(Note: This post includes spoilers for the first episode of “Game of Thrones” Season 7.)
The premiere of “Game of Thrones” had some pretty huge moments, even if the episode was largely spent setting up things that will happen in Season 7. Mostly, fans lost it as the show’s female characters got many chances to be awesome.
The episode started with an amazing sequence in which Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) got some serious revenge on the enemies of House Stark. With her Faceless Man powers, she wrapped up dealing with the Freys, a path she started down at the end of Season 6.
It was the first few minutes of the episode, but it had fans cheering.
This opening scene! #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/kTUmJjqVqa
— Mel (@imtryingringo) July 17, 2017
Me about Arya #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/lfF6dAcYV1
— Nic (@CloneNic) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/indimontgomery/status/886754256757379073
ARYA FOR QUEEN OF EVERYTHING #GameofThrones
— Married Mama, Esq. (@Uvaack) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/MojoAGP808/status/886754634466902016
https://twitter.com/InternetPalace/status/886756370657292288
And almost immediately after Arya’s big opening, the show headed to Winterfell where Jon Snow (Kit Harington) met with his bannermen. Season 6 fan favorite Lady Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey) had another set of killer lines.
As Jon ordered the Northmen to train everyone to fight the army of the dead — including women and children — Lord Glover questioned whether women could be made to carry arms into battle. Lady Mormont reminded him and the rest of the North that she’s just as fierce as any of them.
If you're playing a drinking game every time someone dies on #GameOfThrones… pic.twitter.com/uo0SYyLWmw
— Natalie Abrams (@NatalieAbrams) July 17, 2017
Arya Stark and Lady Mormont 2020#ThronesYall #GameOfThrones #WinterIsHere
— Not Ekin-Su (@shopgenx) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/hyacinth2612/status/886756313216299008
https://twitter.com/ava/status/886757695180513280
"I don't plan on knitting by the fire while men fight for me." LONG LIVE QUEEN MORMONT #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/v7vDeMYeeY
— Hunter Ingram (@hunter_wesley) July 17, 2017
I wanna be Lyanna Mormont when I grow up. #gameofthrones
— Kate Ryals (@kateryals) July 17, 2017
A few things in the episode drew some ire as fans were watching, though. Grammy winning singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s cameo as a Lannister soldier delighted some fans — and took a few out of the episode.
A few others weren’t too impressed with the costume worn by Ironborn pirate king Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbæk). And many found the montage of Samwell Tarly (John Bradley-West) cleaning bedpans and serving soup tough to watch.
Euron? Honey? Why this weird OUAT pirate look? #GameOfThrones
— Nic (@CloneNic) July 17, 2017
Euron looks to me like a third rate Hook. #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/7dCeeqOPTY
— Jess Bear 🍉 (@Jess_E_Bear) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/sim_life_lina/status/886759655136952320
Euron Greyjoy legit just woke up, rolled off the ship and came to see Queen Cersi #ThronesYall #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/Eo3DliGoqe
— Cobra Industries recruiter 🐍 (@DPMCanty) July 17, 2017
Ok this Sam montage is making me physically ill #gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/06XN6sBJ0C
— ♐️Penni📚 (@thepenniverse) July 17, 2017
Really could've done without that Sam montage, especially while I'm eating bean dip#GameOfThrones #GoTS7 #ThronesYall #DemThrones
— DJ Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Evangelista (@WakandaBS_isDis) July 17, 2017
The Ed Sheeran cameo has completely just pulled me out if it. This show doesn't need or work with a 'celebrity' guest star. #GameOfThrones
— Rs (@XonalMarking) July 17, 2017
Better start preparing for Justin Bieber as a White Walker and Adele as a Grand Maester.. #GameOfThrones
— Adam Bowler (@AdamBowler131) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/vamaehart/status/886764296742600708
Mostly, though, fans went nuts for everything Season 7’s premiere had to offer and everything it’s teasing for the future.
When Greyjoy said two good hands….Jamie was all like…#ThronesYall #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/9NHdAuyjlB
— 🍅Jacqueline🍅 (@THATJacqueline) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/stevenhaderer/status/886760130414596100
https://twitter.com/emilygmonster/status/886761460659085312
https://twitter.com/rchll_trrs/status/886762028601188352
https://twitter.com/hla254/status/886764947941838850
The Hound has the best one liners. 👏 #GameOfThrones #WinterIsHere
— Sandwench ⚓️🐚🪴📚☕️🇺🇸🇬🇷 (@crinolinedream) July 17, 2017
We all knew a hand was gonna pop out but it scared me anyway. #GameOfThrones
— maggie gallagher (@maggiegal3) July 17, 2017
Squad goals. #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/Soz22qiHyI
— ひのれい (@ariesacies) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/thoughtsofpizza/status/886766107301892096
"Hey guys. Sorry I'm late to the par-" #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/34vyoF7Ssp
— Shawn F. (@mondo270) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/SerLorasTy/status/886767661371203588
Wondering where Lady Mormont and Arya Stark stack up against the other characters in “Game of Thrones?” Check out our gallery ranking every character in the show below.