Season 8 of Games of Thrones is, if I do say so myself, one of the most highly anticipated seasons. It is the final season of the show, ever. Many were disappointed with the entrance to the normal twisted, and action filled episodes that normally air, but the balance was just right. What is a Game of Thrones of show without the background of the episode? Considering this highly anticipated return of the show, the writers were nothing short of clever in saving the most important moments to be spread out in the season premiere.
The episode picked up at John Snow and Daenerys Targaryen coming together with their allegiance to plan for the attack by the White Walkers. Season 7 ended with preparation for the war, and the destruction of the wall by the newly created “white walker dragon.” However, one of the most important pieces of this episode to me was Bran Stark, the almost three-eyed-raven.
Bran Stark has branded himself (no pun intended) as a mythical creature and has become the center of social media. But, his presence as the newly “crowned” three-eyed-raven has heightened his characters ability to be an extreme benefit to the new Snow (Stark) and Targaryen army. This is until he shatters the truth of who Jon Snow actually is through his former bestie Samwell Tarly. Jon is delivered this information so “perfectly” as he visits the crypts to pay homage to his “not-so-dad” Ned Stark.
Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark and therefore is not Ned Starks bastard child. This information not only hits Jon but hits the viewers almost as strongly as Jon throwing Daenerys Targaryen on the bed at the end of Season 7. This information that has come to light finally unfolds as Jon also begins to understand that he is the true heir to the throne, and not his newly found love interest Daenerys and that she is not the only Targaryen left. Even worse, Jon begins to realize that he recently slept with his auntie (Hey Auntie!).
My assumption is that through the next view episodes we will witness the destruction of Jon as he realizes that he is Aegon Targaryen and the internal battle he will have on divulging the information to Danny in such a high stress time. I feel that the plot has somewhat been eluded to when same says to Jon “You gave up the crown to protect your people. Would she do the same?”. Danny has made her “claim to fame” that she would take back the Iron Throne and 7 Kingdoms and that she is the only Targaryen left. However, things have changed. Daenerys Targaryen is known to not adapt to change well, especially since it took much time for her to believe that what Jon Snow was fighting for was real.
However, the white walkers are REAL, which they showed by slaughtering the Umber boy at the end of the episode. This turn of events is what some wanted the whole episode, but I think this was the perfect amount of tension and foreshadowing for the episodes to come.
How will knowing this information affect Cersei, the PETTY queen? In my opinion, not much considering she is well known in the area for her constant incest with her brother. Cersei also is almost never in “cahoots” with everyone else as she is still extremely passionate about being the ultimate ruler. In the time of dismantling of Jon and Danny’s new alliance, Cersei is actually planning to attack anyone who is left and is actually not on their “side”. Can it even get spicier than that?
Yes! This season we cannot depend on hacking for early insight on the season because the online scripts self-destruct. So, if you haven’t already gotten your Game of Thrones watch party group together, now is the time! Most importantly, don’t forget to tune in on Sundays at 9pm on HBO.