[REVIEW] GAME OF THRONES S8E1: REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO…AWKWARD

GAME OF THRONES: S8E1
“WINTERFELL”

Starring: Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Alfie Allen, John Bradley, Joe Dempsie, Gemma Whelan
Writer: David Benioff, George R.R. Martin
Director: David Nutter
Studio: HBO

Ok, don’t let the headline confuse you into thinking that it’s weird that Game of Thrones is back. It is not weird. It is amazing, exhilarating … all those good words. Remember, it had been 595 days since we last saw our Westerosi friends, and it was a welcome reunion for us viewers. But how did the reunions among the characters go? Kinda awkward, for the most part.

Jon Snow and His Siblings*

Jon (Kit Harington) is back in Winterfell, and he’s got a Dragon Queen with him. He was sent down to get an ally as the King of the North, and he has returned as … what, exactly? His siblings are less than thrilled. Sansa (Sophie Turner) seems especially pissed, and the tension between her and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) is hard to miss. Daenny even comments to Jon about this … “I don’t think your sister likes me.” With good reason as Sansa believes Jon bent the knee more for Daenny’s body than for her army.

Tyrion and Sansa

Remember when they were married to each other? Good times. Despite the obvious awkwardness of the situation, they seemed to handle it pretty well. Oh, hey, you’re Queen of Winterfell now. Well, you’re Hand of the Queen. Bravo. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) comments the last time they saw each other was Joffrey’s wedding, which didn’t quite go as planned. Sansa remarks that it had its moments. It certainly did. Tyrion jokingly says it hurt to see her run off on him like that. Or was he joking? Probably not.

Yara and Theon

Yara (Gemma Whelan) is still a prisoner to Euron, who intends to help out Cersei after she promises to bed him (which makes him no worse than Jon Snow, right?). As Euron is off trying to put his confidently boorish charm on Cersei, in comes Theon (Alfie Allen) to rescue Yara. The first thing she does after her dear young brother releases her bonds is punch the living daylights out of him. Which is fine since the last time she saw him was jumping ship instead of helping her fight Euron.

Jon and Sam

Jon and his old friend and sidekick Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) are back in each others’ company. Samwell doesn’t beat around the bush and tells Jon exactly who he is. Jon, understandably, doesn’t take it well.

Jaime and Bran

At the end of the episode, we see a lone figure ride into Winterfell. He slowly takes off his hood, and it is none other than graying-bearded Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). He looks like he wants to be as incognito as possible, so he looks around to see if he is noticed. Oh boy, is he noticed. Sitting in a wheelchair across him is that kid he pushed out a window all those years ago: Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright). Bran is glaring at him with that all-knowing “I know what you did and who you are” Three-Eyed-Raven look. That probably takes my top spot for awkward reunions. Here comes Jaime back to Winterfell, possibly to be on the right side of everything, and right there is a reminder of what he did the last time he was there.

Arya and Gendry

This reunion was not awkward; it was precious. Let’s hope neither of them dies, and they end up making beautiful assassin blacksmith babies together. The eyes Arya (Maisie Williams) gave Gendry (Joe Dempsie) while walking away from him made this a very real possibility. Like I said, if they don’t die. And this is Game of Thrones, so, I wouldn’t count on anything.

What did you think?

All in all, it was a fun episode, and it’s good to be back in the Game of Thrones world. I could have gone without the Aladdin-esque dragon riding scene, but man if that White Walker arts-and-crafts project wasn’t terrifying … anyway, the episode felt way too short by the end. Remember, we only get five more episodes, which is disappointing. Seeing as how all the cast is coming together and their storylines are intertwining, it makes sense why. But still.

S8E1: Winterfell

9.3

9.3

Game of Thrones is BACK!!!

10.0/10

Awkward Reunions

10.0/10

"Tell Me, Jon Snow, When Was Your Last Magic Dragon Ride?"

6.5/10

Terrifying White Walker Graffiti

10.0/10

Bran Glaring At Everyone

10.0/10