S08.E01: Winterfell

[Meredith Quill]

Episode Synopsis:

Daenerys arrives at Winterfell, and Jon Snow gets some big news.

Reminder: This is for discussion of the TV show only, no book talk allowed - including saying "but it's different in the books". Any spoiler from outside the books (i.e. previews) should be in spoiler tags.

[Drogo]

The things we do for love. 

[AimingforYoko]

Good Lord, they had the awkward turned up to eleven in this one. Of course they saved the best (worst) for last: Bran waiting on his "old friend".
Nice quotes: "Back, he's got blue eyes!" "I've always had blue eyes!"

"So what do dragons eat, anyways?" "Anything they want."

"When you left you were King in the North. I don't know what you are now."

[Drogo]

That Umber kid coming alive and screaming? Creepy. 

But nothing will ever be creepier than Bran Stark popping up everywhere to stare at people like a fucking dentist with the ether. 

[shireenbamfatheon]

Dany:

"I'm not a tyrant. I'm here to save you people from evil rulers."

Also Dany:

"Haha, look at these people I want to rule over run away in terror at the sight of my dragons."

Like holy shit what was that scene? 

[ICantDoThatDave]

I wish they'd stop having every character telling us how smart Sansa is and show her doing something smart or thinking up a brilliant plan or something.

[Drogo]

1 minute ago, AimingforYoko said:

Nice quotes

"You've ruined horses for me forever." 

[mojoween]

So much deliciousness to unpack and all I really care about is Tormund is alive!

And also, he’s always had blue eyes.

[revbfc]

“Hey, Bran!  You look well.  No, no, don’t get up.”

[dbell1]

Poor Sam. Finding out his dad and brother are dead and then being sent to tell Jon who his daddy really was.

No way Dany's giving up the throne, crown, title, whatever. That woman is all about titles and bending the knee.

Why was it so easy to spring Yara when Euron originally managed to burn all but three ships and kill most of their men last time they met?

Arya and Jon reuniting was everything. And seeing her with Gendry was awesome too. Keep think of Robert telling Eddard that his boy should wed Ned's daughter. 

Dragons hate cold. No crap.

[AimingforYoko]

1 minute ago, dbell1 said:

Why was it so easy to spring Yara when Euron originally managed to burn all but three ships and kill most of their men last time they met?

He was "occupied". Speaking of, I was wondering what Cersei was up to, other than "a girl's gotta eat." Then when Euron rubbed her belly, I got it.

[FemmyV]

I loved this episode for all the character moments, and for showing its handful of flashes of joy in the middle of all the worry. Jon and Dany out dragon riding was beautiful. Arya and all her reunions, that was a mix although, I guess we shouldn't be too surprised to find her feelings re: the Hound are still unresolved.

[Drogo]

The moment where Dany tells Jon that they can stay at the waterfall for 1000 years and no one will ever find them..  is just a little too sadly reminiscent of the Ygritte+John moment when she said she never wants them to leave the cave.  

[The Companion]

4 minutes ago, AimingforYoko said:

Good Lord, they had the awkward turned up to eleven in this one. Of course they saved the best (worst) for last: Bran waiting on his "old friend".
Nice quotes: "Back, he's got blue eyes!" "I've always had blue eyes!"

"So what do dragons eat, anyways?" "Anything they want."

"When you left you were King in the North. I don't know what you are now."

1 minute ago, dbell1 said:

Poor Sam. Finding out his dad and brother are dead and then being sent to tell Jon who his daddy really was.

. . .

Arya and Jon reuniting was everything. And seeing her with Gendry was awesome too. Keep think of Robert telling Eddard that his boy should wed Ned's daughter. 

Dragons hate cold. No crap.

The awkward was amazing and poor Sam was in the middle of so much of it. 

Arya and Jon got me a little teary. I loved the scene where Arya reacted to seeing everyone. 

[Drogo]

Just now, AimingforYoko said:

He was "occupied". Speaking of, I was wondering what Cersei was up to, other than "a girl's gotta eat." Then when Euron rubbed her belly, I got it.

She's going to need a father for that baby that isn't fighting for the other side. 

[BitterApple]

Is it me or does it seem like Dany's character is taking on a bit of a nasty edge? Her smirky face watching the dragons fly into Winterfell, the comment about Sansa must respect her as Queen and Bran's lack of enthusiasm makes me think we're being set up to watch an epic downfall. Or maybe Jon will have to assert himself as the true King and eventually battle it out with her.

[FemmyV]

1 minute ago, AimingforYoko said:

He was "occupied". Speaking of, I was wondering what Cersei was up to, other than "a girl's gotta eat." Then when Euron rubbed her belly, I got it.

Speaking of Cersei's belly, what's up with the wine?

[ParadoxLost]

The dragon staring down Jon while he makes out with Dany will never not be funny.  Stop kissing my Mom.

Interesting that Bran decided the moment Jon should be told of his parentage was when Sam was upset and most likely to push Jon in a direction about his birthright.  Some maneuvering going on.

[Growsonwalls]

Cross posted from the other thread:

I'm glad Sam dropped the bomb on Jon early in the season. I didn't want that dragged out. The dragons being all "ew" to seeing Jon/Dany sexytime was funny.

Lots of great reunions: Arya and Jon, Arya and Gendry, Arya and the Hound, Theon and Yara, Jaime and Bran!!! I like that the show hasn't forgotten the human element.

I'm with Sansa about Dany. You can't just ride in on your dragons and proclaim yourself queen and expect everyone to bend the knee. This is the thing that's Dany's downfall -- she's always felt entitled to rule, and always hits up against the reality that saying you're the queen and being the mother of dragons doesn't mean your whole kingdom will respect you.

As for Sam, the way he dropped the bomb on Jon was cold, but it was revenge for the way Dany informed Sam that she'd killed his family. Like it or not Jon is now tied to his aunt and even if they stop sleeping together their fortunes are intertwined.

Cersei and Euron? Didn't expect that but ... I really wonder how they're going to keep Cersei and Tyrion in the storyline because it seems like they're becoming more and more peripheral.

[JennyMominFL]

5 minutes ago, FemmyV said:

Speaking of Cersei's belly, what's up with the wine?

I dont think the surgeon general’s warning was out then.

Edited April 15, 2019 by JennyMominFL

[Growsonwalls]

2 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

Is it me or does it seem like Dany's character is taking on a bit of a nasty edge? Her smirky face watching the dragons fly into Winterfell, the comment about Sansa must respect her as Queen and Bran's lack of enthusiasm makes me think we're being set up to watch an epic downfall. Or maybe Jon will have to assert himself as the true King and eventually battle it out with her.

I think Dany now that she actually has two armies, has been proclaimed the Queen of the North, and has Jon by her side is letting her true colors show. She's always had a ruthless, nasty edge and an entitled attitude about ruling. But in the past she never really had enough power to show it off. Now she does. It will be interesting whether her downfall will be her attitude that she's the queen and that's all there is to it.

[FemmyV]

1 minute ago, JennyMominFL said:

I dont thonk the surgeon general’s warning was out then.

Of course not, but wasn't that part of what tipped Tyrion off to her pregnancy?

I guess she could have been faking him out.

[Meredith Quill]

TIL:

• Theon's hair grew out
• Sansa is the smartest person Arya ever met...FU Tywin!
• Bran is still weird AF
• Jon loves riding dem dragonS
• Never ask Sam to break life changing news to his bff again
• Don't use the NK for interior design; his wall hangings are creepy!

[Auntie Anxiety]

2 minutes ago, JennyMominFL said:

4 minutes ago, FemmyV said:

I dont thonk the surgeon general’s warning was out then.

Yeah, the warning about drinking alcohol while pregnant was actually pretty recent, about two or three decades ago.

[Raachel2008]

EIGHT FUCKING YEARS WAITING FOR THIS ARYA AND JON SCENE. EIGHT FUCKING YEARS!!!

[JennyMominFL]

1 minute ago, FemmyV said:

Of course not, but wasn't that part of what tipped Tyrion off to her pregnancy?

I guess she could have been faking him out.

I  just rewatched that today.  I thought it was her subconscious hand to belly move that tipped him off.

[STRIDER1]

My favorite line so far . . .

Sansa: What do dragons eat anyways?

Dae: Whatever they want!

Then a hardcore death stare lol

Hahaha 😂😂😂

Edited April 15, 2019 by STRIDER1

[CletusMusashi]

3 minutes ago, JennyMominFL said:

I dont thonk the surgeon general’s warning was out then.

I think technically the surgeon general is probably Qyburn.

And he knows better than to get between Cersei and her wine.

[dbell1]

Popping back to post that I really loved the flashback to the first episode, where Arya was mingling with people and barely made it to the official hello with Robert and Cersie. She did the same thing here.

Oh, Sansa, why are you mean to Tyrion? He was always kind to you. 

Awkward moments to come between Jaimie and Bran. "Sorry I pushed you out a window, but it did help you become the psychic hotline of Winterfell"?

[Mya Stone]

16 minutes ago, AimingforYoko said:

Good Lord, they had the awkward turned up to eleven in this one. Of course they saved the best (worst) for last: Bran waiting on his "old friend".
Nice quotes: "Back, he's got blue eyes!" "I've always had blue eyes!"

"So what do dragons eat, anyways?" "Anything they want."

"When you left you were King in the North. I don't know what you are now."

This was mine:

“You gave up your throne to save your people. Would she do the same?”

[FemmyV]

2 minutes ago, JennyMominFL said:

I  just rewatched that today.  I thought it was her subconscious hand to belly move that tipped him off.

That would have been the other part.

[BitterApple]

Aside from the hilarious "I've always had blue eyes!" line, the other comedy award for the night goes to Tyrion commenting on how awful Joffrey's wedding was only for Sansa to slyly reply "It had its' moments...".

Great writing this episode. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

[lovinbob]

I was a little surprised that Sam was so broken up over the death of his father. I know a dad is a dad, but there was no love lost there. 

I don't know why I didn't anticipate the Bran-Jamie reunion. Yikes. And the Tyrion-Sansa reunion too!

[mojoween]

I mean...

[Popples]

Even though Cersei said it, the line “If you want a whore, buy one. If you want a queen, earn her", was pretty good.

[Drogo]

Just now, BitterApple said:

Aside from the hilarious "I've always had blue eyes!" line, the other comedy award for the night goes to Tyrion commenting on how awful Joffrey's wedding was only for Sansa to slyly reply "It had its' moments...".

Great writing this episode. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Or 

"Poor girl. The pox will get her within the year."

"Which girl?"

[MVFrostsMyPie]

11 minutes ago, FemmyV said:

Speaking of Cersei's belly, what's up with the wine?

If she did the same while pregnant with Joffrey, might explain why he turned out so unfortunate looking (well, besides the whole incest thing). 

[Advance35]

I found all of the conflict true to character.   Sansa cannot help but hate anyone who has more power than her.  She spent way to long in the hands of Lannisters and Boltons to not automatically see potential threats to her well-being.    When she and Jon are one on one he is able to appeal to her, but when she really takes stock of the outside world, paranoia and the worse possible what-if always dominate.   Very understandable after what's she been through.

Dany telling. Jon, he'll need to get Sansa in line or she will.............

Turns out that she was right, Some Northern Lords would die before serving under a Targaryen.  And those that die, only get absorbed into the Night Kings Army.   Jon has got to learn to consider optics.

Sansa line that slayed me this episode.

Tyrion: The last time we saw each other was at Joffrey's wedding.  A miserable affair.

Sansa: It had it's moments.

Me: BWHAHAHAHAHAHA.

She is the heir of Olenna Tyrell.

[Mya Stone]

I’ve seriously watched Arya’s mask melt away as she turned back into the little girl she was in episode one, season one, so many times and it can not stop raining on my face.  

[Lillith]

Add me to the list of those who find Dany's behavior arrogant. She's setting herself up for a fall. So far her attitude is bend the knee or I'll burn you. Exactly what Jon Snow warned her against. Sansa is being practical in this case. And in questioning Jon's motives.

Poor Sam, that was such a sad scene. Perfectly acted. And I think Dany has made another enemy. 

Definite flirtage between Arya and Gendry curious to see where that goes.

Bron will betray Cersei right? He loves the Lannister boys!

I guess Jamie thought Bran was dead? 

[felicity porter]

I've been rewatching GOT so I can really enjoy this final season.  One thing that has really emerged for me is how much I dislike Dany and this episode really nailed it: she's incredibly, incredibly entitled.

I'm the Mad King's daughter.  I have dragons.  Bend the knee or die.  Every man I meet falls in love with me: Drogo, Jorah, Jon Snow.  My dragons eat whatever they want.  Bend the knee!

STAHHHPPPP.  She was interesting as the underdog in early seasons, but I'm over it.  I'm happy to go on the record - I'm waiting for her downfall.  It doesn't have to end in death, but I want her humbled.

[LadyChaos]

1) I really cant stand that they keep having everyone in the show tell us that we're suppose to think Sansa is super smart and clever instead of the rotten spoiler brat she appears.

2) How about if Sansa had shown an oz of that trust she claims to have for Jon, to the North, maybe the Glover's wouldn't have abandoned them.

3) Arya saying that Sansa is protecting her family.....I think it was valid that Jon pointed out that Jon is her family....bc Sansa likes to forget that.

Other than that, I loved about everything in this show. There was a good deal about humor that indicates the calm before the storm.

It does feel like like Sam choosing that moment to tell Jon the truth was on of bitterness and it makes me feel like that Sam will be the one to out Jon's heritage to everyone.

I do think that as soon as everyone sees the army of the dead their tune towards Jon will change.

[Drogo]

Just now, mojoween said:

I mean...

Only death can pay for life, and Drogon was born of his namesake Drogo's funeral pyre, who wasn't too keen on sharing Daenerys.

Maybe he told the Great Stallion to fuck himself and came back to wait for her. 

[MVFrostsMyPie]

7 minutes ago, Raachel2008 said:

EIGHT FUCKING YEARS WAITING FOR THIS ARYA AND JON SCENE. EIGHT FUCKING YEARS!!!

[hypnotoad]

Quote

I wish they'd stop having every character telling us how smart Sansa is and show her doing something smart or thinking up a brilliant plan or something.

She knows better than to trust Cersei which is more than we can say for Tyrion at the moment. I mean seriously, where have all his alleged brains gone?

Quote

I was a little surprised that Sam was so broken up over the death of his father. I know a dad is a dad, but there was no love lost there. 

I think he actually got really upset at the news of his brother, not his father.

I loved this episode. A little light, humor, reunions, awkwardness before all the death!!!!

[Leroux]

I felt for Sam, what a horrible way to learn of his brother's fate. I think at some point he was even trying to justify his father's death and said that "now that my brother of the lord, I might be able to visit again" just to learn that his brother was turned into crispy bacon as well. 

That is the moment Sam realized that Daenerys for all her beautiful exterior would not be any different from any power-hungry ruler that has come before her. She will break the wheel alright, she will create a new one made to her own specifications. 

[MVFrostsMyPie]

3 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I mean...

I sense this becoming a meme.

[Bryce Lynch]

Cersei really wanted those elephants... but they spent all the CGI budget on dragons.

[AimingforYoko]

Here's that clip of Cersei meeting Harry Strickland:

[Growsonwalls]

1 minute ago, Leroux said:

I felt for Sam, what a horrible way to learn of his brother's fate. I think at some point he was even trying to justify his father's death and said that "now that my brother of the lord, I might be able to visit again" just to learn that his brother was turned into crispy bacon as well. 

That is the moment Sam realized that Daenerys for all her beautiful exterior would not be any different from any power-hungry ruler that has come before her. She will break the wheel alright, she will create a new one made to her own specifications. 

I think what I dislike about Dany is that she is one of those people who likes to think she's an enlightened ruler but the minute she feels challenged she goes all out with the burning and the crucification and methods that Cersei would employ. She's not any different from the other rulers but she's convinced in her mind that she's this amazing, humane ruler. 

I know Sansa gets a lot of hate but her experiences have hardened her to the point where she knows that she needs to rule by practical governance, and not "hey I'm the mother of dragons bend the knee."