22 best moments from Game of Thrones season 8

13. The Fireside Hangout

Of all the scenes this season where long-separated characters got to come back together, this one takes the cake. Tyrion and Jaime reflect on what their father would think if he knew they might die defending the Starks. Brienne tries to be stern with Pod, even as Tyrion fills his cup to the brim with wine. Tormund crashes the gathering in hysterical fashion. Brienne has what might be her most meaningful scene in the whole of the series, and Pod breaks into song as we see a montage of characters we know and love preparing for the end.

I love this scene. Everything about it is wonderful. In a season that was plagued with pacing issues, this sequence absolutely shined because it took its time and had fun with the unlikely posse of characters it assembled. Bryan Cogman deserves all the kudos in the world for the way he gradually brought all of these characters together to celebrate the journey that they’ve all undertaken. This, maybe more than any other scene in season 8, feels like a proper send off for the show. After this moment, things will never be the same again.

I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t give a tip of the hat to Kristofer Hivju for his work here. Tormund’s absolutely absurd story about suckling from a giant (which is a nod to the books), followed by him quaffing down a whole horn of ale while the rest of the cast watches in dumbfounded amusement is the single funniest scene of the season, bar none.