It’s fair to say we can expect lots of blood and gore in season eight. That’s just par for the course in Game of Thrones, isn’t it? Still, it’s nice to have confirmation! And that’s what we bring to you today, in the form of the aftermath of a battle we have seen glimpses of before … a battlefield filled to the brim with blood and piles of corpses! Spoilers ahead!
The Moneyglass shoot has finally come to a close. The Winterfell set has been active since late 2017, but it’s been particularly busy since late January, when filming for a gigantic battle sequence began. After more than two months, Moneyglass has wrapped for one last time, and we’re left with the aftermath of the vicious battle that took place: Oakleaf Photography swang by the Winterfell set and noticed a few unmistakable traces of the long battle shoot – namely, the blood all over the walls and the corpses beneath.
This is also the first time we get to see what’s mounted along the walls. These spiked contraptions are probably supposed to ward off climbers, but are they going to fight off soldiers with siege ladders … or perhaps a horde of the dead climbing over themselves?
So, filming in Moneyglass is over. Farewell, Winterfell! But there are still at least three months of filming left, so what’s the next stop for the cast and crew? That’d probably be Magheramorne Quarry, where that massive green screen set was quickly built, followed by the Titanic Studios King’s Landing set, which is taking almost half a year to complete. Don’t worry: in the coming months, we’ll keep you up to date on all these locations!
GOT8 4/14/19
hodor!
Is that Greyworms body in the third pic?HODOR
2/17/2019
My personal belief is that the last episode will be on the first Sunday of Spring, which means the premiere episode should be either February 17th if no breaks between episodes, or February 10th if there is a week break for a cliffhanger or something.
Artemisia,
No. But it could be an Unsullied soldier, going by the armor.
Luka Nieto,
I would agree that it’s most likely an Unsullied going by the armor. It’s the exact same outfit Greyworm wore during the attack on Casterly Rock.
Mr Derp,
Ive actually thought 2/10/19 all along but heard from a fairly reliable source 4/14 is the date. Who knows.
That’s not blood, it’s Kool-Aid. “OH YEAH!!”
Sooo, they’re done filming Winterfell and it yet it still appears very much intact… That’s good I suppose. Right?
agree..but Grayworm im sure that he will die in S8..fighting of course
Definitely Unsullied corpses in that pile.
Ryan,
April does sound likely. We’ll see.
An April start would line up with their usual start dates for seasons, so definitely possible too.
I hope they keep Winterfell set for us the fans to visit the place.
Poor Unsullied!!
H.Stark,
They’re supposed to do exactly that with the new King’s Landing set, so they should definitely do it with the Winterfell one too. Let’s cross our fingers.
I’m in the very early stages of a planned trip over there (from midwest US) so all of these possibilities of sets remaining is nice to think about. I probably won’t go for a few years yet though so maybe I’ll be out of luck. Although, if the spin-off(s) were to use the sets they could still be active. 🙂
OT:
What’s the deal with the express.co.uk site always doing articles based on redditor theories and such? It’s not that I dislike them but it’s kind of odd where they dig for GoT stuff to write. Today’s is about a FAKE POSTER that I must admit is pretty cool.
https://www.facebook.com/GoTMemes/photos/a.299630363448361.69538.296989473712450/1654579611286756/?type=3&theater
Clob,
They don’t film things in order so it doesn’t really matter if it’s still standing in the end or not cause they don’t necessarily film the ending of the battle last.
“I’m not quite dead!”
Will you hang around for a couple of minutes? he won’t be long.
Yes, I know that. However, if we’re being told they’re done-done using that set for this series then it looks to be in pretty good condition. It’s not all busted up or burnt down. Even if there are plans to use it for future projects one wouldn’t think it would be fixed or repaired by the time the filming is done there. They’re also not likely to leave the ‘bodies’ and other junk all over the place. They’d be in cleanup mode now yet the structure looks good.
* and I highly doubt they’d film its destruction, rebuild it and then film undamaged scenes. The blood and bodies indicate it’s post battle too.
Oakleaf added a few pics of othe sets 🙂
https://twitter.com/jct_c/status/971804470844813312
Mr Derp,
“I’m getting better!”
Ten Bears,
“Paces for an idea, then whacks the body with a club, solving the problem.”
I don’t want to go in the cart!
Really though, you know there has to be at least one cast or crew member who channels the French guard on top of the battlements every now and then…
On another note, it took me way too long to actually see a body in that pile. Thank goodness I’m not in charge of discovering these things from afar. “Yeah, looks like some kinda pile!”
If we’re seeing burnt unsullied bodies, what does that mean for the events that will unfold at the castle? Do they fall in battle to Cersei’s gold company and are then burnt after the battle to prevent them being wighted? Would that suggest a Northern victory over the GC, as they wouldn’t know to burn bodies afterwards… presumably. Or are they recently wighted unsullied who were roasted by one of Dany’s Dragons? Or a defeated army of the dead post battle? Intriguing! I love all this guess work!
I would love to visit that set if they left it standing. My biggest GOT-nerd moment was when my husband and I got the chance to tour the sets before the filming for season 4 began because our friend was an art director and he got us in to the titanic studios. We even got to sit on the iron throne. I was a fan back then, but not as huge a mega fan as I am now, so I wish I could have gone this season rather than just after season 3 aired. Oh well, it was still an amazing experience.
Che,
Q: With an existential threat confronting the entire human race, would Cersei be so shortsighted that she’d send the Golden Company to attack Winterfell?
A: Yes.
Ten Bears,
Yup. And then one would presume they’d become more fodder to add to the Army of the Dead. One day she’s in charge of sending the GC to Winterfell, and then not long after the GC will be marching on KL as wights to take down Cersei.
I can’t see the GC, Ironborn and Lannister army making it to WF in the depths of winter, with no supply lines, animals that aren’t equipped for the cold (elephants), horrendous weather and the WWs on the loose.
My guess is that WF suffers at the hands of the WWs army- it stands to reason as it’s only a few weeks march from the Wall.
Also, pics on twitter seem to show
There could be everything possible ..I think will see Cercei making a move to Winterfell…where now all her enemies are there..She may wants to trap them there so she can prevent them from being moving South and destroying her and so the NK can destroy them there ..in Winterfell..so she to has her head quiet[as say in my country] ..Remember .Littlefinger in S5 promised to her the Winterfell and Sansas head if she makes him Warden of the North..Thats a valid element for my theory
Apart from the dead bodies (at least one Unsullied), the most interesting part are those defense installations: some kind of (wood?) stakes on the ground (usually used against cavalry), and (dragonglass?) spikes hanging from the walks.
Ryan,
I’ve thought Feb 10 was the date for some time as well, before it was announced season 8 would be in 2019. Just looking at the calendar this date makes the most sense. They can advertise during Super Bowl week, then the next week the show starts. Then ends before March Madness. Perfect.
Clob,
That’s exactly what happened though?
We saw flames or what looked like flames, not destruction or a destroyed Winterfell.
You lot must have very good eyesight as I don’t see ANYTHING resembling dead Unsullied in that photo… and that is with the photo enlarged and I’m wearing a new pair of glasses 😛
Even though I think the Night King’s proximity to Winterfell vs that of the Golden Company makes it far, far more likely his army would be the ones attacking, I definitely agree with your point!
Jon, Daenerys and their people are all headed towards Winterfell, and I think we all remember what’s happened in the past when a large group of Cersei’s enemies have congregated in one place – wildfire boom!
Really? Just below center on the bottom photo is a very clear body laying face up that’s wearing an Unsullied uniform.
Alba Stark,
Tinfoil Theory Time:
Ceresei ordering an attack on WF supplies strangulation motive for my top four Valanqor candidates:
Odds as of March 7, 2018, with last month’s odds in parentheses:
1. Jon Snow 4-1 (10-1)
2. Jaime L. 9-2 (5-1)
3. Tyrion L. 5-1 (5-1)
4. Sandor Clegane 6-1 (3-1)
Mr Derp,
That’d be funny if NK leads the AotD to attack WF… but when he gets there, he sees the idiot humans already slaughtering each other. So he pulls out a lawn chair, breaks out the popcorn, and enjoys the show.
Ah right – I see it now. Must have had a mental block before I posted that comment 😉
Especially if it’s true that filming wraps in June. That’s a full 10 months for post, in addition to all the post they’ve been doing since they started filming as scenes are finished.
Also, I believe I read that to be considered for the Emmy’s in 2019, they would have to start airing no later than the end of April.
Mr Derp,
That would be some delicious irony!
Although I expected S7 to have explored it more, I continue to believe that the antithetical tales of the Unsullied and Dothraki in Westeros will not end well for both. S8 will probably see their complete obliteration or their mission corrupted. That being stated, is it plausible to suggest (since they are not indigenous to Westeros) that they could have a natural resistance to the whims of the NK/WWs while living or dead?
In any case, I’m still awaiting their initial reaction to snowfall.
They would not be immune to the NKs power as they are still men. Bear in mind the long night affected Essos too the last time, and also we see wight Giants, horses and polar bears and a Dragon.. so I’m guessing ole blue eyes can turn everything.
Mr Derp,
Since when is middle of February first sunday of spring? Spring starts 21st March.
Bhall,
He said that the series finale would be the first Sunday of Spring.
Hodors Bastard,
Hi HB *waving*
I’m no scientist but guessing the temperatures in the Unsullied and Dothraki lands are nothing like as low as the North in winter, which would be quite a shock to the system. Not to mention, as I’ve seen speculated, that Westeros could harbour illnesses which are relatively harmless to natives but have a far more serious impact health-wise on those with no previous exposure.
Note to self to avoid mini heart attack: remember that people in the States write the day and month the other way around to us Brits, so 2/10/19 does not mean the 2nd of October, thank goodness! 😧
Probably since I’ve been misquoted?
I said the series finale could be on the first Sunday of Spring 2019, so it would have to start in February for that to happen. Derp.
Apollo,
We really aren’t sure exactly how the Long Night affected Essos. They haven’t delved into it too much on the show, but there’s actually a ton of mystery behind “the Long Night.” Like how the Last Hero ended the Long Night in Westeros, but other tales of Azor Ahai (a completely different figure) ended the Long Night have come from Essos. And apparently there was more than one Long Night.
Anyway, I agree that everyone in Essos would be affected the same way as those of Westeros, but just wanted to point out how little we really know of the past Long Night(s), how the ended and if they were even real in the first place or just myths and legends.
Lol, yea my bad. I forgot to take into account the international differences, and for that, I apologize. I always make sure to spell out the month when I’m typing at work, but I apparently get lazy with it and revert back to the American way when typing casually.
Jaehaerys,
Well, when you consider how distorted the events of Roberts rebellion were after 18 years, imagine how much has changed through storytelling in 8000 yrs regarding the long night and other legends. Ice spiders etc: never existed.
Apollo,
Too true! Most like than not, 8,000 years ago information and history were only passed down by word of mouth. Who knows how many things could’ve been embellished or misinterpreted.
Yeah, I suppose so. Thx for tolerating my curiosity. Regarding the Long Night, I’ve read there are “annals in Asshai” and other documents about that mystical/solar/geophysical phenomenon scattered throughout Planetos but I believe they are still about Westeros. Unless some sort of Pangaea super-continent existed 8000 years before modern day (or the Land of Always Winter also touches Northern Essos), the battles between the CotF and WWs and First Men occurred only in Westeros. The legendary Azor Ahai fought/mediated in Westeros, right? Hence Brandon the Builder’s efforts to build the Wall that protected Westeros with help from CotF and giants. But why only protect Westeros?
I’m sure this has been debated before, but ever since Missandei’s unisexual reinterpretation of Valyrian context and prophesy, I’ve wondered about the WW’s intent and possible inherent limitations. Your dragon argument is persuasive, but weren’t the dragon eggs actually indigenous to Westeros as well? Just wondering.
I believe the absolute latest they could begin airing to qualify for 2019 is May 5th because there are to be only six episodes…
The Emmy season is June 1st to May 31st the following year. A majority of the season episodes need to air prior to May 31st. Since seasons 1-6 of GoT had ten episodes they always started so that at least six episodes aired by that date. The remaining four then qualified under the “hanging episodes” rule and were also considered for nominations. If they started May 5th next year they could air four of six before the deadline and have two hanging episodes.
Jaehaerys,
Hopefully Bran can shed some light on truth vs. myth when it comes to the Long Night.
Hey now, this is a family friendly website! Lol, j/k
Hodors Bastard,
See my above comment. Azor Ahai is a legendary figure from Essos, and only places in Essos (I believe it even originated from one specific city in Essos but I could be wrong) have tales of him. Westeros was saved by “the Last Hero,” who is a different legendary figure altogether. Which brings me to my comment about the multiple Long Nights, and how there is so much mystery there.
Those would be some Branvisions I’d be all in on seeing! That period is ONE OF my top desires for a followup series.
It would be or would have been cool to see him visit construction of the Wall too to see Brandon the Builder and hundreds of cotf and giants working.
Mr Derp,
We can only hope! Although my instinct tells me they will only delve into the subject as much as they have to to convey what the WWs want and why they were gone for so long. I’m sure GRRM will go into way more detail in the books (I’ve heard Winds is supposed to give us lots of White Walker info!), so hopefully he gets moving on that front.
Hi, LM. Hope all is well. I hope S8 touches on the forced integration difficulties but I doubt it will. The coming winter chaos will only be “bitter” for the Dothraki and Unsullied. Ever since the “sweet” love between Grey Worm and Missandei and the “winning” land battles of both Dothraki and Unsullied, the “bitter” half of their destiny awaits.
Yeah, that’s where I’m in conflict. From my perspective, AA = Last Hero and the tales found in other lands were written about his/her exploits in Westeros. Even in “The World of Ice & Fire” the section about the Long Night begins with “As the First Men established their realms…”, which is Westeros specific, imho. Oh well, something to ponder. You’re right that the legends, prophesy and history are a bit convoluted at this point.
I still chuckle when I read that quote from TWoI&F…I think it was a title of an episode of “Game of Bones”!
Ah, thanks for the clarification!
It would be wonderfully poetic for the final episode to air on the first day of spring, but ultimately pragmatics will trump poetry, so it will come down to whether they can finish in time and what their marketing plan is, HBO’s schedule, etc. This is their biggest show though, so they are more than likely to move mountains for GoT than anything else. 🙂
Hodors Bastard,
It sounds like something akin to how religion works in our own world. There are so many different religions, yet many of them have very similar epic stories with just enough variations to be considered different. I.E. Flood stories, Pandora’s Box/Adam & Eve, etc…
Game of Bones. “Where you bone or you die.”
Just need some patented Littlefinger sexposition and we’ll be all set!
Exactly. I suppose there was something like a “Tower of Babel” in Planetos where observers and listeners of news of a certain event took their interpretation of it back to their land. Just look at how the maesters at the Citadel have handled and misinterpreted history…
Hodors Bastard,
No, this is true too! It is just odd that the stories are so different, as (I don’t think? but could be wrong) the Last Hero doesn’t have any connections with a Nissa Nissa or a Lightbringer, and Azor Ahai doesn’t have any connection with the Last Hero’s trek to the Land of Always Winter with his dozen companions, his horse and his dog.
Definitely something to ponder, because obviously something is up with these stories not aligning! I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that there were two recorded Long Nights as well, one happening before the Wall was constructed and another after or during the Age of Heroes (not sure how this would have worked? Maybe it only occurred Beyond the Wall). I know the video I’m thinking of where this is discussed, I just can’t watch it as I’m at work.
Help me, Gilly, I’m so confused! We need to spend more time in the obsidian cave on Dragonstone and interpret the hieroglyphics completely!
Jaehaerys,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br1UhNt8CJw
This is the video I was referring to by the way. Really interesting watch. I just posted it in an earlier thread for somebody else and thought why not post it here too in case anybody wants to see. This channel is pretty cool and has a bunch of good stuff.
From GrayArea’s analysis…
The text reads as follows…”As Westeros was recovering from the Long Night, a new power was rising in Essos…”
That is a bizarre statement from the text, which subsequently set me adrift… 🙂
Mr Derp,
Sorry, that wasn’t meant as a complaint! Feel free to write the date however you want to. I was just musing we have around 14 months to go and then automatically read 2/10 as October so it was damn, 6 months more than I thought. Took me a couple of seconds to realise. When I see things like 2/14/19 I think hang on, do they mean the 14th month of 2019, ie Feb 2020? Got a bit of a head cold so a little more slow on the uptake than usual 🙂
Hodors Bastard,
I’m fine, thanks. Hope you are too! The show has really sped up story progression over the last few series. On the one hand it’s cool so we don’t have to wait about 14 years for the ending, but on the other is really skimming through stuff now, so a lot of the smaller details are lost. As for bittersweet, I think most of our remaining characters have already been through so much that even if everything went swimmingly from now on they’d still think of their lives as bittersweet. Happy enough ending but a lot of suffering to get there 🙁
I fully agree. It was still pretty good, but I thought season 7 felt like a cliff notes version of a normal season. Hopefully D&D will take some time to flesh out the quieter, more contemplative scenes that tend to impact show watchers just as much if not more than the mic-drop or “badass” moments.
At times I feel like D&D can see the “light at the end of the tunnel” and are racing a bit too much to finish. Sometimes you don’t know what you GoT till it’s gone.
That’d be quite a challenge to include fleshed-out, “quieter contemplative scenes” with just six episodes to go. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that such “high thread count”©* scenes are a thing of the past.🙁
* © Thronetender
Out of curiosity, how come Arya dropped off your list? Most people, including me, have her at #2 after Jaime. IMO, Jon will kill the NK and Jaime will kill Cersei, Sandor will kill Gregor and Arya is back-up for Jaime and Sandor.
Lulus Mum,
Haven’t see you lately, Lulu’s Mom. Welcome back!
Stark Raven’ Rad,
I don’t think Arya was on my Valonqar handicapping list, or if she was, she was a long shot. The word isn’t gender neutral as far as we know. And “his hands” is masculine, and disqualifies females. At least that’s what King Stannis instructed.
Ten Bears,
Stark Raven’ Rad,
I’ve always felt that Arya’s refusal to kill Lady Crane was a sign that she wouldn’t be the one to kill Cersei. I also recently looked at that scene again and noticed the face that The Waif wore when she killed her was that of a blonde male with hair resembling Jamie’s in the early seasons.
Moreover, Arya has been on her revenge arc for some time now and checked quite a few people off her list, so it wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying or as interesting for her to be Cersei’s killer.
Jamie is at the top of my list followed by Tyrion. Her baby is a long shot (who might technically be a little brother), as is perhaps Euron.
Yeah I’m sceptical it will be as late as April for that reason. Normally they have 3-4 months post production once filming finishes. This year it seems they will be done in June so a start date of Jan/Feb feels more likely to me.
Jon Snowed,
Careful. You’re getting my hopes up, and I don’t want to be disappointed! 🙂
But seriously, Feb seems more likely than I once thought. Jan seems a bit too soon after Christmas, and I would think HBO would at least want a month or so to do a big marketing blitz that’s not right up in the holiday season.
Yeah I am with you here, don’t want to get my hopes up but equally trying to be logical it’s bound to be sooner rather than later in 2019 as HBO will not want to delay this without good reason.
I know a number of our American contributors have called out that HBO will want to swerve January and avoid the Superbowl date so February run through to March should be feasible and gives them seven months of post production (double the usual amount).
I’m getting ahead of myself here but assuming they wrap up filming in June we should get our first teaser trailers around July/August and the full trailer before year end. God I am wishing my life away in anticipation.
Mr Derp,
Ooo I know exactly what you mean, lots of going from A to D without B or C getting a look in. I’m afraid it’s all my fault – I wished aloud during S3 that they’d speed the story up, ‘cos I knew Joffrey’s demise was coming and was SO ready for it. And clearly the world revolves around me so I got what I wanted. After S7 I was fully expecting S8 to be about 20 mins long in total.
Nice Dad joke work there Mr D 😀
Stark Raven’ Rad,
Aww thanks feathery one, good to see you too! 😀 I’ve been lurking but not seen much to join in with. Tbh I’ve set my expectations very low for S8 as I’m not expecting much from it (being a not fantasy fan who really can’t take the NK and co seriously) so I’m trying not to get over excited, unlike this little fella.
Lulu’s Mum watches Crufts too :o)))
cos alpha,
I saw the clip on another show (the Last Leg) but I’d certainly watch it if he was the star turn 😀 😍 And I think he’s called Ollie, so he’s the antidote to GoT Ollie, she sequed (and squeeed at the legs in the air on the ramp).
Lulus Mum,
When Europeans invaded the North and South America’s the brought illness with them or if you vacation in another country “dont drink the water”. I have wondered if they will play that card. Maybe the extreme cold will kill viruses.😒 Or I just try to remember its fantasy and they will use those things or not, if they want too. The unsullied and darthraki have been in Westeros months now with no mention of illness. I know I get cold just watching all that snow. Lol. I hope they wear long johns! Seriously I hope they got new clothes like Daenerys.
When armies from a warm(er) climate meet extremely cold weather, it rarely ends well for the armies… Both Napoleon and Hitler could testify to that.
Now I want to see the Dothraki build a snowman and the Unsullied have fun with a luge !
Mel of Winterfell,
Whaaaaaat? It’s a documentary I tell you! 😉 Having been watching the Winter Olympics I like ACME’s idea. The Dothraki would be good at skiing I reckon, fearless and good balance from horse riding. Or maybe snowboarding so they could do tricks too 😀
Snowboarding – so they have their hands free!