A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is the second episode of the eighth season of Game of Thrones. It is the sixty-ninth episode of the series overall. It premiered on April 21, 2019. It was written by Bryan Cogman and directed by David Nutter.

Plot
Jaime faces judgement and Winterfell prepares for the battle to come.

At Winterfell
Jaime stands still while Daenerys speaks. She begins by saying that when she was a child, her brother would tell her a bedtime story - about the man who murdered their father. He told her other stories as well, about all the things they would do to that man, once they took back the Seven Kingdoms and had him in their grasp. Daenerys remarks to him that Cersei had pledged to send her army north, but that all she sees is one man with one hand, and it appears Cersei lied. Jaime makes it clear that she lied to him as well, and that she never had any intention of sending her army north. Jaime tells her that Cersei has Euron Greyjoy's fleet and 20,000 fresh troops, that the Golden Company from Essos paid for. Even if they defeat the Army of the Dead, she'll have plenty of men to kill the survivors. Jaime states he promised to fight for the living and he intends to keep that promise.

Tyrion tries to step in, but Daenerys quickly stops him because Tyrion was wrong about his sister too. Sansa also says they are right, that they can't trust him, that Jaime attacked their father in the streets and tried to destroy her house and family the same as he did Daenerys's. Jaime quickly retorts if it's an apology they are seeking, they won't get it. He says they were at war, and that everything he did, he did for his house and his family and would do it all again. Bran interjects: "The things we do for love."

Brienne stands and steps forward on Jaime's behalf. She tells Daenerys that Jaime is indeed a man of honor. That as they were traveling a group of men attempted to rape her, and Jaime defended her. For trying to do so, he lost his hand as punishment. She then looks to Sansa and adds that without Jaime, she wouldn't be alive; moreover, Jaime armed and armored her, and sent her to find Sansa and bring her home because he swore an oath to her mother. Sansa eventually agrees that they should let Jaime stay, without seeking approval for this from Daenerys first. Daenerys looks at Jon and asks his advice on the matter. Jon says they need every man they can get. Daenerys eventually acquiesces, and Tyrion sighs in relief. Grey Worm walks over and gives Jaime back his sword. Jaime thanks Daenerys. As Sansa leaves, Daenerys turns to face Jon, but Jon awkwardly avoids her. A confused Daenerys also leaves. When Daenerys, Tyrion, Jorah and Varys are walking down a corridor, Daenerys vents her anger about Cersei's betrayal. She says that Tyrion either knew Cersei was lying or allowed himself to be duped by her. Both Daenerys and Tyrion agree he was a fool in this matter, and that if he cannot help get Daenerys on the Iron Throne, she'll find another Hand who can.

At the Forge, the men are hard at work with the Dragonglass forging weapons. Gendry is busy working, not seeing Arya watching him at first. She is watching him with piqued interest. Gendry asks Arya if she has something better to do, for which she replies, "Have you made my weapon yet?" He remarks he'll get to it after he's done making a few 1,000 more arrowhead style weapons first. Arya says he needs to make hers first, and that it should be stronger than the weapon he's currently working on. Gendry says it'll be safer down in the crypt anyway. Arya asks if he'll be in the crypt, and he says no. She then questions, "but you're a fighter?". Gendry says he's done his share and even fought a few. He even describes the Army of the Dead as best as possible to Arya. He tells her that he knows she wants to fight, but that they are much different than rapers or murderers, that they are simply put 'death'.

Arya says coyly that she knows 'death', and lifts one of the dragonglass arrowhead weapons and throws it like a dagger, hitting a door frame in the near distance. She adds "[death has] many faces", before throwing another and have it landing right beside the first dagger she threw, surprising Gendry. Arya adds, "I look forward to seeing this one," and throws the last dagger, it landing exactly beside the other two weapons. She walks past Gendry and asks one last time for her weapon, for which he hastily replies, "I'll get right on it."

Bran is in his wheelchair out in snow, just beneath the red leaves of the heart tree. Jaime slowly nears. The first thing Jaime says is that he is sorry for what he did to him. Bran replies, "You weren't sorry then." He adds that he was protecting his family. Jaime says he isn't that person anymore. Bran states that he still would be if he hadn't pushed him out of that window, and that he'd still be Brandon Stark. Curious, Jaime simply asks, "You're not?" Bran replies that he isn't, and that he is something else now. Jaime is curious why Bran isn't angry at him, and Bran says he isn't angry at anyone. Jaime asks why Bran didn't tell anyone the truth. He replies that Jaime wouldn't have been able to help them in this war if they had been able to murder him first. When he asks about 'afterwards', Bran says, "how do you know there is an afterwards?"

While Tyrion is walking about the castle grounds inspecting everything, Jaime approaches him. The brothers are back together, saying a quick "here we are" to one another. Up on a staircase, one of the Stark military men spits down near the Lannister brothers, where Tyrion replies "and the masses rejoice". Jaime asks Tyrion what they think of their new Queen Daenerys. After reminding Jaime that she's now his new queen as well, he remarks the people remember what happened the last time Targaryens brought dragons north. He also states they'll come around once they see Daenerys is different. Jaime asks his brother if he is sure about her, and Tyrion says yes. And when Jaime states that Daenerys didn't seem to be sure of his brother, Tyrion agreed saying he didn't blame her. During their conversation, Tyrion finds out through Jaime that Cersei's pregnancy wasn't a lie.

Jaime says for Tyrion to not be too hard on himself, that Cersei fooled him more than anybody. Tyrion states that Cersei never fooled him, that Jaime always knew exactly what she was and he loved her anyway. Tyrion tells Jaime he never imagined he'd die at Winterfell, bringing a past joke between the two of exactly how Tyrion pictured himself dying. As Tyrion is talking, finding some black humor in the prospect that being killed by the undead will deny Cersei the satisfaction of having him killed, Jaime is distracted and walks away to look out in the distance at Brienne, who is overseeing sword practicing in the yard.

Jaime walks out of the castle gate where moats of traps, catapults, and men, among them Podrick Payne, are practicing with their swords. He eventually reaches Brienne and they greet one another. Jaime tells her that he has been told she is commanding the left flank during battle. She states it is great ground and with the rise it would give good advantage. Quickly, she finally turns to him and asks what he's doing, knowing they've never had a conversation this long without him insulting her. He finally admits that he came to Winterfell because he's not the fighter he use to be, and that he'd be honored to serve under her command, if she'd have him.

Elsewhere, back in the castle, Jorah enters to speak to Daenerys on Tyrion's behalf. He tells her she should give him a second chance and they both remark on why Jorah isn't Daenerys's Hand of the Queen. She remarks that if he hadn't gone away, he surely would've have taken on that role and not Tyrion. Jorah however, insists Daenerys made the right choice in naming Tyrion her Hand; he has made mistakes, yes, but he learns from them, takes them to heart, and he has Daenerys' best interests at heart. Jorah advises that Daenerys forgive Tyrion, and offers another suggestion of advice...

In Winterfell's library, Daenerys finds Sansa conversing with Lord Royce, who is advocating for sealing the gates as soon as they have their troops deployed outside the walls, while Sansa is in favor of keeping them open as long as possible, to let as many refugees reach Winterfell as possible. Daenerys requests a private audience with Sansa; once Royce is gone, Daenerys remarks on how she thought they were on the verge of agreeing in regards to Jaime, and asks Sansa why she changed her mind. Sansa replies that she trusts Brienne's judgement completely. Daenerys responds that she wishes she could have faith like that in her own advisors. Sansa tells Daenerys that Tyrion is a good man; he was nothing but decent to her while she was captive in King's Landing. Daenerys replies she chose Tyrion for her Hand not just because he was good, but also because he was intelligent and ruthless when necessary. Daenerys adds, "He never should have trusted Cersei," to which Sansa replies, "You never should have either."

Wanting to clear the air and find common ground between them, Daenerys acknowledges she and Sansa have similar experiences: they have complicated families, they're both women who've been trusted with ruling in a world where few women can do that — and they've done it well, to which Sansa agrees. However, Daenerys notes that despite this, she can't help but feel they're still at odds with one another but then realizes, "Your brother." Sansa admits she is wary of Daenerys because Jon clearly loves Daenerys, remarking that men do foolish things for the women they love, and their emotions can be manipulated to exploit them. Daenerys replies she's only known one goal all her life - the Iron Throne - but then she met Jon. Now, she's at the North, having brought her armies north to fight the Army of the Dead. Taken aback, Sansa responds she should have thanked Daenerys when she arrived and Daenerys confides she is here because she loves Sansa's brother and trusts him completely, "He's only the second man in my life I can say that about." When Sansa asks about the first, Daenerys replies, "Someone taller," making both Sansa and Daenerys laugh. However, Sansa has one sticking point that drives a wedge through her and Daenerys's new rapport: assuming they succeed in defeating the Night King and Cersei and Daenerys takes the Iron Throne, what happens to the North? After taking it back from the Boltons, Sansa vowed they'd never bow to another ruler.

Before Daenerys and Sansa can discuss Northern independence, Varys interrupts, informing the two that he has to discuss something very important with Daenerys.

Inside her chambers, Varys reveals to Daenerys what he learned from his little birds; that Rhaegar Targaryen annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and remarried to Lyanna Stark, and that Jon Snow is infact the legitimate child of the couple. Horrified, Daenerys questions Varys as to how he can be sure, to which Varys cites the conversation one of his little birds overheard in the crypts the previous night - and presents the diary of High Septon Maynard, containing the record of the annulment and subsequent remarriage. Daenerys struggles to believe it, noting that the two people who discovered the truth of Jon's lineage were his brother and best friend, but as the pieces fall into place, Daenerys comes around to the sobering realisation and even speaks out - Jon is the true rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms. Daenerys angrily questions why Bran or Samwell or especially Jon didn't tell her as soon as they knew and were able to. Varys, unable to give a proper answer, says silent for a while, before suggesting some ulterior motive at play.

Elsewhere, Missandei finds herself on the receiving end of a lot of racial prejudice from the hostile Northerners, prompting Grey Worm to ask if she would want to stay once Daenerys has the Iron Throne. He says he'll fight for his queen until the war is done but there is no place for them in Westeros, "Do you want to grow old in this place? Is there nothing else you want to do, nothing else you want to see?" When Missandei admits she'd like to see the beaches of Naath again, Grey Worm promises he'll take her back there, and his fellow Unsullied will come to help protect the natives from the pirates and slavers who've long preyed on the peaceful Naathi. Meanwhile, Sansa and Maester Wolkan continue to survey the castle, studying Winterfell's defenses and discussion it's logistics. Whilst in the courtyard, Theon Greyjoy and a detachment of Ironborn ride into the gates. Sansa and Theon lock eyes, and Theon dismounts and walks up to her. He informs her of Yara's plans to reclaim the Iron Islands from Euron in Daenerys' name, but he's come back to fight to defend Winterfell if Lady Stark will have him. Sansa embraces him emotionally.

Daenerys storms into Jon's chambers and slams the door, and begins angrily demanding the truth of his lineage from him. Jon attempts to explain that he was going to tell her when the time was right - and since they currently were embroiled in a war where succession and lineage no longer mattered, he felt that telling her now would've done nothing but cause unnecessary tension and difficulty in fighting the Army of the Dead. Jon also tells her that he doesn't want the throne but Daenerys argues it doesn't matter what Jon wants - he didn't want to be King in the North either but people will press his claim and take what is hers. Jon gets down on one knee in front of Daenerys and insists, "I'll refuse! You are my queen. I don't know what else I can say." Daenerys tells him he can say nothing, never tell anyone who he really is. She holds his hand as she says she wants it to be the way it was between them. Jon clasps her hand in his and says he must tell Sansa and Arya (as Bran and Samwell already know) because they are still his family. Daenerys is certain Sansa will press Jon's claim over hers. Jon says Sansa won't do that but Daenerys warns him that Sansa isn't the same girl he grew up with. Jon believes he owes Sansa and Arya the truth but Daenerys begs for him not to tell them, saying the truth will destroy Jon and Daenerys. Jon insists it won't, "You are my queen. Nothing will change that. And they are my family. We can live together." Daenerys coldly tells him, "We can. I just told you how."

That night, a feast is held in the great hall of Winterfell, though due to the lingering prospect of imminent death, the mood is somewhat sombre. After exchanging some words with Edric and Devan, Gendry gets up to go look for Arya, but as he passes the high table, Daenerys calls on him, noting that he is Robert Baratheon's son - the man who overthrew her family. Gendry humbly responds that he didn't even know that Robert was his father until after he died. Daenerys then asks him who the Lord of Storm's End is now that Robert is dead: he says he doesn't know, then she asks the entire hall, rhetorically, who the lord of Storm's End is now (with both of Robert's brothers, Stannis and Renly, also dead). Daenerys declares that she will make Gendry the new Lord of Storm's End, as a reward for his heroism. Gendry is shocked, and says he cannot be, as he is only Robert's bastard son. Daenerys quickly addresses this by announcing that in her power as queen, she legitimizes him as "Gendry Baratheon", rightful son of Robert - nominally the new lord of Storm's End and head of a revived House Baratheon. Daenerys - after briefly eyeing Jon at the back of the hall - then names Gendry Baratheon as her sole and rightful heir, until a child is born to her. Davos Seaworth, from the Stormlands, toasts the newly made Gendry Baratheon, followed by the rest of the hall, while Daenerys sits and mulls over her decision: It seemingly removes Jon Snow as a threat to her power, as well as making any claim Gendry could make to the Iron Throne dependant on her favour.

The next day, Gendry and Edric are helping hoist several artillery pieces onto the battlements of Winterfell. Among the armaments being lifted are two of Gendry's scorpions, to which Edric sarcastically remarks to his brother that it wouldn't be befitting of a Great Lord such as Gendry himself to fight with such weapons like a lowly foot soldiers. Gendry watches as Arya approaches him, and he subsequently tells Edric to "fuck off", to which Edric complies with a sarcastic "milord" and bow. Arya questions Gendry over why it took him this long to tell her about his highborn lineage. Gendry retorts that he didn't see the point, citing that bloodlines and bloodrights are no longer important. Arya says that isn't a reason and looks at Gendry accusingly, and Gendry realises that Arya isn't going to believe his alibi. Nervously, Gendry confesses that he didn't tell her because he was worried that she would think differently of him, if she knew that he was the secret son of a King. Arya smiles and reassures Gendry that it doesn't... at least not in a way that Gendry wouldn't like, and leaves him to continue working on the battlements.

Elsewhere in the courtyard, Davos helps with the preparation of the upcoming siege of Winterfell, and serves food to the people gathered at the castle. One of them, Teela, reminds him of his beloved Shireen. As she is willing to fight despite her young age, Davos and Gilly persuade her to help defend the crypt where all the non-fighting people will be gathered. The sound of a horn blowing brings Jon out into the courtyard, where to his delight, he finds Edd, Beric and the rest of the Night's Watch dismounting from their horses. As he moves to greet them, he is unexpectedly tackled by Tormund, ecstatic to see his "little crow" again. Unfortunately, the new arrivals bring bad news: Last Hearth has fallen, the Umbers are now part of the army of the dead, as is anyone who has not reached Winterfell by now, and the undead will reach Winterfell before daybreak.

As night falls, the defenders gather to make their plans for the battle to come. Jon notes that even with weapons of dragonglass and Valyrian steel, and the defenses they have laid, the army of the dead outnumbers the living too heavily for them to have a chance at winning a conventional battle. When Jaime asks what they can do, Jon suggests they make the Night King their primary target; given that he raised every monster in the army of the dead, if they can kill him, his army should die with him. Jaime predicts that the Night King, knowing this weakness, will never risk himself on the battlefield, but Bran interjects that the Night King will come for him, as he's tried to kill the Three-Eyed Raven many times before. When Sam asks why, Bran explains the Night King's ultimate desire is to erase all memory of the world of men, something which he, as the Three Eyed Raven, now possesses. Jon states they will place Bran in the crypts for his safety, but Bran refuses, declaring he'll wait in the godswood to lure the Night King out. Sansa and Arya balk at the prospect of Bran using himself as bait, but Theon declares he and his men will defend Bran, as atonement for his previous capture of Winterfell. When Tyrion questions how the Night King will know where to find him, Bran reveals the claw marks the Night King left on him during their last encounter allows the creature to track him wherever he is. Tyrion declares that he and Davos will signal Jon and Daenerys at the right time to ignite the trench around Winterfell, but Daenerys overrides him, declaring he will be in the crypts for his own safety; if the battle is won, she will need him. Jon also adds that the people in the crypts will have a small group of armed guards joining them, in the event that the doors leading down to the crypts are breached. Davos suggests the dragons will be helpful on the battlefield, but Jon notes they need the dragons near the godswood to protect Bran, when Bran is luring the Night King in for an ambush; they'll hold the dragons back to keep the Night King from suspecting a trap, then when their enemy makes his move for Bran, they'll strike. Arya asks if dragonfire will stop the Night King, to which Bran can only reply he has no idea, as no one has ever tried that.

After everyone leaves the meeting, Tyrion pulls up a chair next to Bran and they exchange stories.

Outside, Missandei finds herself on the receiving end of a lot of racial prejudice from the hostile Northerners, prompting Grey Worm to ask if she would want to stay once Daenerys has the Iron Throne. He says he'll fight for his queen until the war is done but there is no place for them in Westeros, "Do you want to grow old in this place? Is there nothing else you want to do, nothing else you want to see?" When Missandei admits she'd like to see the beaches of Naath again, Grey Worm promises he'll take her back there, and his fellow Unsullied will come to help protect the natives from the pirates and slavers who've long preyed on the peaceful Naathi.

At the large fireplace in the main hall of Winterfell castle, Tyrion and Jaime are drinking and talking. At one point, Tyrion says he'd love to see their father's face when they decided to defend Winterfell. Soon, Podrick, Brienne and walk in and begin to drink. Eventually Davos joins them to warm himself by the fire, as does Tormund who instantly hones in on Brienne, bragging how he killed a giant at the age of 10. He then tells them how he got his surname 'Giantsbane' by being nursed be a giant for 3 months. The rest of the group looks on, unsure how to react to such a story, as Tormund guzzles down his milk from a horn.

Upon the upstairs rooftop's walkway, Arya approaches the Hound, and Beric eventually arrives to sit as well. After their short conversation, Arya begins to walk off, remarking she'd rather be anywhere than with the two 'miserable shits' drinking together. Arya begins target practicing with her bow and arrow instead, and while doing so, Gendry arrives with her new weapon he forged for her. Being curious after all time, she asks Gendry what the Red Woman wanted from him so many years ago. Gendry recounts that Melisandre took him to King Stannis Baratheon on Dragonstone, seduced him, and then used his blood to call for the deaths of Joffrey Baratheon, Robb Stark, and Balon Greyjoy. Arya, slightly taken aback, asks him how many partners he has slept with in his past, and Gendry eventually answers three. Arya responds that since they will likely die soon, she'd like to know what it's like before that happens. They kiss, strip each other naked, and have sex.

Back at the fireplace, the group of Brienne, Tormund, Davos, Pod, Jaime and Tyrion continue to drink and regale stories. Soon the subject turns to knighthood, and Tormund, unsure the concept of being or becoming a knight, asks Brienne why she isn't one - she replies simply, "tradition". Jaime refills his drink and mentions aloud, that the tradition isn't necessarily true. He states that any knight and make a knight. At first, Brienne isn't sure what to do, but after looking at Pod, who gives her the faintest of smiles and a nod, she stands and moves away from the group so that she can kneel. Bringing his sword with him, Jaime gives Brienne her knighthood, before adding "arise Brienne of Tarth, a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms". While they are all clapping for her, she stands and gives a tearful smile to the small group in the room.

Outside in the courtyard, Jorah is speaking to his cousin Lyanna. As everyone prepares for the imminent arrival of the army of the dead, Lyanna and her cousin Jorah have an argument. Jorah strongly advises her to remain in the crypt with the other women and children, as she is the future of House Mormont, but Lyanna stoutly refuses. She wants to fight along the rest of the men and women, and Jorah allows her to make up her own mind. Sam then approaches Jorah, giving his families sword 'Heartsbane', knowing it'll be put to better use with Jorah wielding it, in honour of his late father Jeor, who was more of a father to Sam than his own. Jorah indeed says he will use it in his father's memory, "to guard the realms of men". Before leaving Sam adds "I hope we win".

At the hearth and out of wine, Tyrion asks the small group if anyone can sing. With no one answering, Pod simply begins singing softly, "Jenny of Oldstones". Various other characters spend time together on their last night before the coming of all out war. Samwell, Gilly, and Sam lie in bed together, Sansa and Theon share a bowl of soup in the courtyard, Gendry and Arya share a makeshift bed together, and Missandei gives Grey Worm one heavy and deep kiss goodbye, before he must leave with the rest of the Unsullied army.

Atop the battlements, Beric and the Hound watch as Edric and Devan test fire one of Gendry's scorpions. The contraption fires successfully and the scorpion bolt is sent flying off into the pitch darkness of the night sky. The Hound scoffs and questions what good a couple of 'oversized crossbows' would do against Viserion if two dragons isn't going to be enough. Beric says that he'll relay the Hound's concerns to Jon and Gendry, and sarcastically adds that there's a slim possibility that the bolt they just shot into the sky could land right on top of the Night King, ending the battle before it even starts. The two walk the battlements, exchanging stories and life lessons, before stopping dead in their tracks, when the Hound finally sights a row of mounted White Walkers stretched out on the northern horizon, back-lit by low-hanging clouds gently illuminated by moonlight. Beric sounds the nearest battle horn three times.

Having heard the sound of the horns, Jon, Daenerys and Tyrion run to the battlements and see the army of the dead standing in formation in the distance - having arrived outside the castle, ready for battle.

Events

 * Fall of Winterfell (early phase)