Co-executive producer George R.R. Martin arrives for the season premiere of HBO's "Game of Thrones" in San Francisco, California March 23, 2015. (Photo : REUTERS/Robert Galbraith)
"Game of Thrones" Season 5, Episode 8, titled "Hardhome," premiered on May 31 on HBO. This weekend's new episode evolves the catchphrase of the epic series, from "winter is coming" to "winter is here." And Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is the first lead protagonist to face the Night's King (Richard Blake).
"Game of Thrones" Season 5, Episode 8 was more than just the first full-on battle between Jon Snow and the army of the Night's King. It also has a mentally exhilarating, no holds barred discussion between Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who is determined to break the wheel of the Iron Throne players. Still, the epic battle was the one that registered vividly on the viewer's mind.
In an interview with E! Online, Kit Harington revealed the 20-minute battle scenes with the White Walkers were filmed for one month. He also said he does not normally let anything get in his head, but for "Game of Thrones" Season 5, Episode 8, he gave himself a pat on the back.
Meanwhile, in Winterfell, Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) is considering his next best step against Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), as Sansa (Sophie Turner) learns that her two brothers may still be alive, after all. In Braavos Arya (Maisie Williams) and Jaqen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) make progress in Arya's transition to Lana.
Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) has seen the Night's King in one of his visions in "Game of Thrones" Season 4. However, Jon's encounter is more horrifying, creating a much bigger impact on the audience.
"Hardhome" reminded the avid viewers that amid all the epic schemes and tragedies in Westeros, no one has been doing any real preparation against the White Walkers. At least Jon Snow made the big step of joining forces with the wildlings.
Samwell Tarly made sure Jon Snow would have lots of Dragonglass on his journey from Castle Black to Hardhome, and back again. Jon said he wished he would not have to use it. Neither of them thought an entire army of White Walkers would strike in Hardhome.
Director Miguel Sapochnik did an excellent job with the intimidating production that was "Game of Thrones" Season 5, Episode 8. The horror and desperation in Jon Snow's camp, the Giant, the Night's King, the intensity of Karsi (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen) as a warrior and mother, all played out brilliantly in the 20-minute epic battle.
"Game of Thrones" on HBO is an adaptation of George R.R. Martin's book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire." Many events in Season 5 are significantly altered book plots, as this latest season is already tackling the last published book in the series, "A Dance With Dragons." The next book, "Winds of Winter," has yet to be completed.
