It’s the end of the year, but just the beginning of HBO’s marketing campaign for Game of Thrones. So far, that marketing campaign has been undeniably sprawling, but equally sparing when it comes to giving us any concrete details. HBO has chosen to drum up excitement for Season Eight by highlighting memorable moments from previous seasons. This has resulted in several character retrospectives, and the slathering of nostalgic, albeit macabre #ForTheThrone posters all over New York and Los Angeles. It’s a colossal effort at reminding audiences that GOT is back after a long absence, but it tells us very little about the new season. The teaser trailer that debuted this Thursday was equally ambiguous as it was epic.
Game of Thrones has had some lovely teaser trailers over the years, which are usually cryptic, aesthetically pleasing precursors to full-blown trailers. Season Eight’s “Dragonstone,” is no different. It depicts the iconic “Painted Table” of Dragonstone come alive. As the show’s theme song mournfully plays, icy winter winds slither across the landscape, freezing a Stark direwolf and a Targaryen dragon. A Lannister lion erupts into flames which spread until they clash with the spreading ice. The soundtrack soars, and Dragonglass, or obsidian, which has proven useful in taking down White Walkers, seems to form from the chaos. The teaser trailer ends, and we still don’t have a proper date for the show’s April premiere.Nonetheless, we’re reminded that the song of ice and fire has reached its climax. The three major houses of Westeros, Stark, Targaryen, and Lannister have found themselves overwhelmed by the world-ending threat of supernatural winter. The stakes and the scope of the game have changed.
I would really like a full Season Eight trailer for Christmas, HBO. If not, I suppose Target’s new line of Westerosi Christmas sweaters will have to do. Moving on, the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel is still set to begin filming this Spring. George R. R. Martin confirmed on his blog that the show is not officially entitled “The Long Night,” although he would prefer that moniker personally. Entertainment Weekly hinted that we can expect no dragons and no Targaryens in the prequel, so enjoy Daenerys (and Jon) while you can.
It was also confirmed that audiences should not expect to see any actors or characters from the current show in the prequel. No fear, however. HBO recently announced that those who purchase the 2019 Game of Thrones Season Eight box-set will have exclusive access to a special feature that was filmed in Belfast. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the special feature is said to have reunited many of the show’s actors. Sean Bean is confirmed to have participated in the special feature.
If you’re feeling keen to look fondly back at the past, and at what could have been, Vanity Fair’s Joanna Robinson recently published an interesting analysis of George R.R. Martin’s final script for the show. The A Song of Ice and Fire author last wrote an episode for Season Four, and it’s fascinating to see where his vision for the book series collides with the television show’s ultimate direction.
GOT’s eighth and final season is set to premiere next April.
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