Photo Credit: HBO
The people of Game of Thrones are gearing up for an epic battle next week. How is everyone dealing? SPOILERS AHEAD!
One-third of the final season of Game of Thrones is now over. And just like the first episode, no notable deaths occurred.
This episode was the calm before the storm – the storm being this little thing called the Battle of Winterfell, in which most of the show’s cast will be fighting the Army of the Dead, and we are sure to lose one or two.
Episode 2 was a bit slow, but it made for an excellent precursor to the next episode because each character lived their last day as if there won’t be a next. I wish there was a little more action, but I think it will make next week’s episode even more exciting.
Surprises
1. “The things we do for love.”
The episode opens with Jaime standing before Daenerys, Jon, and Sansa, in the Great Room at Winterfell. He’s essentially pleading for his life because Dany wants him dead since he killed her father. But after Tyrion and Brienne speak on his behalf, she spares his life. But what’s most surprising here is that Bran doesn’t seem to care that Jaime pushed him out the window because then Bran wouldn’t have become the Three-Eyed Raven. So, it’s all good!
Photo Credit: HBO
2. Just call her “Ser Brienne.”
One of the most touching moments in the show and something that was long overdue was when Jaime knighted Brienne of Tarth. I never knew that knights could knight each other.
3. New couple alert?
I was getting some strange Sansa/Theon vibes when Gendry was singing his song. Have they ever had a thing going? I know he saved her and all, but I’m not sure how that fits in, or if there’s any time to add another love connection.
Photo Credit: HBO
More from Game of Thrones
- HBO greenlights Game of Thrones prequel The Hedge Knight
- New Game of Thrones prequel? Is HBO working on Aegon’s Conquest?
- House of the Dragon Season 2 release date, cast, updates and more
- 10 instrumental TV theme songs we can never skip, from Succession to Game of Thrones
- A classic Thanksgiving dinner as Game of Thrones characters
4. Podrick Payne can sing!
He doesn’t say much, and his fighting needs work, but he sings beautifully!
5. THAT scene.
So, yeah, last night’s most talked about scene was Arya losing her virginity Gendry. Since Arya arrived at Winterfell, specks of her humanity have shown through. It seems as though years on the road, in constant survival mode, and training to become “no one” had made Arya a shell of herself. But last week we saw her relax a bit while she embraced Jon. And on the eve of what could be her last night on earth, she decides to make the moves on a guy she’s had a crush on since season 2. And if you’re worried whether or not she’s old enough, Arya is supposed to be 20 years old right now, and the actress who plays Arya, Maisie Williams, is 22 years old. So, don’t worry, it’s all good!
Photo Credit: Game of Thrones
Photo Credit: HBO
Not that surprising
1. THAT scene, again
Yes, Arya and Gendry earn a spot in the “not that surprising” category because who hasn’t been ‘shipping them since they met back in season 2. Yes, he’s a bit older than her, but now that Arya is a woman, it’s totally cool that they acted on their feelings.
2. Jaime lives
There is no way that Jaime was going to ride all the way up north only to be executed within the first five minutes. Well, I’m glad that didn’t happen, anyway.
3. It’s not you; it’s me
Jon tells Daenerys that he is Aegon Targaryen, son of her brother and Lyanna Stark. I’m a little surprised that he told her so soon after he found out. But I’m not surprised that Dany just glazed over the fact that she’s in love with her nephew. She is more concerned about her claim to the throne.
Photo Credit: HBO
4. The Night King’s endgame
We finally know what the Night King wants: a permanent night. Is anyone that surprised? I never believed any of the theories that he’s actually the good guy or that he’s actually Bran Stark. There’s not enough time to explain anything other than he’s the bad guy and they have to defeat him.
5. Cersei is a no-show
It’s not that surprising that Cersei wasn’t anywhere to be found this episode because all the action is happening in the north. Don’t count on her showing up next week either.
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