While many were likely expecting a tension-filled hour as Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) went to trial for his past misdeeds, the showrunners managed to surprise us yet again with arguably one of the most pleasant installments in the show's history as almost all of our fan-favorite heroes gathered and prepared for the imminent arrival of the Night King (Vladimir Furdik) and his Army of the Dead.
The episode's biggest and most heartwarming moment came around the midway point as Jaime - shortly after Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) told an all-time story - knighted Brienne (Gwendoline Christie), officially making her Ser Brienne of Tarth, and giving her the one thing she's desired more than anything while Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman), Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), and Tormund cheered her on.
Elsewhere, Arya (Maisie Williams) spent the night with Gendry (Joe Dempsie) and experienced one of the only things she'd never gotten around to. Theon's (Alfie Allen) also back in Winterfell and it looks like he'll be playing a key part in keeping Bran (Isaac Hemstead Wright) safe when the Night King comes knocking next week.
Then, finally, Jon (Kit Harington) told his lady love Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) about his true parentage and while Dany didn't seem exactly pleased to learn there was another with a better claim to the throne than her, their moment was cut short by the arrival of the Army of the Dead.
In Season 7, Daenerys Targaryen has finally set sail for Westeros with her armies, dragons and new Hand of the Queen, Tyrion Lannister. Jon Snow has been named King in the North after defeating Ramsay Bolton in the Battle of the Bastards and returning Winterfell to House Stark. In King's Landing, Cersei Lannister has seized the Iron Throne by incinerating the High Sparrow, his followers and her rivals in the Sept of Baelor. But as old alliances fracture and new ones emerge, an army of dead men marches on the Wall, threatening to end the game of thrones forever.
Game of Thrones returns with a brand new episode April 21