The first episode of the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones acts as a setup for the future episodes. It is low on action, but is still a very entertaining. Much of this episode was about reunions, both joyful and awkward.
Watch the episode to see what happens when characters like Bran Stark, Arya Stark, Jon Snow, Sam, Sansa Stark, Tyrion Lannister, who have all been away from each other for such a long time, come together before the show wraps up.
Jon Snow and Bran
Jon returns to the North with Daenerys Targaryen. While he was away to get her, Bran had returned to Winterfell. Bran is the first person Jon notices as he enters the castle and is visibly ecstatic. Jon kisses his half-brother on the forehead.
Jon Snow and Arya Stark
Jon sees Arya! The two play a game of “check out my sweet sword” and Arya massively downplays how many people she’s killed. It was the Winterfell equivalent of your bigger brother asking you how many beers you had at that underage party.
Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark
Tyrion and Sansa see each other again for the first time since Joffrey’s wedding and assassination. It’s a nice moment, briefly, until Sansa scoffs at Tyrion’s naive belief that his sister will do the right thing. “I used to think you were the cleverest man I knew,” she says.
Arya Stark and the Hound
Arya and the Hound reunite. The latter complains that Arya left him to die, and she counters him by saying she robbed him first. Arya also meets her old friend Gendry, who still teases her by calling her Lady Stark.
Theon and Yara
Back on the Iron Island’s battle boats we have learned that Yara Greyjoy is alive. What disappeared in Season 7 may never die! Younger brother Theon comes to rescue her (hopefully making good for his poor actions last season). After a little sibling jostling (oh, I only headbutt ’cause I care), the two are on good terms again. But Theon’s heart is elsewhere and Yara, sensing this, gives him leave to go and fight with the Starks.
Bran Stark and Jaime Lannister
Among all the heartwarming reunion, there was one which shocked yet amazed the viewers at the same time. Finally, the two people who started all of this drama in the first season have come face to face. Jaime is shocked to see Bran in flesh after all these years. He is after all the reason Bran is crippled now. Jaime had thrown Bran off a building after the kid caught him having sex with Cersei.
