Game of Thrones' Season 7 finale may have been its most important episode ever. So much was revealed, so many characters finally reunited, so many things fans have waited years for finally happened. And, on top of all that, it was a great episode. No wonder it broke records yet again.
Be sure to check out GameSpot Universe's video breakdown of the finale, where our experts go over every scene for fun and hidden meaning. And in the meantime, here are some things you might not have picked up on in the Game of Thrones Season 7 finale, "The Dragon and the Wolf."
Dany's New Sigil
Dany has a new sigil, seen elsewhere throughout this season and focused on heavily in the finale's opening shots. It resembles an ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, or--as many have already pointed out--the logo for The Elder Scrolls Online.
Podrick's Magic Member
Bronn's joke about "Podrick's magic cock" is a reference to Pod's apparent prowess in bed, which Tyrion and Bronn learned of all the way back in Season 3.
The Dragon Pit's Importance
The Targaryens ruled Westeros for hundreds of years, and they built the Dragon Pit to keep their dragons separate from King's Landing. Chaining them up didn't do them any favors, though, and the dragons eventually died out. Good thing Dany didn't leave hers beneath Meereen for too long. Regardless, the Dragon Pit is an important location in the series' lore, and one longtime fans were excited to finally see.
Some Tension In The Air
The Dragon Pit scene was important not just because it brought so many characters together, but because of those characters' relationships with one another. Many of the most emotional reunions, such as Tyrion and Cersei's or Brienne and Jaime's, occurred with nothing more than a meaningful look. Half these people should have been dead the moment they came within sight of King's Landing, from the Hound--who abandoned King Joffrey during the Battle of the Blackwater--to Varys, who aided Tyrion in his escape and his murder of Tywin Lannister. The scene captured all that tension perfectly.
Dany's Heir
Jon and Dany's chat about the Dragon Queen's chances of conceiving may have been more than just flirting. Although Mirri Maz Duur told her in Season 1 that she's barren, there are plenty of theories to the contrary, and she and Jon could produce a legitimate heir (if they somehow find the time to get married).
Sansa's Realization
This is likely the moment when Sansa realized for certain that Littlefinger was playing her against her sister. Littlefinger had just advised her to think about people's worst possible motivations, then weigh them against their actions, and consider whether they make sense. Sansa realized here that Arya would never want to be "the Lady of Winterfell," and thus, saw through Littlefinger's plotting.
Arya's Dagger
The last time we saw that dagger, Arya had handed it to Sansa after threatening her. When Arya entered the hall for her "trial," she once again had it strapped at her side. That was our first clue that the Stark sisters were working together after all.
Bran's Help
Bran's presence in the hall at Winterfell was the other clue that Littlefinger was about to get a throat full of dagger. The Three-Eyed Raven let on in an earlier episode that he knew about Littlefinger's plotting when he parroted Baelish's own words, "chaos is a ladder," back to him. The only question was whether Bran would care to share that info with his sisters, which he clearly did in the end.
Littlefinger's Final Gift
Arya done slashed Littlefinger's throat real good, but there's one final thing to note about the master schemer's death: His face is very much intact. Just like she took the guise of Walder Frey, Arya could potentially assume Baelish's identity and wreak all kinds of havoc in Game of Thrones Season 8.
Quoting Ned
Arya and Sansa reminisce about their father in this emotional scene. The first quote--"In the winter, we must protect ourselves, look after one another"--is something Ned said to Arya in Season 1. The second--"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives"--is something he said to her in the first book, A Game Of Thrones. No doubt he repeated it often, which is how Sansa knew it too.
"You Don't Need To Choose"
Jon's heartfelt words to Theon in this scene have another meaning beyond the obvious. "You don't need to choose. You're a Greyjoy and you're a Stark," Jon tells Theon, who is a Greyjoy by birth but was raised at Winterfell by Ned Stark. Jon might as well be talking to himself here: As we learned later in the finale, he's a Targaryen and a Stark. Hopefully he remembers his own wise words when he learns his true identity.
Cersei's Pledge
You can't see it, but Cersei had her fingers crossed when she promised to aid in the fight against the Night King's army. Just kidding (well, who knows?).
Jorah's Warning
Jorah Mormont warned Dany of assassins this episode. In Season 1, he foiled an assassination attempt--which he likely knew about because he'd been spying on Dany for Varys and Robert Baratheon. Maybe she should heed his warning this time?
An Overdue Book Scene
The Game of Thrones Season 7 finale featured a surprise reference to a small but important book scene that, in the source material's chronology, happened a long time ago. It went a little differently in the books, but Jaime observing the first flakes of snow in the South as he decides once and for all to leave Cersei is a critical moment for his character.
Rhaegar Looks Familiar
Here's a quick refresher in case the family trees are getting too muddled: There's a good reason Rhaegar looks so similar to Viserys, Dany's douchebag older brother from Season 1. Rhaegar was their oldest brother, and by all accounts was a much more decent guy than Viserys. (That's also why Jon--Rhaegar's son--is Dany's nephew.) At least they got to trot this wig out of storage one last time.
Tyrion's Sad Face
Plenty of viewers wondered why Tyrion seems troubled when he witnesses Jon enter Dany's room. There are a few theories, but the simplest is that he realizes how much more complicated them hooking up will make the situation, politically speaking. Remember also that Tyrion spoke with Daenerys this season about her lack of an heir; there are theories that his idea of "breaking the wheel" will ultimately involve dismantling the monarchy and establishing some sort of democracy. If Dany does manage to produce an heir, despite being apparently barren, that plan is shot.
Then there are actor Peter Dinklage's own words, in this video from HBO: "It's dangerous for everybody involved. I'm sure it's good for both of them in the moment, but you don't even get the relief of how beautiful it could be or should be. It's 'No!' Just it's not good. But it should be! But it's not. It's Game of Thrones. There's a long history of romance not ending well on this show."
Three Horns
When the undead army appears at the Wall, the watchers blow three horn blasts. That's the Night Watch's universal signal for White Walkers, as we learned in Season 2. (One blast means rangers returning, and two blasts means wildlings.)
Tormund And Beric's Fate
Tormund Giantsbane and Beric Dondarrion likely aren't dead yet, and not just because we didn't explicitly see them fall when the Wall came crashing down. HBO's official episode synopsis clearly states that "Tormund and his wildings rush to safety." That's not exactly proof, but Brienne and Tormund shippers can cling to it until we find out for sure in Game of Thrones Season 8.
The Mountain's Face
Here's a bonus! Check out what The Mountain looks like without his helmet on while shooting this season, courtesy of a behind-the-scenes video straight from HBO. He'll probably be a little more gruesome if the Hound ever unmasks him in Game of Thrones Season 8.
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