OT: Game of Thrones S8E1 - "Winterfell" - No Spoilers in First Post....

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Figured I'd start a proper thread for the premiere so folks don't keep going to the 'Winter is Coming' thread hoping for GoT talk. I will say I missed about 10 minutes of the premiere - I have FiOS in NoVa and my channel just crapped out (every other channel was working - it was the only one that went black). So, I missed a key reunion that I will try to watch later. That said, I can't believe this was only an hour long. Sort of a wasted episode given all the times we get to see people who should be aligning for the biggest battle in their lives instead sneer at and distrust one another. Honestly, if someone on the 'good side' effs this up because their feelings are hurt because of titles or some other nonsense, I'm gonna lose it.

I won't post any spoilers in the first thread but will say the insane amount of distrust aside, the reunions were totally worth it as was the 'big reveal' in the crypt.

Last season folks - enjoy....

Fav lines without context:

'You've ruined horses for me forever.'

'You're a cold bitch aren't you? Guess that's why you're still alive.'

'Because I have balls and you don't.'

'Whatever they want...'

'You don't know any other rich girls...'

Also, Drogon's face....

 

[PSUcup1]

Was absolutely fantastic!

 

[CbusLion10]

Drogon’s face was a definite highlight

 

[canuckhal]

Spoiler alert.

Didn't take long to ride a dragon and for someone to tell you are a king. I wonder if his reaction had more to do with the realization that he is in love with his aunt rather than knowing he isn't a bastard after all.

Great episode.

Loved all the reunions. Hound had a good line. So, did Bran. "sort of like a man."

Am disappointed about the elephants though.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

SPOILER.....(EIGHT YEARS IN THE MAKING):

.....
....
...
..
.

 

[RTRMR]

Anyone else out there NOT like this show?

 

[Thorndike2012]

This was great TV. There isn't a lot of it. Wonderful.

 

[poker1]

Anyone else out there NOT like this show?

No doubt well done but never watched it, just not big on fantasies, especially with a lot of gratuitous violence and anything with zombies. Except for the original Night of The Living Dead.

 

[TJD88]

SPOILER.....(EIGHT YEARS IN THE MAKING):

.....
....
...
..
.

But, they are cousins.

 

[ftlpsu]

“I am the only man that you ever met that shot a dragon”

 

[MacNit07]

Anyone else out there NOT like this show?

Me and many others who would much rather read a great non-fiction book.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Loved it. Lots of bad ass women in GOT. Cersei, is crazy, but bad ass. Yarra (Jarra?) is definitely bad ass. But Arya is the most bad ass of all of them. She tells even the Hound where to get off. Love that character.

 

[djr4rebs]

SPOILERS

....

....

S8E1 was the on screen reunion for many characters whom we all had been with for quite some time. Thought they did very good setting everything up without thrusting anything at us quite so quickly, even if it had been a year and a half.

Sam doing the reveal to John sets up a good dilemma: does he leave things be for the sake of the war? Or does Bran/Sam end up passing the information on to Sansa, who'll then be conflicted I'm sure?

Just guessing that the first big battle will take place in E3. Assuming E2 sets up for it.

 

[AWS1022]

I was pretty disappointed in the episode. Only five episodes left and not much happened.

 

[aquapong]

SPOILERS

....

....

S8E1 was the on screen reunion for many characters whom we all had been with for quite some time. Thought they did very good setting everything up without thrusting anything at us quite so quickly, even if it had been a year and a half.

Sam doing the reveal to John sets up a good dilemma: does he leave things be for the sake of the war? Or does Bran/Sam end up passing the information on to Sansa, who'll then be conflicted I'm sure?

Just guessing that the first big battle will take place in E3. Assuming E2 sets up for it.

How does Jon prove his heritage though? Maybe he just says to heck with it...the Targaryans have shagged each other for years anyway.

 

[palmettolion]

Didn't like this episode and I enjoy the show quite a bit. I get that they are essentially recapping and setting things up in this one but to me it was dull. The good guys can't get their s**t together and are infighting just like always, Cersei is safe and completely out of harms way just like always. I also find myself wishing Danerys an early death. Too much Cersei in her to be likeable or sympathetic.

The best scenes were Theon getting dropped by his sister after rescuing her and Arya's interactions with Gendry and the Hound. The worst was that dragon ride garbage, seemed like straight up filler.

 

[LionJim]

Anyone else out there NOT like this show?

When I first signed up with Amazon Prime it included two weeks free HBO streaming so I had the opportunity to watch GOT. I couldn’t make it through the first episode. Different strokes, I guess.

 

[djr4rebs]

How does Jon prove his heritage though? Maybe he just says to heck with it...the Targaryans have shagged each other for years anyway.

Maybe Sam has the diary with him. He mentioned a pardon for stealing books from the Citadel.

Otherwise, Bran's visions are it for current introduced proof.

For those who felt E1 was slow, dull, boring... I fear E2 will contain a lot of posturing in regards to Jaime showing up and multiple viewpoints of what to do with the information Tormund and his party bring. Just my hunch. The multiple story threads have converged.

 

[Overthereguy]

How does Jon prove his heritage though? Maybe he just says to heck with it...the Targaryans have shagged each other for years anyway.

Most likely, there is proof of his lineage in the tomb of his biological mother (Lyanna Stark).

The theory is that his father (Rhaegar Targaryen) placed his most prized posession in the tomb (a harp) along with a song (A Song of Ice and Fire) he wrote for his son (John), and most likely some other documents that would officially verify his identity.

He also rode a dragon, which happened to be named Rhaegal. Rhaegal is named after John's real father Rhaegar - probably not a coincidence.

 

[SR108]

No doubt well done but never watched it, just not big on fantasies, especially with a lot of gratuitous violence and anything with zombies. Except for the original Night of The Living Dead.

Your missing some great character acting and some terrific dialogue.

 

[SR108]

Didn't like this episode and I enjoy the show quite a bit. I get that they are essentially recapping and setting things up in this one but to me it was dull. The good guys can't get their s**t together and are infighting just like always, Cersei is safe and completely out of harms way just like always. I also find myself wishing Danerys an early death. Too much Cersei in her to be likeable or sympathetic.

The best scenes were Theon getting dropped by his sister after rescuing her and Arya's interactions with Gendry and the Hound. The worst was that dragon ride garbage, seemed like straight up filler.

Arya and Gendry interaction was interesting. One of the two or maybe both, John/Daenerys bites it. I knew it was a mistake when she killed Sam’s father and brother. John has too much honor to turn on Daenerys, but it looks like fun in the sack will end.

 

[Woodpecker]

it looks like fun in the sack will end

Have they already consummated that union? I don't recall John saying "You've ruined dragons for me forever."

 

[canuckhal]

SPOILERS

....

....

S8E1 was the on screen reunion for many characters whom we all had been with for quite some time. Thought they did very good setting everything up without thrusting anything at us quite so quickly, even if it had been a year and a half.

Sam doing the reveal to John sets up a good dilemma: does he leave things be for the sake of the war? Or does Bran/Sam end up passing the information on to Sansa, who'll then be conflicted I'm sure?

Just guessing that the first big battle will take place in E3. Assuming E2 sets up for it.

You could be right. First two episodes are about 50 minutes in length. The others will be about 80 minutes.

It sounds like the first round mightl go to the White Walkers with people having to flee. A la to the Iron Islands. Will be interesting to see if they will be scattered across Westeros. Will some new information emerge? Perhaps Bran will go look at all the future possibilities and see that there is only way to defeat the White Walkers.

 

[manofsteel200]

Why the symbol? What does it mean? The dragon riding scene was awful. Let's play when your banner men are desperately trying to get back to Winterfell.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Lady Mormont ordering big dudes around isn’t as cute a year or 2 later as she’s getting older and uglier

 

[BiochemPSU]

Not the greatest episode ever, but it does spotlight exactly what makes this show great: despite impending end of the world type stuff, everyone is still playing the game of thrones (apparently except for John).

Likes: Sansa and Daenerys rivalry (somewhat expected). Daenerys and Sam rivalry (unexpected). Cersei's long-term goals and general throne strategy of "always win now" (minus Euron, see below). Everything Bran Stark, including his meeting at the end with Jamie.

Dislikes: This soon to be forced Gendry and Arya love interest. I don't get the Euron story line at this point as it is out of character for Cersei to just give in to him like that. Plus, who cares about ships anymore at this point (unless we all have to escape to someplace over the great sea)? Tyrion's character is getting lost; he once was the highlight of the show and is now reduced to one or two quips and countless tactical mistakes. White Walkers have a dead/living dragon of their own now and no one seems to care that much, huh? We still have a 2-1 lead, I guess?

 

[91Joe95]

“I am the only man that you ever met that shot a dragon”

"Which one?"

and I don't mean dragon

 

[Grass]

I pretty much know how it's going to go. The armies in the north will bicker while the White Walkers destroy half of them and Cersei will be chilling down south having gratuitous amounts of sex and will end up on the throne only to be taken out by Arya.

 

[djr4rebs]

despite impending end of the world type stuff, everyone is still playing the game of thrones (apparently except for John).

It sets John up to sacrifice SOMETHING for it all to end well. The fact of the matter is the play out is realistic. Conquering a common enemy is fine, but afterwards, everybody wants to have a piece of what they think is theirs.

Cersei's long-term goals and general throne strategy of "always win now"

Bronn as her contingency plan is interesting. Fleeing on the ships if all hell breaks loose is interesting. Jaime is gone, so Euron and his overbearing arrogance finally caved her desires.

Tyrion's character is getting lost

Converging storylines will limit everybody going forward. He had two primary scenes (Sansa; Varys and Service Davis), which was generally as much screen time as anybody not named John Snow.

White Walkers have a dead/living dragon of their own now and no one seems to care that much, huh?

These people are not even excited to have two dragons helping them. Impending doom from the WWs and their resurrected dragon are still in the horizon compared to Dany strutting in now. It'll come.

 

[NewEra 2014]

I don't get the Euron story line at this point as it is out of character for Cersei to just give in to him like that.

If Cersei really is pregnant with Jamie's child, she needs a cover story as to the father of the child, so that the child has a claim to the throne. Enter Euron (pun intended).

 

[PSU2UNC]

I was pretty disappointed in the episode. Only five episodes left and not much happened.

Actually a ton happened, it just felt very condensed (which is maybe why it didn't seem like much happened)

All of these things happened in ONE EPISODE:

Jon rides a dragon for the first time.
Jon learns his true identity.
All of the reunions (Arya/Gendry, Arya/Jon, Arya/Hound, Sansa/Tyrion, etc)
Danny meets the North
White Walkers pillage their first castle (Last Hearth, Umber home)
Cersei hires an assasin (Bronn) to kill BOTH of her brothers
Euron bangs Cersei
Sam learns his bro and dad are dead

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Maybe Sam has the diary with him. He mentioned a pardon for stealing books from the Citadel.

Otherwise, Bran's visions are it for current introduced proof.

For those who felt E1 was slow, dull, boring... I fear E2 will contain a lot of posturing in regards to Jaime showing up and multiple viewpoints of what to do with the information Tormund and his party bring. Just my hunch. The multiple story threads have converged.

Yeah, I get that they just can't get right to the battle, and I really loved seeing all the reunions (especially Jon and Arya). That said, who has time for joyrides on dragons? I guess it does establish that Jon can ride one and that will probably be useful down the road. The dialogue has always been my favorite part of the show so I don't mind slow episodes, and the ending with young Carstark was pretty unexpected.

Question: Is Cersei pregnant? Was she at the end of last season? Or was she planning to get pregnant (thus her shagging Euron)? I'm not clear on that.

 

[palmettolion]

Arya and Gendry interaction was interesting. One of the two or maybe both, John/Daenerys bites it. I knew it was a mistake when she killed Sam’s father and brother. John has too much honor to turn on Daenerys, but it looks like fun in the sack will end.

At this point I'm hoping both eat it real quick. John has honor, but he broke his vows once already to get laid. Is it really surprising that he has lost perspective chasing a** again? Really hoping Daenerys crosses Arya and gets her throat opened.

Seems like those that would be the better leaders for the North have been sidelined by others with more flaws but better name recognition. I think this war would be over already if the Onion Knight, Arya and Bran were in charge, with an assist from Sam Tarly and the Spider. How do you not utilize the guy that can see literally everything? No one thought to ask him where the Walkers were before sending Lord Umber to his death?

 

[PSU2UNC]

How does Jon prove his heritage though? Maybe he just says to heck with it...the Targaryans have shagged each other for years anyway.

I think it's going to be a preponderance of evidence:

Sam has the diary of the septon who married his parents
Bran will use his raven learned knowledge to fill in the blanks.

If someone doesn't believe Bran, there is also a theory that Rhaegar's harp (he was a noted musician) is buried with Lyanna in her tomb at winterfell -- I'd say it's even money that comes up which further bolsters the evidence.

 

[91Joe95]

The lack of focus seems odd to say the least given the threat they are facing. Speaking of focus, what the heck is up with Cersei? Does she have some kind of plan to survive by hoping to unleash massive amounts of dragon fire on the white walkers? I mean, if the North loses the amount of new walkers will be ridiculous. What are a few elephants going to do then? Even if the North wins, what are they going to be other than big tasty snacks for dragons?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Not the greatest episode ever, but it does spotlight exactly what makes this show great: despite impending end of the world type stuff, everyone is still playing the game of thrones (apparently except for John).

Likes: Sansa and Daenerys rivalry (somewhat expected). Daenerys and Sam rivalry (unexpected). Cersei's long-term goals and general throne strategy of "always win now" (minus Euron, see below). Everything Bran Stark, including his meeting at the end with Jamie.

Dislikes: This soon to be forced Gendry and Arya love interest. I don't get the Euron story line at this point as it is out of character for Cersei to just give in to him like that. Plus, who cares about ships anymore at this point (unless we all have to escape to someplace over the great sea)? Tyrion's character is getting lost; he once was the highlight of the show and is now reduced to one or two quips and countless tactical mistakes. White Walkers have a dead/living dragon of their own now and no one seems to care that much, huh? We still have a 2-1 lead, I guess?

Arya has always liked Gendry as far as I can remember. Beric Dondarian and Thoros of Myr got on her kill list because they sold him to Melisandre...

 

[SR108]

Why the symbol? What does it mean? The dragon riding scene was awful. Let's play when your banner men are desperately trying to get back to Winterfell.

Yea, the Drogon scene was a waist of time.

 

[SR108]

Have they already consummated that union? I don't recall John saying "You've ruined dragons for me forever."

Last season, last episode. Consumation

 

[Talpsu]

I was pretty disappointed in the episode. Only five episodes left and not much happened.

Same here. Not that it was bad but let down considering how long we have waited

 

[palmettolion]

Arya has always liked Gendry as far as I can remember. Beric Dondarian and Thoros of Myr got on her kill list because they sold him to Melisandre...

Arya and Melisandre should have a meet up forthcoming, too. Melisandre prophesized it when she bought Gendry with her "eyes you will shut forever" speech to her.