Come 14 April and our wait of nearly two years will end. After seven seasons and 67 episodes, we’ll be close to knowing how Game of Thrones ends! But a few lucky critics and reporters already got a sneak peek at the first episode of season 8 at a premiere in New York on Wednesday.
And despite warnings from Arya Stark and Sansa Stark's disembodied voices to not give out any spoilers, aired in the auditorium before the screening, we do have little bits of information on what conspires in episode one. These cryptic notes from the critics are just enough to keep us excited till the show finally airs for us mere mortals.
But here’s the warning that Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner had for the critics:
Sansa: No photos, no videos, no posting spoilers on social media.
Arya: Do you think you’re safe when you get home you stupid man? You’re never safe.
Sansa: If your phone should happen to ring during the show, your face would look lovely on my sister’s wall. We take these matters seriously. You should as well.”
Arya: Remember what happened to the last bastard who fucked us.”
Sansa: OK, enjoy the show.”
So here are some relatively spoiler free first reactions on Game of Thrones season 8 premiere from critics.
Entertainment Weekly's editor at large and Westeros war correspondent, James Hibberd called it epic.
“Just watched Game of Thrones season 8 premiere: Fantastic. So many reunions. Some epic sequences. Not just table setting for the rest of season. Major Stuff happens in deeply satisfying ways. More thoughts in next podcast.”James Hibberd
The Telegraph ran with this headline: Unsettling violence but plenty of one-liners.
“Its creators David Bennioff and DB Weiss have wasted no time in getting straight down to business, with a season premiere packed with big plot point moments.”The Telegraph
Indiewire only revealed that a lot happens in 54 minutes.
“No spoilers can be revealed from the screening, but plenty of gasps, cries, and laughs could be heard during the episode, which clocked in at 54 minutes.”Indiewire
Here's what we know transpires in GOT’s first episode from the reports coming in post the screening.
Daenerys Targaryan (Emilia Clarke) learns that the wall has been breached and one of her dragons killed and is now a part of Night King's army of dead.
Cersei Lannister is the only one not heading north to unite against the Night King. She's at King’s Landing, busy scheming as always and still having a rocking sex life in Jaime’s absence.
Jon Snow and Daenerys are indulging in PDA despite snide remarks from his sisters, Arya and Sansa, and a cold welcome from the locals.
Bran's secret about Daenerys actually being Jon’s aunt, and the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, won't remain a secret for too long.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)