Recap: Game of Thrones Season 7 Premiere – ‘Dragonstone’

Caution: Game of Thrones Spoilers Ahead!

After over a year of waiting, Game of Thrones returns with its seventh season, giving fans resolutions to conflicts that have been a long time coming.

The start of the premiere could be a bit confusing to some as Walder Frey, who was assassinated by Arya in the finale last summer, is seemingly alive and has gathered the entirety of House Frey for a feast. He calls for a toast and sarcastically congratulates the fellow members of his house for their actions during the Red Wedding. One by one, every member of House Frey begins convulsing and spitting blood as Walder continues to belittle them for their actions. He tells them that their mistake was that they didn’t kill all of the Starks.

“Leave one wolf alive and the sheep are never safe.”

As the last few members of House Frey succumb to their poisoning, Walder Frey tugs at his jaw. It is revealed to be Arya Stark, wearing Frey’s face as a disguise in the fashion that she was taught by the followers of the Many-Faced God.

Responding to the shock of the servant girls, Arya leaves them with a message for when they are asked what happened:

Tell them the North remembers. Tell them Winter came for House Frey.

Arya leaves the castle, grinning in triumph over avenging her brother Robb Stark, and her mother, Catelyn Stark. She is last seen encountering a singing group of soldiers who— wait for it—include the company of Ed Sheeran. They share a meal with her, and she shares the knowledge that she’s headed to King’s Landing to kill the queen. They all laugh it off, but she’s actually dead serious.

Meanwhile, Cersei Lannister is settling into the Iron Throne back at the Red Keep. She is fully aware of Daenerys and Tyrion’s alliance, and of the fact that they’re on their way to Westeros. Cersei doesn’t seem worried, though, and continues to a meeting with Euron Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands.

Euron seeks Cersei’s hand in marriage, though she’s quick to state he is untrustworthy and traitorous to his allies. After being rejected, Euron decides to take a different approach and vows not to return to King’s Landing until he has a gift for Cersei. What this gift is hasn’t been revealed yet, but it probably won’t be good.

Much like the death of House Frey, something else happened that’s been long awaited for: Daenerys and her fleet have finally come to Westeros. The Mother of Dragons and her army land at Dragonstone and find the abandoned Targaryen stronghold.

She’s quick to tear down the banner of another house and make her claim on the castle. Dragonstone was definitely meant for the Dragon Queen, if it weren’t obvious by the myriad of dragon relics and decorations that litter the entirety of the castle.

She and her allies enter the abandoned war room, staring down at a grand map of Westeros littered with chess-like pieces that represent armies and ships. With passion in her eyes, Daenerys asks Tyrion the question we’ve all been waiting for: “Shall we begin?”

Meanwhile at the Citadel, Sam is having less fun than he probably expected. His presence this season starts off with a montage of dry-heaving, bedpan-clanking and book stacking that ends up being oddly rhythmic and entertaining. He hasn’t quite become a Maester and hasn’t gained access to the records he needed to truly be of use against the Army of the Dead. Though he tries and fails to gain access from the Grand Measter, Sam decides to break in and steal the books he needed anyway, finding a bit of information that could be of some use.

Apparently, Dragonstone (Yes, where Daenerys and her army have settled in) has a mountain filled with Dragonglass, which can be used the kill White Walkers. Dragonglass is very precious to the North in their war against the Army of the Dead. Chances are that the King of the North, Jon Snow, will either be going himself or sending his men to collect some of this material, which will put him in the crosshairs of Khaleesi. It’s certainly an encounter to look forward to!

And finally, in the North, Jon Snow and Sansa Stark seem to be doing a great job ruling, despite their disagreements. Jon pardons House Umber and Karstark, as their leaders have already paid the price in blood for treason. According to him, the North will need to unite to take on the Army of the Dead.

With the North rallying behind Jon Snow, things seem to be going very well. Of course, Cersei has heard that the Starks reclaimed Winterfell. The wicked queen sent a raven to the North, stating that Jon Snow will either come to King’s Landing to bow, or be deemed a traitor, and we all know how Cersei deals with ‘traitors.’

Of course, Jon isn’t going to bow to Cersei, which will provide some more interesting conflict later this season. Also in the North, Bran Stark and Meera Reed have finally returned to the other side of the Wall with the help of Bran’s uncle Benjen. After being greeted by the new Lord Commander, Bran reminds him that on the topic of the White Walkers and the Night King, no one’s safe.

He’s coming for us– all of us.

Earlier in the episode, we see the tremendous force of the White Walker army, which happens to include deceased giants, too. As the blizzard around them blazes on, they appear to be marching south towards the wall.

Though only the first episode has been aired, we expect much more great things to come. What were your thoughts on the season premiere of Game of Thrones? Check back weekly for episode recaps on POParazzi!