Game Of Thrones Season 8 Breakdown: What 'Winterfell' REALLY Means

5. The Sins Of The Past Revisited

Game Of Thrones has a bit of a thing about cause and effect and how the different ways people treat those who have wronged them being a mark of their characters. At the same time, the show preaches the value of family, so seeing Dany's past "sins" against the Tarly family return to her was an interesting development.

You might think that Samwell would have been happy to see the back of his brother and father, since they were responsible for his torment, but it's so very HIM to have some emotional loyalty to them. He was indoctrinated by their abuse, which means that Dany now has crimes to answer for. That's dangerous to her, because any widespread reminder of how she mistreated prisoners will be enough to tip the Northern balance against her.

And crucially, Samwell being armed both with a grudge AND information on Jon's true parentage is even more dangerous, as if someone like Varys was to find out that Jon was the true heir, he might be compelled to do something to make his path to the Throne more simple. More of which very soon.

Then right at the end of the episode, Jaime finally makes his arrival at Winterfell and creepy Bran greets him (chillingly calling him an "old friend"), which is all very odd since Bran is no longer really Bran and the idea that he'd hold a grudge now is not really logical. Being thrown out of a very high window probably has lasting impact though, so let's maybe forgive him.

The long and short of it is that Jaime will now have to answer for his crimes just as Dany will. Who will pay the heavier price though?