Game of Thrones season 8, episode 2 reactions and surprises

Photo Credit: HBO

Things you missed

1. Another new opening!
Last week, we got completely new opening credits. This week, the snow crept further south, and aerial shots of Winterfell show brand new trenches. During the show, we see these trenches live.

2. One more thing about Arya and Gendry…
Remember in the first episode of the series, when Robert tells Ned in the crypts that he has a son, Ned has a daughter, they will join houses. At the time, we they were referring to Joffrey and Sansa. But really, it was two of their other offspring.

3. All about loyalty
When Jaime is pleading for his life, he tells them that his being there goes beyond loyalty; it’s about survival. It seems as though something Brienne said to him in season 7, episode 7 really stuck. “F*@$ loyalty!” yelled Brienne. It was enough for him to abandon Cersei and do what’s right…fight for the living.

4. Blades of glory
Remember back at the beginning of season 4, when Tywin Lannister melts down Ned Stark’s valerian steel sword, “Ice,” into two swords? One is given to Joffrey, which he names “Widows Wale.” The other is given to Jaime. Then Joffrey dies. Jaime gives his sword to Brienne, and she names it “Oathkeeper.” Then, Jaime takes Joffrey’s. Now that Jaime will be fighting alongside Brienne, both swords made from “Ice” are back in the north where they belong.

5. The meaning behind that song
We heard Podrick sing it during the episode, and then Florence + The Machine’s haunting rendition during the credits, but the song sung was called “Jenny of Oldstones.”

High in the halls of the kings who are gone
Jenny would dance with her ghosts
The ones she had lost and the ones she had found
And the ones who had loved her the most
The ones who’d been gone for so very long
She couldn’t remember their names
They spun her around on the damp old stones
Spun away all her sorrow and pain
And she never wanted to leave

(Thanks Game of Thrones Wiki for the lyrics!)

The song is about Jenny of Oldstones, who was married to Duncan Targaryen, the great uncle of Daenerys. He abdicated the throne to marry Jenny, so then Daenerys’ grandfather (Jaehaerys II) took the throne. (Are you still with me?) Prince Duncan ended up dying in the fire at Summerhall, in addition to King Aegon (Daenerys’ great grandfather), and the King’s best friend Duncan the Tall – who is said to be an ancestor of Brienne of Tarth.

Here’s a great chart of the Targaryen family history that has been very helpful!

The reason the show used this song, could point to what is to come between Jon and Daenerys. Since Jon is the rightful heir to the throne, could he give up his claim for love, just like his great-great-uncle Duncan did?

What did you think of episode 1? What do you think will happen next week?

Game of Thrones’ third episode of the season, the Battle of Winterfell, airs this Sunday on HBO at 9 p.m.

Sources: Game of Thrones Wiki, i09, Vox