GAME OF THRONES - A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS REVIEW (S8:E2)

If last week’s debut episode was the proverbial Dusk before the Dawn; setting up events to come for the rest of the season, episode two was the Calm before the Storm as the Night’s King Army slowly marched on the North's last stance. In an episode which took place firmly in the Stark’s ancestral home, we had a lot of characters arcs close even further as the North prepared for battle against the Army of the Dead. While relatively as inexplosive as the first episode, episode two was a love letter to many of the relationships we have watched grow throughout the course of the series, as many character arcs began to come full circle. Inevitably, some of our beloved characters might not be getting past episode three (The Battle of Winterfell), so in what may be their last nights as living men we experienced these characters bond, laugh, ponder, get drunk and pop their cherries, well at least one person did. Let’s get into it, shall we?

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS

Jamie Lannister: A Lion among Wolves…and a Dragon.

Jamie Lannister’s return to Winterfell turned out to be much better than expected, as Brienne came to his defense and Bran kept Jamie’s attempt to murder him to himself, leaving Sansa and Jon little choice but to allow their former enemy stay and join their ranks. Jamie’s revelation of Cersei’s betrayal further imbibes Jamie’s liberation from the bonds of family (especially when that family is Cersei Lannister). Jamie later apologizes to Bran for his past actions and asks why Bran didn't tell the others about his crime against him, but now relieved of personal vendettas and the squabbling of great Houses; Bran reveals to Jamie that he wouldn’t be able to fight for the living had he been killed in retaliation. Jamie asks what will happen in the event that they defeat the Night King to which Bran quips rather interestingly ‘How do you know there is an afterwards?’ Throughout the course of the series we’ve only really seen The Three-Eyed Raven’s power of sight covering the past and the present, with the future being a more or less cloudy affair. But is it possible that Bran already knows the outcome (in a Dr Strange kinda way) but has to let the events unfold anyway?

Jamie and Brienne

Brienne coming to Jamie’s defense during his interrogation was no surprise, asides from her softer feelings towards him she also holds him in high regard and believes him to be honorable and good and It’s clear that Jamie also harbors a mutual respect for Brienne seeing her as a paragon of honour and a model knight, something he could never be. While it is unlikely that they will be romantically involved, we can settle for a friendship and a respect which came from the unlikeliest of places many seasons back when he was her prisoner. Jamie meets with Brienne as she prepares Winterfell’s defense, requesting to serve under her command to which she agrees. You can add humble to this proud lion’s list of attributes.

The Dragon versus The Wolf

Now aware of Cersei’s planned betrayal of their armistice, Daenerys is livid with Tyrion for trusting her and threatens to have him removed as her Hand. However, it is his likely successor, Jorah who comes to the Hand’s defense. Aware of his Queen’s propensity to make rash decisions (as in the case of Sam’s family), Jorah preaches patience on Tyrion’s behalf and encourages Daenerys to make peace with Sansa. Daenerys’ meeting with Sansa seems to be going well as she brings up matters that both women have in common; ruling and their mutual love for Jon until Sansa demands to know what will happen to the North in the event that they defeat the Night King making it clear that the North will never again accept a southern ruler, but Daenerys is not prepared to rule six Kingdoms. With neither woman prepared to compromise we'll just have to wait and see what happens afterwards, if there is an afterwards. 

The Prodigal Son

We still had time for more reunions as Theon Greyjoy made an emotional return to Winterfell, the home he was raised in and the very castle he had sacked when he betrayed the Starks. In one of the more emotional scenes of the season so far, and in a scene with more verve than the Jon-Arya reunion, Theon asks Sansa’s permission to fight for Winterfell, to which she accedes with tears and a warm embrace. Theon Greyjoy’s redemption arc is nearing its completion and it would certainly be very Game of Thrones to see him get killed just as he’s endeared himself to the audience and the Starks; He’s hit an emotional note with Sansa and now he’s volunteered to protect Bran from the Night King, an opponent who he will be no match for. All these point ominously to Theon not surviving the Long Night.

The War Room

After Beric, Tormund and Edd arrive at Winterfell informing Jon of the Night King’s imminent arrival, the allied forces plan for battle. It is during this war council that we learn two things, one that Bran is actually a key target of the Night King in his bid to erase humanity,  and two, no one is quite sure if Dragonfire will or can harm the Night’s King and his White Walkers (thus far we only know it kills wights.

There’s something about the Crypts.

The Crypts of Winterfell are famous for holding the dead remains of every Stark and while it’s currently deemed as the safest place in Winterfell, it could well turn out to be the least safest, as there seems to be some foreboding around it. Every woman and child unable to partake in the fighting will waiting out the battle here, along with Tyrion and Sam. But considering the Night’s King abilities to reanimate the dead, is a crypt really the safest place to stay?

Unlikely Paradise

I’ll admit it, though it’s not been your typical love story, Grey worm and Missandei’s has been a touching one (plus Natalie Emmanuel is bae). Which is why it makes sense that it will end on a sad note (this isn’t Disney folks). Grey Worm’s promise to take Missandei back to her homeland (after Daenerys sits on the throne) and live happily ever after doesn’t happen on a show like this, and saying that just before one of the biggest battles of the series is just a bad omen. The thought of the former slaves retiring to an island of paradise paints a pretty picture but we’ve all been watching GOT long enough to know that the final picture will be anything but pretty.

Rise, Ser Brienne of Tarth

Reunited, Jamie and Tyrion are seated by the fire contemplating the lives they’ve led and the irony of defending the Starks. They are later joined by Brienne of Tarth, Podrick Payne, Davos Seaworth and Tormund Giantsbane. As the former enemies turned allies prepare for the long night ahead (or short, depending on how long they survive), Jamie shoves tradition aside and makes the selfless gesture of Knighting Brienne. It is a bittersweet moment, in which she is bestowed her life’s greatest honour on a night that could potentially be her last. Brienne has probably upheld the Knight’s code more than any living man in the Seven Kingdoms and it was a huge moment for her and the audience alike. A moment of joy in a night of fear, a shot of light in the darkness, a ray of hope when perhaps there is none, but we’ll take it, by the Seven gods we will.

A Girl got Laid

Arya spent her potential last night the way you’d expect most virgins to (you know you would have done the same, yes you!). After chatting with the Hound and Beric on the castle’s Battlements, a girl realizes she doesn’t want to spend her last night in the company of the two men and seeks out Gendry, who coincidentally deliver’s her new weapon to her. Gendry reveals to Arya that he’s the bastard son of Robert Baratheon (unwittingly scoring points in the first man I’ll shag department). What happens next is truly flinch-worthy as Arya proceeds to, and then beds Gendry. We’ve followed actress Maisie Williams since her acting debut in the first season of Game of Thrones and somehow despite the fact that she’s 22 years old now, she’s always going to be that baby-faced 14 year old we got introduced to at Winterfell all those years ago. So this is what Parenthood feels like, when you realize your little girl isn’t so little anymore.

A Claim of Thrones

Jon finally dropped the bombshell on Daenerys and suffice to say, she didn’t look too happy about it, curiously being more concerned about Jons legitimacy to the throne than the fact she’s been bedding her nephew (these Targaryens though). After her initial shock and disbelief, she slowly seems to accept it as the truth, realizing what it means for her claim to the Iron Throne, but before Jon can either confirm or deny his interest in contesting the throne he is saved by the horn. Is he a little bit interested in Crowns and titles now that he has a shot at the top seat?

Episode Round up: The Dead are here

Jamie Lannister has declared to fight for the living and the allied forces are now aware of Cersei’s betrayal. Theon Greyjoy’s redemption arc has seemingly come full circle, save one last act of sacrifice? Greyworm dreams of an unlikely happily ever after and a great honour is bestowed on Brienne on the most inauspicious of nights. In an episode which has been teased to be one of the biggest battles ever filmed, it’s certain some characters won’t be making it past the next episode: The Battle of Winterfell. In seemingly every confrontation the living have had with The Night’s King, the ice cool villain has come out on top; from the Fist of the First Men to the venture Beyond the Wall (where he gained a Dragon), and the Battle of Winterfell might not be an exception. He’s never been known to play within the rules, and is likely to do so again. It won’t be so surprising to find that he sends a divided force to keep the Northerners busy while he continues southwards, or that Winterfell is infiltrated from within by raising the dead in the crypts. But those are just theories, we’ll soon be finding out just what happens next. Episode 2 has ramped up the suspense and has us roused and stirred for the Battle of Winterfell.

Reject Rating: 9/10

Images Courtesy of HBO