The Calm Before—thoughts on what we might see in episode 8.02

Game of Thrones returned for its eighth and final season on Sunday. The first episode, “Winterfell,” provided plenty of key moments to consider. If you want more of a reaction to the specifics of that episode, check out my recap here.

For the next few weeks I’ll be diving in on Fridays with a look at what we might see — and what I hope to see — in the upcoming episode. This second episode is 56 minutes, and likely won’t be THE battle. Or really any kind of major battle. At least that’s my thought.

But as we ended the premier episode, we got the arrival of Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) to Winterfell. And while not much happened, beyond a silent stare from Bran ( Isaac Hempstead Wright), that all figures to change in episode two.

Jamie at Winterfell

If you saw the previews for the second episode, you know that Jamie will end up facing Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). The preview showcases that she brings up the fact Jamie killed her father, which seems ominous. And some have suggested that she’ll want to have him executed. That would seem to be in keeping with the clues we’ve been provided.

There was a lot of talk in Season 7 about what Dany would be like as a ruler. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Varys (Conleth Hill) debated whether she’d be willing to listen to advisors who urged her against the worst impulses of her bloodline. This is something we seen time and again the past few seasons, even when she was in Essos, and advisors like Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinney) tried to warn her against certain tendencies.

The premier revisited that as she had to tell Sam (John Bradley) she executed his father and brother. It was a tough moment to watch for many reasons. And later, when Sam told Jon (Kit Harrington) of his parentage, and asked him if Dany would make the same sacrifices for the common good that Jon has and continues to make.

We also saw some red flags in Dany’s other reactions, such as with Sansa (Sophie Turner). She made an inference to Jon that wasn’t that friendly. It possibly foreshadowed a looming conflict. But this is a show that enjoys its pivots.

Some read Dany’s face while talking to Sam as an icy disdain, but I saw something different. I think that it was something she took to heart as she saw some of the far reaching consequences of her decisions. And those came with a human face. This is something that Tyrion, Varys and even Jon have told her in the past. So what will she do when confronted with Jamie? I think she — and the rest — will be able to move on.

After all, we’ve learned before that Jamie is not — nor has he ever been — quite the monster his reputation has led folks to believe. His true story of how he became the Kingslayer was one of the finer moments of the show. And you have to think Bran and his ability might come into play here.

The Night King is Coming

We didn’t see The Night King in the premiere episode, but we certainly got a glimpse of his plans for humanity at The Last Hearth, home of the Umbers. We know from previews that Tormund ( Kristofer Hivju) makes it back to Winterfell to warn folks. And I think that means this episode will be a lot about preparing. My strong suspicion is that the real battle is in episode three, and we’ll have a week of dread and anticipation to see how it plays out.

But what about the other bomb dropped in the premier—that of Jon’s true parentage? Well I’ve predicted before that while he would learn the truth in the premier (and he did) others wouldn’t right away. Jon’s reaction to that news made me think that will prove true. Jon had trouble accepting it, and will likely need to think on it. That means more conversations with Sam and Bran, I’d suspect, but could it also mean another visitor?

For many seasons folks have waited for Howland Reed to make his appearance. He was, after all, the only witness to Jon’s birth aside from Ned Stark (Sean Bean). If not now, when? That’s how I feel about him showing up in the present in the show. His arrival as the Night King descends would make some sense, especially in helping Jon accept the truth — albeit one that could destroy his burgeoning romance with Dany. Who is his aunt, a truth I’m not sure he fully realized last week.

I also think that this episode would be a time when we see Theon (Alfie Allen) arrive at Winterfell. I’ve maintained for a while he is alive for a reason. We saw part one of his redemption tour as he rescued Yara (Gemma Whelan). With her safe on the Iron Islands, Theon chose to head North to fight. I think he’ll be welcomed, and I think he’ll make a last stand at Winterfell, a place he called home for many years.

Other Loose Ends

While the premier was full of happy reunions we’ve waited for a long time, there were a few interactions we didn’t get. I hope to see them in this second episode. First up is Jorah (Iain Glen) and Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey). I mean they were right there together, and no interactions? I know Jorah was banished once, but would he really have no interest in connecting with his family now that he is home?

But the biggest missing link was Ghost. If anyone has ever had a pet, you know when you’re gone and return, that reunion is one of the warmest. Jon reuniting with Ghost would have been right behind Arya (Maisie Williams) and right above Sam for me, and yet we got nothing… We’ve been promised Ghost will be in this season. So I say again, if not now, when? PROTECT GHOST!

That’s all for this week. We’ll see what happens when episode two debuts on Sunday night at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.