This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 2.
HBO
This was a character-driven episode full of wonderful, rewarding moments. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting details, callbacks and moments of foreshadowing…
1.
Those shiny new credits have already had an update: as expected, the dark blue tiles symbolising the army of the dead are making their way towards Winterfell.
The Winterfell model is also surrounded by trenches and new dragonglass defenses.
2.
You see these defences in real life, so to speak, in several shots during the episode.
3.
The scene of Jaime’s “trial” had a lot of references to the past, but two in particular stuck out: Bran quoting Jaime back at him as a way to let him know HE SEES HIM. He remembers everything.
4.
There was also the moment Jaime directly acknowledged Brienne’s part in getting him to ride North.
5.
The moment when Arya watches Gendry smithing calls back to when she did so in Season 2, reminding the audience he’s long been an object of desire for Arya.
6.
And, of course, her mention of the “many faces” of Death is a reference to her time with the Faceless Men, who worship the Many-Faced God.
7.
When Bran and Jaime chat in the godswood, Bran seems to foreshadow that Jaime won’t survive the Battle of Winterfell.
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Does he actually know something, or is he just being a little shit?
8.
Tyrion’s conversation with Jaime isn’t the first time he’s talked about his ideal death – we first heard him mention it back in Season 1. Jaime wasn’t present at the time, so he obviously told the story more than once.
9.
During her conversation with Daenerys, Sansa mentions that she worries about Jon’s love for Dany, as “men do stupid things” when they’re in love. It’s a reminder that, from Sansa’s point of view, Jon is repeating the exact same mistakes as Robb.
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It’s no wonder she’s worried.
10.
Davos meeting the brave little girl with a scarred face was a reminder of his relationship with Shireen. The music associated with Shireen is even playing over the scene.
HBO / Via ahintofthesea.tumblr.com
Yes, it made me cry. And if I have to watch this little girl die in the next episode I will throw things.
11.
The war council scene is the first hint we really get of the Night King’s actual motive. Which is…nothing but destruction? RIP all those fan theories.
12.
And this is a small moment but worth noting – this is the first time we’ve seen the Stark siblings in the same scene, in the same frame, all together since they were reunited.
13.
Plus, can we just take note of how badass Sansa’s armour is?
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Seems she really took on board some of Cersei’s lessons.
14.
Here’s a shot of their battle plan if you’re wondering about it:
15.
You probably noticed this, but it was a blink-and-you’ll miss it moment: GHOST IS BACK!
HBO / Via mimiofthemalfoys.tumblr.com
He just kind of hangs in the background, like he’s a part of the furniture and always has been. Which begs the question: why didn’t they just…do this the whole time? Instead of making him basically irrelevant at this point, when he really shouldn’t be?
Also, if he’s re-introduced in this one scene just to have him killed off next episode I will, once again, throw things.
16.
The scene with Jon, Sam and Edd has them reminiscing about their time in the Night’s Watch, and especially about their lost brothers like Grenn and Pyp. It’s fitting that they’re standing looking off the top of a wall while doing it.
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They are still the shield that guards the realms of men.
17.
If you’re trying to remember why Beric Dondarrion was on Arya’s list – it was because he sold Gendry to Melisandre.
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A reminder of how important Gendry has always been to Arya.
18.
Speaking of which, when Gendry mentions Arya wanting him to come to Winterfell, he’s talking about their farewell scene in which she asked him to be her “family” at Winterfell.
19.
When Jaime knights Brienne, he calls her “a knight of the Seven Kingdoms”, which is also the title of the episode – as well as the name for the combined Tales of Dunk and Egg, George R. R. Martin’s spin-off series about Brienne’s reported ancestor, Duncan the Tall (it’s also about the last Aegon Targaryen – the “Egg” in Dunk and Egg).
20.
Podrick sings “Jenny’s Song”, which is about Jenny of Oldstones.
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Jenny has been mentioned once before in the show, in passing by the maesters at the Citadel, who were dismissing her claims that she was descended from the Children of the Forest.
More significant for the current story is the fact that Jenny was married to Duncan Targaryen (Aegon V/Egg’s son, named after his friend Duncan the Tall). Duncan Targaryen forfeited his claim to the Iron Throne in order to marry Jenny. Jenny was also friends with the woods witch who prophesied that the Prince That Was Promised would be born to Aerys and Rhaella’s bloodline. So the song is very much tied up with Jon and Dany’s story.
21.
Daenerys talks about the nice stories “everyone” told her about Rhaegar – most of her information about what a good guy he was in fact came directly from Ser Barristan Selmy.
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And now Jon too, weirdly enough.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off trying to cope with the anxiety of the impending death and destruction in next week’s episode.