The Last of the Starks – Game of Thrones S8E4!

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Dracarys, Game of Thrones S8E4

The Last of the Starks! My Favorite Moments from Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4

In this episode, we witness the aftermath of a harrowing battle with the Night King.  It is chock full of meaningful moments, tearful goodbyes, and heartbreaking deaths.  Let’s get into it! My favorite moments from Game of Thrones S8E4, The Last of the Starks!

The Funeral Pyre:

After the Long Night, we were met with many deaths of characters many of us had grown to love.  So it is only fitting for the characters left, who had ties to them, see their bodies safely burned and turned to ash. Jon gives a rousing speech imploring everyone to remember their fallen heroes.  That they did not die in vain and it was their responsibility to see that they lived on in memory.

A Victory Celebration:

The Last of the Starks episode, Victory Celebration

After the funeral everyone gathers in Winterfell’s hall to celebrate their victory over the Night King.  There are several little moments within this one scene that are significant to me.

-Daenerys declares Gendry a Baratheon and makes him Lord of Storm’s End
-Dany witnesses how beloved Jon is to the Northern people and Wildlings.  Jon inspires love and loyalty and she’s not particularly here for it.  She sees it as a threat to her quest for the throne.
-Sansa reconciles herself to the Hound.  She is no longer a frightened Little Bird, and they come to terms with the change and growth in both of them.

Gendry Proposes:

After being declared Lord of Storm’s End, Gendry finds Arya and proposes to her.  I love this scene because even though Arya holds affection for Gendry, she has been declaring to us who she is since day one.  As a throwback to season one, Arya answers Gendry with the same words she answers her father upon suggesting he’d marry her off to some nice Lord.  “That’s not me.”

The last of the Starks

The Cards are on the Table:

Dracarys Episode. Dany want to keep Hush

In this scene, we see Jon and Dany.  They both love each other and want to be together.  Dany is threatened by Jon’s truth and wants him to keep it to himself.  She understands the loyalty he inspires in others and fears if the truth were known, the people would want him as King.  It is not lost on Dany that the people in Westeros have little to no trust for her.  Jon insists he owes the truth to his family and that they can make it work regardless.  Dany agrees that they can if he does it her way and her way only.

The Last of the Starks:

The Last of the Starks

After a particularly tense scene drawing up battle plans, Jon’s family requests to see him.  They meet in the Godswood and have a little family meeting.  While they understand that Jon needed Dany and her dragons to defeat the Night King, they do not trust her.  They insist that they are family, the last of the Starks.  Jon then reveals to them the truth of his lineage and swears them to secrecy. Well, the secret didn’t last long and Sansa passes the information to Tyrion who later informs Varys.  So if we think about this Arya, Bran and Sansa are all who are left.  And it is unlikely that Bran will have children, and women cannot carry the name on.  So we truly are looking at the Last of the Starks.

Really Sansa?

Jamie and Brienne

Unfinished Business

Yesssss! This whole thing finally happened and it was long overdue! I think they have been a little bit in love with each other since their time at Harrenhall and being captured by the brothers. This thought was solidified for me when Brienne tried to return Oathkeeper to Jamie and he told her it belongs to her. That it would always belong to her. I think he was speaking on more than just the sword.

So it was also a little heartbreaking to see the way in which he leaves Brienne after their night together. Brienne insists that Jamie is a good person and Jamie counters that by recounting all of the horrible things he’s done in the past. With news about Dany’s devastation, Jamie is off to King’s Landing. For now, this is for the best. Jamie has unfinished business.

Down Goes Rhaegal:

Poor Rhaegal

This scene was so unexpected and so shocking to me. Still recovering from having his wing torn, as Dany and her army approach Kings’ Landing by sea, Rhaegal is shot out of the sky by Euron and the Iron Fleet. He is not just injured, he is dead. Not only is Rhaegal taken down, but Dany’s fleet of ships are destroyed and the surviving army must make their way to the shore. It is then we find that Missandei is missing.

Dracarys! Game of Thrones:

Dracarys!

The ending scene is heartbreaking. The negotiations between Cersei and Dany do not go well. Cersei and her army have captured Missandei and at the moment it’s quite dangerous for Drogon to fly in and do anything. Tyrion pleads with Cersei to listen to reason, but she is not having it. Cersei asks Missandei if she has any last words to which she replies “Dracarys.”

I promise at this point I expected Drogon to rise up and light their asses on fire! But it did not happen and upon re-watching this scene, I believe Dracarys was a message to Dany and Grey Worm. Missandei was telling them to beat this Queen and her army and show no mercy!

Overall Thoughts:

Another episode in the books. Of course one of the only two people who were making future plans before the Long Night gets killed and poor Rhaegal! I was just not expecting for any of the dragons to die in this series, so losing two of them is kind of blowing my mind. While I’ve come to expect the deaths of beloved characters in this series, it still hurts. I absolutely adored Missandei. She was the last person that deserved to die so it was hard to see her go like this. I’m am anxious to see how it all pans out next episode. Euron looks as if there is something quite surprising on the horizon and I’m anxious to see what that is!

You can read my recaps for episodes one, two, and three and also check out my recap video playlist here!  Please let me know what you all thought of this week’s episode The Last of the Starks, in the comments below or on my video!

The Long Night! OMG! Game of Thrones – S8E3

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The Long Night! The Most Epic Moments from Season 8 Episode 3!

Hero of the Long Night!

When I tell you on was on the edge of my seat this entire episode! The battle scenes in Game of Thrones, from the Battle of the Blackwater, to Hardhome, to the Battle of the Bastards, have just gotten bigger, better, and more dynamic. This battle was a battle of epic proportions and The Long Night did not disappoint! Again I will list my favorite moments as they happened.

A Sea of Fire

The Long Night Begins

All of the forces of Winterfell and Daenerys are lined up and ready for the battle. The Unsullied and the Dothraki are among the front lines of defense. Suddenly Melisandre, the red witch, appears out of nowhere and works her magic. She asks Ser Jorah to tell the Dothraki to lift their arakhs so that she may work her spell on them. She says an incantation in what I think is High Valyrian. Suddenly the arakhs are aflame and you see the ripple effect of them lighting up throughout the Dothraki army. It was a sight to see and a small burst of hope for the Long Night at the beginning of the episode.

Dragonfire

The Dothraki then ride off into battle and you see their flaming arakhs die out almost immediately. Feeling responsible, Dany nixes the battle plans and immediately employs her dragons. She and Jon mounts Drogon and Rhaegal and begins to light up the Long Night with Dragonfire, wiping out as many wights as possible.

Lighting the Trench

Once again Melisandre comes through. Despite Dany and Jon’s efforts on the dragons, the wights are too many. They make their way towards the castle and the barrier of the trench needs to be lit. The signal to Dany and Jon fails and Melisandre steps in once again to work her magic. She repeats her incantation many times, all the while archers are loosing flaming arrows, the effort looks futile.  Finally, the magic takes root and the trench catches alight just in the nick of time!

Bran and Theon

Though I still harbor a grudge against Theon, I loved this moment between him and Bran. Theon apologizes to Bran for his actions of which Bran tells him led him back here. To his home where he belongs. Yes, Theon is a Greyjoy from the Iron Islands. But he grew up and was raised among the Starks from the time he was a young boy. For all intents and purposes, Ned was a father to him as well. It was nice that Bran could forgive Theon for all of the shitty things he’s done in the past.

Lyanna Goes out like a G!

Lyanna Takes the Giant

Of course, we all were anticipating some deaths as a result of The Long Night.  But no one went out quite like Little Lyanna Mormont! My girl got up after being smacked down to face a whole dead Giant! We thought all was lost when the Giant picked her up and began to crush her little body. For a minute it looked as if the Giant was going to eat her. But once close enough to its face, Lyanna stabbed the Giant in the eye and down goes the Giant by the hands of a fierce, small girl!  Three cheers for Lyanna!

The Hound Barks

Just as we saw on the Battle of the Blackwater, the Hound is amidst the fire, death, and destruction and is losing his entire shit. He believes it is fruitless and pointless to continue fighting the dead. Oh, but when he finds Arya in trouble and surrounded by wights he gets his ass in gear. He and Beric Dondarrian come to the rescue and extracts Arya from her precarious situation. I absolutely adore that his affection for Arya has grown so great that he would risk himself for her.

What do we say to the God of Death?

Not Today!

After being rescued by Beric and the Hound, Arya confronts Melisandre. She is reminded of their first encounter when Melisandre told Arya that she would shut many eyes. Brown eyes, green eyes, and BLUE eyes! Melisandre then reminds Arya of who she is and who she was trained to be. “What do we say to the God of Death,” she asks? “NOT TODAY!!” That is all Arya needed to hear.

The Dance of Dragons

In the midst of this, we’re all wondering where the hell is the Night King? We finally see him enter the battle riding an undead Viserion. Viserion takes off after Drogon and then ends up in a fight with Rhaegal. The fighting is intense and wrought with anticipation on who the victor will be. At some point, Drogon manages to unseat the Night King and he falls from the sky quite gracefully. Eventually, Rhaegal falls from the sky upending Jon. At this point, we are unclear on whether or not Rhaegal is ok, but the Dance of the Dragons was awesome!

The Unbothered

King of the Long Night

After the Night King and Jon are thrown from their dragons, Dany spots the Night King. She wheels Drogon over to him and gives the infamous command “Dracarys!” The Night King is engulfed by Dragonfire. But we soon find that Dragonfire has no effect on the Night King, and that is a devastating blow for everyone. At this point, Jon knows he must get to Bran in the Godswood.

The Crypts Come Alive

OMG! After we find the Night King is unaffected by Dragonfire one of my worst fears going into The Long Night episode is realized. The Night King raises up the dead comrades of those fighting this battle, and they have a whole new army of the undead to deal with. It is then we are taken back into the crypts. This is supposedly the safest place to be. Now me myself and I had reservations about this, to begin with. I’m like they’re supposed to safe among the dead when the Night King can raise the dead? Soon the crypts come alive with all the dead Starks and begin attacking the people hiding there who would not be beneficial to the battle. It is madness and mayhem.

Bran and Theon Part Deux

All of Winterfell’s defenses have been exhausted and the Night King and his White Walkers have made their way into the Godswood for Bran. Knowing what’s to come, Bran gives Theon a little more peace and tells him he is a good man and basically thanks him for his service. Theon was giving those wights coming for Bran the business, but his part in this story is over. He goes out defending Bran to the last moment, and maybe I feel like he’s redeemed himself just a smidge.

Little Sister For the Win!!!!!!

The Savior

You talking bout somebody jumping from their seat and shouting in triumph!! We just know it’s all over. The Night King is standing over Bran, Jon is facing off with Viserion, Dany is surrounded by wights and Theon has just given his life. But then!!! We see a small puff of wind blow the White Walker’s hair and the Night King reaching for his staff when Arya comes out of nowhere, valyrian steel dagger in hand! The Night King catches her mid stab and you’re like damn it’s over! Then Arya employs a move she used with Brienne. She drops the dagger from one hand, catches it with the other and stabs the Night King in the stomach! He bursts into ice and all of his undead cronies follow suit!

The Long Night Ends!

Game over…No One wins!!! OMG I couldn’t contain my excitement! I was jumping and yelling and screaming! Arya Stark for the MF win!!! Yes! This was such a triumphant moment and I love that Arya was the one to defeat the Night King. She’s been badass since she was a girl, and all of her training paid off.

Come the Dawn

I just want to acknowledge those we lost this episode because they went out fighting with honor and for the living.

-Melisandre takes her choker off and dies of old age, her purpose served
-Lyanna Mormont dies killing a Giant wight
-Ser Jorah Mormont dies defending Dany from the wights
-Theon Greyjoy dies defending Bran from the Night King in the Godswood
-Ed Tollet aka Dolorous Edd dies rescuing his brother Samwell Tarly from the wights
-Lord Beric Dondarrion dies rescuing Arya from a hoard of wights
-Pretty much the whole Dothraki army is lost and many of the Unsullied

The Long Night, Overall Thoughts

This was undoubtedly one of the best episodes in the entire history of Game of Thrones! The Long Night was both heartbreaking and triumphant, and I loved every minute of it. Please share your thoughts and favorite moments of the Long Night in the comments!  To read my recaps of the first two episodes in season eight, click here and here!  For video recaps of these episodes, check my Game of Thrones playlist here!

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms! Game Of Thrones – S8E2

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Favorite Moments from S8E2, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!

GOT Season 8!

OMG the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode of Game of Thrones is so good and so full of meaningful moments for me, that I cannot limit myself to just five this week. We saw more reunions, plans for the future, and moments that were long overdue! I will list these moments in the order that they happened in the episode so as not to confuse myself or my readers.

Brienne defends Jamie

Brienne to the Rescue

I cannot tell you how significant this moment is. Simply for the fact that it means so much to Jamie. I love Jamie’s character arc. He began as the Kingslayer.  As a result of his interactions with Brienne, we understand why he’s made some of the decisions he’s made. I find it interesting that he was so in love and close with his sister, yet could never really express his true feelings or be vulnerable with her.

Jamie is totally different with Brienne. Upon killing the mad King Aerys, his honor and reputation were totally besmirched.  Jamie was hard-pressed to find anyone that trusted him or took him seriously. Brienne, on the other hand, is one of the most honorable characters of the show. She is loyal to a fault and determined to keep her oaths.  There is never any doubt about Brienne’s intentions or integrity. To have her step in and vouch for his honor and integrity was HUGE for Jamie.  He knows what an honorable person she is and to have her speak on behalf is a sort of validation for Jamie that he has changed and there just may be some redemption for him. I could feel his gratitude at that moment and it was heartwarming.

Fierce Girl Talk

What About the North?

But what About the North?

So far this season Sansa consistently rebuffs and undermines Dany. Dany asks to speak with her privately, hoping to bond over their mutual love for her brother. And while they begin to understand each other in the beginning, Sansa questions what is to happen to the North once they’ve defeated the Night King and Dany has taken her throne.

The people of the North have gone through so much over the years. They’ve marched south to fight the war of the five kings, only to later be fighting wars in and amongst themselves. The Northern people were burned, pillaged, ravaged and betrayed.  They are a proud people and are finally ruling themselves once again, and are unwilling to hand that rule over to another outsider. Dany does not receive the implications of Sansa’s questions well.

Missandei and Grey Worm

Hope for the Future

Out of all the couples on Game of Thrones, these two are by far the most adorable. I love their connection and dedication to each other. They are in a strange land amongst strange and cold people. Even with the Northerners suspicious and unwelcoming of outsiders, Missandei and Grey Worm’s treatment is akin to how ‘others’ are treated in the real world. Poor Missandei offers a simple hello and is shunned and shut out.

Grey Worm is loyal.  He will fight for Dany until she defeats her enemies and takes her throne, however, he would prefer to go someplace more welcoming. He and Missandei agree to go to The Isle of Narth, where she was born. Personally, it is a relief to see someone still holding onto dreams and making plans for the future. Everyone else’s outlook is really bleak.  These two give me hope that there actually can be some sort of happy ending.

I saw a GHOST! Nights Watch Reunion

Ghost!

Auuuugghhhh! I FINALLY saw Ghost! After a whole season and an episode without him, it was so wonderful to see Jon’s Direwolf posted up with his master in this episode. Thinking they were cutting him out again, I am happy to see he made it into the new season!  As is right, there he was along with Jon, Samwell, and Ed. It was a small reunion of the Nights Watch, and it was nice to see the surviving brothers standing together again.  And now their watch begins!

Got Giant’s Milk?

Giant's Milk Makes You Strong!

Look here, this was the most entertaining scene of the entire episode. Tormund Giantsbane proceeds to have a little bit of a pissing match with Jamie over the affections of Brienne. To impress her he offers up the most hilarious story of how he was nursed by a Giant for three weeks after killing her husband at the age of ten. He claims Giant’s milk is the reason he is so strong. When I tell you I cackled at his story and the looks on the faces of those who bore witness to it. Definitely one of my favorite scenes this episode.

Arya and Gendry

About Time

I’ve been waiting for this moment for some time. Arya, being the self-sufficient woman she is, has never ascribed to the whole happily ever after fairytale. But when Gendry came along her attraction to him was undeniable. Even at so young an age. These two connected in the very midst of madness and mayhem and found a way to survive together. I believe their eventual mating was inevitable, even if a bit awkward.  I like these two as a pair and it may fulfill what should have happened long ago.  The joining of House Stark and House Baratheon!

Ser Brienne!

Ser Brienne!

This moment was long overdue! I was damn near in tears at Brienne finally being knighted. There are very few characters in this series who have kept their words and stayed the course they were set upon from the beginning. Brienne, however, has done just that. From avenging Renly’s death to keeping her oath to Catelyn Stark, she has been a beacon of light, hope, and strength throughout this series. To finally see her getting the honor, respect, and acknowledgment she so greatly deserves makes me proud and happy. All day YES to Ser Brienne, a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!

You Can’t Handle the Truth!

The Truth Will Out

The truth will out y’all! Cue the goosebumps, because again I had them the entire time this scene was happening. Dany finds Jon in the crypts. He stares intently at Lyanna Stark’s statue and Dany wonders how her brother Rhaegar, someone so highly regarded, could have kidnapped and raped her. Jon reveals that it didn’t happen that way at all. That they were in love and married, and Lyanna had a son. She knew that Robert would kill the child had he known, so she entrusted him to her brother to protect and raise as his bastard son. Jon is Aegon Targaryen, 6th of his name, and rightful heir to the iron throne.

Dany immediately realizes the implications of this. She understands that Jon has a strong claim to the throne and insists on knowing where he got his information. She is incredulous when she learns Sam and Bran put the events together. Dany and Jon are about delve deeper into this when the warning horn sounds three times. The Night King’s army has approached and is outside Winterfell’s gates. It ends with the following scene!

The Dead Arrives

Check out my summary of S8E1: Winterfell here! And I also did a quick rundown on my Youtube channel here! Comment below and let me know what your favorite scenes were in this episode!

Netflix Show Recommendation: The Umbrella Academy!

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A New Take on Heroes

Synopsis:

I recently binged the new show on Netflix, The Umbrella Academy.  Later I found out that it was a line of comic books but had no previous knowledge of this before watching the show.  I was all in from the very first episode.  Seven adopted kids with special powers are raised together in the household of a strict disciplinarian.  They are constantly trained and tested to use their powers and be a team to fight crime.  Unfortunately one of them is determined to have no powers and grows up in this family feeling alone and isolated.  Another disappears as a child, never to be seen again, and another passes away as a child.  Bitter about their experiences at home they all drift off in different directions as adults and are only brought back together upon the death of their father.  Mayhem and shenanigans ensue.

Quick Character Thoughts:

For me the standout character in this series is Klaus.  A junkie, drug addict, Klaus is a complete disaster.  He is also a sensitive soul who never learned how to properly cope with his gift.   This is a result of his unbending father who threw him into traumatic situations with no regard to his sensitivity or age.  Klaus is a very intricate, nuanced, and colorful character who immediately draws you in and captures your attention.  While the rest of the characters have their lovable qualities, Klaus quickly became my favorite.  I do however think the actor playing Number Five was excellent.  He managed the juxtaposition of young and old expertly.

Additional characters I loved were the assassins, one of which was played by Mary J. Blige.  It seems Mary is finding a comfortable new career as an actress lately and doing a damn good job.  She was both fierce and hilarious as an assassin and makes me look forward to seeing her in future projects.

Overall Thoughts:

I was completely delighted by this quirky show.  It is a completely new take on the concept of superheroes (at least for me).  Every single character had something to offer, which made this show fun to watch.  Of course, it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger so I am definitely hoping for and looking forward to a season two of The Umbrella Academy.