Game of Thrones season 8 episode 2 recap: Last night together

PHOTO CREDIT: HBO

By Jayson Edgerle, Assistant Opinions Editor

Jayson's rating:
4/5

On Easter Sunday, Jesus wasn’t the only thing to rise again. The second episode of Game of Thrones aired on HBO, giving us another taste as the audience draws closer to the end.

Much like last week’s episode, this episode was mostly spent on the characters and setting up for, and teasing for, the big battle with the White Walker Army as it makes its way towards Winterfell.

The episode opens with Jaime Lannister, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, facing the court of Winterfell, with Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) ready to kill the man that killed her father. In most cases, the residents of the North would be happy to axe him for all that has happened but Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) stands up and vouches for Jaime. This vouch is enough to convince Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) to spare Jamie’s life.

Later on in the episode, what’s left of the Night’s Watch and Wildlings, that were stationed at the Wall, arrive to Winterfell and give Jon the bad news regarding the wall and how close the Night King’s army is to Winterfell. They have less than 24 hours to prepare for the attack.

PHOTO CREDIT: HBO

The main characters later gather around to form a game plan. The Night King’s army of White Walkers is too massive to face head on and for every living creature that falls in battle, a White Walker rises. Their best chance is to take out the Night King, but even that is easier said than done. Bran Stark (Issac Hempstead Wright), being the Three Eyed Raven, volunteers to be the bait that draws the Night King into the reach of the heroes. Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) volunteers to guard him, and Arya (Maisie Williams) asks if dragon fire would be enough to destroy the Night King for good. While it’s logical, it also puts the two last dragons into the Night King’s crosshairs, just as what happened to Viserion.

PHOTO CREDIT: HBO

A big theme of this episode is settling one’s accords. Theon, having done terrible things to the Stark family in previous seasons, wants to redeem himself, especially to Bran.

Jaime wants to fight alongside Brienne as a sign of respect, however it does seem to be developing into a romantic attachment, as many fans ship the pair. Also, Jaime seeks to resolve things with Bran, who basically has come to terms with his condition, stating that neither of them are “who they were before.”

PHOTO CREDIT: HBO

As the sun sets on Winterfell, the characters prepare themselves for what may be their eminent death.  Jaime has spent most of his day with his younger brother, Tyrion Lanister (Peter Dinklage) and continues to spend it with him into the wee hours, along with Brienne, Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), and Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman), drinking wine, telling stories, and even hearing Podrick sing a song to foreshadow what they are about to face.

PHOTO CREDIT: HBO

Arya, on the other hand, seeks to be with her oldest friend, Gendry (Joe Dempsie), and experience a night of passion with him. All the while, the words of Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) are remembered by those in the audience who have been there since the beginning: “I have a son, you have a daughter. We’ll join our houses.”

Down in the crypts, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) accepts what Sam had told him about his true parentage and shares it with Daenerys. At first, she tries to brush it off, thinking that it’s some propaganda but that doesn’t hold very long, and she says something that would make anyone feel a tad bit uncomfortable.

“You would have a claim to the Iron Throne.” However, before she can move the discussion forward, the alarms ring out as the White Walkers descend upon Winterfell.