TV SERIES: ‘Game of Thrones’ season 2 episode 9. New season 8 footage

With the announcement that the eighth and final season of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” will premiere in the United States on April 14—April 15 here in the Philippines—fans of the show described by some as “The Greatest TV show on Earth” have begun preparing for the experience. Perhaps the most popular form of preparation is to re-watch the show, some just from the start of the least season, season 7. But the true glory, detail and ambition of the show can only be gleaned from re-watching from the very beginning, season 1, episode 1, back in 2011. It’s almost impossible to imagine a world without “GOT.”

Here at Super, we wish to share our preparation with you by re-watching the show from the beginning through analyses of selected episodes. But beyond the recap, we will to detail all the Easter Eggs, little references and how all the little clues tie in to the great story that George R.R. Martin—and by extension, showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff—are telling. We will tie in every little thing in these episodes with the events that will happen much later.

Yes, we will turn everyone in Three-Eyed Ravens, able to see the events on Westeros from season 1 to season 7 all at once. We will share and savor the Maester-level intelligence. This is the best, and we believe, the only way to perfectly prepare for what might be the most anticipated season of TV.

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So massive, SUPER SPOILER warnings on a level never seen before.

Let us continue.

Season 2, Episode 9: “Blackwater”

The fleet of Stannis Baratheon has set sail for King’s Landing. Davos Seaworth walks the deck. They have superior numbers over the waiting Lannisters, 10-1. Stannis smiles. The soldiers await below deck. Davos’ son Matthos notes the tide is against them, but Davos says they have the wind. “When the sun rises, Stannis will sit on the throne, and you will be his Hand.” Davos remains extremely cautious despite their advantages.

In King’s Landing, Tyrion cannot sleep despite the presence of Shae. “If the city falls Stannis will burn every Lannister he can find.” Shae says she will stand by Tyrion no matter what happens.

Cersei can’t sleep either. Grand Maester Pycelle has brought a vial of essence of Nightshade. It is poison taken in the right amount.

Bronn and the Lannister soldiers are sitting with prostitutes, drinking and singing “The Rains of Castamere.” Everyone’s getting drunk and friendly on the eve of battle. The Hound arrives, dour as ever. There’s a bit of a staring contest. The Hound challenges Bronn, saying they’re alike, both killers. “Your Lord Imp’s gonna miss you,” Clegane says. Hands wrap around weapons.

But then the bells peal. The fleet has arrived. Everyone hurries off.

Varys is with Tyrion, complaining about the bells. Podrick is helping Tyrion put his armor on. At Tyrion’s request, Varys has brought an old map iof the 50 miles of tunnels under the city, built by the Targaryens for the city to survive a siege. Tyrion clarifies he does not intend to run. Varys disapproves of Stannis—a man in liege with the old dark powers—sitting on the Iron Throne. “Tonight, I believe you are the only man who can stop him.”

Stannis’ fleet can hear the bells. Davos orders the drums to sound as the shops close in.

The Lannisters run to their positions. There are fire pits on the battlements. Tyrion is reminding Bronn not to strike until the ships are far enough in the bay. “Don’t get killed,” Bronn tells him. Sansa and Shae—with Tyrion pretending to be confused, calling her Sheila—walk by. Tyrion tells them they should be with the other nobles in Maegor’s holdfast. Joffrey walks in and calls for Sansa. Joffrey makes Sansa kiss his new sword, Hearteater. Sansa tries to trick Joffrey to go to the vanguard, where he will most likely be killed. Sansa says Joffrey will live. “The worst ones always do.”

Tyrion and Joffrey meet on the wall. Joffrey is looking for the Lannister ships, and Tyrion says there is a plan. Davos notices the Lannister ships are missing.

Cersei arrives at the holdfast. Sansa is wondering why Cersei asked her to come. Cersei confronts Cersei about her period. Sansa asks why Ser Ilyn Payne is present. Cersei says the knight is there to defend them when the holdfast falls. Pane is put to use right away to execute the first traitors who tried to escape.

The ships come into view. The archers are put into position, arrows at the ready. Matthos notices there is only one Lannister ship in the bay. The ship is empty. 

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The Pyromancer Hallyne comes up to Tyrion with a wicked smile, handing Tyrion a lit torch.

Davos sees too late: The abandoned ship is leaking something into the bay. “Wildfire.”

Tyrion tosses the torch. It’s the signal. Bronn sees it and fires a lit arrow into the bay. The water ignites.

Davos shouts at Matthos to get down, but it is too late. Matthos is consumed by the explosion. Davos is thrown from where he is standing. Stannis and Joffrey shield their eyes as Stannis’ forward ships explode. There is a look of glee on the Pyromancer’s face. The Hound’s face is full of fear.

Stannis’ ships and men are burning. But not all. Stannis is still alive and orders his men to prepare to land. He reasons that Tyrion has already played his hand. His lieutenant warns they are too far from the gates and are within the range of the Lannister archers. “Hundreds will die.” “Thousands,” he says. He leads the men off the ship and towards the port.

Cersei is insulting Sansa again. “You’re perfect aren’t you,” Cersei says. Sansa is praying. Cersei forces Sansa to drink wine. Cersei shows disdain for the nobles hiding with them. She alsop says she knows surrendering to Stannis won’t work and proceeds to describe the raping that will happen should the city fall. “A precious thing like you will look very, very good.”

Stannis’ men row maniacally to land in their boats. Stannis is right at the front. “He’s a serious man, Stannis Baratheon,” Tyrion says ruefully. Joffrey is terrified. The Hound is ordered to defend the beach. On his way there, he warns the Pyromancer to keep the burning arrows away from him.

Stannis reaches the beach. The Lannister arrows fly. Men fall, but Stannis’ troops run relentlessly on, reaching the walls. Stannis orders his troops to the Mud Gate. The Hound emerges. “Any man dies with a clean sword, I’ll rape his f__king corpse,” he yells as the forces meet. Lancel Lannister gets an arrow in the breastplate, but survives and fights on. The Hound is extremely violent. 

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Cersei is telling Sansa horrible stories about growing up Tywin’s daughter. “You were Robert’s queen,” Sansa reasons. “And will be Joffrey’s. Enjoy,” Cersie answers. She notices Shae and asks who she is, showing her how to properly curtsy. Cersei seems to have figured out that Shae doesn’t belong. Lancel arrives and informs Cersei that Stannis’ troops have stormed the beach. Cersei orders Lancel to bring Joffrey to his chambers. Lancel balks as he believes the king’s presence is good for morale. Cersei insist. Cersei admits she lied about Payn’e presence; he’s there to kill them before Stannis’ soldiers break through. “He’s here for us.”

The Hound is fighting hard, literally cutting a man in half, but he is taken aback when a soldier on fire runs at him. Bronn kills the attacker with an arrow. Bronn is magnificent, too. Clegane has lost it; the sight of fire unnerves him so much he flees. The Lannisters fall back.

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Stannis’ forces scale the walls. He is the first one in, killing everyone in his path.

The Hound is in the courtyard. He demands wine. Tyrion confronts him. “You’re on the wrong side of the wall,” he says. The Hound refuses Tyrion and Joffrey’s orders to go back out. “F__k the Kinsguard. F__k the city. F__k the king,”Clegane storms off.

Lancel arrives, ready to take Joffrey back to the Red Keep. Tyrion tries to stop him. “If you won’t defend your city, why should they,” he asks. A terrified Joffrey leaves, ordering Ser Mandon to represent him in the field. Cresftallen Lannisters watch as he leaves them.

Tyrion rallies the men, telling them there is a way around the attackers. He tells them to fight because their houses will burn and their women will be raped if Stannis takes the city. “Those are brave men knocking at our door. Let’s go kill them.” The speech works. The Lannisters follow Tyrion.

Lancel tells Cersei the battle is lost. He wants to bring Joffrey back to the front. Cersei pushes him and then leaves with Tommen. The nobles are panicked but Sansa lies to them, telling them they are in the safest place, that Joffrey is fighting for them, and leads them in a hymn. Shae tells Sansa to run to her chamber and bar the door. “Stannis won’t hurt you, this one will,” she says, referring to Payne. Shae won’t go with her, saying she has to say goodbye to someone, then shows Sansa the dagger on her hip. “No one is raping me.”

Sansa runs to her chamber, clutches her doll to her. She is startled as Clegane is in the room. He offers to take Sansa with him. “He can die just fine on his own.” Sansa refuses; she stays, “The world is built by killers,” he says. Sansa isn’t threatened. She knows Clegane won’t hurt her. She’s right. “No, Little Bird, I won’t hurt you.” He leaves.

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The Lannisters come out of the tunnels and attack Stannis’ troops from behind. Tyrion is the first one to kill with his little axe. They succeed. “Half-man! Half-man! Half-man!” 

Tyrion turns and says. “Oh, f__k me.” An entire phalanx of Stannis’ troops, freshly arrived on the beach, comes running at them. Fighting resumes. Tyrion turns smiling to Ser Mandon, but Ser Mandon suddenly strikes him, slashing him across the face. A stunned Tyrion is saved when Podrick sticks his spear into Mandon’s face.

Sitting on the Iron Throne, Cersei soothes a worried Tommen. “No one’s going to hurt you.” She tells him a story about the Kingswood, about lions and wolves. A barely conscious Tyrion looks on as a new group of mounted soldiers arrive.

Stannis turns and sees the new arrivals attacking his men. The flags they bear have the Lannister lion on them. Leading them is the Hand of the King, Tywin. Stannis’ men fall. Tyrion is unconscious.

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Cersei continues. “You mustn’t be afraid for you are a lion. For one day, all the beasts will bow to you. You will be king. All the stags will bow. All the wolves will bow. The bears in the north and the foxes of the south. All the birds in the sky and the beasts in the sea. They will all come to you, little lion, to lay a crown on your head…”She is about to make him drink the essence of Nightshade when Loras Tyrell arrives.

Stannis’ men return to their boats. They have been repulsed by a combination of Lannister and Tyrell troops. “Stand and fight, damn you,” an enraged Stannis shouts as his men physically drag him with them.

Tywin Lannister walks into the throne room. “The battle is over. We have won.” 

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Cersei weeps in joy as she holds Tommen close.

The episode ends with a dirge-like version of “The Rains of Castamere.”

Analysis:

The opening credits list the following locations: King’s Landing, Harrenhall, Pyke, Winterfell, The Wall, Qarth.

This is misdirection. The entire episode happens exclusively in King’s Landing. This is the only episode in the entire series that happens in only one place.

This episode title, “Blackwater,” is taken from the locals’ term for the bay surrounding King’s Landing. Because they are heavily used by merchant ships and the recipient of dirty water from the city, the waters closest to the port are brackish, thus leading to the name, “Blackwater.” The title refers to the main event in this episode, actually this season, the Battle of Blackwater.

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This is where the entire season has been headed for, the inevitable confrontation between Stannis’ (Stephen Dillane) and Joffrey’s (Jack Gleeson) soldiers. The previous episodes have shown that Stannis, with Davos (Liam Cunningham) taking care of the details, is bringing a superior number of ships (yes, they actually say 10-1) into the Blackwater.

Davos’ conversation with his son Matthos (Kerr Logan) shows that Davos, a pragmatic man like his liege lord Stannis, does not believe in gods. But Matthos is a true believer and thinks their victory is fated.

King’s Landing is in a variety of moods. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Cersei (Lena Headey) are worried. Cersei clearly has no plans of her or her children being taken alive, thus her request for the essence of Nightshade from Pycelle (Julian Glover).

We get the first version of “The Rains of Castamere” from Bronn (Jerome Flynn) and company. It’s kind of a fatalistic moment, the Lannisters drinking and singing before death in battle. The Hound (Rory McCann) being the Hound, he can’t let this foolishness go. Truth is, he’s right. The Hound and Bronn are among the best fighters on the show. It’s their demeanor that’s different. 

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Varys (Hill)  is confiding in Tyrion at this point. We know later that Varys at this point has turned to the side of the greater good, but we remain suspicious because of all he has done in the first season—particularly the spying on Dany and stuff. But Varys recognizes now that Tyrion is a good, smart man and will continue to support him for the rest of the series.

Tyrion’s plan has been building up the last few episodes. Varys’ maps provide part of his plan, but the greater part involves Pyromancer Wisdom Hallyne (Roy Dotrice) and his Wildfire. Wildfire represents a unique place in “GOT” mythology, as it represents one of the few purely technological developments in a medieval world full of superstition and actual magic. It is the long-kept secret of the Alchemist’ Guild. It is, essentially, a form of gasoline in that it is liquid, needs to be lit by an open flame and then can’t be put out by water.

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Wildfire was first brought to King’s Landing when the Mad King Aerys Targaryen II plotted to use it to burn down the city should it be successfully invaded by the rebel Robert Baratheon.

Wildfire would play its ultimate role in season 6, episode 10, “The Winds of Winter,” when Cersei uses it to destroy the Sept of Baelor and everyone in it.

It is Cersei who first shows interest in Wildfire, but it is Tyrion who figures out how to use it to defend the city. He has ordered the Lannister boats out of the Blackwater and has let the Wildfire flow out towards Stannis’ fleet by sending out an abandone vessel that is leaking Wildfire. This is the vessel that Davos sees—too late. Tyrion and Bronn are discussing that Bronn needs to wait for the signal from Tyrion, that they need to wait until Stannis’ fleet is already inside the area covered by the Wildfire, as they can only use it once.

The trick here is that only Tyrion and Bronn know the plan as they have kept it a secret. This is why Joffrey accosts Tyrion about sending away the fleet. This is why Cersei believes they will soon be invaded.

Speaking of Cersei, she has asked that the noblewomen and their children be sent to Maegor’s holdfast, ostensibly so that they could be protected until the last possible moment. We find out later that Cersei hates the other nobles but has asked them to go to the holdfast because it is what they expect the Queen Regent to do.

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She has also asked Sansa (Sophie Turner) to go to the holdfast. Sansa is confused by this. She can’t understand why Cersei keeps calling for her only to insult her. Thus she can’t understand why Cersei would ask her to go to the holdfast. Sansa is accompanied by her newest handmaiden, Shae (Sibel Kekilli). This happens because Tyrion made it happen so that they can be near each other but secretly carry on as lovers because Tywin would never allow it. That’s why Tyrion pretends not to know Shae’s name.

Of course, Joffrey arrives as he is heading to the ramparts to lead his men. His confidence here shows he has no idea what is actually about to happen. He is carrying his new sword, Hearteater. He makes Sansa kiss it as a way to humiliate Sansa and once again test her loyalty. Joffrey talks about using the sword to kill his uncle Stannis and Sansa’s brother Robb who is leading the rebellion in the North.

It is important to note here that Sansa has finally come around to the reality around her. Ever since the death of her father in last season’s penultimate episode, she has been seeing that King’s Landing isn’t exactly what she thought it would be. She isn’t all the way to the truth yet, but she’s almost there. In this episode, she shows the beginnings of a subversive streak. She begins by trying to trick Joffrey into fighting on the frontline by saying her brother Robb always fights right in the front, knowing the likelihood that Joffrey would be killed is higher in that situation. It almost works, too, as Jofffey initially falls for it. But Sansa knows Joffrey is a coward and a survivor. This is the moment when the show presents that Sansa knows what Joffrey is really like, because she says Joffrey will survive as all the worst boys do. 

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As the women and children arrive in the holdfast, Sansa immediately notices that Ser Ilyn Payne (Wilko Johnson) is there. She asks Cersei about this and Cersei says he’s there to protect them. Sansa is wary because she knows Payne is the executioner; he was the one who beheaded Ned Stark exactly a season ago.

It is a little funny to note just how much wine Cersei is drinking. She is drinking wine in every scene except the last one. She also grows increasingly drunk and volatile, her tongue loosening up as the episode goes along.

In the process, she reveals the weird dynamic she has with Sansa. You see, with her bright eyes and innocence, Sansa represents the noble lady Cersei always wanted to be but never was because of Tywin’s manipulation. But at the same time, she does want a good wife for Joffrey, which Sansa is the best example for, aiding back the fact that Joffrey likes her, too.

The result is that Cersei is hopeful for and resents Sansa. This is why she alternatively seems to advice Sansa before terrifying her with rape stories. But Sansa sticks to her “I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey” story because it is the best way she sees she will be able to get out, something that is getting to Cersei’s nerves.

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When Lancel says the battle is going badly, all Cersei can think of getting Joffrey back. So she orders Lancel, against his own wishes, to take Joffrey from the frontlines to the Red Keep for protection.

The Hound and Bronn have a moment. The Hound is shocked by a Stannis man on fire running at him but Bronn saves him with an arrow. This shows that, all both men are good fighters, and are on the same side.

But The Hound, scarred because of a childhood fire accident, has become unhinged by all the fire. He literally retreats into the castle. He refuses both Tyrion and Joffrey’s orders. He’s done here. Yes, there’s a lot of profanity in this episode.

Sansa keeps the ladies together by leading them in a hymn but then follows Shae’s directions to leave. Shae says she can’t leave before she must say goodbye to someone. She clearly is talking about Tyrion, so at this point, she is truly loyal to Tyrion. She even shows Sansa the dagger she carries with her as proof she’s ready to do what’s necessary to protect herself. Shae is correct: Because she is a Stark, Stannis will not harm her as she is useful as a hostage to parlay with Robb. But Payne is there and if worst come to worst, Payne will kill of them in the holdfast to prevent any from escaping or becoming traitors. Sansa wants no part of that.

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When Sansa bars the door to the room, she clutches the doll she’s had since Winterfell. It’s her holding on to her last vestiges of childhood—just as her first period indicates she is now a woman. The Hound is in her room because the Hound, who has always had a soft spot for this “Little Bird,” is offering to take Sansa with him. Sansa knows that The Hound deep inside is a good man and that he won’t hurt her. But Sansa’s story in King’s Landing is not yet over and she knows it. The Hound leaves to begin an adventure that will bring him into the company of another “Little Bird,” Arya Stark. The last shot was get is Sansa holding on her doll as it seems to be slipping out of her hand.

Meanwhile, Tyrion’s plan worked—but not to the degree they needed it too. A part of Stannis’ ships remain—with an angry Stannis on board. Stannis makes a ruthless decision. He orders the men to row to the beach through they are vulnerable to Lannister arrows. He doesn’t care that thousands will die. He himself will be the first one out there. Remember, of all the claimants to the Iron Throne, Stannis is the only true warlord. He isn’t afraid to sacrifice his men if it achieves his goals.

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In the midst of the battle you can tell the soldiers apart by their helmets. The Stannis soldiers wear the helmets with the wide brims similar to the WW1 helmets the British wore. The Lannisters have the helmets with the hinged mask in front. The Tyrells have a different design too.

So when Stannis arrives at the beach with his men and start scaling the wall, even Tyrion is worried. Joffrey is terrified. When Lancel comes ot pick him up, Tyrion tries to convince him to stay. Joffrey being Joffrey, leaves. The depressed Lannisters are rallied only when Tyrion tells them of the tunnels.

When Lancel (Eugene Simon) tells Cersei the battle is lost, she physically assaults him after he suggests bringing Joffrey back out. She leaves—take note—only with Tommen.

Tyrion’s plan works: They come out behind the attackers and take them down. We hear that wonderful “Half-Man! Half-Man!” chant again before they are overtaken by more Stannis forces. After the ramparts were taken there were no more arrows raining on the beach forces and the remaining land forces of Stannis have arrived.

Tyrion fights hard but, in a twist no one saw coming, Ser Mandon, the knight tasked by Joffrey to represent him, tries to assassinate Tyrion, wounding him gravely, but fails when Podrick (Daniel Portman) kills him.

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Big question here: Who ordered Ser Mandon to kill Tyrion? It was Joffrey who appointed Mandon his representative on the field. But this attempt is all Cersei. Cersei has not forgotten all of the slights from Tyrion and how Tyrion treats Joffrey. Cersei clearly told Mandon to strike down the dwarf the first chance he got.

Cersei has now barred herself and Tommen in the Throne Room. They will be the last taken should the city fall. She comforts him with a fairy tale that identifies Tommen as the young lion and how the stags, the wolves, the bears and the foxes must bow down to. This fairy tale is a Lannister creation that indicates a Lannister will hold thrall over the others. Because we know Tommen is the son of Jaime and Cersei, he is a Lion (Lannister), and not a Stag (Baratheon) or a wolf (Stark), or any of the other symbolic animals. This is also Cersei protecting her heirs. Joffrey is already upstairs and has guards. Tommen potentially is the next king. She must keep him safe.

They can hear the fighting outside but the door remains barred. At wit’s end, Cersei promises to take care of Tommen and moves the vial to his mouth.

Coming through the door are soldiers we do not recognize. They are Tyrell bannermen, and we realize this when Loras Tyrwell (Finn Jones, before he became Iron Fist) takes off his helmet. Behind him stomps Tywin Lannister. The Tyrell and Lannister forces have come to the rescue of King’s Landing.

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Cersei is very relieved as we see the vial fall from her hand. The fighting is over. For now.

The Lannister-Tyrell alliance proved extremely useful at this point as the outcome works for both of their houses. When it doesn’t, beware.

This episode starts what some call the “Empire Strikes Back” period for “GOT,” referring to how the Lannisters will lord it over Westeros, a period that will culminate in the Red Wedding exactly a season from now. Westeros will fall under the rule of the Lannisters—the Starks suffer incredibly—until this house falls into internal discord. This status quo will go on for several seasons until Daenerys Targaryen snd her dragons cross the narrow sea. For now, the bad guys win.

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Let’s take a moment to talk about the song that dominates this episode, “The Rains of Castamere,” the Lannister anthem. The song comes from the novels, with the lyrics by Martin and the melody from series composer Ramin Djawadi.

A coat of gold, a coat of red
A lion still has claws
And mine are long and sharp, my Lord
As long and sharp as yours

And so he spoke, and so he spoke
That Lord of Castamere
And now the rains weep o’er his halls
With no one there to hear

This song talks about the time that House Reyne of Castamere rebelled under the Lannisters. The son of the weakling Tyto Lannister, Tywin, went and killed everyone of the Reynes, burning Castamere to the ground. This song became popular as the Lannister influence grew as a reminder of Lannister vengeance.

Bronn whistled this song on his first appearance, and it’s been heard several times since. The most haunting performance happens after the end of “Blackwater,” with the National singing their dirge-like version of it. You will hear it many times in bits and pieces, but nowhere better than during the Red Wedding, when assassins hired by Lothar Frey disguise themselves as musicians and play it right before the Starks and Tullys are massacred. Will Champion, percussionist for Coldplay can clearly be seen on the drums during the Red Wedding.

The prominence of this song symbolizes the power of the Lannisters over Westeros—until the dragons come.

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BONUS: Over-analyzing the ‘It All Starts Here’ trailer

Yes, HBO has just released a precious few seconds of season 8 in its newest “It All Starts Here 2019” trailer. It’s so short that we can’t do a complete over-analysis on it, but we can do a mini over-analysis.

You can watch the complete trailer here:

The trailer starts will the title card “HBO,” and in 6 seconds, we have a birds-eye view of ravens flying across The Wall. “Coming this year.” This is followed by bits from the other forthcoming shows.

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The “GOT” footage resumes at the 0:48 mark. We see the Unsullied marches in formation in a frozen trench as Drogon flies overhead. At the 0:51 mark, we track through two Unsullied ranks as we see the “Game of Thrones: Final Season” card.

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At the 0:53 mark, we close up on Arya who is looking up at something wondrous and she breaks out in an amazed smile.

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At the 1:34 mark, we return to the “GOT” footage, but it’s all from season 7. The Night King prepares to throw his ice javelin. Viserion dives. Daenerys looks concerned. Jon Snow looks alarmed. Viserion wheels over. Tormund (Kristofer Hivju) looks up. Ice dragon Viserion is flying as The Wall comes tumbling down.

The card: “It all starts here.” Then we get the HBO logo again.

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The song that plays over the trailer is Steelfeather’s “Something in the Air.”

The opening shot may be the ravens that Tormund released for Castle Black right before the White Walkers hit the Wall. That’s because the walls the ravens are flying over as still frozen and intact.

But then we get the dragon and the soldiers.

This is a thrilling reveal because these are the first scenes we’ve seen that has to do with the unified effort against the White Walkers. The Unsullied have never been to the North and have never dealt with the winter. Well, they’re there now. We can assume that these rows of Unsullied are marching to defend either Castle Black or, more likely, Winterfell.

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It must be a comfort for the Unsullied and their allies to have Drogon running interference for them in the air.
Then we get Arya standing in what appears to be fortification behind her and people moving around her. We know she hasn’t been in battle yet because her armor is clean as is her face. She does seem to be getting ready to find. Then she looks up.

Arya is the surrogate of the reader as she has not yet seem a dragon. Now she does, that’s why she’s looking up with wonder.

Question: Is it possible that she’s also smiling because Jon Snow is riding one? Possible, right?

The rest of the scenes are older scenes cut from season 7, as is clearly shown by the Night King and the fall of the wall. It also means Tormund’s appearance is no assurance that he survived the fall of The Wall—though knowing the way Tormund is used on the show, he probably still is.

That’s great new footage but HBO has been so parsimonious with it that it all feel let down. HBO: Give us a full trailer!

And just before we go, let’s talk very briefly about the other shows in the trailer. We get more “Watchmen” footage but there are two things that have us hyped. The first is the footage from the new BBC TV adaptation of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials.” We see Ruth Wilson’s Marisa Coulter walking menacingly down a corridor. We get a similarly menacing look from a seated James McAcoy’s Lord Asriel. Then we have a faraway shot of Dafne Keen’s Lyra Belacqua jumping down to the manor house roof. There’s a fight scene and then a closeup of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Lee Scoresby, super serious. Then finally a closeup of Keen.

But the big surprise of the trailer is the “Deadwood” movie! “Deadwood” was an amazing show that proved surprisingly successful for HBO until they cancelled it. Now HBO is announcing the dark Western’s return with a movie in 2019. Then, we get the kicker: Ian McShane returns! Together with the “His Dark Materials,” “Watchmen” and “GOT” stuff, the “Deadwood” announcement made this 2019 trailer a killer one for HBO.

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