After 595 days of waiting, episode one of the most anticipated final season in recent memory finally aired. It wasn’t the most action-packed Game of Thrones episode, but a solid foundation was built for the rest of the season.
It built enough intrigue to keep us guessing without giving too much away. Let’s dig in to the five most important moments from the final season premiere of Game of Thrones.
*OBVIOUS SPOILER WARNING* Do not continue any further if you want to avoid spoilers. Key plot points will be discussed in the rest of this article. You have been warned!
Jon Finds Out About His Lineage
After 68 episodes Jon finally learned the truth about his mother and father. He is the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. His true name is Aegon Targaryen the sixth of his name, rightful heir to the Iron Throne (insert additional titles here).
His ever-reliable former brother of the Night’s Watch, Samwell Tarly, broke the news to him. At the same time, Sam questioned Danerys’ claim to the throne and if she would be willing to make the same sacrifices as Jon to protect her people.
The way Jon found out about his Targaryen roots was much preferable to the way we found out. As nice as it was to finally get confirmation that Jon Snow is Aegon Targaryen VI, we could have done without the juxtaposed incestual sex scene last season.
Jon seemed rightfully floored by the revelation. Despite it all, what seemed to surprise him most was that Ned kept the truth from him.
Jon didn’t seem to believe it at first because he knew the late Warden of the North was an honorable man. However, the news seemed to finally sink in once Sam told him that Lyanna tasked Ned with keeping Jon safe.
Anyone who could have questioned the legitimacy of Robert Baratheon’s reign was a target, and would have been killed.
This whole scene brings an air of uncertainty between Jon and Danerys. The news that he’s the rightful heir may not matter much to Jon, but Danerys’ execution of Randyll and Dickon Tarly seemed to rub him the wrong way.
Burning them alive with dragon fire doesn’t instill confidence in the Dragon Queen as a stable leader. If anything, it makes her seem more like the Mad King, especially when she was just asking them to bend the knee.
Jon and Arya Reuniting
This was one of the more heartwarming yet brief reunions of the season premier. After their embrace Jon was also reunited with Arya’s sword, Needle.
She admitted to having used it only once or twice. Jon isn’t very smart, so it’s entirely possible that he believed her, but he seemed to have a knowing look on his face like he was aware of Arya’s little fib.
This was also not the first or last time that family ties will likely play a role in season eight. Jon jokes a bit about Arya defending Sansa by calling her older sister the smartest person she’s ever met.
It’s clear in this moment that Arya is much more mature than she was the last time Jon spoke with her. She’s all about protecting her family. Now, she’s much better equipped to protect the ones she loves than at the beginning of the series.
At the end of the scene when Jon reassures Arya of his familial loyalty to Sansa, the little sister drops a crucial line, “Don’t forget that.”
It doesn’t sound as much like a reassurance as it does a threat. Her face, in that moment at least, also doesn’t read like someone who is happy to see her brother again after many years. We’ll see how this will factor in now that Jon knows he’s half Targaryen
Ned Umber Scaring the Crap Out of Everyone
In an episode that was mostly exposition, this part stood out as being equal parts tense and disturbing.
Tormund and Eddison are reunited in Last Hearth after the wall fell. The former Umber home seemingly was devastated by the Army of the Dead. There were no signs of survivors and no dead bodies were left behind by the White Walkers.
Well, all but one Umber was left at Last Hearth. A spiral galaxy of arms and legs were pinned to the wall emanating from the center point of Ned Umber’s lifeless body.
The little Lord never stood a chance against the might of the dead. Of course, the Night King just couldn’t let little Ned rest as he turned him into a Wight. Undead Ned Umber’s screams are something that will be imprinted in the minds of Game of Thrones fans for some time.
The high-pitched wails he let out after Beric stabbed him with his burning sword. The flames continued to burn the surrounding flesh spirals as Ned wailed an inhuman scream.
While acting as a major shock, it also shows that the Night King is just as sinister — if not more than — as the living.
He left behind his sigil while sending a message of his power. Despite his silent nature, the Night King may be more human than the show has made him out to be.
Theon Saves Yara and Cersei Wants Her Damn Elephants
It’s finally safe to say that Reek is dead. While still retaining some timidness, Theon has regained his courage and saved his sister. Of course, Yara had to greet her little brother with a swift headbutt to the face, but that’s just your typical Greyjoy greeting.
Theon’s bravery was great and all, but Euron’s cockiness or idiocy played a major role in the freeing of Yara.
The eldest Greyjoy was a little preoccupied with Cersei. Euron delivered on his promise of bringing her the Golden Company from Essos. However, much to the chagrin of the Queen, he was missing the elephants she was promised.
As Euron and Cersi kept each other busy in the Queen’s private chambers, the other Greyjoys sailed back to the Iron Islands. Yara hatched a plan to set up shop there to serve as a fallback for Danerys in case they can’t hold and defeat the White Walkers at Winterfell.
However, they’re still completely unaware of the undead dragon, Viserion, that the Army of the Dead possesses. So, even though Wights can’t swim, a White Walker-controlled dragon could lay waste to their entire island.
Jaime and Bran Staredown
Jaime Lannister finally made his inglorious return to Winterfell. Oddly enough, Bran is the only one that seems to recognize him. The Kingslayer’s hair is a bit darker and he has a scruffy beard, but his face is unmistakable.
This is also the last time in the episode where an important event is interrupted by Bran just sitting somewhere in the background. The Three Eyed Raven’s creepy eavesdropping almost felt comedic throughout the episode and this scene was no different.
His silent, blank stare at the man that put him in a wheelchair was unintentionally hilarious.
Even though it had a comedic feel, this moment was massively emotional for Jaime. A mix of sadness, regret, and horror washed over the Lannister’s face when he realized it was Bran in that wheelchair. The youngest Stark was just a child when they last met in the first episode.
It’s extremely unlikely Jaime will try to go after Bran, but his arrival in Winterfell is sure to cause even more turmoil in the northern city.
If Bran can somehow use his powers to confirm the fan theories that Jaime is Azor Ahai then that will make this Lannister the key to defeating the Night King. That also means Jaime’s life will need to be spared despite his past crimes. But, all we can do now is wait and see.
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Published: Apr 16, 2019 02:35 pm