The moment of truth is almost upon us. Will the (remaining) Stark children finally take control of their destiny for the first time since their parents’ tragic deaths? Will Jon Snow (who is really Aegon Targaryen) and Daenerys get their happily ever? And finally, who will sit on the Iron Throne?
All these questions, and more, will be answered with the final season of the epic saga Game of Thrones premiering on April 14 in the United States and simulcast in India at 6.30 am on April 15. Fans have waited for more than a year between season 7 and the upcoming season 8. And now that it’s almost here, the anticipation is at an all-time high.
As usual, social media is filled with people broadcasting their impatience and excitement. Here are some of the reactions.
only game of thrones could get me so excited yet so terrified at the same time
— vee (@vmravinthra) April 13, 2019
Less than 48 hours now. Am I excited or what? My TL is flooding with so much love and anticipation for the one show to rule them all #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/la5zLTQvOV
— Hemanth Kumar C R (@crhemanth) April 13, 2019
When you realize the new Game of Thrones season starts in two days. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/hiASiO5AmY
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) April 13, 2019
The reunion that we all are waiting for #GameOfThrones #GOT pic.twitter.com/OcBHhI1fuC
— Jraj Cr (@WithloveJayaraj) April 13, 2019
"It is not easy being drunk all the time. Everyone would do it if it were easy"
— GD (@thegagandeep) April 13, 2019
~ Tyrion Lannister
1 day to go, preparations are in place. Winter has finally come.#GameofThrones #johnnywalkerwhitewalker pic.twitter.com/NFWwEHdFgS
My friend got into an argument with her supervisor.
— Annapoorna P K (@annapoorna_pk) April 13, 2019
Supervisor- Don't argue unnecessarily. You think you know everything?
My friend- No, I'm sorry
(In her mind- yes, I do know everything, I'm Anti- Jon Snow) #GameOfThrones #JonSnow #funnyfriends
I think we’re all gonna need a Game of Thrones series finale support group.
— Camie Juan (@camiejuan) April 13, 2019
April 15th for Australia #got #GoTS8 #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/YSo8zUCOg9
— Chewy (@ErrorsEra) April 13, 2019
What's more, Snapchat has released a Viserion filter, featuring Daenerys's dragon who’s now part of the White Walker fleet.
Viserion is here, NYC.
— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) April 12, 2019
Snap what is yours at the Flatiron Building. #GameofThrones. pic.twitter.com/dq0UfZvXZ6
My dragon is here to pick me up at work! #GameOfGames #ForTheThrone @GameOfThrones @FlatironNY @macmillanbooks pic.twitter.com/bE4Tz3469x
— Steph Wu (@steph_wu) April 12, 2019
Unsurprisingly, there are also people trying to brush up on the series which is known for having multiple plot lines, nuances and characters. While the recapping led some people to realise things they had missed before, others re-lived their feelings towards some of the most iconic characters.
this was the saddest 2 minutes of my life #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/XviBq351Bj
— ron (@toddsire) April 13, 2019
some update txts from my bro lmao...got him hooked on GoT #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/aiZsFn3pQb
— Melissa (@pizzameli) April 13, 2019
how am I so dumb this was the middle of Season FIVE#GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/9TvmHlkzsB
— red scott (@red_scott) April 13, 2019
rewatching game of thrones got me hating cersei even more than before
— moseley (@vinnie_gar) April 13, 2019
Who is khaleesi ? #gots8 pic.twitter.com/Dt1ZUgAjlS
— A S¬ (@magnificentAS_) April 4, 2019
And then there are all the recap videos – ranging from a couple of minutes to an hour – that have become immensely popular with people trying to do a crash course on the series right before the final season premiere. This article by Fast Company gives fans a good variety of recaps to choose from.
Even GoT writer Bryan Cogman compiled a list of 21 episodes for Entertainment Weekly that you can watch to catch up on series before the final season.
If you’re all caught up with the recap and are looking for something to immerse into and prepare for April 15, head over to the Game of Thrones Facebook page for its ‘The Cast Remembers’ series, which featuring interviews with actors and the iconic roles they’ve played for almost a decade. So far, there are interviews with Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister).
HBO has also announced that Game of Thrones fans will be getting a prequel series, one of the five potential spin-offs that could emerge from the hit show. The series has been created by George RR Martin, author of the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series, and British screenwriter Jane Goldman. A pilot for the prequel has been ordered by HBO.