(Warning: Plentiful Game of Thrones spoilers shall be found below.)
Game of Thrones‘ season 8 premiere went off with a bit of Direct TV hitch, but the episode itself contained several moments for which fans have waited quite some time. Many overdue onscreen reunions went down, but for the purposes of this discussion, we’re gonna chat about Jon Snow’s first dragon ride. Trailers and TV spots already forecast the post-coital Daenerys Targaryen and Jon walking toward her two remaining dragons, Drogon and Rhaegal, so we knew this moment would eventually come. It did live up to expectations, especially regarding Dany having a great time while enjoying Jon’s trepidation.
Mind you, Jon didn’t yet realize in this scene that they’re aunt and nephew, which only added to the anticipation, but Dany told Jon to hop onto Rhaegal and take a flight or get lost, basically. “What if he doesn’t want me to?” he protested. “Then I’ve enjoyed your company, Jon Snow,” she smugly answered. Well, he had no choice, and although Jon later marveled at how horses are now ruined for him, he sure did lose his cool for a few minutes.
As Jon struggled to stay onboard the beast, the Twitter audience had a blast.
Jon Snow trying to ride the dragon is everything #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/BRnZu0Qf6p
— Devil Without a Clause (@kyeostby) April 15, 2019
Jon Snow is on the dragon 🐉 #GameOfThornes !! pic.twitter.com/aIpuVrKxp6
— KEEM 🍿 (@KEEMSTAR) April 15, 2019
Jon Snow riding Rhaegal #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/tsXNIMqhGB
— RunBaboRun (@RunBaboRun) April 15, 2019
Jon snow trying to play it cool on that dragon #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/oQBBtMfFKE
— Leo Spaceman (@LunchableMeat) April 15, 2019
Jon Snow flewed out!!!
— . (@Qwaid) April 15, 2019
Jon Snow riding a dragon. Part 1. #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/2A2xAD5Xbf
— Complex (@Complex) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/ThatBrownGuy93/status/1117602823829708800
https://twitter.com/camelrynm/status/1117603363498147840
The subsequent kisses and embraces between Jon and Dany inspired some obligatory incest-related jokes. (Thrones is definitely back.)
This dragon was looking at them kiss like "Jon Snow that's your aunt, boy you wild" #JonSnow #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/5VU2Qv2Pu7
— Eds🦅K20 (@11BEddieV) April 15, 2019
The way the 🐉 watching Jon snow & Daenerys kissing 🤣 ⚔️🔥 #GameOfThrones #ForTheThrone pic.twitter.com/ETLrdVkDeu
— Thomas Adams (@realtadams542) April 15, 2019
Drogon looking at Jon Snow kiss Daenerys #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/y4WmVu3CDd
— RunBaboRun (@RunBaboRun) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/MeagJensenn/status/1117603323001987075
How the dragons were looking at Jon Snow when he was kissing Daenerys #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/5uFNGnOaeD
— KAS – Hokie🦃🧡 (@RUandVPI) April 15, 2019
All of this went down after the dragons (who eat “whatever they want”) came up in conversation with Jon Snow caught between Dany and Sansa. This awkwardness is only gonna get uglier as the season continues….
“Whatever they want.” Clearly #Daenerys doesn’t need dragons throw down a burn. Also: Love Jon Snow literally caught between them #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/IQa5pdEAZC
— James Hibberd (@JamesHibberd) April 15, 2019