Bracing for Loss

If Sunday’s second episode was one of the best in the show’s history, it’s because we saw all our favorite characters together having some beautiful moments. The shadow of war and death loomed large, but it was an hour that spent so much time giving us beautiful character beats and moments. But by the end, we knew it wasn’t meant to last. When Podrick (Daniel Portman) began singing, I was a puddle knowing we were going to see some of these characters for the final time.

We have long known an epic battle was coming. At 82 minutes, Sunday’s third episode of season eight is the longest in the show’s history. The cast and crew shot the battle over 55 straight nights, and Miguel Sapochnick, who gave us “Battle of the Bastards,” “Winds of Winter” and “Hardhome” is helming the episode. So, you know it will be epic and the biggest thing the show has done. It will also likely be one of the most painful.

There is a lot to unpack, so here is me diving into some of what we might see on Sunday night.

Relationship Drama

Lost amidst an excellent character episode was a huge moment in the Winterfell crypts — to be followed by another huge moment in that location likely in this episode. Jon (Kit Harrington) revealed the truth to Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and it went about as well as you’d expect. The thing is, there wasn’t a lot of time for them to discuss it. And now the battle is upon them. Will there be more time to discuss this huge revelation that Jon is a Targaryen? Will it cause friction between them? Doubtless the set up for Sunday is that both will be needed atop dragons as they battle the Night King. And yet there is now this thing between them.

My strong suspicion is that they’ll be able to rise above in order to fight for their lives. And I also think there won’t be that much more discussion of the revelation and what it means, at least not Sunday night. But there is plenty to consider going forward.

No Safer Place

So the running joke in the second episode seemed to be all the discussion of the crypts of Winterfell as the safest place for their most vulnerable folks. That had to be foreshadowing or a joke, right? I mean, there’s a lot of dead folks down there and the Night King seems adept at building his army through the dead. And yet, many of our favorite vulnerable characters will be down there. I can’t help but think that both Sam (John Bradley) and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) who protested they could fight will actually end up doing so in a location they didn’t expect. Don’t forget that Gilly (Hannah Murray) and others will be down there, too.

Also, in the trailers, we saw Arya (Maisie Williams) running frantic through dimly lit tunnels. One can’t help but suspect that comes into play in this episode. Could it be an escape? Could it be Arya springing to action in defense of those in the crypts? Either way, I think we see some action down there. And it could also be the path to survival if you believe the living will abandon Winterfell and escape through the Crypts.

Sound the Bells

Look, we always knew everyone wouldn’t survive this season. This is a show that’s frequently about painful losses of characters we love, and I suspect that will be the case on Sunday night, too. So here’s some predictions. Let’s all grab the Kleenex for our support group Monday, too.

Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) — I’ve always wanted to see her get a happy ending. But that beautiful moment on Sunday as she became a knight feels like the kind of thing that happens to wrap up a storyline. We know Brienne will be on the front lines, and we know that the Army of the Dead is fierce. As much as it pains me, I think she’ll fall.

Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) — This is another painful call. I think his relationship with Missandei ( Nathalie Emmanuel) has been one of the most beautiful of the show. But it’s an old narrative trope that those that talk about the life of peace they’ll live after the war never make it to see that. And I think that will sadly be true for Grey Worm. That sweeping kiss they shared as the music swelled was perfect, and perfectly sad.

Theon (Alfie Allen) — That I care about Theon is one of the best pieces of writing in this show. Because it wasn’t true for most of its run. But his redemption arc has been beautiful. And his reunion with Sansa (Sophie Turner) was beautiful. But he’s guarding Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and I think that’s a bad sign. A noble sacrifice in the final season was always my prediction for Theon. I thought it would come on behalf of his sister, but it makes sense it would come at Winterfell.

Daenerys — I’m sticking with my guns here. I always thought she would die fighting the Night King, and I still think it makes sense because it would be so unexpected. Sadly, I think this means we lose Drogon in this episode as well.

Other Possibilites — Look, we know Sapochnik directed episode five as well, and I suspect that will be another episode with big battles and casualties, so they won’t all die here. I still have fear in my heart. I think Jorah (Iain Glen) and Sam could be in trouble, but for now I think they survive episode three. I think Tormund (Kristofer Hivju), Davos (Liam Cunningham) and Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) have work left to do, and will survive. So, too, will the Hound (Rory McCann). But I think Edd (Ben Crompton) and Beric (Richard Dormer) might be goners. I think Sansa will make it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Arya or Gendry (Joe Dempsie) was lost. I hope not, but that would be totally in keeping with this show.

Either way, we’ll find out on Sunday night. Buckle in for a thrilling and heart-breaking episode as we move ever closer to the series finale.