Ryan Shoots First: Game of Thrones (S8 Ep1) “Winterfell”

The final season of Game of Thrones is off and running and we will be here to recap and analyze every episode of the final season. SPOILERS ahead so if you have not watched Episode 1 come back later.

This season has been such a guarded secret, HBO would not even release the episode titles. The season kicks off with Jon and Dany leading their combined armies and dragons into Winterfell. The reception they receive from the northerners is I would say “icy” at best. Even more so is when Sansa meets the Mother of Dragons and throws some immediate shade her way. Its clear the dynamic between Dany and Sansa is something this season will play with, or maybe just the next episode, with so much ground to cover and the episodes getting extended run times they could be best buds or all dead by the end of next week. With Jon returning to Winterfell one of the big moments would be him finally seeing familiar faces he has not seen since early in season 1. Bran who is still a very different person and Jon seemed to sense something was off with him, and Arya who of his family he was closest to. Their reunion warms my heart and when Jon immediately recognizes she still has Needle who he gave to her way back in season 1 it was a great moment for fans who know just all this family has been through. I would love to just watch them tell each other just everything they have done, the wildlings, the faceless men, so many stories! Jon quickly realizes Arya is somewhat on Sansa’s side though which shocks Jon. Bran is quick to get everyone back on track however once he lets everyone know that the wall has fallen and the army of the dead is coming.

The sweetest moment of the episode has to be Jon and Dany’s “A whole new world” dragon ride through the north. You would think Jon would think something is up once he is allowed to ride a dragon but as we have been told… Jon Snow knows nothing. Still Jon making out with Daenerys while also keeping a eye on the watching dragons was a funny moment. This episode was filled with sweet heartwarming moments which can only mean one thing, we will be getting our hearts ripped out very very soon.

The final big moment was Sam finally telling Jon about his true parentage and of course this comes as a shock to Jon but his immediate reaction to finding out he is the rightful king of the seven kingdoms was that any move made against Dany would be treason. My first thought was marry and ride your dragons off into the sunset but to each his own I suppose. This did not come before Sam met Jorah and Dany and had a nice moment of reward for Sam curing Jorah at the citadel all before the revelation that Dany executed not only his father but his brother too. So Dany is not exactly making friends in Winterfell. None of that will matter though next week because the remnants of the night watch, Beric and Tormund unfortunately are on the heels of the army of the dead and will be warning Jon and company very soon. It looks like next week will be the Battle of Winterfell against the night King.

Other Observations:

• I feel like scum hoping Bran forgives Jaimie, what does that make me?
• The Greyjoy drama between Theon and Yara got as much screen time as it frankly needed and we will see if they are written off hiding in the iron islands other than Theon.
• Tyrion had some good zingers but didn’t have much to do in this episode and largely looked not his genius self.
• Arya and the Hound reunion was great and fit their dynamic, I can’t wait to see them fight beside each other next week.
• Where was Brienne?
• Cersei doing Cersei things
• Bronn doing Bronn things, it seems we may be done with the night king stuff early in the season then the war for the throne is on.
• I always find myself going “Cmon Jon how can you be that stupi… ohh, ok I see”
• Lord Umber opening his eyes while pinned to the wall got me to jump.
• I can just imagine the night king directing his bodily designers where to put body parts.

Predictions:

• A stark dies next week (I’m feeling Arya)
• Jamie will be fine… as he always is. (Plus he still needs to kill Cersei)
• I don’t think we will be seeing that married happy ruling couple that was alluded to.
• Bronn will end up turning and joining the good guys, how will he not join Tyrion AND Jamie?
• We will need to wait for Clegane Bowl.

Tune in next week to see who survives as I am sure this weeks feels fest will not last long.