I am wondering how Jon is going to approach Dany since he’s learned the truth about his parentage!
I have HBO through amazon prime and was pleasantly surprised to be able to watch the new episode at just before 8pm in my time zone (pacific), yay. I’m still on team Jon Snow, now kind of hoping maybe he’ll team up with Arya although I can see that they are hinting that Arya and Gendry are going to have a relationship.
Best moment was Tormund, as he was about to be mistaken for a wight: “I’ve always had blue eyes!”
Tormund is always so appealing.
I was a little disappointed in the Arya reunion with the Hound. I didn’t expect rainbows and sunshine but a little less bitterness would have been nice. Or grudging and cranky respect, which is probably what they were going for, but missed by a bit.
Arya’s weapon will be interesting. Probably not just effective, but effective in killing off someone or something major.
I agree about the Hound and Arya - I was disappointed.
I look forward to another Tormund and Brienne encounter - always entertaining!
Actually it was Peter Balish aka Littlefinger who manipulated everyone and caused a great deal of the troubles of the first seven seasons, especially convincing Catelyn Stark that it was Tyrion who directed the knife attack on Bran. That triggered a lot! He fooled Catelyn, Ned, Lysa, Sansa, and tons more. I think that’s why Arya said her sister was the smartest person she knew - because Sansa was the one who was able to fool Littlefinger.
Interesting new opening credits - I read that it was something they’ve wanted to do for quite a while and were delighted to have the chance. I’ve read some interesting analyses and now have to rewatch with the pause button.
Neither Sam nor Jon knows yet exactly how Danaerys executed Sam’s father and brother. Jon didn’t have much time to absorb the shock of the executions before the bigger news of his parentage. But if and when he learns about it, especially after warning her not to have her dragons burn people, he will be even more perturbed.
Sansa has good reason not to trust queens - Cersei and Margery both manipulated her. Her trust issues are well earned. As a young teenager, she learned the consequences of siding against her family. As an older teenager, she learned the consequences of believing someone who claimed to know what was best for her. Now as a young woman, she will pay attention to actions rather than words. Whether or not she trusts someone is one factor but even more important is who other people trust. She knows how shaky that can be.
But really these are small problems compared to the road trip coming at them. Keep that dragonglass forge going, Gendry!
I agree. I always watch the opening sequence for a reminder of where things stand in the Seven Kingdoms. After this new episode we went back and watched the opener again. I noticed a few things like the expression on the face on the weirwood tree at Winterfell and the turning tiles leading from the break in the Wall to the Last Hearth, city the wights slaughtered in this episode. Also highlighted were the crypts at Winterfell and King’s Landing so it’s clear they will come more into play in some way this season.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the scene at the end with Lord Umber. shudder
Same circle pattern around Lord Umber as seen in the killings in S1E1.
An oft-repeated pattern-Wight kill patterns, the designs carved by the Children of the Forest on the cave walls, etc. Tons of symbols in GOT.
When we make spritz cookies for Xmas, we usually dye the dough pink/red for the spiral ones. I’m going to be rethinking that after that scene!
“I was told there would be elephants.”
I feel you, Cersei. I was disappointed too.
Interesting that Bran was “waiting for an old friend.” Does that mean he forgives Jamie, or whatever 3-eyed ravens do that is analogous to forgiveness?
I loved the new credits. I need to find a blow up of Arya’s weapon drawing.
Was anyone else disappointed in the length of the episode? I thought we were going to get 6 two hour episodes?
They will get longer, but not 2 hours each.
Also, Ghost was MIA again. Where has he been all this time? Off napping somewhere I guess.
Someone on Twitter:
They were right next to the statue of Ned.
I thought it was interesting that Bran chose the exact moment that he did to have Sam tell John what he knew. He did it at the exact moment when Sam was upset with Dany and would push John to claim his birthright.
I don’t think John wants to rule, but he will be challenging of Danny’s decisions. I doubt John would have burnt those men.
I’ve changed my mind about Sansa over the years - didn’t like her much at first but I’m liking her recent snarkiness.
Like this from the opening episode on Sunday:
Tyrion: I haven’t seen you since Joffrey’s wedding. Wasn’t that terrible?!
Sansa: It had its moments.
And I can’t believe that Tyrion really thinks that Cersei will send the Lannister forces north to fight the Night King. (Of all people, Tyrion should know better than to trust his sister.) As Sansa says, “I used to think you were the cleverest man alive.”
I expect most of the Season 8 carnage will take place in the 82 minute 3rd episode.