Enjoyed the episode, a lot of interesting things in it but the highlight for me was Samwell, I think it was a great to have him going to tell Jon Snow the truth so charged with emotion after learning about his family's fate. It really made it an intense and interesting scene with him challenging and confronting Jon Snow about it, instead of only being an awkward "Here's something I learned in a book" bit of exposition that might have been more light hearted.
The abandoned Last Hearth scene was suitably eerie, but I liked that even with all the other big things going on the ending was Jaime's return to Winterfell and being confronted with Bran again. Him leaving King's Landing at the end of Season 7 was one of the best scenes, hoping for his story to continue well this season.
Agreed with all of this! I watched the episode twice, might watch it again tonight - there were so many great scenes. Right off the bat you can tell it's moving at lightning speed, but I really, truly don't mind that since we're at the end. Things gotta ramp up, quickly.
Musings and observations, SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY:
- I enjoyed Sansa calmly (but clearly annoyed) explaining that she has two
extra armies and two adult dragons to worry about feeding, when the winter is brutal enough on the Winterfell population as it is. I think this was brought up in season 7 once or twice, and it's just a small detail I appreciate the show acknowledging amongst all the epic fantasy madness that's going on. It's a bit of a reality check for our heroes; the dragons and Unsullied might be fierce, but if they're not well fed, they are not going to be fighting at their best.
- It was a little heartbreaking seeing Jon initially ecstatic to see Bran, only to find that something is 'up' with him.
- Bronn now has to make a choice. I bet he's going to ride north, but I have no idea if Jaime and/or Tyrion will die. I'm very conflicted on Jaime, because I don't think he has fully atoned for his past sins (I think episode 2 will get into that, judging from its sneak peek and the cliffhanger of episode 1) - at the same time, he has shown that he is a very different person from the evil Prince Charming he used to be. Tyrion, however - he better live through the finale, damn it.
- Epic dragon flight. Aegon Targaryen rides!
- The way Sam expressed his emotions by barely saying a word after Dany told him she killed his family. Did you see how much more upset he got when he heard Dickon died, compared with his father? That scene destroyed me. Sam's one of the only truly 'good' people in the show, and he had a very troubled relationship with his father Randyll, but he loved his brother.
- Just like the above, Jon's facial expressions as he's trying to comprehend both the truth of his parents and how Ned lied to him his entire life. "That's treason" - I didn't even think about that. How in the world are they going to bring this up to Daenerys? Jon might not want to believe it, but I think it's in his nature to let the truth be told, once he comes to terms with the reality of who he actually is.
- The whole scene with Ned Umber was terrifying. Night King means business. Now I just hope Tormund & Friends make it back to Winterfell in one piece.
- Jaime's horrified reaction at seeing Bran and realizing who he is. That's one subplot that's guaranteed to make for good TV next episode.
Game of Thrones is back, baby! Is it next weekend yet?
EDIT: I also forgot about Theon! I thought it was great when the guy took an axe to the face and then here comes Theon, without saying a word, and saves Yara. And then she headbutts him... and helps him up. There's a chance for House Greyjoy