SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN AND THE FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON (obviously).












continuing the tradition of rather chill season openers, this episode was all about throwing back to ep1 of season 1 & mirroring the situation from years earlier to where it is now: a kingly procession strolling into Winterfell, a curious child climbing up above to view the spectacle, distrust of non-Northeners etc.
awesome to see so many characters come together for the first time ever, and others seeing each other for the first time since season 1. so many confrontations have to be quickly played out and then put aside so all can fight the army of the dead.
HBO already posted a couple of breakdowns here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha8Qsx6_OBw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkdbetJTZGA.

and the preview for ep02 where Jaime gets to answer to Daeny for killing his father, and (one assumes, based on the final shot of ep01) to Bran for crippling him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6YCfVe4eR0.

Sam's reunion with Jon was great, him finding about his ancestry wasn't overly-dramatic or over-done, i think they handled it just right. after Sam learns of his father and brother's demise, obviously he's got more motivation to urge him to take the lead and be the king of "the 7 bloody kingdoms". i feel like both Daeny and Jon have shown compassion AND no mercy during their time as leaders, but one of em commands 2 dragons and the other does not.
although considering the dragons recognise Jon as Targaryan anyways, he really could usurp the would-be queen and take his rightful place.

ultimately i think Sam's *best* point was that Jon was humble enough to set aside his crown for the good of his, and all, people. it seems unlikely Daeny would do the same.

some clear setup for some obvious conflict, but i hope they pay it off in the unexpected and twisty ways that we've come to expect from this show.

V.