😂
Fantastic episode! It felt so polished and lived in, all at once! So much achieved, but it didn’t feel rushed at all to me!
The opening sequence through the boy’s eyes was marvelous! The reunions were beautifully done. The dragon riding and the romantic kiss with Drogon giving Jon a stern eye was a sweet moment before all the heavy stuff. I’m so happy that Yara lives and Theon very succinctly liberated her. Eww…. to Cersei and Euron, but I think this is finally a good match for Cersei.
Scariest moment: why did the WWs leave young Lord Umber in a pattern that made the Targaryen sigil when burnt?
Jack Bauer 24,
I speak for many when I say I appreciate the Theon rescue mission was cut short. It wouldn’t have made sense if it was made a larger deal than it was. There isn’t really time. So I didn’t mind.
Also got to add, apparently having an episode that’s on the slower side even though it’s the premiere and that’s the point of a premiere even in the final seasonis not ok, having a fast paced episode is also not ok because rushing, apparently nothing is ok in the whingers heads which is way their complaining is bet be ignored.
Every single time Bran gives The Eye to someone, I just get so wigged out. What’s going to happen to ___? What’s ___ going to do? How’s ___ going to end up? What does Bran know about ___?
I was really worried about streaming on HBO Now and I have to admit that the presentation was flawless. Never lagged once and it looked about the same as Vudu HDX levels, which is very impressive.
Mango,
Agreed in toto. (¬‿¬)
More of the same stuff she’s had for her other four speaking scenes. I’ve had enough. I literally said “shut up and sit down” when she started talking.
The Bastard,
HBO GO sucked for me in the first 10 minutes but after that it worked ok .
I ended up using the NOW add on though Prime Video and it was great.
Does anyone else think Qyburn is directing Bronn without Cersie’s knowledge?
It just seems strange when she already had the opportunity to have the Mountain kill both of her brothers in season 7. Is it just that the timing would have been bad?
If she had killed Tyrion when she had the chance, did she think Dany would destroy them with her dragons? It just seemed fishy.
I see dragons. House Targaryen? Or am I missing it?
Edit: Oh, are Targaryens now tied to Winterfell? Is that the implication?!!
To me it seemed like Yara’s swan song and that Theon is just heading straight to Winterfell and will probably arrive close to the end of next week’s episode.
They set up so much stuff in the episode! It’s like every character has multiple things and multiple people to deal with next week. Gonna be nuts.
All Arya told Jon for instance is that she used Needle once or twice. Umm, he has a lot to learn about her, as does Gendry. I’m anxious for them to see her fight.
As many Watchers have already pointed out, John Bradley ran off with this puppy, took it home, and build it a four-story doghouse by hand.
Because, like a certain renowned baker with a kinky gravy obsession, Samwell Tarly is a survivor.
SciFiFanfan,
The expression on that dragon? Reminds me of video people get when dogs follow them into the bathroom. RHAEGEL WATCHES!!
I’m going to set this up on my phone for my bat to watch. I think he’ll be impressed by the dragons.
Ohh my gooooodness that music for Dany and Jon’s first dragon ride together was beautiful! Also, I apologise if this was mentioned already but did anyone catch that Ed Sheeran reference?! It was during the Bronn +Prostitutes scene. She mentions Eddie with the red hair in the Lannister army who had his face burned off 😂 Now if you’ll excuse me… I’m going to watch the episode again.
I don’t know. What it felt like to me was how they’re writing his excuse to leave KL and head north instead of sitting there for another scene or two with Qyburn.
I have faith in them creating a change in Bronn though. Until it would happen I won’t believe he’d kill either over helping them, eventually.
I didn’t realize either until Ice Spider told me the boy was Lord Umber! I don’t know how I missed that! Must be Last Hearth since the Umbers holed up there, right? I do need to pay close attention to that part during the rewatch.
Ghost has been gone a long time.
Holy shitballs that was a jam packed 1st episode. So much happening, so many feels…
Euron is still a dirty creepy AF emo weirdo.
Bit surprised yara was freed and Jon got his dragon wings in first episode but I still give it 4.5 out of 5 beer mugs 🍻🍻🍺
Well done
Mostly I liked it a lot.
Am I the only one who laughed when Gendry said “As you wish” to Arya? Anyone who has seen The Princess Bride knows what that means.
My biggest quibble: Sansa being so snarky to Tyrion. She seriously owed him an apology for nearly getting him executed for a crime that was more her fault (however unintentionally) than his.
And yeah, we should’ve seen Sansa and Sandor’s reunion.
I agree. The “sub-Iron Islanders” being taken back over in Euron’s absence isn’t something they’ll show now. Unless the living do have to retreat to the islands or she joins back in for the fight we may have seen the last of her.
One thing I did notice…Sansa said at the beginning that she called all the banners to retreat to Winterfell. Wouldn’t that include House Reed, aka Howland Reed and Meera? Here’s hoping they make an appearance in the next episode.
I loved Arya/Jon. The reunion was pretty much what I hoped but agree about the Arya/Sandor reunion. I didn’t expect cushy at all but a mutual smirk of appreciation or something would’ve been nice. I don’t think it would out of character for Sandor to maybe reveal a little bit of softness towards her at this point in his character arc. He gives a shit. He didn’t fight Brienne to protect his meal ticket. He fought because he thought he was protecting her from the Lannisters.
I loved Sam’s reaction. His Dad was a dickface but he had nothing against his brother. And Dickon stood for his house, right or wrong. Sam saw Dany’s intent (bend the knee or die) and it worried him.
The ending stare down between Bran and Jaime was perfection. Of course, I assume it to be brushed aside after a quick meet with the council but I hope there continues to be a bit of strife about it. When it comes to it, where Bran ended up (going north and becoming the 3ER) he was still on deaths door. We understand that Jaime did Cersei’s bidding (for love) but much like Stannis doing the bidding of the “Lord Of Light” (for the realm), it doesn’t take away the gravity of the act. A few good deeds don’t erase past acts for any of them and I think this episode introduced that (Sam/Dany, Jaime/Bran, Sansa/Tyrion).
Tron79,
Yea. I beleive there were two additional producers as well. Along with VFX producers.
Sapochnik had a lot of input in the night time battle and how it was done.
I agree. I guess she was upset with him more for supporting Daenerys than anything else. It will probably be labeled as Sansa-hate, but most probably agree she was pretty snarky and nasty most of the episode.
Firannion,
Yes!!! I cannot wait!!! I’m shipping Gendry and Arya ALL THE WAY!!! Since I read the books after season 1 aired I’ve been waiting for this!!!
Firannion,
She most certainly did not owe him an apology. She was being held prisoner by Tyrion and his family in King’s Landing; she escaped. End of story.
The big moments – Jon riding Rhaegal and the reveal of Jon’s parentage (to Jon) were disappointing. The only reason they had some emotional value was due to the actors. The reveal especially was barely given space before the plot dove forward to Sam proposing Jon would be a better ruler than Daenerys. I guess that’s it, Jon has no other thoughts about being Lyanna and Rhaegar’s son and I guess he accepts Sam’s hurried explanation on how he knows this to be fact. Sigh. Also, I expected Jon’s first dragon to be momentous for the other characters to be awed and wonder how the hell is he able to control them! Nope.
Overall the episode was fine. It’s ok enjoyable. I didn’t hate it. I just hoped the writing and pacing would be better, more thoughtful this season than last.
Edd, “Stay back, he’s got blue eyes!”
Tormund, “I’ve always had blue eyes!”
Loved the humor, the fast pacing through the reunions with just enough reminiscing, and most of what we surmised from the trailers. Fell into place beautifully.
Curious on the Lannister boys. Cersei wants them dead, Bran can’t stop staring intently at them. No longer convinced Tyrion is going to betray Danerys….
They all look battle weary already. More alive, yet more aged.
Ice Dragon Rider,
I thought the Bronn-Brother assassination was the perfect final straw for the valonqar: Cersei’s biggest attempt to negate her death prophecy will be the impetus for fulfilling it. That’s the way all good prophecies go, innit?
An episode has no name…
This made me laugh out loud!
Only Targaryens are known to ride dragons, so shouldn’t Jon/Dany have questioned why Rhaegal allowed Jon to fly him?
They’d be retreating INTO the danger zone though when they’re far safer at home or going the other way. 😜
Hurray! Hurray! This is the bestest show that was ever made! Every scene is coherent and true to their characters.
Is that you needed? I bet I could choke a few more praises.
I questioned that as it happened too. They had Daenerys brush off dragon riding and bonding with a dragon altogether like anyone can ride one. If this were the books, now Rhaego would be bonded with Jon and nobody else could ride him alone while Jon is alive.
Gods! What a start.
First things I noticed:
1) I’m a lil’ bit scared about Drogon’s look to
JonAegon at the falls. “Are you my true papa?” hope it’s not a foreshadowing of sorts about the dragons turning to Aegon instead of their mother…1) Bran likes to shock people, we get it now.
Like, “Hi your grace, nice to meet you, but… enough with this blast from the past and court courtesy! (sry) Ya kiddo is a dead lizard now and Teh Ace King has just casually taken it as his mount, so get ready ya lazy silver blond ass”
2) NO Meera. No good.
3) WHERE IS MY PUPPY GHOST?
4) Armilla-thing in the opening has turned slow… or it’s just me? Also, what the hanged wolf stands for on the ring? Intriguing the comet-and-dragons.
5) Well, Hound and Arya reunion could have been handled better.
6) Sorry Crownlands, we tolled to you that this was going to be a very snowy weekend, so no good for camping and fishing… but has turned out it was just a snow piss and now is sunny again in
Philadelphial King’s Landing. Sorry again for have bothering you!7) Sorry Cersei, we need to spend the Iron Bank’s money on CGI for unnecessary amazing title sequence and casual dragon riding, we have left none for pesky dumbos!
What? What’s a Ghost? Let’s see… maybe we can find it space for a random scene as it heroically dies for
JonAegon VI.8) Euron Drunkjoy, first of his name, what is drunk may never passed out!
9) Poor Ned Umber dies like shit (and poor wights had to nail him)… looks like Ned name is cursed already. Perhaps that one was the Night’s King true name? Also, the spiral thing and the screaming wight looks a lot like something leapt out from Guillermo del Toro twisted mind… and I liked it!
10) The start looks a bit meh to be honest. Low key music, random events (yeah, tell me again about Euron thrashing Dorne… and Theon with a handful of men saved Yara like no one cares about that damn storyline anymore!
11) …START THE NEXT DAMN EPISODE NOW BEFORE I PISS MYSELF!
ps. sorry for my bad bad bad english ^W^”
orange,
Whats wrong with it ? This was time for reunions etc. Anything else would be rushed. It was a good episode IMO.
Did Bran wait for Jaime all night in the courtyard? lmao what a good friend!
Ginevra,
Yes, it was Last Hearth and Lord Umber. Confirmed in the episode. He’d gone with horses and wagons to collect his house. They didn’t make it out before the army of dead.
Lady Karstark made it safely to Winterfell.
I love that Fox news in Minneapolis had two pieces on GoT during the current half hour.
Bringing back the king’s theme from season 1 was a nice touch to the music.
The office synopsis is “Daenerys arrives at Winterfell and Jon Snow gets some big news”.
Really well-written episode covering so many things things in such an entertaining way! Very pleased with this first part of season eight.
Yes, but Sam isn’t an old friend of Bran. He’s a new friend. Is that foreshadowing?
He was referring to Jaime.
Olli,
Just had my ‘double sesh’ via Sky Atlantic. What can I say, Episode 1 was absolutely brilliant. Enjoyed every minute of it. They certainly crammed in a lot of meetings and reveals in the episode? I was surprised when Sam on Bran’s suggestion told Jon who he really was so early in this season. That should make for an interesting Episode 2.
My only prediction on another thread which was correct which I posted after the trailer was released, was that Jon finally got to ride a dragon. When I saw that scene of Jon and Dany approaching Drogon and Rhaegel, I had a gut feeling that would happen… and it did! The dragon flying sequence in this episode was awesome 🙂
Overall I loved it.
But I have to say, I was a little disappointed in what seemed like lack of emotion at some of the reunions. And where was Ghost again?
Everything else was spot on!
Firannion,
I didn’t want to focus on anything bad, but I can’t be silent now. Sansa’s arrogance towards Tyrion, who had been nothing but kind and helpful, made me furious.
Time for my second watch!!
Ya know, I’m beginning to think this David fella is a bit of a Nutter.
It appears the episode name is “Winterfell”.
That works.
I’m really not sure if Drogon was trying to say “Dude, she’s mine. I’m going to eat you,” or “Dude, she’s your aunt. That’s gross.” He really needs to work on his acting. Ghost would have nailed that scene.
The callbacks to the first episode of season 1 were great, but the rest of the episode…
I think I just need to accept the show is no longer what it was. We’ve traded the complexity of the first 3 seasons for scenes like dragon riding dating. Sam’s plot was the only thing that resembled what GoT use to be.
Leuf,
To me it looked like he was smiling. Like, “ohh yeahh!”
Clob,
I thought her before, while, and after sitting down beats spoke volumes for their five seconds (at most) length. Or maybe it’s just that I really want to see Lady Mormont turn evil and make everyone sad? Yeah, that’s what I really want to see!!! (◣∀◢)ψ
JohnnyLaw,
I loved the Tyrion-Sansa reunion. She has come such a long way from the terrified child bride who was just relieved not to be beaten or molested by the (first) husband who was forced on her. Now she’s at home and she’s come into her own. She sees things really clearly. And I love that she is now the character who gets the last word.
I hated Sansa in the first book and the beginning of the series. Such a princessy, useless little good girl. But look at her now. Awesome.
Sansa for Queen!
(As an aside, I’m also so impressed with Sophie Turner. She’s done an amazing job with Sansa’s journey and I’m now kicking myself for not appreciating it sooner.)
So is Aegon going to learn what Bran really is? Nobody really explained to him what was going on.
So how many times did Arya did use Needle to kill/injure someone that we know of.
As a few others have pointed out, the WW design looks a lot like the Targaryan Sigil. What is even more interesting is that the design has 8 parts coming from the center and spiraling clockwise. The Targaryan Sigil also has 8 parts coming from the center and spirals clockwise.
There has to be a connection.
Did anyone watch the preview for 802? Looks like they are using the catapult against something, but AotD are supposed to arrive 803?
ace0099,
Just four on the show irc; stable boy, Polliver, Rorge and the waif. The rest were other methods.
Jack Bauer 24,
I wouldn’t say Targaryens are the only dragon riders. That is just something Targaryens liked to make people believe. I would assume that anyone with Valyrian blood could give it a try and might succeed. Afterall, the Targaryens were just one of the houses of the Old Valyria and Old Valyria was known for their dragon riders lords and ladies. A Velaryion could likely ride a dragon.
Gh3ttoK!nG.,
I thought it was boring, and bland!
anon,
Direct TV got access to it at 5 pm, they apologized and changed it.
“I’ve always had blue eyes!”
Lots of other moments to love in this ep., but that was my favorite quote.
Almost forgot to add.
Straight from the crowd when Daenerys and Aegon arrives: If you look closer you can see the two Frey old ladies which which were ogling at Brynden Blackfish at Edmure wedding are there!
Well, Jon was brought back from the dead by a priestess of a fire god and he just rode a dragon. A dragon who gave him a meaningful look afterwards. The reason he was able to accept it pretty quickly, as much as he didn’t want to, is that he sensed it was true. He’s known since the resurrection that he’s not just some dude, he just didn’t know why. That was the sense I got watching, and pretty much confirmed on the inside the episode segment.
But it’s not like that scene will be the end of him dealing with it. There will be fallout the rest of the season. Much angst will be had.
Che,
Way too much like Avatar!
Boojam,
Not Castle Black. Dolorous says they rode down from Castle Black. Tormund says the NK and his AotD are between them (where they are now, which I think is Last Hearth) and Winterfell. If they ride (Edd’s horses), they may be able to beat the dead back to Winterfell to warn everyone and fight.
Oh shoot, in the excitement I forgot about the live podcast! Hope that went well guys!
It’s like when my dog watches me smooch my boyfriend. Part curiosity, part jealousy, part amusement.
Clob,
I dont think you’re right about that being WF.. there were too many symbols that couldnt have been there… like Tyrions hand pin, Dany’s dragon necklace and Brans w/c… that couldnt have been at the Umber castle.
Danny,
Benioff states in the Inside the Episode that only Targaryens can ride dragons.
Zach,
Typical white walker “artistic” symbol we’ve seen before, even in the cave.
Arya using a bow and arrow in the preview for 802.
Ginevra,
Could that have been a blow dart like Jaqen H’ghar used when at Harrehal outside Tywin’s door?
“You’ve completely ruined horses for me.” Great line
Only 54 minutes… are you fucking kidding me.
Jon riding a Dragon..
Everyone is asking about how can or why no one is questioning how jon can ride a dragon when he is not a Targ..
That scene for me tells the relationship of Jon and Dany and How much the two love each other..
Dany trusts him with her dragons and let him ride one is enough how much she loves him..
As for jon, one must note that jon climbs the dragon when dany says that it will be over between them..he takes the risk for dany ..
And we see the smile from dany ..
Hence the scene guess the depth of the feelings both have for each other..
Regarding the WW symbol
I have always said that the daena the dreamer dreamt not only about the doom of Valeria but the role of Targs in the war of dawn..
It’s not a coincidence that they chose to conquer westeros and three headed dragon as their sigil..it was always about the prophecy and TPTWP..
Regarding Sam
Iam glad that jon pointed out what I have been trying to say for Years..you can’t compare with Jon and others because he was raised as a bastard knowing he can’t inherit any castles and lordship and thus he has not wanted to become king ..But I do give credit for him not turning out to be As traitor to his family or a bad person..
The difference is as jon pointed out if he had been the king he would have done the same thing…
The situation is what matters..Sam getting all pissed up and start claiming jon is better is nothing but act out of vengence that she killed his family..It’s election of Lord commander of NW all over again…Sam pushing for Jon just because he didn’t like the other one..
How did he expect dany to tell the news to jonwhen she didn’t knew anything about him or his friendship with jon..
Anyways I see where the show is going ..with the ending question of sam…
Will dany do the same..
Well she has proven many times And she will prove that once again..iam prepared for dany sacrificing herself too …I just hope the show does justice to her character and hope these northern lords and ladies will then give her the respect she deserves..
Well, I’ve learnt quite a bit just scanning and reading through some of the comments so far. Had no idea that was the Umber boy who got lit up by Beric with his flaming sword. TBH, that whole sequence was so dark on my TV, I had no idea it was Tormund and Beric until they met up with Ed with his flaming torch.
So where was that scene – At Winterfell or Castle Black? Likewise how the fuck did the Umber kid end up getting nailed to the wall at the centre of that spiral pattern! If that was at Winterfell, it looks like the AotD have now arrived!
As Varys, Davos, and Tyrion look down on the lovey-dovey couple:
Is Varys implying Jon and Dany’s love won’t last?
How will the changing power dynamic affect their relationship?
Overall I loved the episode it’s good to have the series back and the thing that surprsied me is the amount of comedy scenes present .
I enjoyed them very much
Ser Nero Burnsong,
In the books, Sam only has good things to say about his brother. His brother was decent and no one likes to hear that your family has been burnt to death. I doubt even Tyrion would be happy to see Cersei burnt by a dragon.
D&D confirmed that the dragon ride confirmed Jon as Targaryen! Inside the Episode.
I said it WAS Last Hearth and NOT Winterfell. When the trailer came out some suspected those guys were at Winterfell. It turned out they were not there yet. It was most definitely Last Hearth as that was little Lord Umber stuck to the wall… that and they showed the outside before they walked in.
* oh, the part of the TRAILER I was talking about was Tormund, Beric and Edd walking into the dark room. Wasn’t referring to the teaser thing with the items laying around. THAT wad Winterfell.
Jack Bauer 24,
I got the sense from the two mentions of it that the production logistics in working with elephants proved to be not viable (or safe). D&D were explaining through Cersei that there would be no elephants and that they, too, were disappointed.
Awesome! I didn’t ever get who the “old friend” was until you said that, but I’m sure that is the case. The Eye that Bran gives Jaime has more to do with other Jaime stuff we probably don’t yet know and less to do with Bran’s first flight, I think. But still. Friend, indeed!
Really hope Sansa doesn’t end up on the throne but between Aryas comment about her and Tryion so underutilized and looking like a idiot, seems to be setting up for at least that as a possibility. I think the humor of Jon riding Rheagal was appropriate to keep it from being too serious or cheesy.
Very relieved that Jon’s first reaction to the news was disbelief about Ned and not about his relationship with Daenerys. I thought Sams reassurance of Neds promise to his sister and how Robert would have killed him was great writing.
Still not sure why Jon had to be told before the battle? If he finds out he’s going to be a father, maybe, combined with his knowledge of who he really is he acts differently. he’s just like Arya and Brann, none of them want a crown, neither did Ned. Or now Tbeon. Sansa, Cersei and Damy are the only ones who do.
Think the story doesn’t shape up until the goddess of fire ) Melisandre shows up.
I hope Jilly reminds Sam what a piece of shit his dad was and also the dumbass brother who didn’t protect him like Jon did .
Scenes in the tralers notshown yet…Brienne, Arya running for her life, how does Jorah get Hartsbane…Sam gives it ti Jorah to jilly and baby. Jamie Brienne reunion, the brooding scenes eith Daenerys in the cypt and winterfell heart.
Cersei Sansa reunion, Meera Reed and Howland , Melissandre and Varys.
Oh and Euron is a younger brother
What does a dragon eat? whatever it wants
Boojam,
The Umber boy was sent back home (Last Hearth?) to bring his people to WF… thats where the encounter with the last of the Men in Black and Thormund occurred.
Firannion,
yup, I smiled when I heard it and knew exactly where it was from (didn’t realize they had movie theatres in Westoros 🙂 )
Yes, it was Last Hearth. It was in the opening credits as a location.
LatrineDiggerBrian,
LDB!!!! Arya was beautiful tonight!
So coquettish with Gendry, and lovely reunion with Jon.
Gendry’s sure looking at her differently now. 👸🏻
Someone else said it was the spear used in the teaser or trailer. I wish we’d had a better sense of scale because I was thinking much smaller, too, but the picture didn’t make that clear.
Ginevra,
Yes, I know that Jon is a Targaryen but my response was more general to the idea that only Targaryens could ride dragons which is not true. Targaryens were not the only people able to ride dragons. Other Valeryans were also dragon lords. Targaryens liked to claim they were the only ones capable of riding them because the dragons gave them in many ways invincibility, it made them “special” and untouchable.
Jorah and Lyanna Mormont didn’t meet
Sansa and Sandor didn’t see each other…
Arya liked Sandor in S4 ….. now Arya is cold as ice to everyone.
the Faceless Men killed Arya’s personality.
I thought Bronn would betray Jaime for Cersei but didn’t expect them to reveal it before it happens so now I am not sure Bronn betrays Jaime.
Ashara D,
Last Hearth it is! Thanks, all.
Sansa has been snarky for the past few seasons though, it is now a part of her character on the show. It is not always the smart choice to let people know how you really feel, but this isn’t the first time she has been snarky… I wouldn’t say nasty though… when was she nasty? voicing the truth as she sees it isn’t nasty.
I don’t think that’s what she meant. I think she was basically saying, “If you die riding him, it was nice knowing you, Jon Snow.” Not that it would be over between them if he refused.
David Benioff says in this episode’s Inside the Episode,
So it would seem that show canon is that only Targaryens can ride dragons.
Just finished second watch. Last scene gave me similar question both times. Jaime looks at Bran like he’s surprised to see him alive. I keep thinking he should know that he’s alive. I guess it has been a long time since he’s heard anything regarding Bran and probably nothing since word of his death when Winterfell was sacked. So… I guess it’s accurate for him to be surprised.
viki,
Sansa still has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, but at the same time she’s right to be reticent. I mean, Jon shows up now pledging allegiance to a Targaryan queen and her Lannister Hand. In the early days, all Sansa wanted was to get out of Winterfell and be a woman of the world. What did that get her? Joffrey and Ramsey Bolton. It’s not hard to understand how/why she is now all about the North and is totally suspicious of outsiders.
I do want everything to end well for Sansa. I’m guessing it won’t, but I hope I’m wrong.I don’t think she’s nasty. Maybe a bit mouthy, but I think that after all of those years of wanting to be away from her family as a child, she truly values family more than ever.
Jon/Dany didn’t ask Bran how he knew that NK raised Viserion?
Jared,
I just KNEW Lord Glover would wimp out.
🎶”Brave Ser Robett ran away….”
I hope there’s a Map Shop nearby so NK can find the quickest route to Deepwood Motte and spiralize Lord Glover.
ThisGirlHasNoName,
Yep, it was a joke by Daenerys. He asks “what if he doesn’t want me to ride,” with a feeling that Rhaegar will eat or fry him if he tries. She knew it’d be okay so she said that and even smirked when he climbed on.
Recap is up! http://watchersonthewall.com/game-thrones-season-8-premiere-winterfell-recap/
And I updated the poll on the bottom left of the site. Leave your rating of the episode 😀
Jared,
“Arya reuniting with both the Hound and Gendry (with *clear* romantic tension in the latter)”
_______
While I am fervently anti-coupling and anti-shipping, that Gendry-Arya scene was really well done. Loved it!
Arya’s reunion with Jon didn’t disappoint either, though I could’ve done without the Einstein Sansa reference.
Yes, I just saw the inside the episode as well. I will have to guess that since dragons haven’t been around for a very long time, Dany didn’t know that only Targs can be riders? That makes some sense, and she saw that the dragons got along with Jon.
Ten Bears,
He shouldn’t have shit for men left so he’s essentially digging graves for the few he has and any women and children.
Adrianacandle,
Arya jumping into Jon’s arms = perfect bookend to S1e2. Commenting that she still had Needle ✅.
I thought Jon’s question if Arya had used Needle on anyone and she answered ~ “once or twice” may’ve been a sly callback to her casual answer to Hot Pie when he asked if she’d been making pies: “One or two.”
Quinton O’Connor,
😂😂😂
Jack Hamm,
I’m 49 and I felt like I did at 6.
That’s a good thing. 😃
Hodors Bastard,
That ending.
I screamed.
And then I opened the Targaryen Scotch.
JohnnyLaw,
Ditto. I hope there’s a logical reason for how they all went down (or not) in Ep1…
Jack Bauer 24,
Way too rushed. Needed a setup, suspense, more time between the characters.
One can’t have it all, alas.
ThisGirlHasNoName,
I’m loving Sansa’s snark, and blossoming intelligence. Did you see the look Dany gave Sansa when answering the question of a dragon’s diet? They can’t stand each other lol. Right now I’m getting vibes Jon is going to have to make a choice between Dany and his family in some way.
Clob,
LMAOOO!!!
As soon as she stood up and started speaking I thought to myself, “Oh, shit. Clob’s going to be VERY upset.”
😂😂😂
I like her. I do. I hope they give her something better to do. Following up on ACME’s rants (where IS our favorite Frenchwoman, anyway?), I’d love to see her learning the value of knitting by the fire. After all, everyone needs to stay warm when the Long Night comes—and as fierce as you are, Little Bear, little you still are, and have no business wielding a sword. /end rant
UltimateShipper,
Your English is better than 99% of Americans can muster, so you’re doing just fine.
Yes to most of this, but not #10.
firstone,
“Arya liked Sandor in S4 ….. now Arya is cold as ice to everyone.”
Nah. That was just a Sandor being Sandor. “You’re a cold little bitch” is Houndspeak for “Hey! How ya doing, Wolf Girl! Great to see you again! Let’s grab a beer!”
Anyway, their story isn’t over.
Clob,
Appropriate. Minnesota has been colder than the Arctic for much of the last winter, so…
Shy Lady Dragon,
I was quite perplexed myself.
I loved the opening sequence, the dragon rides, and the closing shot—THE CLOSING SHOT!—but I was underwhelmed by the reunions (save Jon and Arya).
The development of Sansa’s political acuity hs not been handled as well as it could have been.
/runs, ducks from rotten eggs being thrown
Yes! I was just thinking something along those same lines. It’s increasingly looking like Dany may drive a wedge between Jon and his family and friends (Sam etc.). If he becomes isolated from them, then naturally he will start to resent her and openly question her more and more. That wouldn’t end well.
Tonight was the first time I bought into their chemistry. It was cute. But while she is definitely one of my favorite characters, I’ve never rooted for her to sit on the throne at the end. Break the wheel, yes. Rule the seven kingdoms? No.
Black Raven,
Near the beginning of the episode, Little Lord Umber was instructed to head home to gather his people to bring them to WF for shelter. Presumably, Beric and Tormund had collected the remainder of the crows at Castle Black and headed to the nearest castle south of the Wall.
I do miss the more relaxed pacing of the earlier seasons. The fact that so many fans didn’t realize that the poor spiraled boy was young Umber is on D&D, not viewers.
Arya used a bow and arrow in S1e1 and with Anguy when Mel showed up. She’s used Needle, her VS dagger, and whatever those jousting sticks were that she used with the Waif.
I’m really curious about this new-fangled custom-designed weapon she designed. and why she needs it. Maybe a Dragonglass Bazooka with built-in wildfire aerosol spray gun?
A grenade launcher would be cool if Bran managed to take with him the recipe for the CotF Exploding Fireballs.
Alternatively, NK brings a blinding snowstorm thinking it will render the humans unable to see – except he doesn’t know that Arya can fight blind.
Oh I don’t know. It was just kind of strange that 3-4 episodes after receiving a rare VS dagger, now Arya wants to add another exotic weapon to her arsenal.
Danny,
Bingo.
Ten Bears,
Oh my god, I know!! Such a perfect book-end! And nice connection to the Hot Pie scene!
I hope we have some more good Jon-Arya scenes before the fighting starts and the death…. I got to accept it I got to accept it I got to accept it I got to accept it.
Eeyore sad moment! When I was a kid, I watched Buffy (was obsessed) and when
… died in the last episode… well, it wasn’t until a special episode of Angel that food began to taste good again 😉
Clob,
I don’t think he’s surprised to see him alive. I think he was caught off guard. In the courtyard, Jaime expects to see the small folk—people going about their daily business, chores, etc. He certainly didn’t expect to see one of the Starks just chillin’ there, much less the one to whom he must beg forgiveness. He probably had a well-drafted speech prepared to deliver to Bran in the great hall, and… here Bran is.
Loved the premiere! Loved the reunions!
Seriously? No, this is on the viewers not paying attention. When they arrive at the castle you can see the Umber banners. When they get to the boy they say “the Umber-boy”. How much clearer can they make it, save from a title flashing across the screen.
Danny,
It was never claimed in both the books and show the Targaryens…it was always said that anyone with blood of valyrian can ride the dragon..
The dragons are dany’s and she is letting him to take ride which shows how much she trusts her..that’s all I can see from that scene ..
That’s more than a bit harsh for an opener there was a lot in it, albeit largely focused on character reunions, we also got Jon riding a dragon, Jon finding out his parentage, Bronn being hired to kill Jamie/Tyrion – which clearly ends those who thought of a secret Tyrion/Cersei pact. We got to see the dark side of Dany and set-up for some major political fall out next week before the war with the AOTD comes down.
Agree. A bit of suspense, maybe 5 min buildup before the rescue would have been more satisfying, but I think its pacing would then have jarred with the theme and flow of the premiere, which was about quickly catching everybody up to the present, including audience, with the approaching annihilation of their world.
The producers only succumbed to a reprieve from the immediacy vibe to give us the dragon love fest and Danerys’s laughter. Which, of course, will ‘all change’ soon enough.
Yes , that is the old Blivit Problem, in this case not the adaptation of to much prose but of putting 10 lbs of story into a 5 lb visual narrative. A little elaboration would cost only 5 more min. … alas… there are only 6 episodes! Each should be at least 90 min. long.
Great spot, I hadn’t realised until now that the art the White Walkers produce matches the Targ sigil. He’s clearly coming for either Jon or Dany. Assuming Dany is given as a sacrifice to end the war that will surely cause some controversy in certain quarters.
The history of Valyria has been only fragmentary on the show, because you are right, the Targaryens are Dragon Riders because they have Valyrian blood , apparently even if only a trace. Arya speaks more about Targaryen history than Dany ever does , that I remember,……
tho , even by the show’s narrative, Dany should know more Targ and Valyrian history by way of Viserys … one supposes she does.
Just how close will those dragons allow a ‘non-Valyrian-blood’ approach?
What does that say about Tyrion’s interaction with Dragons? Old old question by now.
That symbol must mean something Dee, it’s also the Targ sigil which makes me think the Nights King is targeting Dany or Jon. If they have a baby then a great sacrifice may be required.
Yeah, one would think , after all the time elapsed, that Jamie would have gotten news of Bran’s survival.
Yep I am with you, I took Vary’s comment as subtle foreshadowing that a Dany/Jon marriage isn’t happening and things won’t last between them.
Sean C.,
Looking back (especially after having completed a full rewatch not too long ago), I think that was actually the main reason we had the Jon/Drogon interaction in S7–to set up this scene. The intention was to give Dany some reason to believe Jon could possibly ride a dragon, even without knowing his lineage. I won’t pretend it was a particularly great scene, but it didn’t completely come out of nowhere.
Jon kneeling to Dany was announced in a letter Sansa receives in S7, she briefly discusses it with Littlefinger. The seeds for this season’s Sansa/Dany rivalry were already planted in that scene from the instant we see Sansa’s reaction. Since we never really see the letter, though, and don’t know how detailed it gets surrounding Jon’s decision, it’s a bit unclear how much of that is in fact “public knowledge” and what isn’t.
Wolfish,
The next time Dany wants to make out, I guess.
Did he? I thought all of them didn’t see her.
Well, I believe I have to watch The Princess Bride now…
BobDole,
Totally uncalled for on your end. Did you read orange’s post? A lot of people share their personal complaints about the show on this plattform. Most of them contribute more than just two lines. And it is not the first time that he/she did that. It is annoying. That’s it, nothing personal. And no one is compelled to like the show here.
Ten Bears,
I also felt that there’s a strong connection between Arya and the Hound. But time had passed and lots had happened before they met again. With Jon, on the other hand, it was as if they their previous encounter had been the day before and I loved it.
Kudos for “Sansa Einstein” phrase!
ace0099,
Good question.
You and me both! 😀
The White Walker symbol looking so close to the Targ symbol came out of nowhere. Where could they be going with that??? Is the Night King looking for a Queen? Dany? Maybe a royal baby? If Jon & Dany have a girl, could he convert her to a female Walker like Craster’s babies? We’ve never seen a female WW. Would Dany sacrifice herself to save her child? Is there even enough time left in the show for Dany to get pregnant & have a child?
Jon and the Night King have had 2 hardcore stare downs but have yet to cross swords. Will the 3rd time be the charm? If that’s the case then where does Dany & a potential baby tie in? That was a serious curveball D&D threw with that Umber scene. I hope it wasn’t just put in for shock factor. Wait a second. Was that simply a direct callback to the first scene in the series when the wildling body parts were spread out and the little girl was staked to the tree???
At this point one would think that all the bickering and revelations at Winterfell will mean nothing if they don’t stop the NK. Neither the North nor the Seven Kingdoms will be there to rule anymore! Just a vast landscape of shuffling hamburger! They need get focused!
Aegon the IceDragon,
The symbol didn’t come out of nowhere. They’ve appeared in the series before.
In the big meeting at the beginning , wide shot, interesting, no Jorah, unless I missed it.
Just watched for second time this morning. Very well done, I thought. It did what it needed to do, for the ‘start of the end’, and did it with style, reunions, characterisation and a bit of dragon-riding thrown in. Stand-outs for me were Sam and Jon in the crypts, Arya/Hound/Gendry, and the open/close with the Umber boy, echoing back to the first episode of all followed by Jaime and Bran’s stare.
A super start with so much tension to be explored and resolved.
Honestly, I’m not sure Benioff knows what he’s talking about. He also said Dickon Tarly was Sam’s older brother, which is definitely not true. The Dance of Dragons had non-Targaryens riding dragons, and that is in the show canon thanks to the Histories and Lore DVD features. He doesn’t pay as much attention to his own show as fans do.
Although some fans don’t pay attention either, apparently. It’s a bit weird that so many people didn’t realize that Tormund and Beric were in The Last Hearth. First, they showed it in the credits, meaning part of the episode will take place there. Then, they open the episode with Sansa sending young Ned to gather his people after Bran tells everyone the wall has fallen. Third, it’s the closest castle to Eastwatch and the most obvious place to go. Fourth, when they’re walking through, they show the Umber banners hanging.
And the spiral thing. I don’t know why the Targaryen sigil resembles it, but that’s on the Targaryens, not the Night King. He didn’t choose that symbol. It was a sacred symbol to the Children of the Forest and predates both him and House Targaryen. He was made in the center of a stone monument in exactly that shape. He’s been making it ever since. The remains of the wildling camp in the pilot were arranged that way, and he arranged the remains of the horses from the Night’s Watch in the same pattern at the Fist of the First Men when Mance calls them “always the artists.”
Anyway, I’m annoyed at the attitudes of the Northerners, but still a great episode to me. Maybe third best season opener behind Two Swords and the pilot itself. The gravity of the situation has been established, even though Jon’s compatriots still can’t seem to realize it, other than Bran and Sam. I loved the looks people were giving Missandei and Grey Worm. Someone who has spent their entire life in Winter Town will have never seen a black person before. I get it with Lady Mormont and Lord Royce. They don’t know the characters like we do, and Targaryens and Lannisters are historic enemies. They don’t like them. They don’t trust them. They don’t want their armies in the north. I’m sure they’ll get it over soon enough when the real fight hits.
All I was thinking of last night when the preview showed the Army of the Dead will arrive by the end of the next episode is what the logistics of that battle with look like. Will the Night King even be there or will he be taking splinter cells of his army to attack elsewhere and gather an even larger army? How does he employ a dragon? The only way it doesn’t make sense for him to kill people is burning them because then he can’t bring them back. So I suppose Viserion’s biggest use is in breaching and destroying structures and obstacles rather than killing people. Can the other dragons stop him? Fire can’t hurt a dragon, possibly even a dead dragon, but they can tear his wings off and turn him into a really big fire breathing snake. I doubt they’ll go that deep, but I would like to see some meaningful tactics aside from mayhem. Target Viserion and the Night King somehow. Build a moat of burning oil around the castle to stop the wights. Prepare at least as much as Tyrion prepared for Stannis.
Clob,
And contrary to what Jamie thinks, I don’t believe Bran isn’t going to be that upset with him. I feel like Bran will understand, “This was how it was always meant to be.”
Did they realise one Jack? Could you post a link? We don’t normally get to see this until Thronecast airs tonight in the UK and I am now boarding a flight to the US.
Dany is the Yoko Ono of Winterfell?
I enjoyed the Bronn twist a lot as seemingly absolutely nobody predicted it. Still not sure how it will play out as he’s not involved in the battle of Winterfell and I’d guess Jamie doesn’t make it back from that so his target then becomes Tyrion if he goes through with it. Probably we won’t see it play out until episode four or five.
They’re called quarterstaffs. Same weapon that Robin Hood and Little John used on the log bridge in their first encounter.
I thought NCW was brilliant in the end scene, showing so many emotions through his facial expressions – I interpreted it far more that he didn’t know what to say or do towards Bran but clearly had some remorse. Bran obviously knows he’s coming too with his “old friend” comment so I suspect will not push for vengeance or punishment.
It’s like Jon letting the Wildlings through the wall all over again. Hopefully his actions don’t have the same consequences!
Yes, a good catch Jack. I remember when first watching it (4am locally for me) why does neither Jon or Dany react to the wall falling or dragon being turned, it was a great episode but that was one small piece that didn’t seem to quite work.
Maybe the final shot of the entire series will be an extreme zoom out to show the spiral structure of the galaxy in which Planetos is situated.
There were definitely some fans predicting that Bronn would be among those teased in interviews as betraying someone. I don’t buy for a minute that he’ll go through with it, though. They wouldn’t have had Bronn save Jaime during the loot train battle (abandoning his share of Highgarden plunder in the process) if they’d meant for him to revert to caring about nothing but gold. His whole character arc has been about a reluctant, gradually awakening sense of genuine loyalty and friendship hidden beneath a reflexively cynical façade. He will likely announce to the Lannister brothers pointblank what Cersei commissioned him to do, and then ask if they can beat her offer. We already have ample foreshadowing from Tyrion telling Bronn more than once that he will double any competing bid for his services. It’s all just a ploy to create dramatic tension.
The Wolves of Winter,
I knew it and had no trouble with it personally. But quite a few others apparently did, which indicates to me that a little more time could have been taken with it. A little more time could have been taken with quite a few things, and some were just confounding.
But I’ll stop right now, because I have to get to work.
Jon Snowed,
That was a pretty major piece for me. The dragon flight was wonderful, but very difficult to believe following the Viserion revelation—not only because of where Dany would be emotionally, but also because of what it means tactically and time-wise in fighting the AotD.
I agree. NCW was stunning! Such a memorable scene.
I think Bran and Jaime will be close allies.
My tinfoil – Bronn needed gold for when he stirs up mutiny among the Lannister army. Now he has some. Jaime will need to have his army back when he returns south.
Sounds like a possibility.
It occurred to me that we’ve been told that there’s no more gold coming from the mines under Casterly Rock, and House Lannister is no longer fabulously wealthy. Tyrion was cut off from his allowance a long time ago, presumably. So now maybe neither brother will have enough wealth left to outbid Cersei for Bronn’s allegiance…until Jaime offers to melt down his golden hand. (Or is it only gold plate? I forget.)
I seem to recall someone pointing out a Season 8 photo of Jaime not wearing the hand, but rather some sort of contraption that seemed like a dragonglass-tipped prosthetic weapon, which would restore his ability to fight right-handed. Giving up the gold hand would be a nice symbolic rejection of Cersei’s hold over him, methinks.
Wolfish,
Fine on that… It all makes sense now. I recall the scene when Jon told Ned Umber to go back and bring his people to Winterfell. Just didn’t occur to me the place where Tormund and Beric met up with Edd was at Last Hearth. Couldn’t see nothing, just a black screen for a minute or so until Edd appeared with his torch.
What display were you viewing on? I was watching on a Samsung and it was super dark. Even with the brightness at max. I switched to an LG and was able to see a bit better.
It certainly looks like it will not work out.
Vary’s comment made me wonder as well. But relationship failure could also have been concluded from how the romance was set up in Season 7. D&D did not spend a lot of time on it. It was also clear from the less emotional start to their first sex scene. It was also to be expected due to the difference in values from their personal stories so far.
I really liked this episode. It was all setting the pieces in place for the rest of the season.
The only thing I didn’t like was the whole Cersei/Euron hookup. I just can’t stand him and I wanted the mountain to murder him so badly. I wanted Euron to step too far and then splat.
Sansa had a great point of Jon not telling her about d bringing everyone. She had no way to prepare winterfell. So she was pissed which is understandable.
The rest was good.
It’s a crime to escape your jailers, and people who murdered your family ?
She doesn’t love him, never has.
He was kind, but still kept her held up.
Well it’s pretty idiotic blaming Sansa for what Oleanna and LF did, and escaping her jailers.
She had no true intentional input to the act, she was collateral damage, LF and QOT didn’t care.
Yeah I classify it Sansa hate, since when is it a crime to escape your captures?
Jaime killed his cousin to escape, Sansa killed no one.
And she did apologized.
I never said that Sansa escaping was a crime. But her leaving at that precise moment did have terrible, nearly fatal consequences for Tyrion, making it look like a plot that he was a part of. Not by her own design, but still – it was only a fluke that he didn’t die. And he was NOT one of her jailors. Unless you believe that everyone is responsible for every act of all their family members, which I certainly do not.
Tyrion was forced into that marriage every bit as much as Sansa was, and yet he did whatever was in his power to protect her. You don’t have to love someone to feel bad that they suffered on your account, or to speak gently to them thereafter, instead of scoffing at them. I think Sansa’s harshness was unwarranted, and that interaction makes me like her less.
Jon- I’m her family too.
Arya – Don’t forget that.
Firannion,
If Sansa had stayed, she would have been arrested right along side him and they both would have been executed. Staying wouldn’t have saved his life, leaving would have saved hers. She made the right choice. And I’m not even close to being a Sansa fan.
Sansa’s responsibility is to Winterfell and the North, it’s not her job to get food for Danny’s army, that’s Danny and Jon’s responsibility.
Each army provides for it’s own.
Sansa had each house provide for their own and extra to pool.
Danny burned the food wagons, though she out manned Jaime 2 or 3 to 1.
How did Danny’s army survived the long trip north.
So snark or no she was correct on the food issue, we see Jon was not punctual with letters.
Seems he did not communicate the size of the army he was bringing or it’s needs.
She’s a prisoner of his house.
Tyrion- At least you won’t be a prisoner any longer …. thought it’s still a certain kind of prison.
All pow have diversion for escape, Sansa didn’t create it, but it’s her opportunity for freedom.
Sansa would also be under Cersei’s fist , Feel bad for Tyrion, blame it on his sister.
Where did I suggest, even remotely, that she should have stayed?
I just think she should have acknowledged that Tyrion suffered on her behalf, and spoken to him with at least a tiny bit of compassion. Her ‘sorry about that’ was so flippant and dismissive, as if no one else’s suffering mattered but her own.
She is playing an adult now. It is more adult to say to Tyrion – I am sorry I made it more complicated for you. In the previous seasons, she told Jon that Tyrion was good to her and you would expect her to honor that in this conversation. Plus she knows she is alive because of Jaime’s efforts.
God, these two don’t give a crap, do they? They’ll just slap anything down even when it comes to long, long anticipated moments.
Firannion,
You said she should apologize to him for nearly getting him executed. Apologies are a sign of guilt/fault, and Sansa has absolutely nothing to feel guilty about, in this case. She did nothing wrong. Also, how did her leaving nearly get him executed? I explained how her staying wouldn’t have changed anything.