Well, it’s finally here. The final season of Game of Thrones kicked off on Sunday with a bang. Dany and Jon arrive in Winterfell as the living try to amass their forces for the epic showdown with the Night King. Jon’s new dragon queen isn’t very welcomed by the northerners though. Even Arya and Sansa voice their concern with Jon giving up his crown. In the south, Cersei amasses her forces as well but she isn’t worried about the army of the dead. After Euron delivers the Golden Company (and throws some very were pick-up tactics at her), Cersei sleeps with him. Across the city, she sends Qybrun to hire a very conflicted Bronn to kill her brothers. While Euron is away, Theon and his men rescue Yara. After that, he goes to Winterfell to fight alongside Jon while Yara goes to retake the Iron Islands. Back in Winterfell, Sam tells Jon about his true heritage, complicating more than a few lives in the process. As the episode ends, Jaime arrives in Winterfell to find Bran waiting in the courtyard for him.
We’re sure you’re just as excited as we are to have Thrones back in our lives, even if it is just for six weeks. Def Pen’s gonna make the most out of those six weeks though so be sure to check after each episode to catch our breakdowns of what happened, and what we think is gonna happen next.
Immediate Reactions
Es:
What a great start. Sure we didn’t get any spectacular action but some loose ends were covered and we finally got introductions between some characters mostly, Sansa and Daenerys. I feel like that relationship will be key moving forward. Daenerys’ world is in for a shock though.
Grant:
It was everything I hoped it’d be and more. I’m surprised at how quickly it picked up. I guess with only 6 episodes though, they’ve really got to trim the fat.
This Week’s Winner
Es:
It’s gotta be Theon Greyjoy. He saves his sister and shows some balls (no pun intended). He finally gains the courage and now he’s a changed man. Something that has gone full circle for him throughout this show.
Grant:
My pick here’s a dark horse for sure but I’m going with Arya. She didn’t really play a role in any of the big moves in this episode… but she did. She’s all over the place in scenes with Jon, Gendry, and the Hound hitting them all with one-liners and knowledge bombs. Her performance in this episode would be like dropping 13 points and 5 assists off the bench in a playoff game.
This Week’s Loser
Es:
This week’s rightful recipient has to be Jon. There’s no way you find out someone you love is your aunt and have a NORMAL week. His entire world is about to be in shambles and his family won’t be there to hold his hand. I can sense the Stark family getting into a spat about this.
Grant:
I think this award has to go to Jon this week. Sure, he has Dany but that’s caused his family and his people to turn their backs on him. Or at least give him the cold shoulder. On top of that, he’s gotta deal with all this ‘rightful heir’ business. Then we also can’t forget about the impending army of the undead bearing down on Winterfell.
Best Moment
Es:
A lot of things came full circle in this episode. Jaime will be forced to confront Bran after throwing him off a tower in the very first episode of the show. That’s tension that’s been brewing for 7 seasons. Other then that, I loved the awkwardness between Arya and Gendry as well.
Grant:
So, this category is almost unfair in an episode full of so many great moments. But, my personal favorite was the very end when Jaime sees Bran waiting for him in the courtyard. I know there’s bigger moments but there’s something about it that’s stuck with me. For a man with so much to atone for, especially with the Starks, the look on his faces tells us that he TRULY regrets what he did to Bran.
Worst Moment
Es:
The worst moment is anytime Euron Greyjoy is on the screen. His character is purposefully portrayed as a raging asshole and he plays the part perfectly. Very punchable face and makes it even easier when his actions are just as punchable.
Grant:
I honestly don’t think this episode had true ‘Worst Moment’ so this week I’ll substitute this category for ‘Moment That Made Me Feel the Worst.’ And that’s definitely the scene when Dany and Jorah meet with Sam in the library. It’s heartbreaking to see Sam break down and the pain in Jorah’s face as Dany tells him really broke me down.
After What Happened Tonight, Who’s Most Likely to Sit on the Iron Throne?
Es:
It looks like Jon’s name is officially in the running for the throne. At least, he’s aware of it. Whether he wants it or not and if the idea that the throne is rightfully his will influence him to feel ‘power hungry’ will be a question that develops throughout the weeks to come.
Grant:
I mean, Cersei’s sitting on the Throne now so technically her I guess. But, let’s be honest, if Dany wants the Throne, she can take it anytime with that army.
Future Predictions
Es:
Someone’s gonna die. This episode was way too calm and happy for any Game of Thrones episode in recent memory. We saw heartfelt reunion’s but in all honesty, death is right around the corner. In the trailer’s we’ve seen Winterfell is in ruins and with their whole plan being to defend Winterfell.. well you do the math.
Grant:
So, next week I think we’ll see the Battle of Winterfell and we’re gonna lose at least 2 major players. If I had to put money on who, I’d say definitely Tormund, Edd, or Beric. If Jaime’s ‘trial’ shown in the preview goes poorly, I’d say he has a decent chance of dying during that battle too.
New Episodes of Game of Thrones air Sundays 9 PM/ET on HBO.
