Andrew Robinson
One. Episode. Away. The much-anticipated Battle of Winterfell is expected to be the third episode of the final season which, after Sunday night, is now known as the next episode. However, before what has been described as the biggest battle in the history of American entertainment can air, battle plans must be made, and lines must be drawn. Thus, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is born.
Spoilers WILL be present in this review, so read at your own risk.
Summary
After arriving at Winterfell, Jamie finds himself at odds with Daenerys, whose father he killed pre-GoT, and the Starks. Arya allows herself to be vulnerable. Everyone preps for battle, and comes to terms with their likely demise. Brienne of Tarth is given a much-deserved title. Bran provides insight into the Night King’s ultimate goal. Jon reveals a secret to Daenerys.
Analysis
The tension is as high as it has ever been in GoT, and it’s glorious. As in the previous episode, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” features a lot of talking. Battle plans are made, secrets are revealed, titles are given, and everyone is grappling with the events that are just on the horizon. However, despite what may be described as inaction, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is never boring. The tension in the air is palpable, and the viewer is left breathless by the end. Not even to mention that episode 3 promo…
Jamie is met with a lot of hatred and skepticism when he arrives at Winterfell, and for good reason. He did murder the Mad King (Daenerys’ father), and try to murder Bran, after all. (Side note: Bran’s “the things we do for love,” and Jamie’s subsequent reaction, is hilarious). But, what happens next is what needed to happen. Brienne of Tarth comes to his defense, and Sansa decides to trust the woman who has dedicated her life to protecting her. Jamie has changed, and Brienne brings this point to light. Jon trusts Sansa. Daenerys, very begrudgingly, decides to allow the Kingslayer to live and fight for humanity.
Finally! Finally Brienne of Tarth is recognized for her heroism, loyalty, and bravery throughout the entire series. Jamie gives her a title that she will remember forever (however long “forever” is for Brienne, that is) when he knights her. This is probably the best moment of the episode. The emotion on Brienne’s face is beautiful, and gave this reviewer chills. Knowing everything she has done – defeating the Hound, serving Catelyn Stark (and then Sansa and Arya) dutifully, travelling long and far to prove her loyalty – it is hard to find any character that deserves knighthood more than Brienne of Tarth. And she finally received it.
Tormund shot his best shot, but it was to no avail. Brienne just isn’t interested in him, despite his, let’s say remarkable, stories and previous exploits. Whether or not it’s true that he defeated a giant at the age of 10 and then feasted on the fallen giant’s mother’s breast for months, it’s still a heckuva story. Brienne looked disgusted, though 🙁 And then, to top it all of, Tormund gulps down his entire horn (yes, horn) of wine, as the other characters look on in a mixture of fascination and disgust. He certainly does all he can to woo Brienne (I mean, how does revealing that you suckled on a giant’s breast for months at the age of 10 not get you whatever girl you desire?). She just isn’t having it, and that’s a shame for Tormund. However, it’s nice for GoT writers to have a strong non-lead female character that makes her own decisions on what she wants and doesn’t want, given all the women that have been used solely for their bodies over the seasons.
Bran – more accurately described as the Three-Eyed Raven – provides some insight into the Night King’s motivations when he says that he (the Three-Eyed Raven) will be the main target. If he is killed, Bran says, the Night King can commence with his plan to have one “long winter,” as no one will be tasked with remembering all of humanity’s exploits. This gives the Night King a true motivation, and makes Bran a very important character moving into the battle. If he is killed, humanity is in even graver danger. So, naturally, he wants to be used as bait so the living can go after the Night King, thus (hopefully) leaving all his minions (the wights) leaderless, resulting in their possible immediate death. Jon tentatively agrees, but says that a dragon must be nearby. Theon (completing his redemption arc!!) will be Bran’s protector. This reviewer thinks Theon’s death is nearly inevitable at this point. The man who has been on the redemption trail for seasons can finally taste that sweet, sweet redemption.
Arya!! Look at her allowing herself to be vulnerable, realizing it could be her last night on earth, and wanting to spend it with Gendry. She flirted with him all those seasons ago, and it’s nice to finally see her find love (or, at the very least, lust). Arya rarely ever lets herself be vulnerable and put her guard down, but she does with Gendry, and it’s nice to see her act as an 18-year-old (yes, Arya is supposedly 18 in season eight – actress Maisie Williams is 22) girl, rather than a Faceless Man.
Jon finally reveals his true parentage to Daenerys, and she takes it just about as well as fans expected. Her immediate thought, of course, is that he has a claim to the Iron Throne, and she doesn’t look very happy about it. She even accuses Jon of lying, insinuating that his “brother and best friend” made up the story so he could get the Iron Throne. Given Dany’s earlier conversation with Sansa, in which she says matter-of-factly that she’ll take the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms upon defeating the Night King, it was extremely unlikely that she would take kindly to Jon’s bombshell, and she certainly did not. Of course, right as she is trying to gather another response, the bell rings and the Night King is upon Winterfell. What timing!
Lyanna Mormont is a force to be reckoned with, and the Knight King should be terrified that she is fighting alongside her soldiers. That is all.
Given all the tension, it’s hard to believe that “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” could be funny, but it is. This reviewer laughed out loud several times (Tormund caused many of this, as did Tyrion giving Podrick a full glass of wine and winking at him), and thoroughly enjoyed the carefree nature that shouldn’t have been able to be present in such a serious episode. The showrunners do a fantastic job at including humor, as it is unlikely that the rest of the season will feature much – if any – humor at all.
Verdict
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is a necessary episode that some may describe as a filler. While it does “fill” the needs of an episode leading up to what is undoubtedly the most important episode of the series aired thus far, it never feels unnecessary or long, as filler episodes tend to do. Instead, it’s filled with tension, is hilarious at points, heartwarming at others, and sets the stage for an epic third episode.
9.2/10
This time next week, many of fans’ favorite characters will be dead. Prepare yourselves accordingly.
