"Winterfell" is the first episode of the eighth season of HBO's medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones.
In the Narrow Sea, Theon Greyjoy attempts to rescue his sister Yara, who is held captive by his uncle Euron.
In King's Landing, Qyburn hires Bronn to assassinate Jaime and Tyrion Lannister should either survive the war.
Samwell Tarly meets Daenerys, who thanks him for curing Jorah of his greyscale, but after discovering his identity admits that she executed his father, Randyll, and his brother, Dickon.
The episode adapts material from the unpublished novels The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, among them the released sample chapter "The Forsaken", in which Euron Greyjoy converses with a captive member of his family aboard his ship.
"[4] Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm) is listed as a series regular in the opening credits for the first time in this episode; he has previously appeared as a supporting/guest actor.
Actors Rob McElhenney and Martin Starr and writer Dave Hill made cameo appearances as Ironborn soldiers killed when Theon rescues Yara.
"[11] Sarah Hughes of The Guardian wrote, "This was a thrilling episode with its pedal to the floor, in which new alliances were made, old ones tested and long-awaited reunions occurred (hurrah for Jon and Arya's tenderly scripted meeting)".
[12] Todd VanDerWiff of Vox praised the episode's visual quality, stating, "For as much as I grouse about Game of Thrones, it's often casually stunning in a way that no other TV show comes close to pulling off".
[13] Ron Hogan of Den of Geek similarly highlighted the episode's pacing, while also praising John Bradley who "runs through the entire gamut of emotions in a very short time on screen".