5 Reasons Why ‘Eastwatch’ Was the Most Important ‘Game of Thrones’ Episode Yet

WARNING: Major spoilers for the latest episode of Game of Thrones ahead! Read at your own risk…

After the incredible battle that took place in “The Spoils of War” last week, the latest episode of Game of Thrones may not have seemed like much. Well, if you paid attention, “Eastwatch” may have actually been more monumental than its predecessor.

From start to finish, this episode was packed with moments and conversations that can change the entire course of Game of Thrones from here on out. Seriously, think about how much just happened.

Two more major clues about Jon Snow’s lineage were revealed, House Baratheon made a comeback, and the evil reign of the Lannisters is now much farther from ending than we might have thought.

“Eastwatch” was a bigger episode than you might’ve thought, and here’s exactly why.

Jon Might Not be a Snow or a Stark

The theory that Jon Snow wasn’t Ned’s son was confirmed last season, as it was revealed that he belonged to Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, and that Ned only took him to protect him.

This episode took things a step further, and no thanks to Samwell Tarly.

As Sam complained about his bosses, Gilly attempted to read him an excerpt from High Septon Maynard’s records. She mentioned that Maynard had annulled a marriage for a “Prince Ragger” before then immediately marrying him to someone else in a secret ceremony in Dorne.

This lines up with Jon’s birth and the story of the love between his parents. This also means that Jon isn’t a bastard at all, and that he’s the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen.

Jon is the true heir to the Iron Throne.

Another moment earlier in the episode helped solidify Jon’s lineage, as he became the only other character besides Dany to physically touch a dragon on camera. He’s a Targaryen through and through.

Gendry’s Rerturn

Fans have been waiting for Gendry to return from his rowing trip for years now, and they were finally granted their wish this week.

Davos found Gendry in Flea Bottom, and he brought him along to meet Jon Snow. From there, he and Jon Snow became friends, and he accompanied the King in the North past the wall to find and kill a wight to show Cersei that the threat was real.

Gendry talked of making the Lannisters pay for what they did to his father, Robert Baratheon, and he proved his might by showing off an enormous warhammer that he had crafted. 

If you looked closely at the weapon, Gendry had molded the symbol of House Baratheon near the hammer’s head. This means that he has allegiance to his father’s house.

Now, a bastard can be legitimized by a ruling king or queen, making them a real part of their father’s house. Jon Snow is King in the North, and he could use a Baratheon by his side as he fights. Gendry’s return could also mean the return of House Baratheon as a whole.

Cersei’s Announcement

Just when you thought Cersei might be the last terrible Lannister in a long line of terrible Lannisters, she revealed she’s got a bun in the oven.

At one point in the episode, Cersei tells Jaime that she’s pregnant with another one of his children. This time, she’s going to tell the world that Jaime is the real father.

Time has passed incredibly quickly this season, so a nine-month period of time could easily pass before the next installment begins.

There’s a legitimate chance that Joffery 2.0 is on the way to Westeros.

Littlefinger Making Moves

Littlefinger has been pulling the strings of Westeros for a number of years now. But, over the last two seasons, we haven’t been giving him very much credit. 

In this episode, we learned that Littlefinger is still playing the long con, showing off his uncanny patience.

Arya has proved herself as an incredibly sneaky character. She has slipped into disguises and killed many terrible men. When she tiptoed into Littlefinger’s chambers, many believed that Arya had the upper hand.

However, a few moments later, it was revealed that Littlefinger was watching her the entire time. He used the note to set a trap for Arya.

Littlefinger is trying to pit the Starks against one another — and it’s working.

The Magnificent Seven

This episode was filled with plenty of reunions and long-awaited meetings, all of which culminated in an epic band of warriors on an expedition north of the wall.

After Jorah returned to Daenerys, he left with Jon to find an undead soldier to help prove to Cersei that the threat is real. He’s just as loyal as ever.

Gendry also joined Jon on this expedition, solidifying a friendship between the two similar to the one that Ned and Robert had.

Tormund, The Hound, Deric and Thoros rounded out this crew, forming the most exciting group of soldiers Westeros has ever assembled.

All of these men are fan-favorites and that doesn’t bode well. It’s almost guaranteed that some of them won’t make it back to the wall.

If the men succeed in their quest, and they deliver a wight to Cersei, the war between queens could actually come to a halt, and all of Westeros could band together against a common enemy.