It finally happened! HBO dropped the trailer for Game of Thrones season 7, and we’re celebrating by breaking it down using the magic of GIFs
This trailer was chock-full of action, beautiful cinematography, and Dothraki Screamers playing polo with the heads of the Lannister army. But we begin our journey with the back of Cersei’s head as she walks to an undisclosed location, reminded that no one makes an entrance quite like the newly crowned Queen of Westeros.
Grey Worm at the head of an Unsullied definitely poses a threat to Cersei’s reign…
…as do the Ironborn, under their new king, Euron Greyjoy. Note the squid on the sail when the lightening flashes.
Ditto the Dornish, who are sharpening their spears. They’re none too pleased with Cersei either.
Oh, and let’s not forget the enemies to the north, who include Arya Stark.
In summation, everyone on the map is trying to carve out a piece of the realm for themselves, and they’ll do it over Cersei Lannister’s dead body.
Sure, Jaime can stand next to Cersei on a huge map of Westeros, but can she fully trust him?
Cersei’s army looks ready to take on any challenge…
…while she rules from the Iron Throne.
But she shouldn’t forget the other Lannister: Tyrion, as he’s back in Westeros with a new queen’s army and three dragons.
Speaking of that new queen, Daenerys Targaryen has returned to her family’s ancestral home, Dragonstone…
…and will be ruling from a throne of her own.
Two queens enter. One queen leaves. And Daenerys doesn’t want it to be her. In this scene, her Unsullied invade Casterly Rock, the seat of House Lannister.
It also looks like the Unsullied brushed up on their close-quarters combat skills after a bunch of them died in an alley alongside Barristan the Bold.
Meanwhile, at Winterfell, Jon Snow is holding court…
…while Littlefinger creeps on Sansa.
In case you forgot, there’s still a Wall, and it has a gate.
Theon looks despondent in this next GIF, but it’s a beautiful shot.
Hey, look who arrived at Dragonstone just in time to greet the new Queen!
Beyond the Wall, wildlings — or someone — run from something. (Hint: It’s White Walkers and snow zombies).
They circle the wagons in a desperate attempt to not die horribly.
Somewhere, Arya camps in the cold.
And back at Winterfell, Littlefinger is watching you pee. At least try not to look so conspicuously creepy, guy.
In battle, the Dothraki do some horse surfing…
…while the Greyjoys learn about a new way to die at sea: burned to death.
Davos isn’t having any of your sh*t today. “If we don’t put aside our enmities and band together, we will die. And then it doesn’t matter who’s skeleton sits on the Iron Throne.”
And at Dragonstone, Dany and Tyrion decide whether to bleach the Painted Table after Melisandre tells them she and Stannis had sex on it.
The Mountain gets some new armor…
…and Littlefinger finally crept up on the wrong guy.
Back at Casterly Rock, the Unsullied have been watching 300 again, and have decided to go full Sparta on the Lannister guards.
Arya is looking for someone under her bed…
…annnnnd of course it’s Littlefinger.
Elsewhere, Jorah found a glory hole to stick his grayscale ridden arm through.
And the Dothraki have gone from horse surfing to Lannister head polo.
Jon and Tormund look scared sh*tless as they run from something. (Second hint: It’s totally White Walkers and snow zombies).
Grey Worm and Missandei get it on…
…as do Yara and Ellaria Sand. Hasn’t Yara seen Game of Thrones season 5? Don’t kiss Ellaria Sand!
Tyrion (I think) knocks over a Lannister lion map marker. #Symbolism
And here we have someone (maybe two someones) jumping into a body of water to avoid a massive explosion…or could it be dragon flame?
Speaking of dragons, this is an amazing closing shot. Dany on Drogon, as the Dothraki horde charge beneath her.
Game of Thrones season 7 premieres on July 16, on HBO.