This episode had to happen I suppose. It was an entire episode of people talking in places, but chess pieces need to be moved in order to set up what will hopefully be a thrilling climax to one of the best shows of all time.

Sure, it wasn’t exactly the most exciting episode they’ve produced, and as there are only 5 episodes left we were probably expecting a bit too much from it, but it still had some big talking points that teases enough exciting moments to come.

KINGSROAD 2.0

The opening scene, in which Daenerys finally arrived in Winterfell, perfectly echoed King Robert Baratheon’s epic introduction way back in the very first episode of Game Of Thrones. It was even accompanied by the same musical score, albeit with a slightly more sinister twist. In the first episode of season one, the Stark children are very excited to see the King and the Lannisters, but after years of betrayal, they aren’t so happy to see their new Queen, and neither are many who appointed Jon Snow as their King.

JON AND DAENERYS

Jon embraces his Targaryen heritage (not that he’s even aware of it… yet) and takes flight on Rhaegal for the first time, which is fitting, considering last season’s reveal of who his real father is (Rhaegar Targaryen, for those of you who’ve forgotten). The scene at times felt like it was one sand reference away from being as cringeworthy as Anakin and Padme’s romance scene in Attack of the Clones, but it just about escaped intact. It was certainly the worst part of an average episode (for Game Of Thrones, at least).

THE TEMPTATION OF BRONN

In the ‘A Song Of Fire and Ice’ novels, Bronn of the Blackwater doesn’t have all that much to do past the fourth book in the series, ‘A Feast For Crows’. But Jerome Flynn’s portrayal of the character proved to be so popular that the writers have continuously found ways to keep him around. But what exactly could they find for him to do in Season 8? Jaime and Tyrion have gone to Winterfell to aid in Jon Snow’s battle against the dead, whilst Bronn is keeping himself busy by bedding whores down south in King’s Landing.

Cersei has other plans though and has offered Bronn everything he has wished for… for a price. If Bronn kills his two best friends, he will finally get his castle. But will this man, who seemingly takes on any job for gold, actually be able to go through with this (should the Lannister brothers even survive the battle against the dead)? For someone who’s just been floating around for the last few seasons, he has certainly been given an intriguing plot for the final season.

ED SHEERAN’S FATE

It was also during this section of the episode that we learned the true fate of Ed Sheeran’s Lannister soldier, introduced in Season 6. A fun Easter egg for those paying attention, Bronn’s lady friends are heard talking about a “ginger boy” who returned after a dragon attack with his face ruined and his eyelids completely burned off. The ginger boy in question is indeed that of Ed Sheeran’s character, giving his cameo a deliciously gruesome end, and justice for those among us that hated his on-the-nose cameo.

MAC’S CAMEO

Speaking of celebrity cameos, Rob McElhenney, aka Mac from ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’, made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance as a member of Euron Greyjoy’s fleet, receiving an arrow through the face as Theon attempts to rescue his sister Yara.

The two shows have been connected ever since Game Of Thrones’ showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, admitted they were huge fans of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which resulted with them writing the Season 9 episode ‘Flowers For Charlie’ as well as guest starring as the lifeguards in the season 12 episode, ‘The Gang Goes To A Water Park’.

Here’s hoping we get a Danny DeVito cameo as a white walker very soon.

TYRION AND SANSA’S REUNION

Sansa and Tyrion finally reunited in Winterfell, having last seen each other at Joffrey and Margaery’s fateful wedding in King’s Landing. Tyrion stated that their last encounter was a depressing affair, with Sansa saying it had it’s moments, echoing the thoughts of all of us as Joffrey’s life finally came to an end.

NO ELEPHANTS?

When Euron Greyjoy returns to Kings Landing, he gives Cersei the good news; he has acquired a brand new army. But Cersei being Cersei, it isn’t good enough as she wanted Elephants. Some people, eh?

SAMWELL DISCOVER’S HIS FAMILY’S FATE

Sam, despite not exactly being on good terms with his family, is still devastated by the news that both his father and brother were executed by Dragonfire. Of course, you would be. This resulted in John Bradley’s best performance in the show to date, leading up to the scene in which…

JON SNOW DISCOVERS HIS FAMILY’S HERITAGE

I wasn’t sure how Jon was going to take the news that he is, in fact, a Targaryen. He didn’t seem to care much about the fact that Daenerys is his Aunt all that much, but he certainly cared about the fact that she is the one vying for the throne and the fact that he already bent the knee to her. This will be interesting to see play out over the next 5 weeks.

LORD UMBER

Did anyone else absolutely shit themselves when young Lord Umber returned from the dead as a wight? Just me?

JAIME ARRIVES IN WINTERFELL

This was possibly my favourite moment of the episode (other than Tormund and Eddison’s hilarious reunion, and the scene in which Lord Umber made me crap my pants). Bran has become a very creepy boy over the course of the last few seasons, with this episode featuring his creepiest appearances to date.

Jaime has arrived in Winterfell to help Jon and the gang in the war against the dead, but just like the North, Bran remembers. It’s going to be very interesting to see how this plays out, considering Jaime attempted to murder him way back in the show’s first episode.