Those at Winterfell mourn the dead and prepare for the final battle to come in photos from Game of Thrones season 8, episode 4. The show delivered the long-anticipated Battle of Winterfell in last week’s “The Long Night”, pitting the Night King and his army of white walkers and wights against those still alive in the North and Danerys Targaryen’s forces. It was a pretty bloody showdown altogether (the parts you could see, anyway), with several characters getting killed and, in some cases, even briefly joining the Army of the Dead. In the end, though, it was Arya Stark who saved the day by killing the Night King and destroying his legions.
With three episodes left in the series total, the time for the show’s final big battle has come. The trailer for episode 4 showed Daenerys rallying her remaining troops, as the Dragon Queen prepared to set off to King’s Landing and seize the Iron Throne from Cersei Lannister (after Cersei double-crossed the others and left them to fight the Night King alone). Cersei, of course, has both the Golden Company of Essos and her own guards at her command, so it’s hard to say which side’s the underdog heading into the fight.
Before that, however, Daenerys will join the other Northerners in hosting a funeral for the deceased (complete with a pyre to ensure that, y’know, nobody comes back as a White Walker). Among those killed in the Battle of Winterfell were Theon Greyjoy, Beric Dondarrion, and the Khaleesi’s loyal servant, Jorah Mormont, along with countless Northerners, Unsullied soldiers, and Dothraki warriors. HBO has released new images from season 8, episode 4 that show the survivors at Winterfell bidding farewell to those they lost, as you can see in the space below.
Meanwhile, by the look of things here, Cersei and Euron Greyjoy seem quite content as they wait for Danerys to march her remaining troops down from Winterfell and try to overtake King’s Landing. Stannis Baratheon found out just how hard that task is at the Battle of Blackwater, but the Dragon Queen does have an advantage in that she has, y’know, actual dragons at her command. At the same time, season 8’s opening credits have been keen to emphasize that Cersei is still holding onto those giant dragon-slaying crossbows, so she already has a way of dealing with Drogon and Rhaegal (who, as revealed by the episode’s promo, both managed to survive the Battle of Winterfell despite their injuries).
Of course, there’s also the giant elephant in the room to deal with. That would be Jon Snow, who’s pictured here looking even more morose than usual, and for good reason. Right before the Battle of Winterfell got underway, Jon told Daenerys the truth about his heritage and revealed that he is, in fact, the true heir to the Iron Throne (not to mention, her nephew). She’s didn’t necessarily believe him, admittedly, but it’s definitely something the two of them are going to have to talk about, presumably before the Dragon Queen sets off to King’s Landing. Really, it’s a good thing we’re at least a whole episode away from the attack on King’s Landing actually taking place, given how much the survivors at Winterfell need to discuss, now that the Night King is defeated.
Game of Thrones continues Sunday, May 5 at 9 pm on HBO.
Source: HBO
