Winterfell throws an emotional house party as Game Of Thrones prepares for battle

By Caitlin PenzeyMoog, Katie Rife | April 23, 2019 | 12:04am

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Despite its compressed episode run—the final season of Game Of Thrones is only six episodes—the show is taking its time. Season eight’s second episode let us bask in the presence of most of the show’s remaining characters, gathered at Winterfell and passing a long existential night of the soul before taking their stand against the dead. Senior Writer Katie Rife and Managing Editor Caitlin PenzeyMoog discuss this Game Of Thrones’ version of a bottle episode, in which tradition is fucked, character history is exploited to its full potential, and the show delivers one of its most emotionally rewarding scenes as Jaime knights Ser Brienne.

You can watch the above video podcast today, and listen to the audio version below. If you like what you hear, please subscribe on iTunes and give us a five-star rating to help other listeners find us. For more discussion, visit our Game Of Thrones experts and newbies recaps, and join us in revisiting pivotal moments in our series, Month Of Thrones. We’ll be back next Monday to weigh in on the battle of Winterfell.