'GoT' S08E04 review: The perfect buildup to the final war
What's the story
The allied armies in the North have won the great war and are now on their way to win the final war.
In King's Landing, Cersei is prepared to take the usurpers head-on with her armies and an arsenal of interesting weapons.
This episode served as a perfect prelude to the penultimate episode's war.
Here's our review of The Last of the Starks.
Farewell
Bidding farewell to the people they lost
The episode starts in Winterfell. The remaining characters pay their respect to the people they lost.
Dany cries for Jorah and Sansa cries for Theon as they cremate their fallen comrades.
The scene has a lot of funeral pyres signifying just how great the damage was.
After paying their respects, they all gather together to celebrate their victory over the undead army.
Shot Down
Gendry is a lord albeit without his 'lady'
Daenerys recognizes Gendry as Robert's son, a Baratheon, and names him the new Lord of Storm's End.
He tells Arya the news and asks her to become his lady.
She replies, "You'll make a wonderful lord, and any lady would be lucky to have you. But I'm not a lady, I never have been. That's not me."
But Gendry isn't the only heartbroken man.
Relationships
Can Giant's Milk heal a broken heart?
Tormund finally accepts that it is Jaime whom Brienne likes. Luckily, he finds comfort in another woman.
Jaime and Brienne sleep together, giving much-needed closure to their relationship.
The Hound talks to Sansa and realizes how much she has grown over the years.
Meanwhile, people honor Jon's leadership while Daenerys grows worried.
Finally, the ever-so-mysterious Podrick seduces two women without even saying a word!
Legitimate Ruler
The rightful ruler: The dragon queen or Jon Snow?
Daenerys begs Jon to not tell the secret about his lineage to anyone. He repeatedly says that he has no intention of becoming a king, but Dany is not convinced.
In the next scene, he tells the secret to his sisters who swear not to tell anyone.
Subsequently, Sansa tells Tyrion who in turn tells Varys, stirring a debate regarding the rightful legitimate ruler.
Conflict
Sansa can't seem to get along with her new queen
The growing tension between Sansa and Daenerys is palpable. Their expressions towards each other are a testament to this.
While making battle plans, Sansa recommends letting their troops rest before the final war but Daenerys refuses with Jon supporting her.
Daenerys is growing borderline paranoid in her quest for the throne and the subsequent events end up hurting her more than ever.
Mad Queen?
Queenslayer
Bronn is your Bro (as long as you pay him)
The sellsword travels to Winterfell and threatens to kill the Lannister brothers. Tyrion suggests he spare them in exchange for High Garden.
Later in the episode, Jaime leaves for King's Landing despite Brienne begging him to stay.
It was nice to see him confess to the worst crimes he has committed for Cersei and if he really becomes the Queenslayer, he'd be surely cheered!
The Ambush
The armies finally set course for King's Landing
The Targaryen army sail for King's Landing while Jon (doesn't even pet Ghost!) travels on foot. Arya and Sandor travel together.
In the episode's most shocking scene, Euron Greyjoy's fleet ambushes and destroys the Targaryen armies, killing Rhaegal and capturing Missandei.
Daenerys and Greyworm, with the remainder of their troops, stand outside Red Keep while Tyrion attempts (but fails) to talk sense with Cersei.
Her Plan
Cersei is as ruthless as we've come to expect
Despite Tyrion's desperate pleas to her humanity and the love for her yet-to-be-born child, Cersei orders the beheading of Missandei, who sadly dies captured in chains. Her last words: Dracarys!
This enrages Daenerys and Greyworm and signals the start of the final war.
Cersei has left her gates open so Daenerys can storm the capital and kill innocent citizens in a fit of rage.
Opinion
Opinion: The war is here and it will be grand
This episode was a perfect teaser to the final war. It established that dragons aren't invincible and anything can happen in the world of Game of Thrones.
The preview for the next episode has already been released and we can't wait to see how the upcoming war pans out with only two episodes remaining!
BTW, did Euron notice how Tyrion knows about his child?