A much-needed Game of Thrones refresher ahead of season 8

Brienne of Tarth

Over the course of seasons 6 and 7, Brienne of Tarth became the object of affection for Tormund Giantsbane. I know that’s kind of an odd place to start given Brienne’s long journey, but it’s honestly the love story I’m most rooting for going into the final season. I can already see the “Get yourself a man that loves you like Tormund loves Brienne” memes now.

Ahead of the big meeting at the Dragonpit, Sansa decided to send Brienne to King’s Landing to represent her interests. Brienne is hesitant to leave Sansa behind, particularly with Littlefinger lurking around, but she complies and takes Podrick with her.

Brienne is present at King’s Landing when the Hound reveals the wight. While there, she reconnects with both the Hound, with whom she reaches a kind of a shaky understanding, and Jaime Lannister, whom she encourages to convince Cersei to help fight the White Walkers. He doesn’t, and heads north to Winterfell.

That’s where Brienne is headed, too, to do her part fighting the dead with the Valyrian steel sword Oathkeeper. We expect her relationships with Jaime, the Hound, Podrick, Arya and Sansa to come into play in season 8. And yes, maybe Tormund, too.