Did “Dragonstone” live up to the Game of Thrones hype?

Last night was the first episode of the new season of Game of Thrones, and after an extended absence, did Dragonstone live up to the hype for fans?

Season 7, episode 1 of Game of Thrones was titled “Dragonstone” for a reason. Dragonstone is Dany’s home, and it’s where her ship docks in Westeros. Also, Dragonstone is an actual thing, not just a location. It’s also known as obsidian, or dragon glass, and it’s the only thing in Westeros that can kill a White Walker. And wouldn’t you know it, Sam found out in a book (nerd) that there is a metric ton of the stuff at…Dragonstone.

Shocking, I know.

This was a solid opening episode, propped up by fantastic individual scenes. The cold open with Arya taking out the remainder of the Freys was a great way to kick off the season. Winter has come, people will die, and the North Remembers. That’s how to get folks amped up for an episode that ultimately leaves people in the same place as they were when it started.

Which is kind of an issue when you remember that the show has a limited number of episodes and time remaining, but one thing I’ve learned from watching GoT is that you have to trust the process. So I’m going to cut them a little slack when it comes to character’s moving around (or not) considering they have a strong track record of pay offs.

Seeing Dany in Westeros was nice, although I was really hoping they would answer the question of “Where the hell did they keep the dragons in the ocean?” but beggars can’t be choosers. I’ve spent….oh….probably 3 seasons screaming at Dany to build a raft and get in the water so she’ll shut up about getting boats. So I’ll take this as a victory for sure.

Cersei and Jaime standing on the map of Westeros seemed to be some overhanded foreshadowing. There are miles between the sibling lovers now, amplified by the deaths of their children and, oh yeah, they’re standing on a scale map of the world, which has them miles apart on it. SUBTLE.

My favorite scene of the episode was when

British pop sensation Ed Sheeran flirted with Maisie Williams for 3 minutes over smoked rabbit

Sansa and Jon got into a debate where Jon was clearly in the right and Sansa once again was dragged kicking and screaming into learning any damn little thing.

Ed Sheeran as Ed – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

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Jon has spent his whole life being “punished for the sins of his father”, so he’s not going to punish the families of the dead men who fought with the Bolton’s against the Starks. Also, Sansa, you kinda sorta maybe might need them when you have to fight the zombie army from the North or whatever.

Finally, the Hound ended up back the house where he killed some people with Arya, but this time he’s cleaned up and found Jesus and seeing visions in the fire with old Baldy McTopKnot. (I can’t remember any of these guy’s names. Sorry)

What it all boils down to is this…everyone is in Westeros, and everyone is south of the Wall. The episode wasn’t perfect by any means, but it did lay the groundwork for the season. But again, they don’t have time to waste anymore. There are 12 hours of Game of Thrones left in the series. Not sure if a long walk up the stairs was the best way to spend it with Dany, but she’s never been quick at anything.

Next: 5 WTF Moments from Game of Thrones 7×01 “Dragonstone”

Game of Thrones season 7 airs Sunday nights on HBO.