‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8 Premiere ‘Winterfell’ Recap: Reunions, First Flight, and the Revelation

The extra year of waiting finally paid off tonight. Game of Thrones is back with more reasons to keep thinking about one thing—when and how will the Great Wight War end? In the season 8 premiere, titled “Winterfell,” the groundwork is laid for the final chapter of our beloved epic from George R.R. Martin.

We were left in limbo after Season 7’s harrowing finale, and once we return to Westeros, not much has changed except for the foreboding sense of doom that’s bound to come biting our asses off in the cold. “Winterfell” is the perfect episode to usher in the bloodshed, and it’s all a bit overwhelming to be taken in at first viewing. Of course, the Stark kids are finally reunited (I’m pretty sure Rob and Rickon are smiling like crazy wherever the hell they are), and Queen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) finally arrives (lands?) at Winterfell to establish her dominion.

Meanwhile, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), in all her twisted, mad Queen-like tendencies, assembles her new army courtesy of Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbæk) and the Golden Company. As Euron brings her the army, the demented Greyjoy uncle also has a steamy prize in mind—him and Cersei in bed. Ack. Christ almighty.

As Greyjoy tends to his raging boner, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) finally makes right one of the irritating plotholes of season 7, where we saw his sister, Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan), kidnapped by Euron and never seen again. In true swashbuckling fashion, Theon stages the ultimate rescue ops.

But the overall theme of “Winterfell” is, well, Winterfell. Most of the events happened in the Stark’s home turf, if not for some scenes outside and at King’s Landing. Despite this, there are so many things to unpack—especially concerning Jon Snow (Kit Harington) true parentage (which is one that we all know, except for him, because Jon still knows nothing until now).

But before we get right to it, let this be your warning: this is a spoiler-rich review so what the hell are you doing here if you haven’t seen the episode yet?! That’s a fair warning. Alright, let’s start off with the all-new Game of Thrones opening credits before we dive into this shit:

Sansa ‘Mariah Carey’ Stark: I Don’t Know Her

It’s now confirmed: Sansa (Sophie Turner) did give Winterfell over to Dany as what we’ve seen in the season 8 trailer. But as much as we’d like to believe that she’s doing it out of her own volition, Sansa’s just being modest at the very least. Jon and Dany both know that Sansa doesn’t like the new Queen, and it’s made apparent when Sansa worries over the food supply. Jon and Dany brought thousands of soldiers and two enormous dragons, so Sansa asks, “What are we going to feed them?” To which Dany replies, “anything they want.”

It’s clear how Sansa, just like the northerners, doubt what Dany can do to lead as the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. On the other hand, Dany is smart, so she definitely feels that too. But the tension between the two ladies is hardly kept hidden. There’s bound to be a boiling point soon.

Helen Sloan/HBO

Sansa also reunites with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage)—who technically still is Sansa’s husband—and the encounter proved less awkward than initially thought. Sansa’s been through hell, and Tyrion sees that. “Many underestimated you. Most of them are dead now,” Tyrion says, later affirming Cersei’s “agreement” to have the Lannister army fight the Ice Zombies with them. But Sansa shuts this down, saying “I used to think you were the cleverest man alive.”

That must’ve hurt like a pile of dragonglass.

Sansa’s right, though. She told Jon how his plan to ask for an alliance with the Lannisters failed and how abdicating the crown was a half-assed move. They need the King in the North. Instead, Jon came back as a has-been. Even though Tyrion explained to the gathered Lords of the North how Jamie is on his way to help out, none of them believe him. Even the feisty Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey) had none of this whole Jon bending the knee to Dany thing.

Euron Greyjoy, the Queenbanger

King’s Landing is still as hot and bright as it used to be, and Cersei seems to enjoy it despite the fact that they’re only counting it down to when the Wights finally take over. Her plan with Euron triumphs, with the self-proclaimed Greyjoy king bringing home the bounty of the Golden Company’s massive army fleet. When Euron presents it to Cersei, he expected her to return the favor in bed. At first, Cersei played the “I don’t want to fuck you, ew” card but ultimately allowed Euron to claim her as a prize in bed.

Helen Sloan/HBO

The forced dynamic between him and Cersei worked, though. The Queen is a conniving, self-absorbed bitch while Euron is a conniving, arrogant, self-absorbed maniac. It’s a match made in heaven. After their short romp, Cersei asks to be alone. As Euron leaves, he touches Cersei’s stomach and whispers, “I’m going to put a prince in your belly.” Little does he know that there’s already something in that belly of hers. Only, it’s Jaime’s prince/princess.

Jon’s First Flight and the Aegon Mic Drop

It’s like How to Train Your Dragon, but infinitely better! Tonight’s episode was Jon’s proper dragon riding 101 with his Queen. Ever since we saw Dany ride the dragon, many kept thinking, “so who could ride the other two?” Of course, we got our first answer in season 7 when the Night King rode the zombie Viserion as they marched through the Wall. The second and last answer is Jon. Dany took him on a race through the North’s beautiful white mountains and valleys, with it ultimately ending with them about to bone. But as Rhaegal eyes Jon, it could be possible that they weren’t able to get it on. I mean, who would want a dragon watching you voyeuristically, right?

So yeah, that was epic. But another crazy revelation happened tonight, right after Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) learns about the death of his father and brother at the hands (breath) of Dany’s dragons from the Queen herself. He walks out and sees creepy Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) eyeing him. That’s when he urges Sam to tell Jon the truth about his parentage. “You do it,” says Sam. “I am not his brother,” Bran says. Seriously, this boy has become one of the most annoying fuckers of the show since becoming the Three-eyed Raven. And since Jon trusts Sam like his own brother, he goes to the crypts to tell it to him straight.

Helen Sloan/HBO

A tearful reunion happens, with Jon wondering what Sam is doing down there. That’s when Sam drops the bomb—your mom is Lyanna Stark, and your father is Rhaegar Targaryen, and Ned didn’t lie to you because he promised it to Lyanna, and also you fucked your aunt (okay, maybe not that but you get the point). A shocked Jon tries to get a grip on this but ultimately loses it when Sam says, “you’re the true King. Aegon Targaryen, the sixth of his name, protector of the realm, all of it.”

I’m guessing this won’t go well with Dany. Aside from the fact that she fucked her own nephew, this would complicate her claim to the Throne. If this is the case, then Jon is the rightful King of the Seven Realms.

The Dying Umber

The first episode of season 8 already had us going with the customary Game of Thrones kill list. This week’s casualty is a boy named Lord Ned Umber, who is now the head of the House after the previous Umbers died. He was tasked by Sansa to gather their men, but all he was able to do was gather a bunch of severed limbs around him.

As Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer), Tormund (Kristofer Hivju), and Eddison Tollett (Ben Crompton) make their way into The Last Hearth (the Umbers’ ancestral home), they were surprised to see a bloody mess. And the further they went in, the more it was apparent that this was the Night King’s doing. Stuck in the wall is Lord Umber’s dead body with limbs acting as his halo. Obviously now a Wight, Beric was forced to kill him with his flaming sword, illuminating the entire room with fire and the dying cries of Wight Umber.

Honorable Mentions

• Arya (Maisie Williams) and Jon’s reunion was a heartwarming scene, especially when they hug it out and see how each of them has grown. The best funny bit was when Jon asked about whether or not Arya has to use Needle, she simply replied, “once or twice.”
• After Theon’s successful rescue ops, Yara sends him back to Winterfell, sensing Theon’s desire to fight for the Starks in the coming war.
• Bran is still creepy and criminally irritating. He’s the first one that Jon sees upon his return, and just when his big brother compliments how he’s grown, Bran replies, “not yet.” What the fuck is that?! And then, when things get a bit awkward with Sansa and Dany, Bran reminds them, “um, excuse me, but, uh, the White Zombies are here so we kind of like don’t have time for this?”
• Bronn (Jerome Flynn) has his sexcapade cut short when Maester Qyburn (Anton Lesser) delivers Cersei’s new directive—kill Tyrion and Jamie in exchange for more gold. Sure, Bronn’s going to set out for them, but I doubt that he’s pushing through with it.
• I live for Tyrion’s eunuch jokes for Lord Varys (Conleth Hill). Seriously, it never gets old.

The episode ends with a hooded man arriving at Winterfell. It turns out to be Jaime, with a one-man welcome party waiting for him—Bran on his wheelchair. At first, Jaime doesn’t recognize him. But upon second glance, that’s when it dawns on him: holy shit this was the kid I pushed off the ledge when he watched me and my sister fuck!

‘Game of Thrones: Winterfell’ Overall Verdict

“Winterfell” brought back the political disputes and debates that we used to always see in the first few seasons of Game of Thrones. Although this time, it comes with a pressing matter at hand—the coming of the White Walkers. It’s not an episode that has the wows and epic feats, but it does lay out the cards for us to see how this will all flesh out in the coming five episodes. What I love about the season 8 premiere is how it dutifully corrects the errors it made in season 7, such as wrapping up plotholes and fixing them entirely.

Yes, I know, it’s a slow-paced episode, but it has always been the case for Game of Thrones season premieres. And given the few episode numbers this season, it won’t be soon before we get to see the action. For one thing, I am so excited for the 45-minute war sequence. I am so ready for it.

Game of Thrones continues next Sunday, April 21st at 9/8c on HBO. Watch the preview below: