Game of Thrones season 8 theories: Bran Stark's 'old friend' mentioned in episode 1 is not Jaime Lannister
There's another huge reunion on the way
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Your support makes all the difference.Game of Thrones fans seem to have misinterpreted a line in the season eight premiere, which aired on Sunday night.
One moment in the new installment, which featured a scene that's essentially been eight years in the making, saw Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) tell Sam Tarly (John Bradley) that he was “waiting for an old friend”.
In the closing scene, Bran is watching on as Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) arrives in Winterfell, their first encounter since he pushed him from a window in the very first episode of the HBO series.
Fans thinking this is who Bran was referring to, though, could be incorrect. Some viewers believe that Bran's remark was made about Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) who we know is on his way back to Winterfell to fight against the White Walkers in the hope of atoning for his past sins.
This theory is seemingly corroborated by a line spoken by Bran in the trailer for season eight's second episode: “Everything you did brought you to where you are now. Where you belong. Home.”
While it's unverified that Bran is saying this to Theon, it certainly sounds like something he would say as the Three-Eyed Raven to someone who has wronged him in the past. In season two, Theon seized control of Winterfell in Robb Stark's absence.
You can find a compilation of the 13 callbacks, book references and Easter Eggs featured in season eight premiere here.
The opener also included a hilarious reference to last season’s controversial Ed Sheeran cameo as well as a terrifying death at the hands of the Night King that has people theorising over his true identity (no, not Bran Stark).
Viewers in China were left furious after six minutes of the episode – which broke HBO records – was censored by tech corporation Tencent.
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The final season of Game of Thrones continues every Sunday and you can watch the brand new season eight opening title sequence here.
You can find our extensive ranking of every character – from worst to best – below.
The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.
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