Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 2: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Review

The episode begins with Jamie Lannister 'on trial' before Daenerys, Jon, Sansa, and the rest of the court at Winterfell. Tensions are high: not only are the Lannisters (of course) not quite liked in the North, Jamie is the one who killed Daenerys' father and he has come alone, despite Cersei's pledge to send her army to join the battle--something Sansa had predicted would never happen just last episode. Jamie however, has come to terms with those parts of his past and doesn't flinch... except when Bran, in a cryptic phrase, reveals he remembers what had happened at the top of that tower oh-so-many years ago. However, no one but Bran and Jamie know this, and when Brienne comes forth to vouch for Jamie, Snasa decides to trust him also, immediately putting her at further odds with Daenerys. Dany's ire falls on Tyrion who had trusted Cersei's word and advised her to do the same, yet another advice of his which has proven wrong.

Soon, Ed Tollett and Tormund arrive at Winterfell, having taken a hard journey via a roundabout route to get there befeore the Night King. When they give their news that the army of the dead would be on Winterfell before the next morning, the castle erupts into activity. Theon also arrives with a few Ironborn, determined to do his duty to the castle.

Thus the reunions continue. Theon's and Sansa's is the most touching--the Lady of Winterfell, hitherto super-composed, flings gerself into his arms and they share a silent, heartfelt hug, reminding us of just how much they went through together in Ramsey Bolton's hands. Brienne and Jamie also have their reunion outside the walls. Jamie requests to serve under her as a part of her troop, and the two begin to realise more and more the attraction they feel towards each other. At least Jamie does--Brienne seems utterly confused at her new, unfamiliar feelings. Jon, Ed and Tormund have theirs in the yard, and later on the wall, Jon, Sam, and Ed reminise about their fallen brothers of the Night's Watch, of which they are the only remainder. Jamie and Tyrion also share theirs, reminding us just how much each has changed since they were last at Winterfell when the saga began: one a Golden Lion, the other a Whoremonger. The bears, Jorah and Lyanna, also meet briefly.

A council is called to prepare for the battle. They can't defeat the army of the dead except they kill the Night King who made them all. Bran reveals what he knows about the Night King's intentions and surmises that he would be the target of the attack, and therefore the ideal bait for a trap. They decide to spring this in the godswood, with Theon and the Ironborn as his guard. The rest of the forces would hit the army head on while the women and children hid in the crypts below.

Now, there's nothing to do but wait. Arya finally gets her custom weapon from Gendry, and the two of them make love in the foundry. The hound and Berrick Dondarrion wait together on the wall. And Jamie, Tyrion, Brienne, Podrick, Tormund and Davos meet up once again in the council room to wait. Here, they share a drink and bond, and Jamie performs the most touching act of the episode, one of his best deeds, and the scene from which the episode derives its name, knighting Brienne there and then as a knight of the seven kingdoms, making her the first woman ever to be a Ser. And in the crypts below, Jon finally reveals his truth to Daenerys, who reacts in shock and denies it at once. However they have no time to discuss it further. From the walls, horns begin to blare, signaling the arrival of the night walkers, and the beginning of the battle of Winterfell.

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Next up, The Battle of Winterfell! Watch this space fo rmy review of what promises to be the most epic battle episode in the history of television! Also, check out @v4vapid's contest on Who will Survive the Battle of Winterfell. and stand a chance of getting up to 40 STEEM in winnings

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