Photo: HBO
Game of Thrones is officially back and after an epic seven seasons, the iconic series has a lot riding on its conclusion. The eighth season kicked off with a lighter episode, acting as the calm before the storm as the narrative set the table for the final episodes of HBO‘s biggest drama.
The premiere episode featured highly-anticipated reunions, including Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister, an epic staredown between Bran Stark and his would-be killer Jaime Lannister, and, most importantly, Arya Stark leaping into Jon Snow’s arms following a somewhat more icy encounter with Sansa thanks to the tension between the Lady of Winterfell and Daenerys Targaryen.
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Some of the tension was broken up with a few welcome hilarious moments, such as Tormund yelling, “I’ve always had blue eyes!” when the others suspect him of being a White Walker and winning the best line of the episode. With an episode ripe with juicy scenes, they saved the best for last with Jon learning from his best friend Sam Tarly that he is actually the son of Ned Stark’s sister, Lyanna Stark, and Rhaegar Targaryen. As you can imagine, it wasn’t easy for Jon to accept that he is actually Aegon Targaryen, the true heir to the Iron Throne and the nephew of Daenerys. It’s OK, Jon, you didn’t know you were banging your aunt (although, based on Thrones history that might not actually be enough to stop their love affair).
With only five episodes left, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series has a lot to live up to. Love it or hate it, Game of Thrones is one of the few series that can garner a weekly live-tweeting and watch event of such a grand magnitude as was made clear once again during the premiere.
The biggest challenge for the series will be whether the final few episodes can close out such an epic legacy with a satisfying conclusion — even if that means all of our favorites are dead. While we wait for the end, take a moment to relive just a few of the many memorable scenes in Game of Thrones history below that reminds us why it is one of the most-watched shows of the last decade.
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Reliving Game of Thrones
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Battle of the Bastards
We know there's still five episodes left of the series, but there will likely never be a more iconic image than Jon Snow preparing to take on this army.
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The Red Wedding
This brutal event has already been cemented as the most infamous scene in the show's history, though chances are high they might try to one-up it in the final season.
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Night King Challenges Jon Snow
This epic moment at Hardhome when Jon watches the Night King stare him down as he reanimates dead will give you chills whether or not winter is here.
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Sack of Astapor
Otherwise known as the time Daenerys liberated the slaves in Slaver's Bay and with the help of the Unsullied and her dragons killed the Good Masters and became the Breaker of Chains. Burn, baby, burn.
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Battle of Blackwater
One word: Wildfire.
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Cersei's Walk of Shame
It's not exactly easy feeling sorry for someone as diabolical as Cersei, but this scene came close, even with the chant of "shame" the whole time.
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Jon Snow's Resurrection
Jon Snow coming back from the dead really wasn't a huge surprise, but you can't deny the rush of excitement you felt when he took in that shuddering breath.
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Tyrion Demands Trial by Combat
Give Peter Dinklage pages of dialogue and the scene will always turn into gold.
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The Purple Wedding
Watching this sociopathic little punk meet a gruesome end was honestly cathartic. Sorry, not sorry.
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Battle of Hardhome
It took nearly a month of filming to bring this battle to life, and many fans still consider it to be one of the best episodes of the series.
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Daenerys/Dothraki vs. Lannister Army
Burn, baby, burn part two.
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Oberyn Martell's Death
One of the goriest and most frustrating deaths of the show. You had it won, man! Until you messed around and your head exploded.
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Cersei Blows Up the Sept of Baelor
Cersei decided to borrow some wildfire to exact some revenge and avoid trial. No matter how you feel about her, Cersei's penchant for violence and vengeance should not be taken lightly.
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'Hold the Door!'
We're not crying. Everyone's crying.
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Brienne vs. The Hound
If you don't love Brienne of Tarth, you're wrong.
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Ned Stark's Beheading
For fans who haven't read the books, Ned Stark's death was one of the first shocking moments on the series, setting an early tone of how no one is safe and maybe you shouldn't get too attached to anyone.
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Daenerys the Unburnt
Daenerys walked through fire, rose from the ashes, and emerged with three baby dragons. The definition of iconic.
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Jaime Tries to Kill Bran
The very first episode of Game of Thrones established that incest would be a thing and the Lannisters might be the most ruthless family in Westeros. It also finally came full circle when Bran and Jaime came face-to-face after so many years.
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Tyrion Kills Tywin
If anyone deserved to die on the toilet, it was Tyrion's dad.
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The Starks Kill Littlefinger
Littlefinger was one of the most cunning characters on the show. Watching him be bested by Sansa and Arya was one of the sweetest moments for our favorite sisters.
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Arya Kills Walder Frey
After feeding him his own sons, of course. Revenge is a dish best served cannibalized.
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Olenna's Confession
The realest O.G. of the seven kingdoms stared death in the face without a quiver, took out the mad Boy King Joffrey, and made sure confessing it was her final act. Respect.
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Viserion Returns Undead
That bittersweet feeling when you're happy the slain dragon is alive, but then you realize he's now the Night King's new pet. Which also means there could be an epic dragon battle headed our way before the series comes to an close.
