The variations on the theme as Daenerys and company make their landing and she returns home. Those long low horns and strings foreshadowing all the epic that's about to be unleashed. Zero dialogue until Dany asks, "Shall we begin?" Absolutely brilliant closing sequence for the season opener.
[8.7/10] It's a stellar season premiere. I really enjoyed three themes in particular that flitted throughout the episode.
The first is the notion of homecoming. Arya beckons all the Freys to return to their family home in order to slaughter them. Jon returns the family homes to the survivng members of the northern families who betrayed him, and last but certainly not least, Dany returns to the place where she was born. There is a sacredness in return, in where a person is from, that GoT recognizes and plays around with.
The second is the notion of guilt, something that comes through in Arya's conversation with the run-of-the-mill soldiers she meets in the Riverlands. One of them speaks of hoping his wife had a baby girl, because girls take care of their fathers while boys go off to die in another man's war. There's a look on Arya's face, one that seems to reveal a lament that she'll never get to take care of her father, and that her victims may just as easily be lowborn who no more wanted to fight and die than Arya wanted to see her family killed.
There's a parallel with The Hound's portion of the episode there too, where he sees the corpses of the farmer and child he mugged back in Season 4, and can't help but feel guilt at the actions that if not caused, then at least contributed to their demise. This is a different Sandor Clegane, one who buries the people he did wrong, who believes in things, and even if he doesn't know the right words, gives them a eulogy that serves as an apology.
The third is the idea of perspective. Most of the players in the episode are concerned with who will sit on the Iron Throne. Jon is wrapped up in fighting the Night King. And Arya's on her rooaring rampage of revenge. But when Sam is caught up in the same struggle, the Archmaester (Jim Broadbent!) cautions perspective, that this too shall pass, and that there are certain things worth preserving, certain projects worth pursuing, apart from the worldly concerns that consume most men.
It's a rich episode, full of colorful scenes and potent themes. Exciting to have GoT back!
A good start for the season but as usual the hype train is overlooking the downfalls of the episode.
The intro to Samwell's section was a poor attempt at being innovative with direction and didn't suit the style of GoT at all.
The Ed Sheeran cameo with cheesey dialogue and full face shot just shows that the producers care more about headlines and celeb fans getting cameos than actually organic scenes.
The acting and dialogue by all in that scene was pretty awful. Which is a shame as the purpose of the scene is for Arya to realise that the Lannister soldiers are just normal men with lives and families. Hard to get into with such poor presentation though.
Game of thrones is a cash cow and will always make money. They can do no wrong and they know that. This is resulting in lazy writing and direction at times. So long as they wow you every so often with a cool line or death then that's all the general audience will latch onto.
I hope I'm proven wrong as the season continues but I'm pretty sure we'll get more of the same and a few 'shock and awe' events for those coveted headlines and viral hashtags.
You let one wolf alive and the sheeps are never safe
Sam travels to Old Town just to find out something Stannis had already told him a while back.
Amazing and strong start!! Arya opening scene has to be one of the best moments on the entire series!! North remembers!!!!
Nice one. North remembers. Tell them the Winter came for the house Frey
Fuck Yeah!! They're back!!
Arya amazing Stark. That first scene was incredible.
Khaleesi you are the fucking Queen!!!
She didn't need to say much. Just look at that powerful woman.
I'm glad Sam is finding a way to help Jon. He needs all the posible help.
Oh boy, I'm so happy to see this show again.
It was kind of funny seen Ed Sheeran in this episode. LOL
What a way to start the season. Very solid opener. Looking forward to the rest of the season.
Lady Mormont does not hold back. She is more badass than jon.
Dragonstone is really impressive, just as the library at Oldtown.
Wowzer. Danerys' return and that opening with the Freys. Two of the strongest moments of the episode in the strongest moments of the episode. This opening episode really puts this season in a strong position to really beat every season before it. All the players are in position on the board to make this season amazing @.@
I enjoyed the first and the last scences of the episode. Great Start.
Danys back! That last scene was amazing. It was a long time coming and it was worth it, now lets see what she does next.
The scene between Cersei and Jamie with Euron was great. I wonder what the gift could be? Maybe he is bringing Robert's last bastard, Gendry? Jamie's look on his face when Euron said you should try killing you brother made me laugh. It’s like it just crossed his mind that she is actually capable of doing that.
Arya is not content with just killing Walder Frey, she had to kill them all. I realized about halfway through that scene and it was awesome to see her be a badass. The North Remembers! Oh and there is Ed Sheeran I wonder if we will see him again?
I loved that The Hound basically made fun of Thoros for having a man bun. Its crazy to see the way he has changed as a person and burying the people he left for dead a few seasons ago.
Sansa questioning Jon in front of everyone makes me think she wants to be in charge. I wonder if Littlefinger is rubbing off on her? Jon is concerned with the North but I think Sansa has more knowledge of everyone else and she is going to be important going forward.
I can’t get enough of Tormund hitting on Brienne. "You're a lucky man."
Sam's poop/soup montage was disgusting. He might be the most important part of this epsiode though. Finding the Dragon glass "mountain" might give the living folk an actual chance. Jon will probably be going to Dragonstone next week and we will finally get Jon and Daenerys face to face. And we get a glimpse at poor Jorah which seems the grey scale has gone into full effect.
Great episode to kick off the new season. We don't have a full 10 episodes so hopefully some big things happen next week.
"Shall we begin?" YES DAMN IT
BRING IT ON, SEASON 7
Well written episode, overall it's a great opening for a season. I can't help but ship Tormund and Brienne XD
I Want Game of thrones now
The North Remembers. this season gonna break the internet
Dragonstone (the castle) was just beautiful.
Is this the greatest show of all time? I'm kinda thinking that it is
That Sam montage was absolutely hilarious.
Good episode, nice to set things up.
Dragonstone, my you are beautiful.
ARYA FUCKING STARK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. JESUS CHRIST HOW CAN SOMEONE BE THIS AWESOME.
Amazing Premier. Great to have GoT back. Winter is here :D
Nice to see Danny entering Dragonstone. I'm so hyped to see Jon meeting Danny soon now that he knows there's dragonglass in Dragonstone.
"Tell them that winter came for House Frey" -Arya Stark
Only 13 episodes left. Let's make the most of it.
Ed Sheeran by the campfire was for me one of the biggest wtf moments ever
But generally it's sheer brilliance in one hour. Both opening and closing sequence gave me chills, soooo happy it's finally on!
Holy !@$()! Giants with the army of the dead :((
The beginning of the end. (goosebumps)
the greatest show there is and will be
wow loved it so far am converted to biggest fan.i need the 7th season to start.binged all 6 seasons and did not sleep properly ,could not stop myself.
Hope it wont be bad like season 5 and 6.
Not we all expected. Good episode but could have been better. A few good scenes like Cersei/Euron, The Hound and the brotherhood and the always shock value of Arya killing everyone at the Twins.
Dany's landing could have been more powerful.
There I was, happily enjoying the return of my favourite television show. And then Ed bloody Sheeran turns up and ruins my mood. Get out of my life.
ARYA: Pretty song. I've not heard it before.
ED BLOODY SHEERAN: It's new. Buy it on iTunes.
Strong episode otherwise, the pacing and flow was MUCH improved over what's been happening for the past few seasons. The writing allowed for scenes to breathe and really be dug into. Wonderful opening sequence with Arya.
Very awesome episode!! I wish the original nephew of daenerys is in this show but i guess it will just add to much time to develop his character. I am so excited for the war to come lol. Not to be nitpicky but why is Dragonstone so clean even outside when it seems like completely abandoned. I would understand if there remained some civilians and retainers that kept the maintenance of the place lol
Nice to see Dragonstone one of the location in the north of Spain. Anyway fantastic season openning. All the pieces on the board now.
So it's got off to a good start, establishing the plot for the season. That first scene though.....
Lol what, Ed Shereen was so random.
Perfect season opener. And I'm glad that they keep improving the cinematography with every season.
Oh and Tormund is into femdom :skull:
For god's sake, I was eating breakfast (porridge) when Sam did his chores. It was a near thing :nauseated_face:
Ed Sheeran - MVP of the Episode:rofl:
Sansa Stark: "You have to be smarter than father. You need to be smarter than Robb. I loved them, I miss them, but they made stupid mistakes and they both lost their heads for it."
Wow. Not what I was expecting. This was actually really good. Judging from what I've heard about this season I expected it to be awful but this wasn't half-bad.
Pretty boring except the first five minutes which made the entire episode worth watching.
man I have been watching the show for a month from season 1 now season 6 lookout
Sooo. No one decided to move into this Giant Empty Castle? That is just stupid. Also if they knew she was coming why were there not forces there?
Positioning the characters, Aria rocks, SAm look for a nose clip. This homage to Harry Potter 6, there is even Horace Slughorn doing teacher
let's talk about Lyanna Mormont!!!! let's just make a monument for her o something! ♥♥
All the clues in this episode lead to one Place ..Dragonstone
Euron greyjoy want cersei to kill tyrion
Jon Snow want to know about DragonGlass
Bran Arrived to the wall
Dany want to start the game of thrones-Pun totally intended-
And the best scenes with assassin arya
Overall this episode is 9/10
HYPE!!!
Great opening episode. It might have just set a world record for giving people the boak at the same time with Sam's poop/soup scenes.
Turgoose Cameo was really amazing!
Continues in similar fashion as the past episodes of having one scene that draws you in while the rest does not reach that level.
Great Start. Game of Thrones has a couple of bad episodes in the last seasons: But this start was great -Except one Scene that i don't want to spoil.
9/10
Two things about The Situation in the North:
1. yikes Jon nice (internalized) misogyny there
2. all I have ever wanted is the Queen in the North and Sansa not being A Doormat and I love that there were vibes of both in this ep!!!!
Arya Stark's character has seen the most development and Maise Williams is, undoubtedly, the best person to play the role of Arya Stark. Game of Thrones, one of the best shows that there is to watch.
Jon listen to Sansa, son
"Shall we begin?" Marvelous! have no words...
Shout by DeletedBlockedParentSpoilers2017-07-17T18:24:42Z
Everything The Hound says is just pure gold!