All men must die. It’s time to dig in.
Game of Thrones has released a brand new trailer and while it’s possible to view the following clip as footage that will actually appear in the show, we’re confident that this trailer is more like the first one that features the crypts of Winterfell.
After all, it’s highly unlikely that the producers would release full scenes in the promo material – something they’ve never done before. Then again, we could be wrong, but this type of marketing would be a very different approach for HBO.
However, there is plenty to decipher here because it’s a cracking trailer in terms of mood, tone and character.
Let’s dig in.
The Battle of Winterfell
The third episode in the new season is set in Winterfell and aside from being the longest episode in Game of Thrones history at one hour and 22 minutes, it’s also set to be the biggest battle in the history of TV and film.
Despite the best attempts of the producers, some spoilers about what was filmed have leaked. However, we’re not going to reveal them here.
This footage exclusively deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Winterfell.
The timelines
It’s entirely possible that this footage features in episode three. However, as stated previously, we think this is more concerned with conveying tone and mood. Also, if it does feature in the show, it’s more likely to be seen in episode four, which airs in the early hours of May 6, which will likely deal with the aftermath of the aforementioned battle.
The Stark banner
Jon’s banner is ragged, ruined and singed from fire. We saw the exact same thing at The Red Wedding when House Stark was decimated.
It should be noted that Jon’s banner is different due to the fact that he’s still (incorrectly) known as a bastard.
White noise
Notice how the trailer opens with some high-pitched static akin to white noise piercing your ear drums? It’s the same special effect that Steven Spielberg used in Saving Private Ryan to convey shell shock during the Normandy beach landings.
It’s clear that House Stark have been shook to their very core. Similarly, later in the trailer, you hear the crows swirling over the terrain. A feast for crows?
A small touch, but very cool.
The weirwood tree stands
Winterfell is more than just bricks and mortar. If the Night King and his dragons destroyed the physical infrastructure, notice how the godswood and the weirwood heart tree still stand.
Weirwoods are considered sacred to the followers of the old gods, and children of the forest believe weirwoods are the gods. The greenseers of the children of the forest can see through the eyes of weirwoods with carved faces.
Handy for Bran Stark and his growing powers as the Three-Eyed Raven.
Also, it’s significant to the show, as this was where Ned Stark learned that Jon Arryn had died – the event that kicked-off the whole chain of events in Game of Thrones – and that Robert Baratheon was riding north to visit him.
The castle might be in ruins, but this could be symbolic that the heart of House Stark remains strong.
Ammo
We saw this in the trailer, but the archers of The North are now using arrows that have a dragonglass tip.
The North remembers
This was the exact place where Ned Stark looked down on his family in the first episode as they practiced archery.
A nice throwback.
The hand of the Queen
That’s Tyrion’s pendant, which symbolises his loyalty to Daenerys.
Could he be the first big casualty from the Night King’s war on Westeros?
Needle
Arya’s sword was a gift from Jon on the day he was leaving Winterfell for The Wall. In the official trailer, we saw Arya running through the halls as something/someone chased her.
Again, this is just a teaser but it’s a lovely shot.
“Seven kingdoms couldn’t fill the hole she left…”
Much like the very first teaser for Season 8, the feather motif is extremely strong throughout and this, of course, refers to Jon Snow’s legitimate mother, Lyanna Stark – sister of Ned Stark.
In the very first episode of Game of Thrones, Robert Baratheon goes down into the Winterfell crypts and lays the feather at the base of the statue of Lyana Stark, his betrothed, who he believes was killed at the Tower of Joy by those loyal to House Targaryen.
Of course, that’s a lie. Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen were very much in love and were legitimately married. This in turn makes Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen the legitimate ruler of Westeros.
Something that his aunt and lover, Daenerys, might find very interesting.
The Kingslayer’s redemption.
At the end of Season 7, we saw Jaime disobey Cersei’s instruction as he moved North to help Jon/Dany in their fight against the army of the dead. Of course, the last time Jaime was in The North, he wasn’t too popular and was a prisoner of Robb Stark until Catelyn set him free.
He’s in dangerous territory and has a bullseye on his back.
We already saw Jaime fighting in the Battle of Winterfell but will this be his last stand?
Breaker of chains
We could be wrong but this looks an awful lot like the chain that Daenerys is wearing.
Longclaw
Just like Daenerys, there’s an item very personal to Jon left in the snow. His Valaryian steel sword, Longclaw.
Season 8 of Game of Thrones is released at 2am on Sky Atlantic on 15 April. It will be repeated at 9pm on the same channel and it’s also available to watch via Now TV.
Clip via GameofThrones
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
