We know Game of Thrones is going to hit us in the gut with tragedy real soon, so let’s take a moment to bask in the pleasant moments.
It’s all too common for Game of Thrones to rip your heart out and eat it. After 8 seasons, we’ve come to expect it. It’s far more rare for Game of Thrones to make you feel butterflies in your stomach for good reasons. Rare it may be, we have gotten a number of smile-inducing moments in season 8.
As the final episodes of season 8 loom, we know we’re in for some tragic deaths, so let’s reflect on some good moments before that hammer falls.
Theon wants to fight for for Bran
A long time ago, back in season 2, Theon struggled with his identity. A Greyjoy by nature but a Stark by nurture, Theon tried so hard to win favor back with his father. To do so, he betrayed the Starks by capturing Bran and Rickon, and seizing Winterfell.
Theon has had a long, hard journey since then, and has since learned what, and who, is important in his life. Not only does he want to be at Winterfell to fight for the Starks, he also wants to be the one to protect Bran. It’s the most dangerous position to be in, guarding the bait, but clearly Theon still feels guilty for what he did to Bran, and will do whatever it takes to make it up to him. It’s a 180 turnaround for Theon from the beginning of the series, and thankfully it wasn’t too late.
Grey Worm wants to take Missandei home
One of the most underrated relationships on Game of Thrones, Grey Worm and Missandei literally started from the bottom only to end up as trusted advisors and soldiers to the Mother of Dragons. Both were slaves before Daenerys set them free, and chose to stay and help her win the Iron Throne.
During this time, Grey Worm and Missandei fell in love. As relationships go on Game of Thrones, it’s easily one of the most pure and sincere. Neither are related, both are consenting, and neither fell in love because of a shared traumatic incident. Organically falling in love is so rare on Game of Thrones, so when we see Grey Worm and Missandei plan their future, you can’t help but gush.
Sam gave his sword to Jorah
Unfortunately for Jorah Mormont, he made some mistakes in his past that resulted in banishment from his home. After disgracing his family name, he fled to Essos, leaving everything behind. One of the things he left behind was his family’s Valyrian steel sword, which ended up in Jon’s possession.
Jorah has since made it his life’s mission to help the woman he loves achieve the highest ambition, and in the process, do all he can to atone for his wrongdoings. Jorah is such an honorable man, he’ll only accept forgiveness from himself. When Jon presents him with his old sword, he refuses it. Jorah refuses a Valyrian steel sword, passed down through the Mormont family.
By season 8, the fight between the dead and the living has forced (almost) everyone’s priorities to change, and second chances are aplenty. Not only was it a wonderful moment for Sam to give the Tarly family, Valyrian steel sword to Jorah, but also a healing moment for Jorah. He accepts Sam’s gift, presumably finally able to forgive himself, and allow himself a moment of happiness.
Arya and Gendry is CANON
We’ve waited years for this ship to sail and it finally happened. Arya and Gendry met all the way back in season 1, and have had a little flirtation going on since season 2. Like everyone else on Game of Thrones, Arya has been through hell and back. The difference though, is that through most of her turmoils, Arya was a child, which is to say, Arya was never able to be a child. The desperate need to survive forced her to not only grow up quickly, but to also become hardened, distrustful, and resilient.
Now, the girl who was once fearless in the face of death, believes death may indeed be ‘not today,’ but could very well be tomorrow. Instead of letting it cripple her, Arya shows a vulnerable side we’ve never seen from her before. Despite knowing death may claim her, there’s comfort to be found being home with her friends and family for the first time in years. If just for one night, Arya gets to be a normal girl. She allows herself to have a loving moment with the guy she’s been crushing on for years, and we couldn’t be happier.
Sansa welcomed Theon with literal open arms
Theon has suffered more than most on Game of Thrones. Sansa has suffered more than most on Game of Thrones. Moreover, Theon and Sansa suffered the worst moments of their lives together. They also escaped the worst moment of their lives together. Needless to say, Sansa and Theon have developed a bond unlike many others on this show. It’s a bond of shared trauma and survival.
Unlike Sansa, however, Theon has made mistakes and poor decisions in his past that left him unneeded and unwanted. He’s been punished for his wrongdoings ten times over, and is desperate for forgiveness and the ability to prove he’s a changed man. In particular, Theon wishes to be accepted by the family that raised him, and to fight alongside them in what’s likely to be his final days. It’s touching to see Theon received so warmly by Sansa upon his arrival in Winterfell. That kindness isn’t something he’s accustomed to, but it is something he desperately needed.
Jaime knighted Brienne
There has never been a moment more touching, heartfelt, or intimate than when Jaime knighted Brienne. Although these two have never expressed tender words to one another, and have barely uttered a compliment, their love for each other has been obvious to everyone. They may have started as polar opposites who hated each other, but they grew to affectionately annoy each other, and become better people in the process.
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Brienne has made it clear since her introduction in season 2 that all she’s ever wanted was to be a knight. What are the odds that Jaime Lannister, most selfish man of the Seven Kingdoms, most esteemed Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, would ultimately be the man to break tradition and knight a woman. It wasn’t just any woman though, it was the woman he grew to respect, and dare we say it, love.