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"That ending. Oof." – Read the best reactions from the Game of Thrones season 8 premiere

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By Bradley Russell published 15 April 2019

Did the Game of Thrones season 8 premiere live up to its lofty expectations?

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Game of Thrones season 8
Image credit: HBO
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Oh boy. Game of Thrones season 8 is back. Not only does the episode have its fair share of betrayals-in-the-making, bloodshed and, yes, boobs, but it’s also stoked the meme fires once again. We may not know who will sit on the Iron Throne come the end of Game of Thrones season 8, but one thing is certain: Twitter. Is. Undefeated. 

If you’ve already seen the episode and want to go North of the Twitter wall to see what the freefolk are saying out there, then scroll on down below to see a round-up of the best Game of Thrones season 8 reactions. Including that bit, that bit, and, of course, elephants. Spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8 follow.

A welcome return?

We’ve been waiting nearly 600 days and (long) nights for this moment. But we were finally allowed to settle in and watch the first of the final six Game of Thrones season 8 episodes last night. For many, it didn’t disappoint, even if there were a few naysayers.

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  • Peter Claffey as Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5 A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fans think episode 5's brutal battle is "unlike anything we've seen in Game of Thrones"

WELCOME BACK TO THE GREATEST TV SERIES IN HISTORY!!!!!!!!! #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/zh8ZFCXStBApril 15, 2019

#GameOfThrones was amazing. DRAGONS. I stan. ;;And that ending. oofI honestly have so many thoughts and already need a rewatch.April 15, 2019

#GameofThrones rating? 9/10. Can’t wait for second episode. While this wasn’t the most action-packed, it set the stage for the rest of the season. Exceeded my high expectations.April 15, 2019

It's possible my expectations were out of control, but I thought that was a weak #GameofThrones at this stage. I get that they wanted to reset all the storylines, but the episode's tone seemed ... off. Too cutesy, too much fan service. Still can't wait for next Sunday, of course. pic.twitter.com/sW9nhTJ0GFApril 15, 2019

People really said this first episode of #GameofThrones was boring? Just finished and holy cow the suspense is real.I gotta unfollow the whiners lmao just as annoying as the spoilersApril 15, 2019

Bran the man

During their brief reunion at Winterfell, Jon Snow called Bran a man. He’s… something a bit more than that, as evidenced by his thousand-yard stares every time a main character came into shot. Of course, with this being the internet, the Three-Eyed Raven got the meme treatment. This was compounded by the heart-stopping ending where Jamie and Brann finally come face to face for the first time since the Kingslayer gave the Stark boy a one-way trip to the ground via a well-timed shove.

This is exactly what that Ser Jaime and Bran scene felt like 😂#GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/prSQ71C175April 15, 2019

#GameOfThronesmain character minding their business:bran: pic.twitter.com/C9BJcmeXmrApril 15, 2019

Bran literally the whole episode.#GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/nioQ3QvTF7April 15, 2019

Bran Stark to everyone coming to winterfell#GameOfThrones #GoT pic.twitter.com/C6N1wf413kApril 15, 2019

Euron top

One of the more intriguing moments in the Game of Thrones season 8 premiere came when Euron finally docked in King’s Landing. He made himself at home in no time at all, with even Cersei letting him into her bed. Could Euron be the unexpected wildcard as we hurtle towards the finale? Some fans think so.

Oh man! She really did it with creepy Euron. #ThronesYall #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/bqw0gwIQabApril 15, 2019

Euron def smell like hotdog waterApril 15, 2019

Euron Greyjoy is if Bam Margera was a pirate.April 15, 2019

Elephants, elephants, where are my elephants?

Hands up, who had Cersei down as the most quotable person in Game of Thrones season 8? And, even better, it all stemmed from her acting like a little child, disappointed she didn’t get her elephants. Brilliant. 

That's disappointing. I was told the Golden Compass had elephants."- Cersei- Also me #GameofThronesApril 15, 2019

Cersei be like pic.twitter.com/3m0LRASPQ3April 15, 2019

Cersei....you've been pretty smart this whole time.....but bitch. Elephants on a boat. A BOAT. #GameOfThrones #DemThrones pic.twitter.com/ilIrAfmnprApril 15, 2019

Cersei wanting wooden boats to transport an army of elephants across the sea... #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/SZfxxI8T1OApril 15, 2019

Bronn, the Kingslayer-Slayer?

Don’t count Bronn out yet. He’s been one of the best salt-of-the-earth characters in Westeros, but even he can’t turn down riches and lots and lots of women. He’s been tasked with murdering both Tyrion and Jaime Lannister with the crossbow that offed Tywin. Cersei just lives for drama – but we can we trust Bronn?

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Cersei giving Bronn the same crossbow that Tyrion used to kill Tywin was too much for me. she actually has no chill pic.twitter.com/x0tHrxB7pgApril 15, 2019

Bronn just wants to live and whore in peace but people just keep roping him into more dramaApril 15, 2019

She's sending Bronn to kill Jaime and Tyrion with Joffrey's crossbow? This isn't a smart plan. Bronn can't go through with this. #DemThronesApril 15, 2019

Shock, horror - another death

Ick. Game of Thrones has made its name on brutal deaths, but this might have been the worst of the lot. The poor, young, head of House Umber was brutally cut open and, in a final spine-tingling scene, nearly took out Tormund Giantsbane after he turned into a White Walker. If this episode wasn’t clear enough: Game of Thrones season 8 is NOT messing around.

Tormund and co. being surprised by Lord Umber (colorized circa 2019)#gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/a9p40E7DssApril 15, 2019

Ned Umber is the first named character to die in #GameofThrones S8 pic.twitter.com/ZwhwIWJ3GCApril 15, 2019

Me watching the scene with the Umber boy #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/wAJbzhz40QApril 15, 2019

Forget the Umber boy, will any of our best Game of Thrones theories survive in to next week?

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
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Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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