Quick visual cuts, subtle music pauses, the Winterfell gloom, surprising comebacks, confirmation of some character fates and a whole wide window left for speculation…the Game of Thrones Season 8 trailer is here!
And like Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) says very early on in the trailer, “Everything you did brought you where you are now, where you belong: home" – one can expect all events from the past seasons of the series to come a full circle in the eighth and the final ride of GoT, which premieres on 14 April on HBO.
Given that showmakers David Benioff and DB Weiss wished they did not at all have to release a trailer of this much-hyped Season 8 so as to not reveal much about the story line, the 2.02 preview does leave the speculating masses pondering about a whole lot of things. Let’s try to break it down.
1. A Bruised Arya Running… in the Crypt… From The White Walkers?
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is the first face we see, first voice we hear in the trailer. Her voice, as confident as someone who’s fought death for years, says, “I know death. He's got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one." However, the visuals are in stark contrast to her calm, cold, confident voice. We see a bloodied, bruised Arya running through a dark passageway, possibly the crypts. Has Arya met a version of death she didn’t anticipate? Is she running from the White Walkers? Her voice also merges with footages of a worried Ser Davos walking in an aisle and a terrified Varys sitting with a group of civilians in the crypts of Winterfell.
2. The Golden Company and the Mysterious Man
The action now shifts to the open seas and we see the Greyjoy fleet with the Golden Company. For those of you who don’t remember, in season 7, Queen Cersei (Lena Headey) had commanded Euron Greyjoy (Plou Asbaek) to travel the Narrow Sea and recruit her own private army of mercenary sellswords: the Golden Company, who have built a reputation on never breaking a contract.
And the mysterious man in golden armour, looking like a young Jaimie, could actually be the Golden Company commander, Harry Strickland (confirmed to be played by German actor Marc Rissmann).
3. Tormund, Beric and Edd Alive...For Now
Much unlike Game of Thrones trailers, this one gives away the fate of three characters who seemed to have been doomed in the last episode of Season 7 – Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), acting Lord Commander of the Night's Watch Dolorous Edd (Ben Compton), and the Lightning Lord Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer). All these three men were at the Eastwatch when the Night King and his men had crumbled down The Wall. No idea how they survived or how long they will survive in the final season but the fact that they had made it out alive of the doom is now confirmed.
4. Jon and Daenarys in The Crypt...Looking at?
"They’re coming,” We hear Jon Snow’s voice when we cut to the crypts where he and Daenarys share a glum moment, probably looking at the statue of his mother Lyanna. And if that’s true, does that mean Jon Snow has finally leant the secret of his parentage?
5. The Dragons Breathe Fire
The frequent appearances of Daenarys’ dragons – Drogon and Rhaegal – throughout the trailer confirms that they will be playing a critical role in the battles to come. From the beasts flying across the Winterfell, to Sansa staring at them awestruck, to both Jon Snow and Daenarys approaching them while they feast on the charred remains of some animal, it looks like both nephew and aunt are about to climb atop the dragons – definitely a first for Jon Snow – which could mean another spectacular scene from the series.
The fire-breathing pair is also seen soaring over snow-clad treetops and valleys…could this mean that they are back to the territory beyond the wall?
6. What Does This Season Hold For Cersei?
At 1.06 seconds in the trailer, the music pauses as a teary-eyed Cersei looks up, holding a glass of wine, sitting in what looks like a dingy chamber at the King’s Landing. She smirks…as she fights to hold back her tears. She is about to take a sip when the scene cuts. But wait, was she drinking wine while pregnant? Could this mean that she has had a miscarriage or are we reading too much into prenatal care during the time of Westerns?
7. The Lannister Brothers
Talking about the Lannisters, the brothers seem to be unequally depicted through the trailer. With Tyrion being absent for most part of it, we see ‘king slayer’ Jamie come a full circle when he promises his commitment to Jon Snow and Daenarys and says, “I promised to fight for the living. I intend to keep that promise.”
8. The Surprise Comebacks
Ace blacksmith and last living heir of King Robert Baratheon, Gendry, was MIA for quite some time in the season but he is back again after reappearing in Season 7. We also get a glimpse of two of the greatest fighters in the series – The Hound (Sandor Clegane) standing in the thick of his greatest fear, fire and the Mountain, resurrected in his new black armour.
The tone of the trailer prepares you for the final battle, and reminds you that, “In the Game of Thrones, you either win or you die.” Are you ready?
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