I’m already beginning to see unhappy fans voicing their opinion, but I have to say I was overall pleased with the episode, It was a welcome beginning to a new season. Odd side-note, even though the episode has aired, it still has not been named… Weird.
This is the first time many characters are either meeting, or reuniting for the first time in several seasons.
We barely saw a single member of the dead, aside from THAT moment (which I’ll discuss later), this was an episode to rejoice in the living.
The Reunions were satisfying, Jon rushing to Bran to kiss his forehead almost filled my eyes with tears.
Then again with Arya and Jon, but this reunion wasn’t quite what it could have been, the presence of Daenerys seems to loom over Jon’s reunion with Arya and Sansa. We have to remember that most of Winterfell including the Stark girls, hasn’t seen the dead and aren’t as scared as they should be. To them, Daenerys is the threat at the moment.
I thought Arya and the Hounds reunion would be sweeter, seeing as she basically has forgiven him, but maybe it was sweet in their own way.
Gendry and Arya have a much more romantic vibe than I remember them ever having, hard to see Arya being romantic, but maybe that’s something…?
Also: It is scary to think that they are just beginning to make the dargonstone weapons now, with the dead so close.
Tyrion and Sansa met again, showing that Sansa is basically cold to everyone now. I guess having dealt with the horrors of Ramsay Bolton, anyone would be that way.
The most heartbreaking meet up came from two characters who had never met, Samwell Tarly and Daenerys. I was surprised by the acting abilities of John Bradley, who plays Sam, not that I doubted his acting before, but the emotion really hit home. Being told by Daenerys what she’d done to her brother and father, may have made his conversation with Jon about his true parentage a bit easier.
At first it was odd to see how shocked Jon was at the news, but then I had to remind myself, we’ve known this for years, he’s just finding out, and this is huge information, not just for him, but everyone.
Season 8, Episode 1 didn’t have a lot to offer in the way of sword fighting and death, but I’m happy we’re going ease our way into that. You should have known these reunions were coming, as many were long awaited. Maybe it felt a bit Soapy, but I fully expected it for this episode.
As for Kings Landing, nothing we didn’t expect, accept for the fact that Cersei actually let Euron Greyjoy into her bed, and admitting to liking him (or his arrogance).
We’re introduced to a new character, Captain Strickland, leader of the Golden Company; whether he’ll play a big role or not is yet to be seen.
Theon saved his sister, and apparently brought a ton of great archers with him, and she responded exactly how I thought she would. I was actually incredibly pleased to hear her not question his want to go help fight alongside the Starks, if anyone has redeemed themselves, its Theon.
As for people redeeming themselves, the episode ended with Jamie Lannister entering Witnerfell. Apparently not a single guard, Dothraki, or Unsullied stopped him on his way in…
I like Jamie as a character, but I am not a Jamie Lannister fan, he has done some good things, such as free his brother and treat Brienne nicely. Jamie has stood by and watched too many atrocities, and committed many atrocities, for me to say he’s redeemed himself.
Now, he strolls into Winterfell, what kind of reaction does he expect to receive? Especially from Daenerys, who’s dad he killed. I highly doubt he will die in the next episode, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t kill him and be done with it, it will be interesting to see how Tyrion handles the situation.
I’m glad to see Tormund, Beric and Edd are alive, having survived the collapse of the wall. That moment with the Umber child was actually the more horrifying moment I’ve seen on this show.
“He Has Blue Eyes”
“I’ve Always had Blue eyes”
“The last time we spoke was at Joffrey’s wedding. A miserable affair.”
“It had its moments.”
“You still have it.”
“Needle.”
“Have you ever used it?”
“Once or twice.”
This episode was quite humorous, which the creators told us it would be, and it was also sweet. It laid things out nicely for the season to come. Yes we wasted time watching Jon ride a dragon, and Kiss Daenerys, but now we know that there may be love between them… and that Jon can ride Rhaegar (Named for Jons real father).
As Game of Thrones fans we aren’t used to this, any of this. Having all our favourite characters (That are still living) in one city, let alone one courtyard, is completely foreign to us. The opening has changed, and it shows us that there are really only three places we visited this episode, The Wall, Winterfell and Kings Landing, and most of the characters were in Winterfell. I doubt we’ll be shown around Westeros like we have been before.
Anyways, it wasn’t a great episode, but it welcomed us back into the fold and reminded us where everyone stands. As fans our expectations are high, I doubt the show will ever be able to meet them, but I’m sure they’ll try their hardest.
More Game of Thrones content to come!
Reminder, the lengths of each episode are as follows:
- Episode one – 54 mins
- Episode two – 58 mins
- Episode three – 60 minutes
- Episode four – 78 minutes
- Episode five – 80 minutes
- Episode six – 80 minutes
Thanks for Reading!
Find Mitch on Twitter @mitchydaily
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The Hollywood Persona 
Great review; I personally loved it. But – I doubt they could’ve done anything to make me feel disappointed.
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Thanks for the feedback! I doubt there are many ways they could disappoint me as well lol
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