Game of Thrones-Season Eight Episodes 1-3

Warning! This post is dark and full of terrors! Spoilers for the season so far.

Episode 1-Winterfell
The people of the North watch in silence as Jon, Dany and their people arrive at Winterfell to a somewhat cold greeting from Sansa. They are quickly given the news that The Wall has been breached and the White Walkers are bringing their army south-and that the Night King has reanimated Dany's dead dragon. Old friends and family members are reunited as Jon finds Bran, Arya and Sam, Sansa meets Tyrion, Edd and the Night's Watch meeting Tormund and Beric at the Last Hearth and Jaime meeting Bran. Arya is also surprised to see The Hound alive and well and is pleased to see Gendry is ok. Jon does not get the greatest welcome from Lady Mormont and the Northmen who don't like that he has given up his title of King in the North to bend the knee to Dany.

The North react badly to Tyrion's declaration that the Lannister army are coming to fight with them and Sansa questions his stupidity in believing his sister. She is concerned about how to feed everyone. Dany meets Sam to thank him for saving Jorah's life and ends up shattering him by admitting that she executed his father and brother. Sam is urged by Bran to tell Jon the truth about his parents as Jon trusts Sam more than anyone and Sam delivers the blow to Jon along with some harsh thoughts about Dany. Gendry takes charge of the dragon glass and gets started on making weapons. The Karstarks arrive to join the fight, but the Glovers refuse to fight for Dany to Sansa's fury-at Jon. She questions why he really bent the knee. Bran tells Sam to tell Jon the truth and he delivers the bombshell. The Umbers have been killed by the dead at Last Hearth and the Night's Watch link up with Beric and Tormund. Jaime arrives at Winterfell and sees what he has done to Bran.

At King's Landing, Qyburn tells Cersei the news about The Wall falling and seems surprised by her delighted response. She also welcomes her paid fighters The Golden Company and their commander. On her orders, Qyburn hires Bronn to go north and kill Tyrion and Jaime if they survive the coming battle. Theon takes advantage of Euron getting it on with Cersei to rescue Yara and they make their escape.  

Interesting thoughts...
-Is Bronn going to try and kill Jaime and Tyrion and if he tries, who might stop him?
-Is it possible that Daario is now secretly leader of the Golden Company and pulled a Trojan Horse on Cersei for Dany? Probably not but that would be a shock for Cersei! 
-Would Dany try to kill Sansa for not bending the knee? 
-Cersei is not showing any signs of pregnancy yet-is she or isn't she?
-Dany enjoys the fear of the people when they see her dragons which disturbs me
-Why is Bran so interested in watching Tyrion?
-Euron tells Yara if he picked the wrong side he'll sail the fleet elsewhere 
-Does Varys know the secret of Jon's parentage? His sad 'nothing lasts' as he looks at a happy Jon and Dany suggests he knows something

Amusing moments...
-Sam asks Dany for a pardon for stealing library books
-Bronn fears he caught the pox from a prostitute 
-Jon is shocked by Sam's news but doesn't quite seem to grasp that he bonked his aunt, focusing instead on Ned lying to him!
-Tyrion's childish jibes at Varys anatomy
-Edd and Tormund scene over the colour of his eyes 'Stay back, he's got blue eyes!' 'I've always had blue eyes!'
-Yara thumps Theon for deserting her
-Bran ruins the reunion with an info dump of horror

Emotional...
-Poor Sam finding out that Randyll and Dickon were murdered by Dany
-Jon's reunion with Arya and Bran
-Jon discovers who his parents were 
-Jaime sees Bran for the first time since throwing him off the Tower

Great moments
-Sam challenges Jon over the death of his family and Dany's true nature, showing that he is willing to stand up and take on his friend if required 'I'm talking about the King of the bloody Seven Kingdoms!'
-Lady Mormont not knowing what Jon is anymore
-Sansa shows she is the true Lady of Winterfell with Dany
-Jaime's arrival at Winterfell
-Jon becomes a dragon rider at last 

Episode 2-A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms
Jaime is standing before a hall of enemies with Dany declaring that she always planned to kill him for killing her father, with Sansa agreeing he can't be trusted, but Jaime stands firm and declares that they were at war and he was protecting his family. He is the only one who understands Bran's cryptic comment. He does tell Dany that Cersei lied about her army and that she has Euron and the Golden Company with her. Dany slaps Tyrion down when he tries to defend his brother. Brienne stands up for Jaime and Sansa agrees that he can stay with Jon confirming and Dany reluctantly has to agree. Both Starks blank her as they leave the room. Dany tears strips off Tyrion in front of Jorah and Varys. When Gendry sees Arya's new skills he agrees that making the weapon she wants is a priority. Jaime tells Bran he's sorry and he has changed and Bran tells him it made them both what they are today. Jaime wants to serve under Brienne's command and she agrees while Jorah tells Sansa to trust Tyrion and make peace with Sansa.

Sansa and Dany find common ground until Sansa demands to know if Dany will let the North stay free. Refugees continue to flood in to Winterfell and Davos takes charge of feeding them and telling them where to get armed. Tormund, Edd and Beric arrive and give Jon the news about the Umbers and that the battle will start that night. The leaders discuss the battle plan and Bran decides to be bait with Theon offering to have the Iron Born guard him. Dany orders Tyrion to the crypt as he is too smart to waste in battle as Jorah watches. Greyworm and Missandei talk about a future away from Westeros while Sam, Jon and Edd reunite. Jaime, Tyrion, Brienne, Pod, Tormund and Davos have a fireside chat while Arya and Beric join The Hound. Gendry gives Arya her weapon later and she seduces him after he confesses his family secret. The Mormonts argue about Lyanna choosing to fight, Missandei and Greyworm say goodbye while Sansa shares a final meal with Theon. Dany finds Jon in the crypts and he tells her about her parents. Her shocked reaction is interrupted by three blasts of the horn.

Interesting thoughts...
-Does Varys know about Jon's parentage? He never stops looking at Jon and Dany
-Bran seems quite interested in Tyrion this season-what does he know?

-Jon and Sansa don't know that Jaime threw Bran from the Tower... 
-Jorah is the only one that Dany really listens to
-Why does Dany react like that to Sansa and Theon's reunion?
-Can dragon fire kill the Night King?

-Is Tyrion realising that Jaime has feelings for Brienne?
-Does Tormund suspect something between Jaime and Brienne?
-Melisandre, Arya and Davos are the only ones to know that Robert is Gendry's father

Amusing moments...
-Brienne wondering why Jaime hasn't insulted her yet 
-Tormund flattening Jon as he goes to greet Edd
-Is the big woman still here? 

-Edd's reaction to Sam wanting to fight 'If that's what it's come to we really are fucked'
-Sam's retort 'Calling you fucked wouldn't be strictly accurate'
-Tyrion and Jaime imagining what Tywin would think of them defending Winterfell
-Tormund chatting up Brienne and his giant milk story 
-The Hound with Arya and Beric on the wall

Emotional...
-Brienne vouches for Jaime
-Tyrion getting chewed out by Dany
-Jaime says sorry to Bran
-Jaime asks to serve under Brienne's command
-Sansa greets Theon
-Greyworm talks retirement and freedom with Missandei
-Edd 'Last man left, burn the rest of us'
-Jaime knights Brienne
-Jorah and Lyanna's final family moment together
-Sam gives his family sword to Jorah

Great moments... 
-Sansa determined that the North will not bend the knee to Dany after their interesting chat
-Ghost is back!
-Enjoying all those group and pair moments as battle looms

Episode 3-The Long Night 
Everyone prepares for battle. The dothraki with Jorah and Ghost are the vanguard with The Unsullied lined up behind them. Also taking up position are Brienne, Pod, Jaime, Beric, Tormund, The Hound, Gendry, Edd and Sam leading the northmen, the free folk and soldiers of the Vale. Tyrion watches Theon taking Bran through to the godswood before heading for the crypts with Varys, Gilly, Missandei and the women and children. Lyanna organises the defence of the gate with Davos in position on the walls, which is where Arya and Sansa watch with the archers. Jon and Dany watch from a nearby hill with the dragons. Melisandre approaches on horseback and approaches Jorah, asking the dothraki to raise their weapons which she sets alight for them. They begin the charge but it is short and everyone reacts badly to seeing the blades all wink out and few return alive but Jorah does. Dany deviates from the plan and takes to the air as the army of the dead hit the front lines of the Winterfell defenders.The dragons attack the forces of the dead and then go for The White Walkers in the treeline. They are consumed by a blizzard, destroying visibility. Jaime rescues Brienne in the early moments, Arya tells Sansa to get to the crypt and arms her while Edd meets his death saving Sam. Brienne and Tormund give the retreat order and The Unsullied protect everyone as they rush back to regroup inside the castle walls, the archers including Arya taking out as many dead as they can. Arya saves The Hound. Finally The Unsullied retreat and it is Melisandre who has to come out and light the trench as Dany can't see Davos with his signal. Theon and Bran wait anxiously by the heart tree.

The battle switches to the castle interior as the dead lay down across the flames to break the line of fire and The Hound's fear of fire cripples him. The dead begin to climb the walls. As Lyanna guards the gate, Brienne, Pod, Jaime, Jorah, Sam, Tormund, Greyworm, Gendry go up onto the walls and start battling the dead who are climbing over. Jorah saves Sam while Brienne comes to rescue Jaime as the fight rages on. Arya comes to join the fight after saving Davos and the sight of her gets The Hound's head back in the game.  A giant breaks through the gate and fatally injures Lyanna who makes her last stand taking it down. Arya gets a bad head injury and retreats within the castle, trying to avoid a swarm of the dead. The Night King joins the aerial battle while Beric gives his life to save Arya and The Hound who join Melisandre. As Arya realises what she has to do, The Night King is knocked from his dragon and Dany tries unsuccessfully to burn him. As Jon tries to engage him in battle, the Night King raises the fallen defenders in a new wave of attack and the dead rise in the crypt to attack the innocent. Jorah hears the dragons nearby and gets a sense that Dany might need him and he leaves the castle. The White Walkers enter Winterfell with the Night King with Jon in pursuit to save Bran while a distracted Dany falls from Drogon and is saved from the dead by Jorah. Viserion stops Jon, the defenders are being overrun and Theon is last man standing when the Night King enters the godswood. Theon dies defending Bran but Arya arrives to kill the Night King, while Jorah dies in Dany's arms knowing she is safe as the dead finally fall. Melisandre walks to her own peaceful death.

Interesting thoughts...
-As Bran goes to his possible death, he still keeps staring at Tyrion
-Why did the plan not have an initial airborne attack on the advancing dead to lessen their numbers before the dothraki charge?
-Melisandre takes that long look at Arya upon arrival. 
-Is Arya the Prince That Was Promised?
-Is there a HEA for Tyrion and Sansa?
-Has Dany lost her moral compass with the death of Jorah? 
-Who will go south to face Cersei?
-Will Yara and Edmure join the battle at King's Landing?

Amusing moments...
-Edd's reaction to Sam's late arrival 
-Varys ponders how useful it is to already be in a crypt if about to die
-We should have stayed married
-The Hound reacts to Beric's plea for him to fight ('fuck off!')

Emotional...
-Where has Ghost gone?
-Edd. And now His Watch Is Ended.
-Theon's apology to Bran in the godswood
-Lyanna Mormont takes out the giant
-Beric sacrifices himself to save Arya and The Hound 
-Tyrion and Sansa in the crypt when he kisses her hand
-Theon gains redemption ('You're a good man. Thank You') 
-Jorah's heroic death
-Melisandre chooses to die

Horror moments...
-The dothraki lights go out
-Sam weeping in terror 
-The trench won't light and Melisandre looks scared
-The fear that everyone is going to die
-The defenders rise as the dead including Edd and Lyanna. Noooo!
-The moment when Sam appeals to Jon for help and Jon instead goes for Bran
-Why is Jon yelling at Viserion? Hide you idiot!

Great moments...
-The tension of the opening pre-battle scenes
-Melisandre lights the dothraki weapons and gives hope
-Ghost rides into battle with Jorah 
-Melisandre lights the trench
-What do we say to the God of Death? Not Today.

Comparisons with Season One

The similarities with the very first episode of season one are there to see. There is the grand arrival of Dany as there was in the past with Robert, and both times we see it with Arya watching with interest. The young boy determined to get a view reminds me of Bran scaling the walls as a kid to get his first look at the Royal visitors. Sansa's greeting of 'Winterfell is yours Your Grace' mirrors Ned's greeting to Robert. Old friends and family are reunited here as Ned and Robert are, and Benjen coming down from the Night's Watch as Edd does here. Season one begins with news of Jon Arryn's death reaching Winterfell and here Sam gets the news about his family and Jon about his friends at The Wall. Jaime tries to kill Bran by throwing him off the Tower and here he finally faces the consequences of those actions eight seasons later and gets the chance to say sorry. 

It begins with a visit to Lyanna's crypt by Robert and Ned where Robert rages at Lyanna's fate and Ned keeps the secret of Jon, and then in episode two here we get Jon revealing that very secret to Dany in front of Lyanna. From that first moment Ned refused to talk about Jon's mother to Robert and was tense every time it came up and now that secret it out but Gendry continues to hide that he is a Baratheon bastard from Dany in case she would do what Robert would have done to Jon. The Umbers and Karstarks heed Sansa's call to arms as they heeded Robb to rise and avenge Ned. Jaime and Tyrion both return to Winterfell in more sober mood than when they arrived in Robert's procession. Theon is also ending his story where it began-as a friend and Stark family member with Winterfell as his home.

The return of the dagger is important. It was the dagger used by Bran's attempted assassin in episode two, the one used to frame Tyrion which nearly led to his death at Lysa's hands. It was taken to King's Landing by Catelyn and Littlefinger lays claim to it. In season seven he gives it to Bran who presents it to Arya by the heart tree, the exact spot where she will kill the Night King with it. When Jon and Arya part after he gives her Needle, he tells Arya 'stick them with the pointy end'. Arya uses this phrase to Ned when he discovers she owns a sword and then says it to Sansa just before the battle begins.   

Jaime redeems himself with Brienne, putting behind them all the cruel jibes on their journey south by offering to serve under her command and giving her the respect she deserves. The moment when he knights her and we see her tears and the big smile were wonderful. The Long Night is similar in content to the Battle of the Blackwater in season two with the action switching between the frontlines and those hidden away. The Hound certainly suffers the same issues in both battles when the fires begin. The very first scene of the TV series showed the White Walkers that are thought to be long gone or made up stories to scare children but this season begins with the knowledge that they are coming and an end to that plot is here.