Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode by Episode Review

 Game of Thrones (2011-)
Season 7 - 7 episodes (2017)

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Created by: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Lena Headey, Maisie Williams, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Aidan Gillan, Gwendoline Christie 

Plot: 
HBO's fantasy drama series adapted from George R.R. Martin's book series A Song of Ice and Fire follows the civil war of kings and usurpers in Westeros who wish to sit on the throne. The scale and scope of the story is staggering, fully realized with a large ensemble cast.

The show is speculated to conclude after thirteen episodes, though it may be broken into two seasons. Season six put all the characters on a course to get back to Westeros for the big fight that's inevitable. You can devise a rough outline of where season seven is headed, though I expect many surprises.

Previously during Season 6
Winter has officially began in Westeros. It's been coming for six seasons!

Sansa and Jon Snow finally reunited, encouraging the North to band together.  In episode 9 he dispatched Ramsey Bolton.
Jon Snow's lineage was revealed, though so far only we and Bran know that. Bran is the new three eyed raven, his training cut short.

I didn't expect Jon Snow to be designated as king of the North. Sansa seemed poised for the honor. She was integral in Jon winning his battle, but when the series concludes, she may hold that honor yet. Jon Snow is a Targaryen after all, but I don't see him holding the iron throne. Peter Baelish still pines for Sansa, pleading to rule by her side. I doubt that will happen.

Arya ended up back in Westeros after a stint training to be an assassin, and she managed revenge for season 4's red wedding. Arya is fueled by vengeance, and she may play a pivotal role in dispatching key figures in the war of kings and queens. That and I doubt the show is done trimming cast. Season six excelled when focusing on a smaller cast. There's still trimming to be done.

Daenerys united the Dothraki by killing the Khals. By the end of season six she has the army, the ships, and was sailing to Westeros with her Hand to the Queen, Tyrion.

Cersei finally sits on the Iron Throne, but she has lost almost everything in the process. She is going to be dangerous in season seven. She and Jamie have only grown apart since the show began. I doubt he'll be happy with her.
Lady Olena Tyrell went to Dorne to forge an alliance and march against Cersei.

What about Euron Greyjoy? I doubt he'll play much of a role. I expect an early exit. The Greyjoy's seem to only get kicked around. Will Euron's dragon horn as described in the books make an appearance?

I do think the Stark children will reunite. Bran has to have a larger role. He knows quite a bit and potentially could know everything. He's going to reveal a few more secrets before he's done, to viewers and characters.

Check out my Game of Thrones season 7 recaps. 

Review: Episode 1 - Dragonstone
Consolidating characters made this season opener feel like less of a clip show. It really drives home how much some characters have changed over the past couple of seasons and their journeys over six seasons. This episode didn't have the big reveal of Jon Snow's fate to tease, but we reached a big milestone. Daeneyrs has finally reached Westeros.

This opens on Walder Frey, and I was wondering how Walder was throwing a party when he bit the dust in season six, but we soon learn that Ayra isn't done yet. She's wreaking havoc and letting everyone know the North remembers. I might have to put my money on her. I'm not sure we've seen one person do so much damage in this show, and she's just warming up. This is her re-introduction to Westeros. She's headed to King's Landing for Cersei. On her way, she runs into Ed Shireen. The pop performer plays a soldier in this episode. I hope this is a one time cameo and GoT doesn't become a continuous wink and nod with guest appearances.

 

Jon is raising the troops, urging them to fight. Men, women, boys, and girls all must fight.
Sansa questions Jon about consequences for treason and rewards for loyalty. Jon tells her he won't strip the Umbers and Karstaks of their ancestral homes for the mistakes of their fathers, which was following the Boltons.
This is the divide between them. Sansa is cold and calculating while Jon is more sympathetic. I can't blame her, but if they can work together they can be a formidable duo.

Baelish is still floating around the wall, pining for Sansa. She know Baelish too well, telling him, "no need to seize the last word, I'll assume it was something clever."

Cersei sends a note to the wall ordering everyone to take a knee. White walkers to the North, Lannister's to the South, Jon and Sansa have their work cut out. Jon isn't concerned with Cersei, but Sansa is.

Cersei is ready to take on everyone. Jamie urges caution. Winter is coming, and without food, they can't feed armies. Jamie states their enemies will band against them because no one wants to fight on the losing side. They need allies Jamie states, and Cersei has just that. She's invited Euron Greyjoy to King's Landing.

Euron wants to wed Cersei, knowing she not just wants, but needs his armada. Cersei refuses as Euron is an oath breaker, but he pledges to bring her a priceless gift to prove his proposal. What might that be? As of yet we don't know.

The white walkers are coming! Well, they've been coming since the show started, but now they're close, really close. That army keeps getting larger, and now they have a giant too.
Meera and Bran have reached the wall, but that's about all we get from them.

Samwell is at the citadel, the lowest man on the ladder as he cleans bed pans and serves food. He wants to access the restricted area of the library to learn about defeating the white walkers, but he can't get permission. He steals a book instead and discovers that Dragonstone is on a mountain of dragon glass.
Jorah Mormont's locked up at the Citadel. Looks like he didn't get over his greyscale.

The hound has teamed up with Thoros, Beric, and the Brotherhood without Banners. Thoros makes Clegane a believer when The Hound sees the dead marching past the Great Wall, a vision beget from the flame.
They happen upon a house the Hound has seen before. He left the father and daughter to die when he and Arya were traveling together. Now he buries the dead, feeling responsible.

Daeneyrs reaches Dragonstone, her rightful home. Stannis left it open, so her army quickly gains a base of operations. She's been waiting for this moment, and finally she returns. The fight is on!

In summary, Daeneyrs is heading for Cersei and King's Landing as is Arya. Jon Snow is preparing to defend the wall with everyone in the North, but it looks like he might be making an expedition to Dragonstone for weapons based on a tip from Samwell. He's going to need Daeneyrs on his side, and at some point his true heritage is bound to come out.
The Hound might be headed to the wall. Euron is headed who knows where.

 Review: Episode 2 - Stormborn
Daenerys, Tyrion, and Varys plot their takeover and talk history. Daenerys questions who ordered her death and how she can trust Varys when he undercut King Robert. Varys proclaimed her weak brother as king and traded her to the Dothraki.

Varys talks himself out of it convincingly. He doesn't reward incompetence. Daenerys asks for his honesty if he thinks she's failing the people instead of betrayal, but warns him she'll have him killed if he back stabs her.

Olenna Tyrell, Yara Greyjoy, and Ellaria Sand side with the group at Dragonstone. The plan is to take the Lannister family home, Casterly Rock. Cersei appears to be outnumbered, though she's good at pulling a win out of an likely scenario.

This season has teased the Grey Worm and Missandei romance. As he prepares to leave for battle, they share a moment. I don't know where this goes. We just don't have room for side characters that doesn't play a larger part in the finale.

Melisandre arrives at Dragonstone to pledge allegiance. We saw her last season exiled from Winterfell. The Lord of Light tells her that Daenerys and Jon Snow both have a role to play in the future. Prophesy is tricky as Melisandre knows. Stannis Baratheon didn't fare well. Daenerys wants Jon to come to Dragonstone and bend the knee after Tyrion vouches for him.

 

Jon plans to head to Dragonstone because he needs the dragon glass. Despite the protest, he plans to go, leaving Sansa in charge. While Jon pays his respects to his father's grave, he attacks Little Finger upon the mention of his mother and sister. He orders Little Finger to stay away from his sister.
Jon knows he's taking a risk, but he's one of the few that has seen the undead army. When will anyone ever heed his warnings?

Cersei is launching a smear campaign against Daenerys and her alleged atrocities. When questioned about the three dragons, no direct answer is provided, but we later see her maester has devised a large crossbow with enough strength to pierce a dragon's skull. That's all fine and well, but how do you ensure you hit a moving target?

At the Citadel Jorah Mormont's greyscale has spread to much of his body. There's nothing to be done, or so we think. Samwell endeavors to save Jorah, defying his elders to perform a forbidden operation. Samwell plans to in essence flay Jorah. It's gross to watch. I imagine it will work since we're seeing so much of Mormont.It would be a waste of screen time if he dies. Samwell is playing fast and loose with the rules. I get the maesters are a stuffy old bunch, but Samwell cant't continue his recklessness. Someone will know what he did when they look at Jorah.

Arya is on the move, running into Hot Pie along the way. At one point they were on their way North together before being capture by Lannisters. She learns Jon Snow defeated the Boltons and is now King of the North. Is this going to alter her King's Landing trajectory? Yes.
Arya becomes surrounded by wolves and meets the pack leader, Nymeria. This dire wolf was given to Arya back in season one and was later set free by Arya to spare her from execution. Nymeria doesn't join Arya.

Euron attacks the rogue Greyjoys, demolishing their fleet. This is a big scene, explosion, fire, and fighting. Theon jumps overboard, scared witless. There goes the Dragon Queen's ships. Euron is ferocious and crazy. Initially, I didn't think he'd make it past the halfway mark this season, but after this battle I want to see more. What will  he do as he endeavors to win the Dragon Queen's heart?

Arya is heading North and Jon is heading South. Will Arya cross paths with her brother and later Sansa?
The Dragon Queen is ready to take over, but how will those battles fare. I expect a lot of dragon induced casualties. Will King's Landing be able to deter the dragons?

Review: Episode 3 - The Queen's Justice
Jon arrives to see Daenerys. Will he need to prove he beat death, show his wounds? Whatever happened to Samwell's experimental procedure on Jorah Mormont?

Jon arrives at Casterly Rock. He and Tyrion catch up on old times, and Jon gets to see his first dragon. Melisandre admits to Varys she made mistakes and didn't leave Jon Snow on good terms. She doesn't admit it was because she had Stannis Baratheon's daughter burned at the stake for the Lord of Light.

After seven seasons Jon and Daenerys share the screen. Daenerys is quite condescending. She's always been the underdog and now that she's upon a throne she seems to be just like everyone else that gets a taste of power. In her defense, Jon Snow doesn't even hold a house name. She could perceive has as a mere usurper. She doesn't have the benefit of seeing what we've seen.
Daenerys claims to be the last Targaryen, but little does she know, Jon Snow shares her lineage. Bran is the only one that knows this but how can he prove it? All he has is a vision. When will he and Jon meet?

Jon Snow proclaims the army of the dead is the universal enemy. Of course, Daenerys takes this lightly but Jon calls upon Tyrion to confirm his honesty.  Everyone is fighting this petty war, but Jon knows the real enemy. I doubt anyone will believe him until they see a white walker, but that's a lot of Southward travel for a walker. If they get that far the war may be done.
Ser Davos bolsters Jon's claim. Jon made allies of wildlings, he was made Lord Commander and King of the North. Davos begins to mention Jon was stabbed in the heart, but a sideways glance stops Davos.
Jon is at Dragonstone only for the dragon glass. He's yet to mention this, it's good tactic.

Jon and Tyrion brood over the coming winter and Daenerys, and Jon's plight. Jon tells Tyrion about dragon glass. Tyrion returns to Daenerys and tells her Jon's want. Tyrion tells her that  everyone would have advised him not to come and yet he's here. Give him something, he could be an ally.
Daenerys pointedly asks Tyrion about the knife to the heart that Davos mentioned. Tyrion brushes it aside as Northern fancy. Everyone in that room should know there is something to that with the way Jon cut Davos off. Why mention it only to play it off? Is it just a nod to the fans?

We're reaching the downward slope of many character arcs. Theon, now Reek, is pathetic. You wonder if he'll find redemption, but I don't think so. He's a far cry from who he was in season one.

Euron returns to Cersei with justice for Marcella, the Sand Snakes in tow. Cersei promises Euron he'll get her as a wife when the war is won.You might think Cersei is playing it off, but she thinks she can win. She's made it this far after all.
Euron and Jamie don't get along at all. One of them will likely kill the other.
Cersei gets her revenge for Marcella, killing Ellaria Sand's daughter in the same manner.

The Iron Bank of Braavos has come to collect. Cersei has no money, is fighting wars on multiple fronts, and has inherited considerable debt. She urges Braavos to bet on her.

Sansa is a force with which to be reckoned. She's planning for the future and smart about many things. She'll give the North the best chance.
Sansa and Bran reunite. Sansa proclaims Bran a lord, but Bran counters he's the three eyed raven. He can't be Lord because he sees everything that's ever happened. He says it's difficult to explain, but it's quite easy. Bran was chosen to to secede the former raven. The raven has extensive knowledge abotu all things. He does prove to Sansa he knows some things, recounting her wedding night.

Jorah Mormont is healed and headed to Daenerys. It turns out Samwell succeeded in an endeavor where many maesters have failed. Instead of a rebuke, the arch-maester is impressed.

The Unsullied are heading to Casterly Rock, a keep that's never been taken and the Rock is prepared. While Tyrion's father Tywin built Casterly Rock and the army, he designated the sewers to Tyrion. Tyrion built in an escape hatch to aid in his misdeeds. Casterly Rock has been defeated, though the troops were less than expected. Euron rides upon Casterly Rock, destroying ships. The troops that were supposed to be at Casterly Rock attack the Tyrell held Highgarden. Casterly Rock is worth little and without ships, the Unsullied will have to abandon the Rock.

Olenna Tyrell drinks her poison from Jamie, admitting she is the one that killed Joffrey in season four. Even in her last breaths the Queen of Thorns makes it count.

Everybody is falling this episode. I didn't expect so much to happen. Daenerys and Jon meet, Bran and Sansa reunite, two keeps fall, Daenerys is losing allies, and Jon is getting his dragon glass. I guarantee you the Jon Daenerys alliance is just getting started.

Review: Episode 4 - The Spoils of War
This episode was simply amazing. It's easily the best of season 7 so far and stands toe to toe with the other top episodes.
We get a battle full of fire, an unexpected sparring partner for Arya, and Bronn makes a return.

 

Cersei is looking for outside investment to grow her armies. She seems undeterred by the challengers to the throne, promising the Iron Bank she'll pay them back. She has the gold too.

The Lannisters will use Tyrell gold to pay back the Iron Bank, well that's the plan. Jamie will oversee transport. Bronn aided in the attack and asks for Highgarden castle as a reward. Jamie convinces him to wait until the war is over, though Bronn is dubious as to how peaceful post-war will be. Bronn always provides good comic relief, a side character that keeps returning because he's just that much fun. He's gone from mercenary to lord.

 

Arya returns to Winterfell, though the guards doubt her identity. Bran and Sansa reunited in episode three, and now Arya has returned. All the living Starks are back in Winterfell, save for Jon Snow, but he isn't a Stark, not really.
This is a big moment, reuniting the sisters. The last time they were together was in season one. Their stories are long and difficult. They go to Bran and Arya realizes that Bran knows much more than he physically should. He knows she was headed to King's Landing for Cersei. He knows she has a list.
I predicted Arya would thin the herd. What she'll do now is an interesting question. She may be the most valuable single weapon the Starks have, at least against humans, but Jon is looking to fight the undead.

Bran now has a wheelchair. Littlefinger presents him with the dagger that was intended to kill him in season one.
Meera's time with Bran has come to and end as she's no longer needed to transport him. She's upset at how little he has to say after such a journey that saw many die, but Bran admits to Meera that he isn't really Bran anymore. He's so much more. Bran died in season six when he became the three eyed raven.

This season is moving along. It's an abbreviated season and the end is near, but we've been waiting for the Stark children to reunite since the first season.

 

Arya asks to train with Brienne, reminding Brienne of the oath to Lady Stark. This is a fun scene. Arya is good, very good. This is easily the best scene of the season. When Brienne asks her who taught her, Arya responds "No one." Which is closer to the truth than anyone might imagine. She trained with the faceless men, known as no one.

Jon has his dragon glass, but the cost is still unclear. That isn't done until it's back in Winterfell. The cave with dragon glass has carvings depicting the first men, the children of the forest, and the white walkers. As Jon states, the enemy has always been real. It seems Daenerys may be coming around to the idea of white walkers, but she has one demand. Daenerys tells Jon she'll fight for the North if he'll bend the knee. Jon isn't keen on the idea.

Daenerys is upset that she's losing. Tyrion's plan has lost them Dorne, the Iron Islands, and the Reach. She questions Jon as to how he would approach the war if he was in her position. He urges her to be different from her predecessors. Using the dragons to level castles is more of the same.
One way or another those dragons are going to be unleashed.

Missandei asks Jon about his last name and Jon asks her about advising Daenerys. Missandei chooses to serve Daenerys, she's not bound by a name and tradition. Davos concedes she has a point.

I knew the dragons would be unleashed soon, and we don't have to wait long at all. The Dothraki attack the Lannisters, and it's a lot of Dothraki. It's a losing battle, and that's before the dragons show up, Daenerys riding atop. The budget for this episode has to be huge, dragons, a battle, and lots of fire.
Jamie was in charge of getting the gold to pay off the debt, that's not happening now. The Lannisters take one huge step forward and a giant leap back.

Syndergaard is in the center, throwing a spear.

New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard has a split second cameo throwing a spear.

This show does war well, depicting chaos and confusion. We follow Bronn in the turmoil, expecting his death. We can see fear on his face, but he's going for the dragon killer cross bow. It works on old dragon skulls, will it work on a live dragon? Bronn hits the dragon in the shoulder, but the dragon then destroys the cross bow. That was short lived, but I never expected that to get very far.

Jamie sees a chance to dispatch Daenerys as Tyrion watches, but it was a rather short sighted plan as she's right next to a dragon. Jamie's fate is unclear as the episode ends.

Ser Davos also has business at King's Landing. He visits Gendry, whom he helped escape back in season 3. Gendry is also the rightful air to Robert Barantheon. Melisandre planned to use his blood to rid the land of the kings and clear the way for Stannis's victory. Stannis didn't get too far. Gendry was a skilled blacksmith is still at it, but he's all too ready to follow Davos. Davos sweet talks his way out getting himself and Gendry caught by the guards of King's Landing. Of course Tyrion walks up at the same time. Gendry makes short work of the guards with his warhammer.
Davos warns Gendry to keep his parentage to himself, but Gendry has his own plans. He reveals all to Jon. Their father's fought together and won. Gendry is ready to fight the undead.

Upon Jon's return to the wall, Tormund thinks Jon crazy. Jon and Jorah want to go North and Tormund reveals he found the Hound, Thoros, and Dondarrion. Gendry was sold by them, the Brotherhood without Banners, to Melisandre. The Brotherhood is heading North at the Lord of Light's command. Jon proclaims them all on the same side by the fact that they're all still breathing.

Up next, we're North of the wall once again, there's going to be trouble between Sansa and Arya, Bran's due to reveal something crazy, and Samwell likely will end up back on Westeros.

Review: Episode 6 - Beyond the Wall
We're going beyond the wall! Jon, Jorah, Gendry, Tormund, the Hound, Beric, Thoros and five Brotherhood, twelve in total, venture beyond the wall. There goal is to capture a white walker, just one, from the large army marching South.

This is yet another incredible episode. We've had a string of three absolutely huge episodes, season finale type stuff. This episode might be the biggest yet with a hopeless battle, dragons wreaking havoc, Jon proclaiming Daenerys as his queen, and a zombie dragon.

This starts with quite the group. Jon, Gendry, and Tormund discuss how to stay warm above the wall. Gendry complains to Thoros about how he sold him to Melisandre and the Hound tells him to quit complaining. Beric has been killed six times, isn't dead, and isn't complaining.
Jon offers Jorah his sword, Longclaw, back, but Jorah refuses. He brought shame to his father and broke his heart. The former Lord Commander gave the sword to Jon, and thus he's the one that should have it.
Tormund chats with the Hound, who'd rather not be conversating. Tormund speaks of Brienne and his lust for her. Tormund is an unsung hero, great comic relief.

Beric chats with Jon about Jon's supposed father Ned, though that's not his true father. Beric and Jon have both been raised from the dead by the Lord of Light. What power do Beric and Jon hold and what power will the Lord of Light play in the lead in to the end? There's got to be a reason Beric was resuscitated six times.

As the snow gets thick, they encounter an undead polar bear. Beric sets it on fire which causes the Hound to hesitate as Thoros gets attacked. Thoros manages to live though a few of the Brotherhood meet their ends.

Jon and the crew come across a small detachment of white walkers. It's awfully convenient. They tussle and it appears that Jon defeating the head white walker of this group kills the rest of them, all except one. They then attempt to subdue and bring back a walker. That's what this mission is about. Of course the wails of that one white walker draw a large crowd. Jon sends Gendry back to Eastwatch to send a note to Daenerys.
They're right next to a frozen lake with a perfectly sized island. They run to the piece of land and just barely make it as the ice cracks and breaks, sending many white walkers into freezing water. They've got a boundary, but they're also surrounded. It's a standoff that lasts through the night. Thoros doesn't make it through the night.

With seemingly no hope, Beric suggests going after the head white walker, which could kill many of the people he's turned. If you kill the white walker, it kills the dead that follow it. That's easier said than done when king white walker is high on a ridge with thousands of dead between them.

In record speed, Gendry's note reaches Daenerys and she sets off riding a dragon to North of the wall. Those ravens travel quickly these days. Tyrion cautions her about risking her life. What happens if danger befalls her?

The Hound throws rocks at the dead, but unwittingly discovers the ice has frozen back during the night. Queue an epic battle. This might be one of the most lopsided battles we've seen but Jon's crew is chock full of grit. Tormund comes close to his last breath, but the Hound pulls him back from the brink.

Right as they are at the end with no more room and no hope, dragons! Dragons eradicate a large swath of walkers, as the crew boards a dragon with pet zombie in tow. Jon stays to fight, possibly showing off for Daenerys. This gives the head white walker enough time to throw an ice spear and kill a dragon.
A dragon is dead.
Everyone is stunned as Jon orders them to leave as the night king readies another spear. He's pulled into the water by walkers, but manages to pull himself out after the dragon has departed. He's alone and outnumbered, but Uncle Benjen shows up and saves him. I don't think Jon has seen Benjen since before he died, but Bran has seen him. The children of the forest prevented Benjen from becoming undead. Benjen has saved both Bran and Jon now, but it doesn't look like he'll be around for another day.

Back at Eastwatch, the Hound loads the walker up for King's Landing as Daenerys waits on the wall for Jon. You get the feeling that there is something between Jon and Daenerys. Jorah tells her it's time to go, but just as she turns to go a horn sounds and Jon appears on horseback. He's near death and in frozen clothes. This provides an opportunity for Daenerys to see his wounds and realize that stabbed in the heart for your men, something Davos said back in episode two or three was not a figure of speech as Jon told her in episode five.

Jon awakens on a ship bound for Dragonstone with Daenerys. He apologizes for the event, but Daenerys stops him. She doesn't regret it. She had to see it to truly believe it. She vows to destroy the night king and his army. They killed one of her children
Jon calls Daenerys his queen telling her his people will see her for what she is.

Cutting back to North of the wall, the walkers pull the dead dragon out of the lake. The night king makes it a zombie dragon. That's not good.

Meanwhile in Winterfell, Arya shares a story with Sansa about their father and the time she practiced with a bow. It was against the rules, but it wasn't wrong.
Arya reveals the note she found, the letter from Sansa. Arya blames Sansa for their father Ned's death. Arya remembers when Ned was killed, she was there.
Sansa stands up for herself  and tells Arya how she won Winterfell back. Sansa claims Arya never would have survived what she did, and Arya replies that they'll never know. Their fighting doesn't bode well for the Starks. It's by Littlefinger's hand, but what is his goal? Is he just making sure Sansa doesn't stray too far and side with Arya?

Sansa runs to Littlefinger about the note. It's exactly what he wanted, but what's next? It's an interesting dynamic with Sansa and Littlefinger. She's not the indepedent leader we've seen before, she's letting him lead her which isn't typical in general, at least not anymore.

Sansa gets a letter from King's Landing for an audience. She orders Brienne to go on her behalf but Brienne questions whether Littlefinger is planning a takeover of Winterfell. We know he's up to something, and Sansa should know the same at this point.

Sansa snoops in Arya's room and finds a few faces. Arya is almost scary and Sansa can feel it. Arya tells her about training to be a faceless man in Braavos. Arya overtly threatens Sansa before abruptly leaving.

Setting up Daenery's dragon riding, battle winning jaunt, earlier in the episode she and Tyrion chat about Jon, Cersei, and the war. Tyrion cautions her against ruling with fear. Tyrion believes in the world Daenerys wants to build, but it doesn't happen in one lifetime.
What's the secession of rule, Tyrion wonders. That doesn't sit well with Daenerys. She's concerned about Tyrion's alliances. It's easy to worry, he's the brother of their worst enemy, but at the same time it's a great risk to him too.

Back to zombie dragons. Will it spit ice? The white walker army has been marching South for a long time. They are now quite close to the wall. That should jump off any minute. Will the white walkers break through the wall and get all the way to King's Landing? Will Cersei see the white walker and help? I doubt it. She's only concerned about Daenerys. 

Review: Episode 7 -The Dragon and the Wolf
It's the season finale. Jon swore fealty to Daenerys in the last episode. Tyrion is taking a white walker to King's Landing to prove the army of the dead is real. That mission led to a wight dragon and Daenerys vowing to destroy the white walkers. Sansa sent Brienne to King's Landing, leaving her all alone with Littlefinger and Arya whose trust in Sansa is wavering. Euron Greyjoy is still out there... doing something to prove himself to Cersei.

The unsullied armies are positioned outside of Lannister stronghold of King's Landing. Bronn and Jamie are readying their defenses, but it looks grim and that's before the Dothraki show up. Cersei is confidant ahead of her meeting with Daenerys, Jon, and Tyrion, aptly meeting in the dragon pit. Before they enter the pit we have a mini reunion.

Brienne and the Hound have a chat. She surprised he's alive and lets him know Arya lives. They both confess to only doing what was required to protect Arya.
Podrick is happy to see Tyrion, reunions all around. Tyrion tells Ser Bronn of Blackwater he'll double his pay. They go back and forth with Tyrion claiming Bronn's help in setting up this meaning proves his selflessness and Bronn claiming how all of this was for selfish reasons. Tyrion curtly acknowledges it's good to see Bronn. Tyrion first hired Bronn back in season one to take his place in a trial by combat at the Vale for Bran's fall.

Daenerys and Jon's crew arrive in the dragon pit first, noticeably concerned about what awaits them. This is the first time so many characters have been in one location. While it's not all of them, it's a whole pile of characters that have paired off but never all joined one party.

Daenerys makes an entrance. It was easy to predict she'd ride a dragon. She's the queen of dragons after all. Everyone looks to Cersei to see her reaction, but she doesn't even flinch.

As Tyrion is about to begin discussions, Euron butts in mocking Theon and then Tyrion. Euron is quickly called down by Jamie, and then Cersei.

 

Jon cuts to the point. The undead army is coming, but Cersei sees it as tactic. The Hound then brings in the spectacle. With a bit of a delay the wight wakes up. Cersei finally is frightened and it shows.
It's a great demonstration, but Cersi isn't one to submit even when logic dictates.
Euron asks if the wights can swim and immediately states he's going back to the Iron Islands. He's been around the world and this is the first thing he's seen that's frightened him.
Cersei accepts the truce, agreeing the dead are the true enemy. Cersei extends the truce to include Jon Snow. He must not choose sides in the war. Jon refuses and Cersei refuses to help.
No one's happy about Jon's admission that he will only serve Daenerys. Cersei walked Jon right into it. She makes Jon the scapegoat while she refuses to help which is what she wanted from the start. This way she shifts the blame, but there's no question this is Cersei being manipulative. She doesn't want to help.

Brienne urges Jamie to talk to Cersei. That's a losing battle. Tyrion has an idea. He plans to talk to Cersei, describing her as the most murderous woman on the planet who's tried to kill him twice of which he knows. Tyrion goes all in and baits her to kill him. She doesn't do it. That's a victory for Tyrion, and it gives him just a little bit more leeway in negotiating.
Cersei asks Tyrion why his allegiance is to Daenerys, and he tells her she'll make the world a better place. Daenerys chose an advisor who keeps her in check. Cersei takes advice from no one.

Daenerys and Jon chat during the wait for Tyrion. She admits she respects his admission despite the predicament it places them in. They share a little moment and Jon asks her who told her she can't have children. The two of them sure talk a lot about children. It's an obvious hint, if only the two knew who Jon really is.

Tyrion returns with Cersei. Cersei will fight in the great war. All of the armies will fight together and when the great war is over, she hopes they remember she fought. I can't help but think Cersei will use this to her advantage. Of course if one of her armies goes on the offensive domestically, someone is bound to miss them in the North.
Season 8 is a shortened season. Are we going to fit the great war and the end of the Lannisters into one season. The great war could be a season unto its own. Does the great war just weaken everyone and leave just a couple of people standing and that's the end, crafting a world out of the rubble. The wight army looks unbeatable. Will someone develop a trick or will they obliterate everything?

As Jamie is planning to send the troops North, Cersei asks him if he's stupid or a traitor. She has no plans to aid the North. Jamie counters that either the dead kill them or the Starks and Targaryens will.
Cersei claims she has the most valuable asset, gold. Euron didn't flee, he's conspiring to bring the golden army to Westeros. Jamie plans to honor his oath and ride North. Cersei state that would be treason.
Is Cersei really going to kill Jamie? She didn't kill Tyrion. Jamie calls her bluff and walks away unscathed.

Theon beseeches Jon for a conversation, confessing his wrongs and praising Jon. Jon can't forgive Theon of everything, but forgives for the parts that are his to forgive. Ned Stark was Theon's father. Theon is a Greyjoy and a Stark. Theon states his sister needs him, and Jon tells him to get on with it. Is this going to be his redemption arc? Theon is a sad sack character that's taken one of the worst turns a character can take. He can't generate any support, but that shouldn't be a surprise. This may be the event that gives him some amount of courage. He's fighting a losing battle against one of Yara's men, but he won't quit. Successive knees to the crotch are the catalyst that propels Theon to victory. Theon was castrated in season three.

Back in Winterfell Sansa learns Jon has submitted to Daeenrys. Littlefinger is there to sow seeds of doubt in Sansa. Feigning surprise that Jon didn't consult with Sansa. Sansa worries about Arya and Littlefinger tells her to assume the worst and apply it to the situation. He puts Sansa right where he wants her. He convinces Sansa Arya wants to kill her.

Sansa has Arya brought to the great hall. Bran is also present. Sansa is about to make a mistake and Bran could offer valuable insight, if he chooses. Arya knows exactly what's going on. Is Sansa going to pull a fast one?
Indeed Sansa does. She accuses Baelish of murder and treason. Blood is thicker than water it seems. Baelish thought he had Sansa's ear, but his vision was clouded. Baelish killed Jon Arryn, he was responsible for Ned Stark's death, and Bran is here to reveal all.
Baelish played the game of thrones well, but it seems he's reached his end. Sansa knew he was turning her against Arya.
Baelish pleads that he loved Catelyn Stark and Sansa. Sansa responds he betrayed them both. Arya carries out the sentence. It seemed odd that Sansa was falling into a Baelish trap last episode, but this episode telegraphed that she hadn't.
Sansa and Arya have a moment, complimenting each other and their respective strengths.

Samwell arrives at Winterfell and sees Bran. They remember each other from the wall, though Bran states he knows everything. He admits to Samwell that Jon Snow is Jon Sand, son of a Targaryen. Samwell transcribed a private diary, Rhaegar Targaryen was wed to Lyanna Stark. Jon is a true Targaryen. Bran states Jon needs to know who he is. He is Aegon Targaryen. This is intercut with a scene of Jon and Daenarys consummating their relationship. To be clear, they are aunt and nephew. Rhaegar was Danerys's older brother. Jon is the true heir to the iron throne.

The undead have reached the wall. The night king is riding the wight dragon and blowing the wall to smithereens.

Winter is here. Season 7 has ended and we must wait for 2018 or 2019 to see the final season of Game of Thrones. If it follows the typical schedule, we should see it in April of 2018, but the final season is understandably different. Don't think the final six episodes mark the end of Game of Thrones, once the final season is done HBO plans to investigate multiple prequels with one of them developed enough to turn into a series.