With the Long Night averted we all needed an episode to decompress, surviving characters included. The episode opens with the aftermath of the battle as the remaining characters light funeral pyres, hail the victorious dead, and prepare their depleted forces for one last fight.

Jaime and Brienne play a drinking game, Daenerys recognizes Gendry’s usefulness, Tormund challenges basically anyone to a drinking contest, Dany demands Jon keep his true name secret, Sansa forswears herself in front of the Heart Tree, Arya reunites with the Hound, Tyrion defends Dany’s leadership qualities, the Northern armies honour their promises to Dany, Varys hatches a desperate plot, Cersei is offered a final chance at peace, and Dany is punished for her clemency.

ToB is back to breakdown Season 8 Episode 2: “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”, which proves to be a predominantly light, genuinely heartwarming, and endlessly joyful episode; a rarity among GoT episodes and feels almost too good to be true..

Jaime receives a cold welcome in Winterfell, Dany questions Tyrion’s value as the Hand of the Queen, Brienne vouches for the Kingslayer, Theon vows to protect Bran, the remnants of The Night’s Watch reunite in Winterfell, Arya celebrates life in the face of imminent death, Dany opens up to Sansa, Tormund tells a campfire story, Jon reveals his true identity to Daenerys, Jorah once again wields a Valyrian Steel sword, and Brienne earns a title befitting of her character… all whilst preparing for the greatest battle of their lives.

This is the deep breath before the plunge and it is a celebration of the characters, relationships, and story that has brought us to this point,

Here we are at last, the much-anticipated Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1 "Winterfell" has arrived. Eight years of intricate storytelling, twists, turns, betrayals, plots and schemes have been leading up to this point (I know, plots and schemes are the same thing). 

This is the beginning of the end and, with so much riding on it, the first episode manages to exceed expectations while maintaining an impressive pace and plenty of heart. 

Daenerys' army arrives in Winterfell, the Army of the Dead encroaches on the North, Euron delivers the Golden Company to King's Landing, the Northern Lords question Jon's leadership, Tormund and Beric explore the home of House Umber, Arya reunites with Jon Snow, Dany admits to the execution of Sam's family, the Night King leaves a grisly warning at Last Hearth, Jon (finally) learns of his true parentage, and Jaime comes face to face with a ghost from his past.

With a cold gust of wind, and snow the season 2 rewatch comes to an end. Just in time too, because the eighth and final season looms large on the horizon. Julian and Daniel look back at season 2 as a whole and discuss the details of this finale. A finale that capped off what was widely considered to be one of the shows worst seasons. Though it’s hard to deny that it was sometimes rocky and poorly paced, Game of Thrones’ sophomore season still has a lot to love, especially on a rewatch. With hindsight, and a deeper knowledge of the world, certain moments shine bright as they drip with subtext and foreshadowing. All the more casting a larger shadow on the season’s less than stellar scenes.

In the season 2 finale Tyrion is stripped of all his power, Littlefinger is gifted a castle, Varys recruits a new spy, Jamie and Brienne are questioned on the road, Sansa is released from an obligation, Robb makes a questionable decision, Stannis has regrets, Theon rallies the troops, Arya stays with her friends, Bran says goodbye to an old friend, Jon earns some respect, Dany is tempted by ghosts of her past and future, and Sam stares death in the eye (for some reason).

With the War of the Five Kings ravaging the Riverlands, Stannis brings the fights to the Lannister’s front door in the first of the series’ full-episode battle sequences.

Tyrion rallies the city’s defenders, Davos leads the royal fleet into battle, Cersei drinks, The Hound loses his nerve, Sansa comforts the ladies of the court, Cersei drinks, Bronn springs Tyrion’s trap, Stannis climbs the walls of King’s Landing, Tywin meets with the Tyrell forces, while Cersei prepares to take one final drink.