Game of Thrones S8 E2: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

*I know I’m going backwards here, but deep down I wasn’t expecting my review of the Battle of Winterfell to be so popular (so thank you for that). I will try to keep this review objective given that I know who makes it out of the battle alive and who doesn’t. It goes without saying that some spoilers follow.

There is so much that happens in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” it’s hard to know where to begin. Just like the season premiere, there are multiple characters who are meeting for the first time, and some who haven’t met since season one. Most of the episode centers around everyone preparing themselves for the battle to come, knowing that there is every chance they’re all going to die. I enjoyed this episode very much, but I could always feel the tension hanging over the story.

One of my characters to follow in this episode was Jaime Lannister. From the previews, I really thought this might be it for the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Jaime’s been on a redemptive arc for quite a while now, but I always had a feeling that this would not be enough to overcome his past sins (and he may yet still die before the series is over). If nothing else, I thought that Jaime would finally have a chance to explain to Daenerys why he killed her father (he’s told the story to Brienne, but I don’t think anyone else knows). That’s a scene I’ve imagined in my head many times and hopefully it may yet be told before all is said and done.

The biggest moment by far in this episode is when Jon talks to Dany in the crypt and they have THAT conversation. I love Jon Snow, I really do, but right before the battle of the ages is NOT the time to tell your lover that you’re actually related (and you know, that he actually has a better claim to the Iron Throne than she does, never mind that he doesn’t actually want it). I expected that there would be a lot more arguing once this was revealed (hopefully they have a more in-depth conversation later).

And then I need to talk about what happened with Brienne and Jaime. For one, this scene actually made me cry (and I don’t cry easily, not for television shows anyway). For another, as awesome as this moment was, it practically guarantees that ONE of these characters will not make it to the end of the series alive. If I’ve learned anything from Game of Thrones, it’s that you don’t have happy moments like this without someone paying for it sooner rather than later. And honestly, it could easily be either Jaime or Brienne who dies in the end, or both (I don’t put that past the writers). But if both of them make it to the end of the finale alive I will be shocked.

Lastly, I loved that we got to hear “Jenny of Oldstones” (sung by Podrick no less). Any time that one of the book’s songs is brought to life always feels special to me (I do study music after all) and this song is just beautiful. It completely brings home how everyone feels: they would rather stay in this moment, this last perfect moment together, before Death comes to rip them apart.

All in all, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” provided the perfect set up for the battle to come. Aside from the questionable timing of a certain family connection, I really have no problems with this episode. Let me know what you thought of this episode in the comments below and have a great day!