The seventh season of HBO’s epic fantasy kicks off after making us wait for what seemed like a lifetime. After the shocking and literally explosive season 6 finale, one might wonder whether the biggest show on television would still have the ability to shock and surprise the viewers. The answer is yes. Take a look at this Game Of Thrones Season 7 Episode 1 Review.

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Game Of Thrones Season 7 Episode 1 Review

Episode one of Game of Thrones season 7 is titled ‘Dragonstone’. The premiere of this season started with one of the most confusing and chill inducing moments ever. It started with Walder Frey having an intense expression on his face. He then said to his men, “You’re wondering why I brought you here. After all, we just had a feast! Since when does old Walder give us two feasts in a single fortnight?” Till here, I thought this is definitely a flashback. He said he gathered them to share his plans for the upcoming winter and had them served wine. As soon as his men started drinking and Walder didn’t take a sip, I realized that it wasn’t a flashback. Arya impersonated Walder Frey using her half-completed Faceless Man training and poisoned a substantial amount of the Frey army. “When people ask you what happened here, tell them the North remembers.” These were Arya’s exact words to one of Walder Frey’s painfully young brides soon after taking off Frey’s mask. What a perfect start! We were left gasping in shock and horror when almost half the Stark family was murdered in season 3. This time we sit comfortably in our seats, well aware of what is to unfold on the men who were responsible for it. This is as close as we will come to avenging the worst TV death of all time. The deep, satisfying closure made the scene all the more powerful. As Arya Stark rides from her slaughter of the Freys south toward King’s Landing, she comes upon a band of Lannister men out “keeping the peace.” There was a cameo from singer Ed Sheeran along the way as a member of the Lannister army.

Also read: Game Of Thrones Theory: Tyrion is a Targaryen

Game Of Thrones Season 7 Episode 1 Review: The Scene Is Set For Upcoming War

Although the episode didn’t feature battles, it did lay the groundwork for the upcoming war. Having subsequently claimed the Iron Throne for herself, the newly crowned queen Cersei commissioned an enormous painted map of her empire on the floor of her King’s Landing courtyard. Both siblings agree they are surrounded by enemies. To the north, the Starks have rallied. Jon and Sansa have defeated the Boltons. Walder Frey is dead. To the East, Daenerys and her armada are preparing to land at Dragonstone. Olenna Tyrell and Ellaria Sand will never make peace. Euron Greyjoy, hell-bent on murdering his niece and nephew, attempted to woo Cersei with brags about his massive fleet. Cersei declines his proposal, so he departed saying he wouldn’t return without an appropriate gift that will make her rethink. One wonders what that gift might be! Maybe the Dragonbinder from the books, a horn Euron owns which can be used to control dragons.

GOT S07E01: Army Of The Dead

Amidst a blizzard of snow, we saw the Night King marching with his army of the dead. Well, the deadliest part was the addition of giants to this army. At the Wall, we see that Bran and Meera have finally made their way to Castle Black and declared their identities to the men of the night’s watch who let them in.

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One of the important parts of this plot cycle is Sam Tarly, who sneaked into the restricted area of the vast library at night. Here he learned that Dragonstone is home to a mountain of dragon glass surely a huge revelation for Jon. We’ve seen many gruesome things in this show but few can be even compared to how gross and hilarious Sam’s adventures were as an apprentice at the Citadel.

GOT S07E01: Scene at Winterfell

Meanwhile in Winterfell, the King in the North- Jon declared that along with men, women would be needed in the fight against the Wight Walkers, earning him a firm approval from Brienne and the backing of Lyanna Mormont who is, by the way, emerging to be among the best female characters on this show. There was some major friction between Jon and his sister Sansa about what to do with the Karstark and Umber castles. However, that didn’t change Jon’s decision. No child should be punished for their father’s crimes seems just. Later, when Littlefinger attempts to advise Sansa she dismisses him abruptly. When Brienne shows up and he attempts to get the last line, Sansa tells him he doesn’t have to “seize the last word.” I’m sure it’s something clever, she tells him. Brienne trained Podrick and continued to get eyed up by Tormund. Starks almost feel like a team of superheroes with various powers and their strength lies in working together as a team. Fans can hardly wait to see Team Stark taking on the world and winning.

Game Of Thrones Season 7 Episode 1 Review: The Hound

The Hound, who met up with Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr and the rest of the Brotherhood in Season 6, travels with them now. They come to the farm that the Hound and Arya traveled to when Sandor stole the farmer’s silver and left the man and his daughter to die against the protestations of the young Stark. His guilt is clearly seen when he buried their bodies. Thoros asks Sandor to look into the flames. Grudgingly, the Hound peers into the fire only to see the Wall and the army of the dead passing around it near a castle by the sea. Is he going to be the new worshipper of the Lord of the light?

Also read: The truth about Rhaegar Targaryen: Game Of Thrones Theory

The Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen, looking more regal than ever lands at her home, Dragonstone, with her army. But when she runs her fingers along the dust-covered Table, carved in the shape of Westeros, and declares ‘Shall we begin?’, it indicates that she is going to do something big.

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