After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, HBO has finally served its first offering of the final season of the most-watched TV show in history, Game of Thrones.
***WARNING, SPOILERS FOR GAME OF THRONES SEASON 8 EPISODE 1 BELOW so if you haven’t watched it, check out 4 saddest Valar Morghulis moments [+ 4 disappointing ones] or take our Game of Thrones quiz***
The episode opened up in kind of the same way the series opened way back in 2011 with an army, a king, a queen and an entourage entering Winterfell. We got to see Danaerys, Jon Snow, Gendry, The Unsullied, Dothraki, and other armies entering the North, the same way Robert Baratheon, Cersei, Jamie, Tyrion, and the Lannister army went to Winterfell to make Ned Stark the hand of the King (which didn’t last long) in season 1.
Through the many reunions, meetings, and more, there are 4 things I noticed in the episode that may play a huge role in how the whole season will turn out.
Theon Greyjoy’s journey to redemption
It’s no news that Theon is one of the characters who has had the worst luck in the series (which many will say was his fault, to begin with), but even though saving Sansa from Ramsey was an important first step in the right direction, he ended up ruining it by running away when his sister needed him the most. However, he not only came back to save her, but is on his way to Winterfell to fight for the Starks once more against the army of the dead. Let’s hope he makes it in time.
Sansa Stark’s Growth
When Sansa started out in 2011, she was the most naive person in the whole series. But her reunion and the brief exchange with Tyrion Lannister is enough proof to show just how much the Lady of Winterfell has grown. Sansa is the only one who knows that Cersei Lannister won’t be helping them fight the White Walkers, She knows Jon is in love with Khaleesi, and her surprise that Tyrion Lannister believes his sister will send help is worthy of note. Say what you will about Petyr Baelish, but he trained her well.
Danaery’s past actions coming back to haunt her
Danaerys has proven herself to be a merciful and just Queen most of the time, but her decision to kill Samwell Tarly’s father and elder brother is an action that may come back to haunt her. Asides the fact that The North, Sansa, Arya and others don’t trust her, Khaleesi’s actions when it comes to “destroying her enemies” as opposed to Jon, who knows how to find common ground as he did with the Wildlings, will be something that may make her lose the things and allies that matter to her.
A civil war in the North?
It’s no surprise why The North doesn’t trust outsiders because many Houses that have pledged their banners to House Stark – The Greyjoys & Boltons, especially-, have all betrayed them when they had the chance to. The Northerners are more scared than ever because they are surrounded by Houses Targaryen and Lannister, two houses that they have serious bitter experiences with.
An important question is, what happens when the North finds out that Jon Snow is Targaryen? They may end up thinking he bent the knee to her because he isn’t a true Northerner (which will make his pledge to Khaleesi void) and may have to choose between Danaerys and The North or may end up fighting Khaleesi for the Iron Throne (depending on how she takes the news).
What do you think about the first episode? Do let me know in the comment section below.