Game Of Thrones Season 7 Premiere: 9 Ups And 3 Downs From 'Dragonstone'

3. Arya Stoneheart

Game of Thrones hasn't often used cold opens throughout its 61 episodes, but when it has it's often been in the season premiere. It's a good way of plunging us straight back into the action, definitely necessary after so long away, and the opening here is an absolute doozy.

There's not much shock to be had in the fact that Walder Frey is actually Arya Stark, but what it lacks in its surprise factor it more than makes up for in its fan-pleasing, fist-pumping, 'F**K YEAH' nature, aided by her ice cool delivery of "Tell them winter has come for House Frey."

Arya's story, now that she is back in Westeros, is one of the most interesting on the show, and it's an odd mix of tragedy and thrilling as she loses all her innocence and becomes a ruthless killer. At this point, as she murders all of the Freys, she effectively steps into the Lady Stoneheart role (anyone still holding out hope for that really oughta give up now), but it'll be interesting to see whether that's how she continues, or if the character can find more peace (hopefully by eventually getting home).

Still, whether you guessed it or not, that cold open was a murderous joy. Some have suggested it would've been better as an episode-ender, but it makes for the best possible way to kick things off, giving us an instant jolt of excitement (which is doubly needed if you were watching live at 2am...).