Reunions and Reckonings on Game of Thrones

The first episode of Season 8, titled “Winterfell,” brought some heartfelt reunions. But it also set up a few reckonings. And it appears that humans are going to prove to be their own worst enemies on Game of Thrones.

Reunions

Jon’s reunions with Brann and Arya were long-coming and quite touching. These characters have not seen each other since Season One, and it was hard not to be moved by seeing them together again. It was also a reminder of how much things have changed since the show began. Both Brann and Arya were children in Season One, and both have grown to become very different people than they once were. I also enjoyed the brief reunion between Tyrion and Sansa. It’s easy to forget that the two of them were married for a short time, though I suspect they could become a formidable couple. I’m not suggesting they’ll renew their vows, but Sana could learn a lot from Tyrion’s political prowess. And I think Tyrion might have to become the savior of them all given the powderkeg set up by in this episode.

This is where the reckonings come into play.

Reckoning #1

By the middle of last season, Daenerys had become pretty ruthless when it came to imposing her will on those she believes she’s destined to rule. There was no better example of this last season than when she refused to grant any mercy to Sam’s father and brother. Instead, she burned them alive. That’s become her MO since arriving in Westeros: Bend the knee or burn to death.

Poor Sam probably harbored little love for his father, but he was shaken to learn what Dany had done. Even more, it caused him to reveal to Jon that he, not Dany, is the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. The episode did not show much of Jon’s reaction to this news, but you know it won’t remain a secret. As soon as Dany oversteps her bounds in Winterfell, it’s going to come out. And Dany will quickly lose whatever minuscule favor she might have among Sana and the Northern lords.

Also, who knows how Jon will react to learning who he is—and that his lover is actually his aunt! More than anyone on the show, however, Jon appreciates that the real enemy is the Night King. As a result, he might try to hide his true origins in the hope of preserving his fragile alliance. But will it alter his relationship with Dany? If she perceives Jon is pulling away from her, will it harden her heart? Even worse, if she learns Jon is a threat to her claim to the Seven Kingdoms, will she turn against him? Things were wonderful when they were riding their dragons, but I’m not sure their happiness will survive the end of the next episode.

Reckoning #2

The second reckoning was only set up in “Winterfell,” but it’s coming next Sunday. Jaime Lannister has transformed from villain to genuine hero. In fact, he’s probably changed more than any character on the show. We want Jaime to win. But we can’t forget that he’s the one who pushed a young Brann Stark out of a window in Season One. Brann was not supposed to survive the fall, but he did. Jaime is also the one who killed the Mad King, who happened to be Dany’s father. If not for the actions of the Kingslayer, the Targaryen’s may have never lost their grip on the Iron Throne.

Jaime Lannister is due for a reckoning. Though I’m not sure how Brann will react. For all we know, Brann—in Greenseer mode—has been watching Jaime and knows he’s become a good man. It’s Daenerys I’d be worried about. Remember, refusal to bend the knee can get you barbequed. So what’s the punishment for killing her father? This is unlikely to go well.

Jon will argue to protect Jaime because they need all the warriors they can muster. But that may change if he discovers that Jaime pushed Brann out of a window. Which brings us to Tyrion. The shrewd Hand of the Queen may be the only one who can keep this alliance together. And we all know he’d do anything to save his brother Jaime. The question will be: Does he have enough influence with Dany to change her mind? Or will he have to work on Sana to get the Northerners to overrule the Mother of Dragons? If Tyrion were to learn Jon’s secret, I could see him revealing it to try to save Jaime.

That’s when things promise to get messy. Even if the Starks and the Northerners turn on Daenerys, she still has the Dothraki, the Unsullied, and two dragons. Short of Arya going into Faceless Man mode, who could stop her?

Alternatively, I could see Brann saving the day. If he could convince Daenerys that her father was going to burn all of King’s Landing with wildfire, maybe she’ll understand why Jaime had to kill the Mad King. Also, Brann surely knows that while all this drama is playing out in Winterfell, the Night King is coming. And with only five episodes left, you have to believe he’ll be arriving soon.

* Images are courtesy of HBO.