‘Winterfell’ marks the beginning of the end of the journey that Games of Thrones has been for millions of viewers worldwide. The wait for the first episode for the final season has been long, painful and highly anticipated – its been over 2 years since Seven 7 aired and left everyone hanging for the fate of this imaginary world.
At the end of Season 7, all the players are in Westeros with the Night King on the march south. The war between the living and the dead is about to start, while the battle for the Iron Throne continues to wage on.
‘I was told there would be elephants’
Cersei’s disappointment at not having elephants is my sentiment exactly when it comes to this episode. I thought there would be more than the plodding 35 minutes of no plot development.
Episode 1 of Season 8 was a bit of disappointment. I honestly did not think the show had that kind of time to throw around, but it did. A lot of reunions and talking about things that have already happened. I guess the idea was to set the stage for the entire season.
Loved It
Arya’s reunion with Jon – The first episode was littered with reunions, but nothing competes with Arya and Jon meeting after all those years. The closest of the Stark siblings, the separation of the brutal years has not changed them. And only these two would compare the coolness of their weapons 😊. Also does Arya’s comment to Jon about not forgetting that he is one of them a sign of troubles ahead between the Stark family?
Jon discovers his lineage – In this episode, Jon finally discovered the most crucial secret of Game of Thrones saga. I loved everything about this scene. I loved that it’s Sam who delivers the news. I loved how Jon reacted to it. I loved that Sam puts this in context to Jon on what kind of leader the seven kingdom needs, and whether Dany is the right choice. There were many ways this could have gone down, but I couldn’t have imagined anything better than this.
On learning that is the true heir to the Iron Throne
Sansa is the smartest – I think it’s a truth universally acknowledged that Lady of Winterfell is the smartest character in the show. Even Arya believes it now. From the dithering idiot in Season 1 to the smart, cool, calculating and sensible woman at the helm of Winterfell, Sansa has come a long way. She is literally the brain of the show now that Tyrion seems to have given up that mantle (what’s his role now, anyway?)
Liked It
Arya and Gendry reunion – Kind of cute and flirty. Maybe they could find a stronger connection through their shared love for weapons!?
Bran’s deadpan face for everything – Isaac’s Hempstead’s portrayal of Bran is spot on as the all-seeing teenage warg. I just laughed out loud at his reunion scene with Jon. Jon hugged Bran and said, “You are a man now” and Bran replied, “ Almost”. Sansa’s slight smile to Jon was all but saying “Join the club,we are all weirded by him too”. And Bran’s shushing Dany just minutes after – well, that was priceless! Who would have thought we would have looked at the Three Eyed Raven for comic relief?
Just Meh
Jon riding the Rhaegal, the dragon– This scene was such a lost opportunity to the story. Jon riding a dragon should have emphasized his Targaryen blood and connection with a dragon. Instead, it turned out to be shoddy dragon riding lesson from Daenerys. I would have liked to see more chemistry between Jon and Rhaegal and less of Jon trying to impress Dany.
Sharing HTTTD…coz this was way more interesting…..
The Golden Company – After much hype, the Golden Company appeared with only twenty thousand men and no elephants – don’t like they are going to be much use against the armies of the dead or Dany’s dragons.
Hated it
Jon and Daenerys waterfall scene: It was nice when the attraction between the leads was subdued and understated last season. The manifestation of the actual romance is just cringeworthy and silly. I wish someone would remind Jon of what he said told the Onion Knight not so long ago, “ There is no time for that”!
Daenerys imperial attitude – What was up with all the smirking? For someone who wants to be welcomed, Daenerys did not throw out friendly and sincere vibes. She is just expecting people to follow her on the might of her two dragons and the northerners are not impressed. The loss of the dragon should have humbled her a little, don’t you think?
Rescue of Yaara Greyjoy– Someone explain what the point of kidnapping Yaara was if she was going to be rescued so easily. Was this all for Theon’s redemption? Wasted time, me feels.
So that’s my breakdown of Episode 1 of Season 8 of Game of Thrones? What were your thoughts on the episode? What did you love and hate?
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