Ryan Shoots First: Game of Thrones (S8 Ep2) “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”

This week’s episode is the calm before the storm as everyone find ways to spend what could be their last moments alive, some reflect, some drink, some find a warm partner and some hash out some much needed drama. The Night King is coming and everyone is ready.

The episode starts where we left of last week with Jaime showing up in Winterfell and standing trial before everyone for just about every crime but mainly what Dany is concerned about is the death of her father. Jaime tells them every thing about Cersei’s intentions and how she lied to everyone. He claims he intends to fight for the living as despite what people think he is a man of honor. Of course no one buys it until Brienne stands up and tells of his virtue, how he not only saved her but Sansa would not be safe if not for him as well. Sansa seems taken back by the passion the Brienne uses to speak of him and signs of on Jaime as she has never questioned Brienne’s loyalty. Dany goes to Jon who you know is cool with it since he is so hard up for help he would take the help from Joffrey if it were possible.

The early parts of the episode involve Dany livid with Tyrion, he has been slipping as of late and this huge misstep not only trusting his sister but knowing she has amassed one heck of an army for whoever is left has her considering finding a new hand. Jorah and Sansa talk some sense into her and she for now has allowed Tyrion back into her good graces. Not a bad idea considering the fight coming and now isn’t really the time to find a new hand. After a brief scene with Arya and Gendry where they heavily imply she is thirsty to try some new experiences before she may die we move on to a great scene with Bran and Jaime under the weirwood tree. Jaime apologizes for pushing him out a window and Bran is pretty ok with it. He tells him pretty much neither of us would have become the people we are right now if not for that moment and how it set them both on the path to where they are. This portion of the episode which takes place all in Winterfell now follows Jaime around as he meets up and gets a moment with a few people. He meets up with Tyrion where he does reveal that Cersei is in fact pregnant and drops a great line about how she “is really good at using the truth to tell lies”. He also meets up with Brienne and Podrick out training and Pod is learning some moves and becoming quite the fighter under Brienne. Jaime compliments her and even asks if he can serve under her for the battle.

One big moment this week is Sansa and Dany having a heart to heart sit down. Sansa advises she should trust Tyrion but expresses she doesn’t trust Jons decision making since he loves her and people do stupid stuff when they are in love. Dany delivers a great rebuttal how she has let nothing get in her ay of getting the iron throne and yet here she is, it is Jon who is influencing her. They share a moment and a Jon short joke before Sansa ruins it by pressing about the fate of Winterfell IF they survive the Knight King and IF they survive Cersei. Seriously Sansa you are WAY ahead of the game here we will cross that bridge if and when we get to it. They are both interpreted by Theon who tells Dany Yara is off to retake the Iron Islands but he wants to fight for Winterfell.

The crew from the wall show up and bear the bad new to Jon, they tell him not only will the army of the dead be here by morning but that “anyone who is not here is with them”. This leads to an intense war council where the plan is put in place. Bran tells everyone how he is marked and how the night king is coming for him, how re represents the memory of the world and how if the Long Night is to come that memory must be snuffed out. They plan to use Bran as bait to lure out the Night King and hopefully defeat him causing the “mothership” effect to defeat all the other members of the army.

For me the best part of the episode was the fireside chat featuring Tyrion, Davos, Jaime, Brienne, Pod, and Tormund. Beyond the great Tormund hitting on Brienne moments we get a lot of shooting the breeze and some great Tyrion moments. After not looking so hot as of late these scenes around the fire were great for his character especially his observation that everyone in that room one fought against the Starks. The absolute highlight of these scenes though is Jaime knighting Brienne and everyone’s reaction. A great moment and a capstone to her and Jaime’s relationship.

All of this builds up to Dany and Jon in the crypts, I was wondering if he would hold back the truth but he unloads it on her pretty quick and she does not seem to thrilled about it. She almost immediately sees him as a threat and doesn’t seem to believe this new news. There is little time to process all of this as the hounds for war sound, the army of the dead is here, the game is on and the battle for Winterfell has begun…. Next week.

Observations

• Bran saying “the things we do for love” was harsh and had to have Jamie shaking in his boots.
• They are timing the Theon screen time perfectly.
• The little girl getting soup from Davos reminds him of Shireen.
• Arya hooking up with Gendry and asking his number felt weird…. Understandable but weird.
• Sam giving Jorah his family sword and Valyrian Steel was nice taking one for the team and a nice return to Jorah who turned down Longclaw from Jon last season.
• I wanted Arya and Hound reunion 2.0 to be longer, thanks Beric!
• Does anyone else not trust the Iron Borne to watch Bran?
• Tyrion just can’t miss a chance to learn about what the heck the three-eyed raven is.
• Ghost sighting!
• Eddison saying “and now our watch has begun” as him Sam and Jon sit atop the wall was a nice touch.
• Nice touch with the Podrick song.
• Is that the first time someone on the show has called her Dany?
• Sansa’s’ outfit looks awesome.
• Can’t wait till next week.

Predictions

• Still think Arya may go, I feel like a Stark will die and everyone else is more important to the story going forward.
• I think Dany will come around the to the truth after the battle next week.
• Maybe “Bran is Night King” confirmed?
• Brienne is likely done right?
• Next week will be brutal.