Game of Thrones season 8 episode 2: Winners and losers of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”

In the calm before the storm, Game of Thrones takes a breather to explore some smaller character moments while all our faves prepare to die.

The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones is barreling towards an inevitable conflict between the living and the dead. But “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is a surprisingly intimate affair — the majority of the remaining characters are assembled at Winterfell, giving them the ability to interact that is rare on a show where they’re almost always separated from the people the know and love.

To have this reestablished connection as they all face an enemy seemingly as unconquerable as death itself makes for an incredibly effective episode, one that is bittersweet where next week’s will undoubtedly be an ugly cry fest with a massive body count.

Winners

(L to R) Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Powerful Women

Sure, there have been some mixed reactions to the perceived cattiness between Sansa and Daenerys. However, this episode took a more thoughtful approach to their frosty dynamic, giving them the opportunity to talk through their issues. Sansa comes out on top here, showing an appropriate amount of respect but also assertively reminding Dany what she should expect from the North in the future.

We’d also be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to talk about our other queen, Lyanna Mormont, who lets Jorah know exactly where he can shove his suggestion that she go to the crypt with the women and children.

(L to R) Conleth Hill as Varys, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, John Bradley as Samwell Tarly, Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, Megan Parkinson as Alys Karstark, Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion, Kristofer Hivju as Tormund, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont,

and Rupert Vansittart as Yohn Royce – Photo: Courtesy of HBO

Fatalism

Fatalism is alive and well in Winterfell. Most of our characters spend the entire episode awaiting their inevitable and rapidly approaching demise. Some do so soberly (Jon Snow and what’s left of the Night’s Watch, surprise surprise); others with wine, song, and an attempt at good humor (Tyrion and the rest of the fun characters); and others with sex (Gendry and Arya are canon!) But they all know the end is near, which adds an incredible poignancy to an episode that is largely comprised of small character moments rather than action.

(L to R) Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Brienne and Jaime’s OTP status

Where do we even start? Brienne vouching for Jaime as a man of honor? Jaime vowing to serve under Brienne in battle? Jaime breaking the misogynistic rules of Westeros and knighting Brienne (even though honestly someone should have done this ages ago)? They are eternally devoted to one another, and even though they’re definitely both going to die, I will go down with this ship!

Losers

(L to R) Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm and Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Grey Worm’s chances of survival

Showing emotional weakness by cultivating a romantic relationship and making plans for what you’re going to do after the way because you’re so confident you’ll both survive? That is pretty much the writing on the wall. Grey Worm will die by the end of the season, and it would honestly be surprising if he made it through episode 3.

(L to R) Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

The famed Stark sense of timing

Bran, there was probably a better time to mention that the Night King has supernatural means of tracking you than the day before he arrives at Winterfell. But more importantly, Jon Snow proves himself as a true Stark by dropping a bombshell on Daenerys that will shake her entire worldview and sense of identity mere minutes before the battle is about to commence. Timing is everything, gang!

Gendry and Arya Stark in Game of Thrones S8E2. Image: Courtesy of HBO

Subtlety

Yeah, it was a bad week for subtlety. Between Tormund spending the entire episode shooting his shot at Brienne (although the facial reaction shots continue to be priceless), and Arya prowling around the smith’s workshop in single-minded pursuit of Gendry, everyone’s dropping the subtext and just going for it. And honestly, why shouldn’t they? We cannot stress enough how much of a bloodbath episode 3 is on track to be.

Game of Thrones returns next Sunday, April 28. In the meantime, watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels.