Winter is finally here. We’ve waited a whole year to be whisked back into the lands of the Seven Kingdoms. Game of Thrones, the beloved fantasy show from HBO has returned for its eighth, and final season, with over a billion people watching with anticipated glee. When last we left the denizens of Westeros, The Night King had captured one of Daenerys’ dragons, and turned it into a... white walker type-ish dragon? I don’t know the exact term for what you would call it but yeah... That’s not good.

Without going into spoiler territory, let’s just say the season premiere did not disappoint. There were revelations and reunions, even some moments that made us laugh out loud, and other moments that made us almost jump out of our seats.

Game of Thrones is one of those binge-worthy shows that will have you forgetting what day it is. When I discovered it for the first time, I went through three whole seasons in two days, so I can catch up in preparation for season 4. (Yes, I saw the Red Wedding and I’m still not okay.) Slow from the start, it did take me a while to actually get addicted. Once I did, there was no going back. I was in love with the series. It just sticks with you; that’s what’s great about a binge-worthy show. You resonate with the characters, and the story, and you want more.

Game of Thrones and the lands of Westeros has a cult following. There are billions of fans worldwide with the show being broadcast internationally in over 20 different languages; there are board games and mobile games dedicated to the series. There has been fan art done, Fanfiction, etc. Everyone loves the world that George R.R. Martin has brought to life.

Now in its final season, the question remains: What happens next? Will there be spin-offs? Will all of our questions be answered? Will we see Ghost, Jon’s direwolf again? What will each of us do with our time once our beloved GOT comes to an end? Unfortunately, with all things, good things must come to an end eventually. Let me be the first to say that I’m not ready. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Westeros, and the characters. Daenerys, Jon, Sam, Arya, Sansa, Bran, The Hound, Bronn. All of these characters have made a significant impact on the fans of Game of Thrones. We’ve been whisked away by their various adventures, numerous trials and tribulations, joys and heartbreak, and none of us have looked back since. George R.R. Martin and the creators of this wonderful series have won our hearts with their stories, and it’s going to break our hearts when the series finally comes to a close, especially if any questions are left unanswered, and there are so many questions still unanswered.

Like many shows before, Game of Thrones is expected to leave an impact on our hearts. We will be talking about it for years to come. Granted, there will still be sadness and longing for fresh content. All of us will have the memories of being honored to watch the show when it was in its prime, to experience episodes as they premiered. Those moments of shock and sadness, laughter, and rage, for those of us who were there from the beginning, it can’t be replicated. I do hope that the creators, whatever they decide to do, whether it be a spin-off or what, stick with the formula that made Game of Thrones a worldwide success.