Game of Thrones Screencap Breakdown: “Stormborn”
By Corey Smith
Back in the Riverlands, Arya is building a fire to combat the winter that’s finally come.
Ever alert to danger, Arya and her pony both pick up on a strange sound.
And just like that, Arya is surrounded by a pack of wolves.
However well-trained those wolves are, this had to have been a little nerve-racking to shoot.
That’s a pretty smile you got there.
But the biggest surprise is still behind her:
Okay, come on. That’s the biggest damn wolf we’ve ever seen. Sure it’s CGI, but Nymeria is clearly bigger than even Ghost, Jon’s direwolf. Seems there might be some benefits to living in the wild.
Recognition slowly dawns on Arya’s face.
It comes slower to Nymeria.
Arya lowers Needle, and Nymeria lowers her guard as well. Although she is still huge.
Arya has moved from recognition to joy — she hasn’t seen her long-lost direwolf since season 1.
We might be projecting, but Nymeria’s eyes look sad in this shot.
Arya offers to bring Nymeria north with her. You can read the hope all over her face.
But Nymeria isn’t a pet anymore, and turns to leave.
And Arya’s hope turns to sadness…
…which turns to quiet acceptance as she realizes that she cannot ask Nymeria to change any more than anyone else could ask her to change. Maisie Williams brings all the emotions in this scene.