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"Dragonstone" is the first episode of the seventh season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 61st overall. It was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Jeremy Podeswa.

In Dragonstone, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), along with her loyalists, arrive and explore the abandoned castle. At the Twins, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) wears the face of Walder Frey (David Bradley) and poisons the remaining Freys involved with the Red Wedding. In King's Landing, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) treat with Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbæk) who attempt to create an alliance. In Winterfell, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) pardons the lords of Karhold and Last Hearth, and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) warns Jon of Cersei's impending wrath. At the Citadel, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) begins his training as a Maester, and sends a message to Jon about the dragon glass beneath Dragonstone. At the Wall, Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) arrives and is taken south to Castle Black, and the Brotherhood Without Banners, including Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann) continue their journey north to the Wall.

Plot

At the Twins

Walder Frey (David Bradley) throws a feast for all the Freys who were present at the Red Wedding. He toasts them with wine, and while the wine is being consumed he lists the crimes the Freys have committed. The wine turns out to be poisoned, and kills all the Frey men present. Walder then takes off his face to reveal it is actually Arya Stark (Maisie Williams).

Elsewhere, outside the castle, Arya comes across a friendly group of Lannister soldiers. She tells them she is on her way to King's Landing to kill the Queen, causing them to all laugh, believing Arya to be joking. Arya laughs along as well.

Beyond the Wall

The White Walkers, and the army of the dead, are seen marching south, as witnessed by Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) through a vision. Bran and Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick) arrive at the Wall and are greeted by Dolorous Edd (Ben Crompton) and the Night's Watch, who are initially skeptical of Bran and Meera's identities. Bran tells them that he knows Edd was at Hardhome and the Fist of the First Men, and that he has seen the White Walker army. This convinces Edd, who has his men bring them through the Wall.

At Winterfell

As King of the North, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) addresses the lords of the North. Despite Sansa Stark's (Sophie Turner) objections, he forgives Alys Karstark, the lord of Karhold, and Ned Umber, the lord of Last Hearth, for fighting against them in the battle for Winterfell, and the two swear an oath to House Stark. Jon then orders Tormund Giantsbane to take the wildlings to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea on the Wall, and also asks the lords to begin training for battle with the White Walkers. Cersei sends a message to Winterfell ordering Jon to bend the knee; Jon and Sansa discuss the threat that Cersei poses.

In King's Landing

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) discusses the enemies they have garnered to the north, south, east and west, with her brother, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Jaime points out their lack of allies, to which Cersei reveals that she has considered a new ally, Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbæk). Euron arrives in King's Landing with the Iron Fleet, and offers to pledge his support in exchange for marriage. Cersei denies the proposal stating that she cannot trust him. In order to win her trust, Euron sets sail to bring the Queen a gift.

At the Citadel

Beginning his training as a Maester, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) is shown performing various daily chores throughout the Citadel. He asks the Archmaester Marwyn (Jim Broadbent) for permission to access to the restricted area of the Citadel's library, but is denied. This prompts Sam to steal a set of keys to the library from a Maester in the night.

In one of the books he discovers, Sam finds a map of Dragonstone which shows where a large quantity of dragon glass is located. Knowing that Jon Snow will need the dragon glass to fight the White Walkers, he sends Jon a raven with the information.

Later, as Sam is collecting empty food dishes from the chambers of the sick, he is stopped by Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), whose entire arm has been infected with Greyscale. He asks Sam if Daenerys has arrived in Westeros, and Sam tells Jorah that he has not heard.

In the Riverlands

The Brotherhood Without Banners, along with Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann), take shelter in a deserted home familiar to Clegane. Thoros of Myr (Paul Kaye) asks Sandor to observe the flames of a fireplace causing him to receive a vision from beyond the Wall of the White Walkers.

At Dragonstone

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), and her fleet, arrive at Dragonstone, the Targaryen's ancestral home in Westeros. She enters the castle where she takes down a banner belonging to Stannis Baratheon. She then enters the war council room with Tyrion close behind.

Production

Writing

"Dragonstone" was written by the series' creators, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Elements of the episode are based on the forthcoming sixth novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, which author George R. R. Martin had hoped to complete before the previous season of the show had aired. In an "Inside the Episode" segment published by HBO shortly after the episode aired, Benioff and Weiss said that the episode was not initially written with the Walder Frey scene as the cold open, but the decision was made following their witnessing of David Bradley's performance as Walder, as he slowly transforms into Arya Stark. Weiss stated that it was their belief that the scene was the best way to "open the episode and the season," and that it was necessary for Arya to send the message that "the North remembers."

One of Weiss's favorite scenes in the episode included the Hound's reaction to the death of the father and daughter that he'd left to die, and the "transformation" that the Hound has undergone as a human being since he first met them. Benioff went on to note that although the Hound does not like the religion that is the Lord of Light, he is unable to deny the truth of what he witnesses in the flames, as well as Beric Dondarrion's resurrection.

In regards to the dynamic between Jon Snow and Sansa Stark, Benioff revealed that Sansa still harbors resentment towards Jon who has taken control of Winterfell as King of the North, and that she feels more responsible for their victory in the "Battle of the Bastards". Benioff also notes that Sansa believes Jon is naive to ignore the potential threat of Cersei Lannister, and that Jon believes the White Walkers are a more imminent danger. Weiss then stressed that after having lost all of her children, Cersei is in a much darker place, and that "all she really has left is power for the sake of power." Benioff continued by comparing Cersei to Daenerys Targaryen, in that Cersei is willing to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent lives, but Daenerys is unable to do so, as she is "constrained by her morality and fear of hurting innocents."

Casting

Prior to the episode airing, it was announced that musician Ed Sheeran would be making a cameo appearance at some point during the season. According to David Benioff, they had been trying for years to get him onto the show as a surprise for Maisie Williams, who portrays Arya Stark in the series and is a fan of Sheeran. Before the episode's official release, Sheeran stated about his appearance that "Nothing exciting happens in this scene, we just have a conversation and that's kind of it." In "Dragonstone", Sheeran portrays a Lannister soldier, who Arya happens upon when she hears him singing a song that is unfamiliar to her. The song originates from George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, which the television show is adapted from, and is titled "Hands of Gold". In the book series, it is sung by a character known as Symon Silver Tongue, a character unrelated to Sheeran's portrayal.

Reception

Critical reception

"Dragonstone" received universal acclaim from critics. It has received a 100 percent rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews with an average score of 8.3 out of 10. The site's consensus reads "With a blistering opening salvo, Game of Thrones charts an assured path for its anxiously-anticipated final stretch"

References

1. Hibberd, James (July 7, 2017). "Game of Thrones releases season 7 episode titles, details". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
2. "Game of Thrones 61". HBO. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
3. Shetty, Sharan (January 2, 2016). "George R.R. Martin's Winds of Winter Won't Be Out Before Game of Thrones' Sixth Season". Slate. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
4. ^ "Game of Thrones: Inside Sn 7 / Ep 1". HBO. July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
5. ^ Robinson, Joanna (March 12, 2017). "Game of Thrones: The Sweet Reason Ed Sheeran Is Appearing in Season 7". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
6. Seemayer, Zach (June 15, 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Ed Sheeran Dishes on 'Game of Thrones' Cameo and Songwriters Hall of Fame Honor". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
7. ^ Walsh, Megan (July 16, 2017). "What Song Does Ed Sheeran Sing On 'Game Of Thrones'? Arya Had The Same Question". Romper. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
8. ^ "Dragonstone - Game of Thrones: Season 7, Episode 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 17, 2017.

External links

• "Dragonstone" at HBO.com
• "Dragonstone (Game of Thrones)" at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com episode

• 2017 American television episodes
• Game of Thrones episodes