Ladies, gentlemen, and dragons, we're only 40 days away from the return of Game of Thrones and a Season 8 trailer has FINALLY dropped.
First thing's first, if you haven't seen the trailer yet, here it is:
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Now, if you're any kind of obsessive fan like me, you probably had to watch this multiple times because a) the lighting is REALLY dark and b) OMG there's so much happening. Let's attempt to break it down...
1. We open on Arya ~running~ from someone/something — but what's PROBABLY happening here is that she's setting a TRAP...
2. ...and note that she's carrying a DRAGONGLASS blade/spearhead.
3. In her V.O., Arya very confidently talks about how she's seen the many faces of death and that she "looks forward to seeing this one" while holding the same (or a similar) dragonglass blade.
4. Arya's "trap" could be the start of the inevitable siege of Winterfell by the White Walkers and here we see Davos, pacing the battlement, likely waiting for them.
5. Meanwhile, we see a very scared Varys hiding out in the Winterfell Crypt with the women and children...
6. ...note Gilly and baby Sam in the background, sitting on one of the Stark crypt statues we saw Ned and Robert Baratheon walk by back in Season 1, Episode 1, "Winter is Coming."
7. Next, we get our first look at the Golden Company on the ships of the Ironborn...
8. ...and the blonde dude leading them is a new character named Harry Strickland who is being played by Marc Rissmann (known for shows like The Last Kingdom and The Man in the High Castle).
9. Presumably, Strickland is on his way to see Cersei as he appears to be in the Great Hall of King's Landing with her later in the trailer.
10. We then see Eddison Tollett, ginger bae Tormund, and Beric Dondarrion!!! (Glad to see Tormund and Beric survived the Night King's ice dragon attack on The Wall at the end of Season 7.)
11. Then we have Sam and Bran chatting — presumably coming up with a plan of attack on how to tell Jon, in the least awkward way possible, that he just had sex with his aunt.
12. Then there's a shot of the Red Keep in King's Landing — it's a nice callback to almost the exact same shot of Varys and Tyrion back in the day.
13. Cersei looking out, very pleased at something in King's Landing, more than likely she's watching the Golden Company arrive.
14. Next, we get a rare glimpse of Winter Town and the arrival of the Unsullied...
15. ...and I love that this scene is very reminiscent of both Bran and Arya Stark climbing up high to watch the Lannisters arrive in Winterfell back in Season 1, Episode 1.
16. And then we have Jon, Dany, and the dragons FINALLY arriving at Winterfell...
17. Here we have Dany approaching Jon in the Winterfell crypt — my guess is he's either looking at Ned or Lyanna's statue.
18. And there's V.O. from Jon giving what sounds a lot like an inspirational eve-of-battle speech.
19. YES GENDRY!!! Sweaty and ready to make some White Walker-killing weaponry.
20. ...in fact, it looks like that's a big ol' pile of dragonglass behind the anvil.
21. HIGHLY concerned this is Greyworm and Missandei's last kiss, BTW.
22. It's hard to tell in this shot, but it looks like Brienne fighting up in this burning castle based on the silhouette of floppy hair, armor, and what looks to be her sword Oathkeeper...
23. ...which then makes me wonder if this shot of Jaime yelling is directed at Brienne to save or call out to her?
24. This beautiful shot of Jon at Winterfell's weirwood tree mirrors the one of Ned from Season 1.
25. Then there's this shot of The Hound — which is poignant because we know how deathly afraid of fire he is. Looks like he'll have to face that fear head on.
26. Meanwhile, Jaime's V.O. seems to be directed at either Cersei or someone who doesn't trust him, "I promised to fight for the living. I intend to keep that promise."
27. Jon and Dany (Mom and Dad!!) approach Drogon and Rhaegal — IS THIS WHERE JON BECOMES A DRAGONRIDER?
28. Arya showing off her Faceless Man skills in the same fiery battle we've already seen.
29. An incredibly brief (and sole) shot of Tyrion in the whole trailer.
30. Brienne and Pod with the Knights of the Vale.
31. And finally, the ominous arrival of the White Walkers with Winterfell in the distance.
