Here we are at last: Journey's End.

After nearly a decade of plots and betrayals, wars and magic, politics and prophesies the Song of Ice and Fire has come to an end, The final season has been nothing if not controversial, but still represents the culmination of a series that captivated countless fans around the world, and has irrevocably influenced all our lives.

Tyrion searches for, hoping never to find, the remnants of his family; Jon comes to terms with the devastation of King's Landing; Grey Worm protects Dany's interests, with the unflinching Iron Fist of a zealot; the Mad Queen proclaims her final solution; Tyrion abandons his role as Hand of the Queen; Dany finally reaches her ancestral throne; Tyrion helps Jon see an unpleasant reality; and Jon Snow, the Prince who was Promised, sacrifices his true love to protect the realm.

The penultimate episode of each season is typically cataclysmic and, being the final season, S8E5 really took this trend and ran with it. While this will likely prove to be one of the most divisive and, to some, unforgivable episodes, it was nothing if not surprising. I don’t wanna get into it here, but the condensed nature of this season is having some serious repercussions.

Dany is betrayed once again, the Northern army camps outside King’s Landing, Tyrion pleads for one last chance at peace, Arya and the Hound infiltrate the capital, the Lannister brother share a solemn farewell, Qyburn tries to protect his Queen, the Iron Fleet burns in Blackwater Bay, The Hound finally faces his fraternal nemesis (foe if you’re into alliteration), the Lannister army surrenders to the invaders, and the bells of King’s Landing ring desperately for salvation, before all hell breaks loose…

Arya struggles to survive the calamity, the Northern army gives in to their bloodlust, a wounded Jaime comforts Cersei, while the city without honour crumbles, as Daenerys Targaryen, first of her name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons, burns them all.

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).