Game of Thrones Season 8 Premiere Review: Winterfell (Season 8 Episode 1)
On Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1,”Winterfell,” the key players descend upon the North to prepare to battle the Night King’s army. Jon learns the truth.
The more things change, the more they stay the same in George R.R. Martin’s universe. Even with a massive army of undead closing in on everyone south of the Wall, politics and power are still at Game of Thrones‘ core.
Maybe it’s because only a handful truly understand the fight ahead, while the rest are more distracted by problems among the living. It grows frustrating to hear the Northerners bicker and gripe about who’s in charge. It certainly makes us question if they really grasp the gravitas of their current circumstances.
There’s been tension between Sansa and Jon for the past two seasons, starting with their plans to retake Winterfell from the Boltons and extending into the season 8 premiere. Sansa’s grown comfortable giving orders in the North, and Jon is stuck between his sister and his queen.
Tyrion’s correct when he claims too many people have underestimated Sansa. She’s smart enough to realize Cersei isn’t coming anywhere near the North. Sansa has become quite skilled at politics, and she’s not as taken as Varys, Jon, and Tyrion are with Dany.
Are her objections strictly about loyalty to her brother? Is she simply as distrustful of outsiders as her Northern compatriots, or does she have an increasing affection for power? Littlefinger’s greatest legacy may be his influence over Sansa and the woman she’s become.
Daenerys doesn’t come off as particularly likable on “Winterfell.” She tells Sam about roasting his brother and father without any indication of empathy. She’s also not interested in bonding with Sansa, telling Jon “She doesn’t need to be my friend, but I am her queen.”
Daenerys has one victory under her belt when it comes to overthrowing the powers that be in Westeros, and her entitlement, the thing that once made us root for her, is quickly becoming off-putting.
Perhaps, because there’s a more appealing monarch with a greater claim, or because she’s been thrust into a place where she’s not surrounded by people who view her as Mhysa and savior … yet.
One of the best scenes on “Winterfell” is the discussion between Varys, Tyrion, and Ser Davos, clucking like three old hens about Jon and Dany marrying. No doubt the idea they could rule together is a theory that’s been picked apart by die-hard fans everywhere. But when Varys says “Nothing lasts,” we know he means more than Jon and Dany’s youth.
While the North deals with having too many cooks in the kitchen, Cersei prepares to take back the Seven Kingdoms. Is she pregnant? Was she pregnant? Could Euron make good on his promise?
Throughout Game of Thrones, it’s been debated whether Daenerys could follow in her father’s footsteps, but there’s already a Mad Queen sitting on the thrown.
Game of Thrones quickly puts all the pieces in place on the chess board. We don’t see the Night King and his army, but he leaves a macabre clue to his whereabouts (please don’t get me started on how they haven’t reached Winterfell yet).
In the new opening credits, it all comes down to Last Hearth (where the Night King left his calling card), Winterfell, and King’s Landing.
With five episodes to go, our heroes aren’t all going to escape unscathed, and they’ll have nowhere to go but South where Cersei is waiting for the survivors. Game of Thrones Season 8 isn’t about mankind getting wiped out by the walking dead.
It’s a battle between good and evil, and we know who wins. The real story is what happens when it’s all over. Once this supernatural threat is either sent back under the ice or extinguished for good, we’re back to where we started: a kingdom rife with imperfect people who all want a piece of something for themselves.
Other Thoughts:
Here’s hoping neither Arya nor Gendry dies because there is some chemistry brewing there.
Initially, Tyrion didn’t seem to be a fan of the Jon-Dany pairing. Has he changed his mind?
There’s unfinished business between Jaime and Bran, and Jaime’s final redemption could involve the last male Stark.
Where the heck is Ghost?
What did you think of this episode of Game of Thrones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Game of Thrones airs Sunday at 9/8c on HBO.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Jennifer has been working as a freelance writer for six years, contributing to BuddyTV, Screen Rant, TVRage, Hidden Remote, Gossip On This, and PopMatters. She prefers binge-watching old episodes of The Office (British and American versions) to long walks on the beach. She's still holding out hope that Happy Endings will get a revival.