We know it’s only been a few hours since HBO aired Game of Thrones‘ phenomenal small screen masterpiece that was The Long Night — but alas, we must recap.
So if you haven’t watched, this post is dark (like the entire f**king episode, LOLz) and…
FULL OF SPOILERS!
Related: Watch This HIGHlarious GoT And Vanilla Ice Mashup!
Let’s break down the biggest moments, which includes death, the undead, redemption, and more!
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These dudes bounced pretty early on, after they were the first to dip their flaming hooks (thanks, Melissandra!) into the Night King’s dead army. It was truly terrifying to see so many screamers wiped out so quickly. This was the perfect way to kick off the madness that was to follow!
Fan fave Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey) sadly passed in this week’s rendezvous at Winterfell — but not without a monumental moment to display her brazen character. ONE. FINAL. TIME.
She insisted on being in battle during ep. 2, and battle she did! Little sister slayed the undead, including a giant, before she was ultimately crushed to death. As the large creature pulverized her teeny bones, the Northern badass was able to give one final blow to the giant’s glowing blue eye, killing it. A SHE-RO!
Lord Commander Dolorous Edd (Ben Crompton) and his watch ended early, when he was stabbed after saving fellow Night’s Watchman, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley).
Lord Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer), who was on his *sixth!!* life thanks to Thoros of Myr, final met his fate as well. He was stabbed by multiple wights while saving Arya and the Hound.
Lots of action happened between now and this moment, but we’ll save you the darkness. The soldiers did their best to defend Winterfell, and when all seemed to slightly calm, the Night King landed, commanding all of the dead to rise again. Included all the peeps who were JUST killed in battle. Did you just cringe when Lyanna’s eye started glowing blue??
Anyway…
The idea to put the defenseless in the crypt of Winterfell was beyond us — but Stark skeletons started appearing in accordance to their king’s order. WILLLLLDDD.
Thankfully, all our main characters were safe from death below ground — Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Gilly (Hannah Murray), and Varys (Conleth Hill) all survived and thrived.
As we saw in last week’s episode, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) vowed to protect the Three-Eyed Raven himself, which was noble as h*ck! But even more thrilling was how Theon died. After Bran says, “Theon, you’re a good man,” he charged directly at the Night King full knowing he was about to enter the heavens. Considering his character arch, this was the only way for him to go. Clear eyes, full heart, he loses (with pride).
WE STAN A LEGEND!! Let’s be honest, as soon as Arya (Maisie Williams) started training with Jaqen H’ghar, we knew she was going to play a massive role in taking down someone big — and that someone was the mother f**king NIGHT KING!!
After Melisandre reminder her, “What do we say to the god of death?”, Arya “Not Today” Stark ran off to save Bran (who let’s be honest, was CHILLING the entire episode) and murder the cold-hearted villain right where the Children of the Forest created him! This was a sweet sweet victory, as the entire wight army crumbled!!
After almost dying literally the entire episode, Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) saves his unrequited love Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) one final time as the army of the dead surround her. As he takes his final breath, you can’t help but get emotional as this character has been through so much to protect the woman he cares deeply about. As he drifts off, Dany and her dragon Drogon weep. This was by far the most tender moment of the entire battle.
Melisandre (Carice van Houten) served many plot purposes this episode. She channeled the Lord of the Light to help viewers see what was actually going on in Winterfell, she lit the trenches blazing, and she made Arya realize what had to be done. In her final scene, we see the Red Woman walk into winter without the magical choker that keeps her young. Farewell, beautiful young old witchy woman!
The Battle of Winterfell took 55 nights to shoot in the freezing cold and cost over $150 MILLION to make. It is now reportedly the longest battle sequence in television history, with the episode clocking in at 82 minutes. This also marks the longest run time ever on GoT.
Social media was set ablaze during and after the incredible battle episode. From the fight being dark as hell, to Arya winning it all, here are the best reactions:
What did you think of this EPIC episode?! Besides Dany and John’s scenes being mehhh — we loved it! Hopefully they move into the forefront to take down Cersi in the three remaining episodes.
Sound off in the comments (below) with your favorite moment from The Long Night!
[Image via HBO]