Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 15 avril 2019
I Want to Be Wearing That: Lily-Rose Depp's Bodysuit and Mom Jeans
Yes, yes, YES, Lily-Rose Depp! This is such a '90s mom summertime outfit that I'm doing double-takes. First, I'm seeing Vanessa Paradis (her mom), then I'm blinking back to old photos of my mom. It's crazy. And I love the compact visor sunglasses, too, a nod to all the dads out there. Lily-Rose has a knack for making any ensemble look effortless, even on the red carpet at the Met Gala or in the front row at the Chanel show. But it's her relaxed street style that I like to muse over.
Lily-Rose makes you think she's got no more than 10 items in her closet from her pared-down combination. I like it when she throws vintage vibes into the mix with a faded, compact top-handle bag or brushstroke florals. Even her worn-in Levi's have a magic touch. They flatter her figure, grazing her Reeboks in such a way that I want to cut all my jeans to this height. It's OK to make this your go-to uniform for brunch this season if that's what you were thinking. Let's just make sure we're not booking bottomless mimosas at the same place, because I'll be at the table next to you in an identical outfit.
Shop clockwise from top left: Racil Fonda Floral-Print Bodysuit ($327), Oakley Eye Jacket Redux ($143), Nico Giani Tunilla Square Leather Shoulder Bag ($390), Levi's Made & Crafted Slim Fit Jeans ($139), Reebok Women's Princess Sneaker ($31-$100)
We'd Do Unforgivable Things to Get Our Hands on the 17 Cutest Heels of Spring 2019
We had to take a seat after viewing the new heels out for Spring this year. Lucite details, barely there straps, and bold color combos are big trends we're seeing in footwear, sometimes even all together. Whether you want to splurge on an investment shoe or snag a deal on a fun pair, we have options for everyone. Check out our favorite picks for the season, and treat yourself to one or two or three options.
These 101 Disney Princess Tattoos Are the Fairest of Them All
Disney princess love is a forever kind of love, and there's no better way to show this sentiment than with a beautiful, princess-inspired tattoo that will last a lifetime. From timeless quotes to colorful depictions of Ariel, Snow White, Pocahontas, Mulan, and every princess in between, this magical ink will inspire your next tattoo and open you up to a whole new world of magical markings.
- Additional reporting by Hilary White
50 Sex-Filled Films to Stream on Netflix For a Steamy Night In
For when you want some good, clean onscreen lovin' that's not porn, we've found an array of sexy films available on Netflix. There are foreign flicks, romantic comedies, period pieces, and everything in between (the sheets) - perfect for solo watching or date night. So hop into bed with one of these steamy movies tonight. And check out more movies that are available on Netflix in April here!
- Additional reporting by Lauren Harano, Corinne Sullivan, and Hannah Abrams
The Hottest Destinations For Bachelorette Parties in 2019 - Where Will You Go?
OK, brides, before you put on that white dress, there's still one thing left to do - gather your girls and get ready for one final soirée as an unmarried woman! The bachelorette party is sacred for so many reasons. Not only are you getting fired up for your upcoming nuptials, you're also celebrating the women who stood by you through it all on your journey to find love, and every bad date and broken heart along the way. There are so many ways to do a bachelorette party right, from a low-key staycation to a wild week on the beach. If you're looking to get out of Dodge for your bachelorette bash, we've rounded up 2019's hottest destination ideas perfect for a girls-only getaway.
Mother of Dragons! This Gorgeous Game of Thrones-Inspired Wedding Has Details Straight Out of the Series
Sonia Melendez is an extremely big fan of Game of Thrones and also a very talented photographer. So she decided to combine her two passions and put together this gorgeous Game of Thrones-themed wedding. You might be wondering what faraway land this photo shoot took place in after seeing the breathtaking castle in the background, and the answer might surprise you: the shoot took place at Newman's Castle in Bellville, TX.
"We couldn't help but notice that a lot of [modern wedding] trends may have come from this series - the long sleeves, the organic dramatic florals, and even the braids!" Sonia said about the reason behind this idea. "Naturally, with the last season upon us in April we wanted to pay homage to one of the shows that has inspired a lot of us. All the little details came together so well, we were very excited to be a part of this inspired day."
There are so many intricate details in this shoot that are directly from the series, from the bride's snowy blond hair - taking a style cue from Daenerys Targaryen - to the epic dragon egg cake, which they aptly cut with a dagger. Look out for all the other references in these beautiful photos!
Related: If You Ship Jon Snow and Ygritte, Then You Will Love This Styled Wedding Shoot
Embrace Summer 2019 With 27 Vacation Dresses That Are Cute and Easy to Pack
If you're planning a vacation or getaway, you have to bring the right clothes along. Consider packing some travel-friendly dresses. We curated a list of options that are lightweight and easy to fold up. Whether you're on a long plane ride or exploring a new city, these designs will be comfortable and stylish.
Missing the Battery Percentage on Your iPhone Status Bar? Here's How to Find It or Get It Back
If you have a smart phone of any kind, you probably know that battery charge is very important. And if you have an iPhone, particularly an iPhone X, you might be wondering where the hell the battery percentage went on the top of your screen. But fear not, there's an easy hack so you always know how much time you have left until your phone dies.
On earlier iPhone models up to and including the iPhone 8, you can see your battery charge in the status bar on your home screen. All you have to do is go to your settings, scroll down to "Battery," and tap the button to the activated position next to the words "Battery Percentage."
After doing this, the percent of battery life you have left will show up next to the battery charge icon in the status bar, along with the time, your reception signal, and WiFi connection.
On all models, the percentage of battery charge you have left will automatically show up when your phone enters "Low Power Mode," whether you have the "Battery Percentage" option ticked on in your settings or not.
If you have an iPhone X, which Apple has said has the "longest battery life ever in an iPhone," the percentage of battery left on your device shows up in the Control Center, not in the status bar. You can see this by swiping down from the top-right corner of the phone screen.
Game of Thrones: A Reminder of Who Arya Has Killed From Her List and Who's Still Left
In season one of Game of Thrones, a very young Arya (Maisie Williams) endures so much trauma at the hands of her family's enemies that she vows to kill all those who have dared wrong the Starks. She even whips up a handy list of names that she repeats nightly so she'll never forget those who need to pay for their sins against her family and vile acts in general, which range from murder to torture to backstabbing (and stabbing everywhere else, for that matter).
There were 11 names on the list originally, which the fiercest Stark girl has not forgotten (except to eliminate one). Now that she's made it to the final season of the series, season eight, she's managed to cross quite a few names off her deadly list thanks to her training at the House of Black and White (and the fact she's just generally a badass now, let's be real). Unfortunately, there are still some people lurking around Westeros who need to have justice served.
Will Arya be able to take them down while also helping her remaining family members save Winterfell from the Night King's invasion of White Walkers and wights? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, let's break down everyone Arya has killed thus far and those who are still lucky to have their necks in one piece.
Game of Thrones: 7 Major Moments From the Dramatic Season 8 Premiere
Warning: All the spoilers for Game of Thrones below!
It's fair to say that Game of Thrones fans have been waiting (for what feels like) ages for the premiere of season eight, the show's final season. We've been posing theories, trying to decipher all the trailers and photos released by HBO, and more. But now that the season premiere has finally come, we're just trying to process everything that happened! Don't worry if you're too overwhelmed to remember exactly what happened - we've rounded up the seven biggest moments from the season eight premiere. It all starts when Daenerys Targaryen arrives in Winterfell . . .
Daenerys Brings an Army to Winterfell
The episode beings with the Dragon Queen and the former King in the North arriving without fanfare. As the two ride in, Arya watches from the crowd of Northerners gathered to watch Daenerys's retinue march in, looking out in particular for her half-brother. Arya smiles as Jon rides past, but he doesn't see her (which feels like a hint about their relations in the future). As the rest of Dany's party rides through, it's painfully obvious that the Northerners aren't happy about this arrival in their home. While the queen is used to a little worship or awe when she walks through a crowd, the people of Winterfell look wary and put-off by her presence - even more when Drogon and Rheagal make their appearances known by swooping down as they fly past. "I warned you, Northerners don't much trust outsiders," Jon tells Daenerys. The people run away screaming as Daenerys smirks, and all in all, it's pretty much what we all expected to happen.
Once they enter Winterfell, Jon embraces Bran and Sansa in greeting, wondering where Arya is. The tension is thick when Dany joins the Starks, greeting Sansa with a smile and a compliment, which the Lady of Winterfell deftly swats away by simply responding with, "Winterfell is yours, your Grace." Bran does his Three-Eyed-Raven mojo, reminding everyone that they have no time for court pettiness right now, since Dany lost her dragon to the Night King and the dead are quickly approaching. In the Hall, Jon and Tyrion try to rally the North into accepting their new roommates, but they are just not having it. Lyanna (as usual) asks Jon who he even is now, since he went and bent the knee to Dany, and Jon defends himself by pointing out that he did it to get them the allies they sorely needed. When Tyrion announces that the Lannister armies will be joining them soon, Sansa raises the practical question of how they're meant to feed everyone since Winterfell can barely feed their own. There's no answer, but Dany and Sansa exchange some side-eyes that would truly make Olenna Tyrell proud.
Two reunions rapidly occur right after the other: Sansa and Tyrion see each other for the first time since Joffrey's wedding, and Jon and Arya finally reunite since season one, episode one. While Sansa and Tyrion reminisce about the Purple Wedding, and Sansa chides her former husband for actually believing Cersei would send her men to help them fight the Night King's army, the reunion between the two "outcast" Starks is a tad warmer. In the godswood, Arya and Jon have a heartwarming hug (similar to the one he shared with Sansa way back when) and they bond over their respective swords. Jon tries to commiserate with Arya over the sister they often teased when they were younger, but Arya sticks by her older sister, noting that "she's the smartest person I ever met." Arya says that Sansa is defending their family, to which Jon says, "I'm family, too." "Don't forget that," she replies.
Euron Rides Into Kings Landing With the Golden Company
All the way in Kings Landing, Qyburn tells Cersei that the dead have broken through the Wall as she gazes out into the water where Euron's Iron Fleet is arriving with the Golden Company. She smiles (because she's evil), but what Cersei probably doesn't know is that Euron has Yara tied up on his boat. Euron and Harry Strickland, Captain of the Golden Company, report to Cersei on the 20 thousand men, two thousand horses and zero elephants they've brought with them. When the captain is dismissed, Euron does his usual lecherous song and dance. "You want a whore? Buy one. You want a queen? Earn her," Cersei responds (which is definitely a badass quote). Then she turns around and gives him the look, which is just terrible decision-making all around.
Thankfully, we don't see anything between the two go down, but Euron is somehow even more insufferable when they're done. When he leaves, he tells her that he'll be putting a prince in her but that real estate is pretty much taken up already. And speaking of people who have impregnated Cersei, Qyburn interrupts Bronn's fun night in with a quest. Cersei has given him the task of dealing with her treasonous brothers by killing them with the very crossbow that Tyrion used to kill their father. As Bronn sufficiently puts it, "That f*cking family."
Theon Saves Yara
While Euron is busy "servicing" the queen, Theon leads his merry band of Greyjoy bannerman into rescuing Yara from their uncle's boat. When he frees her, the Iron Island queen punches him - which is understandable since he abandoned her to be killed - before helping him back up. The siblings escape onto their own ships and Yara proposes that they take back their home. Though he initially tells Yara that he will follow her wherever, since she's his queen, his older sister can see that he really wants to head to the North. She tells him to go and "kill the bastards," embracing her younger brother one last time.
Jon Flies a Dragon
It finally happened, y'all. Jon Snow climbed up on a dragon and flew that sucker. While Davos, Tyrion, and Varys discuss a possible marriage between the Warden of the North and the "Rightful" Queen of the Seven Kingdoms like some serious mother hens, the two in question discuss Dany's less than welcome arrival in Winterfell. Dany points out that Sansa doesn't seem to like her - which Jon tries to make less awkward by noting that the redhead didn't like him much either when they were kids - and stars saying something about how Sansa doesn't have to like her, but if she doesn't respect her . . . The Queen is cut off when a few Dorthraki soldiers come to report on the dragons' failing health, and Jon and Dany leave to check on them. According to her, Drogon and Rhaegal don't like the cold (which makes sense since they were born in the desert!).
Dany mounts Drogon and tells Jon to get on Rhaegal (my goodness, the irony) and he hesitatingly hops on. The two take an aerial tour of the lands near Winterfell, startling Tyrion, Varys, and Davos when they see Jon riding a dragon as they fly by. The two land near waterfalls and begin to make out, which seemingly rubbed Drogon the wrong way because he growls at the two. It unsettles Jon (and me, honestly) when Drogon watches the two, as menacingly as a dragon who always looks menacing can.
Arya Reunites with the Hound and Gendry
Gendry is doing the back-backing work of a blacksmith when the Hound walks in to collect his custom-made dragonglass axe. While the two banter back and forth, Arya arrives, dismissing the Hound in her usual cold, badass way. "I guess that's why you're still alive," he says as he leaves the two. Arya and Gendry begin to flirt and she asks him to make her a custom weapon as well. Back in the castle, Sansa reveals to Jon that one of their bannermen has withdrawn their support in the upcoming war. When he lashes out, she hit back that Jon was the one who abandoned his crown, angering their people. Jon uses his usual (and only) line of defense, stating that he did it to get Dany's help and that she'll be a good queen to everyone. "Did you bend the knee to save the North, or because you love her?" she asks him. Jon doesn't answer.
Jon Learns Who His Real Parents Are
As Sansa lights into Jon for bending the knee, Dany and Ser Jorah interrupt Sam while he's poring over some books. She says she wants to thank the man who saved her favorite knight from his terrible case of greyscale. In return, Sam asks if she can pardon him for stealing books from the Citadel and the sword from his father, noting that he would have gotten it since it's been in House Tarly for generations. That's when the lightbulb comes on for Dany, and she realizes his father was Randall Tarly, the man she lit up like a box of matches. She breaks the news to Sam that she killed his father and brother when they wouldn't swear fealty to him and Sam reacts much better than anyone else would have. He excuses himself and runs into the courtyard, where Bran is sitting in wait. The Raven decrees that Sam be the one to tell Jon the truth about his parents, since he's busy "waiting for an old friend."
Sam finds Jon in the Winterfell crypts, where he tells him the news he just heard. He realizes that Jon didn't know before and asks Jon if he would have done that, knowing that he's showed mercy before. Jon tries to avoid the question, saying that he wasn't a king then and they need the help to defeat the Night King. And that's when, understandably, the pressure gets too much and Sam just lays it all out for him: "You're Aegon Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne." Of course, Jon protests the idea that honorable Ned had been lying to him his whole life, but Sam quickly points out that Ned was protecting Jon from the wrath of Robert. "Daenerys is our queen," Jon says. "She shouldn't be," Sam fires back. "You gave up your crown to save your people. Would she do the same?"
The Night King Leaves a Message
Elsewhere in the North, what's left of the Night Watch - including Tormund, Beric Dondarrion, and soon Dolorous Edd - walk around one of the castles at what remains of the Wall. They find Lord Umber, the young boy Sansa sent to gather his men at the start of the episode, impaled on a wall with a spiral of human limbs surrounding him in the same symbol we've seen from the White Walkers and the Children of Men. As the men discuss how far this means the Night King's army is, the boy's eyes pop open he beings shrieking and trying to attack them. Beric lights him on fire with the sword, but he continues screaming for a while afterward until he finally dies (again).
As the episode ends, a hooded rider arrives at Winterfell and reveals himself to be the Kingslayer. He looks around the courtyard and sees Bran - still waiting since we last saw him - staring at him. It takes a minute, but when Jaime realizes exactly who he's looking at, the horror is palpable!
Why Did Jon Snow Leave Winterfell - and What Does His Return Mean?
Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution!
What was once a war of five kings on Game of Thrones has transformed into, essentially, a war between two queens: Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen. But as we all know, unbeknownst to most characters, there's actually a third royal in the mix: Jon Snow, who is actually Aegon Targaryen and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Jon, before finding out of his true identity, had already held a royal title, when he was proclaimed King in the North - the title previously bestowed on his brother/cousin Robb Stark - after he and Sansa Stark assembled a new northern alliance and declared independence from the Iron Throne. Jon stepped away from that title and from Winterfell itself in season seven, but he's back now, so what does that mean?
In season seven, Jon leaves the North in the hands of his (supposed) sister Sansa - who becomes the Regent and Lady of Winterfell - and journeys to meet Daenerys Targaryen, hoping to gain her support for the coming war against the White Walkers. At first, Dany is insistent that Jon bend the knee to her, but he is hesitant to give up his family's kingdom and his people's independence. Despite this, she gives him permission to mine dragonglass for weapons against the Army of the Dead. In time, Jon and Dany grow to like and respect each other (and then some!), and he ultimately agrees to bend the knee and call her his queen, reuniting the North and the Vale with the Iron Throne under her rule.
By the time Jon brings Daenerys and her people to Winterfell, she is his lover as well as his queen, and he has technically renounced the title of King in the North, presumably in favor of some variation on the old Stark title of Warden of the North. In season eight's premiere, we see the effects this declaration has already had on the Northerners: they're wary of a southern ruler, fiercely loyal still to House Stark above all, and growing more and more interested in being independent from the Iron Throne.
They're clearly not thrilled about Jon's about-face to pledge them to Dany, and even Sansa is suspicious of the idea. As things stand, the North is still following Jon's lead and prioritizing the fight against the White Walkers. When that's over, though, who knows? It remains to be seen whether or not Dany and Jon, as a pair, can fulfill Davos's suggestion to Tyrion and Varys that they rule together and "earn" the trust of the North, but Jon's shift in priorities could have major consequences for his future and the future of the North.
After 595 Days, Fans Are Freaking Out Over the Reunions in the Game of Thrones Premiere
The following post contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones season eight premiere.
After what felt an eternity - or 595 days, to be specific - Game of Thrones returned, and it was filled with more action and reunions than we anticipated for one single episode.
During Sunday night's season eight premiere, Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow arrive with the Unsullied and Dothraki armies in Winterfell, bringing a whole lot of tension on horseback. Sansa and Daenerys clash over power, and I actually might've cheered at my TV when the Lady of Winterfell called out the obvious regarding Cersei Lannister's broken promise to join her forces with theirs. But in the wise words of Brandon Stark, "We don't have time for all this!"
From the moment Sam really rips off the Band-Aid and tells Jon of his true lineage while in the crypts, to the glimpse of Jamie Lannister's face when he sees his "old friend" Bran waiting for him, it's safe to say the premiere episode answers a few of the looming questions fans had, and the internet most definitely had some feelings. Ahead, see how fans reacted to the final season premiere of the beloved show.
Um, Can We Talk About Daenerys and Jon Snow’s Little Dragon Date For a Sec?
Warning: major Game of Thrones spoilers ahead! Stop reading now if you aren't caught up.
Sure, Game of Thrones will probably kill off our faves, and we're all going to have nightmares about that terrifying child screaming through the fire, but for one brief, lovely moment, can we just soak up the magic of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen riding off into the snowy waterfalls together on DRAGONS? During the season eight premiere, they casually stride out of Winterfell, hop on some dragons, and soar toward the horizon like it's your average Sunday afternoon. If you'd asked me to write a season eight wish list, I absolutely would've included a borderline cheesy dragon-riding date, and the scene delivers.
For one thing, there are the clear implications of Jon Snow being able to ride a dragon in the first place. (See: his Targaryen roots.) And then there's the question of whether the next time we see these two flying side by side will be on the living vs. dead battlefield, opposite the Night King and Viserion - which, yikes. Oh, and speaking of yikes, did you catch the very pointed look Rhaegal gives Jon Snow as he kisses his queen?
TBD on how the dynamic between Daenerys and Jon Snow may shift now that he knows the truth about his parents, but in the meantime, we can relish in the pair's funny flirting plus the hilarious Twitter reactions that followed. Did several people feel like they heard "A Whole New World" playing the background as Jon and Dany soared through shining, shimmering, splendid waterfalls? Yes. Did Rhaegal's intense staredown with Jon Snow inspire a bunch of perfect memes? Definitely. Keep reading to see the best reactions to the scene, then dive into all the Game of Thrones season eight theories as we await next week's episode (and rewatch the premiere another time - or five.)
Yes, What Cersei Gives to Bronn in the Game of Thrones Premiere Should Look VERY Familiar
Warning: giant Game of Thrones spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution!
Sarcastic, foul-mouthed, and somewhat sleazy sellsword Bronn (Jerome Flynn) made his return to the series in the season eight premiere of Game of Thrones, and judging from his sole scene in the episode, his friendship with Jaime is likely going south . . . OK actually it's going North, but anyway.
While spending some, um, quality time with a few women in a brothel in King's Landing, Bronn is interrupted by Cersei's shady Hand of the Queen, Qyburn. Apparently, Cersei has a very specific (and twisted) request for Bronn: she wants him to go to kill her brothers, Jaime and Tyrion. Oh, and to really make the betrayal sting, she wants him to kill them with the crossbow that Tyrion used to kill their father, Tywin.
As you might recall, way back in season four, Tyrion is put on trial for the murder of his nephew, King Joffrey, even though pretty much everyone in his family knows he didn't do it. Despite that, Tywin still sentences his son to death (Tyrion chooses a trial by combat, but his champion, Oberyn, is defeated and killed by the Mountain). Luckily Jaime can't bear to watch his brother die, so he frees Tyrion from his cell, telling him that Varys will help him escape the city and flee to Essos. However, Tyrion makes a quick detour to the Tower of the Hand to confront his father.
Tyrion enters through a secret passage and discovers Shae in his father's bed chambers; they struggle and he ends up strangling her to death (for what it's worth, he's instantly regretful). He then grabs Joffrey's crossbow off of the wall and corners his father in the bathroom. Tywin calls Shae "a whore" multiple times and is generally dismissive of his son, earning an arrow in the stomach. Tywin lashes out, saying, "You are no son of mine," just before Tyrion shoots him a fatal, final time.
But enough about Tyrion committing patricide on the toilet - Bronn is what's really important about this scene, right? Qyburn tells him that although the sellsword might still be frosty towards the Lannisters after having his castle and his wife taken away, Cersei is willing to pay him with with four chests of gold in return for him serving her brothers with "poetic justice."
He's reluctant, but Qyburn seems to sway his mind by noting how handsomely Cersei rewards those of whom do her big favors. "What would she do for the man who rids her of her treasonous brothers?" he muses. So, will Bronn kill Jaime and Tyrion?
Flynn, who plays Bronn, recently told Digital Spy that "Bronn's a determined type. He's either going to get his castle, or he's going to die getting it." That sure seems like a way of saying he values material things over his former friendship with the Lannister brothers, no?
Game of Thrones: This Is Why That Scene Between Daenerys and Sam Was So Tense
Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution!
As Game of Thrones enters its final season, characters are crossing paths with each other in unexpected ways. One of those pairings was on display in the season premiere, when Daenerys Targaryen visited Samwell Tarly at Winterfell, with Jorah at her side, to thank Sam for finding a way to heal her favorite knight's near-deadly greyscale. The sweetly funny moment, in which Sam semijokingly asked for a pardon for stealing the texts he stole from the Citadel and used to find a cure for Jorah, took a dark turn when Sam mentioned his family.
Back in season seven, Sam's father, Randyll Tarly, broke his oath of fealty to House Tyrell, allying himself with the Lannisters and sacking Highgarden. He brings his forces to join with the Lannisters, but his decision turns out to be a fatal one. Their combined army is cornered by Daenerys and her Dothraki army, and Randyll, along with his son Dickon, are captured and brought before Daenerys, who gives all her prisoners a choice: bend the knee and join her in building a new world or refuse and die. While many of his men immediately pledge allegiance to her, Randyll refuses, claiming he already owes loyalty to Cersei and will not bow to another queen. Tyrion Lannister attempts to intervene and persuade him otherwise, but he remains defiant. Dickon follows his father's lead and insists that he will die alongside his father, much to the dismay of Randyll and Tyrion alike. Not wishing to appear weak or open a loophole for future traitors to exploit, Dany refuses to imprison the Tarlys and instead executes them both - she has Drogon breathe his fire on them, killing them instantly.
Having been separated from news of his family for some time, Sam has had no knowledge of his father and brother's death until Daenerys is forced to break it to him. While it doesn't appear that the revelation will ruin Sam's loyalty to the Stark-Targaryen alliance, given his abiding loyalty to Jon Snow, it certainly shook him. But this is Game of Thrones, after all - even the sweetest characters aren't immune to suffering and tragedy, and there's probably more to come as the final episodes continue.
Why the Golden Company Is Such a Big F*cking Deal to Cersei on Game of Thrones
Warning: GOT spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution.
The war between the two queens continues to heat up (literally) on Game of Thrones, even as a frozen, undead army descends from beyond the Wall.
Think back to the Loot Train Battle in the season seven episode "The Spoils of War" - Cersei deals with her first major defeat, but it might not have been a total failure for the Mad Queen in training. In that episode, Randyll Tarly notes that the gold the Lannister army takes from Highgarden is already safely within the walls of King's Landing. Cersei then uses that influx of gold to pay her debts and borrow enough money from the Iron Bank to hire the Golden Company. "OK but what even is the Golden Company," you might ask? They are a sellsword company said to be 20,000 strong. Based in Essos, this band of exiles has a stellar reputation since they're known for never breaking a contract.
As we see in the riveting season seven finale, Cersei wants to use the money borrowed from the Iron Bank to hire out these men and have Euron bring them to Westeros on his ships in order to replenish her dwindling army. Just in time to defend them from the Night King's undead army, right?
In the season eight premiere, which aired on April 14, Euron makes good on his promise and arrives in King's Landing with the Golden Company and Captain Harry Strickland - an exiled knight of House Strickland and known in the books as "as Homeless Harry Strickland" - in tow.
Now that the Lannisters have lost even more soldiers, the Golden Company could be the key to keeping the devious queen in the game. In the books, the group of sellswords is made up of highly trained men willing to fight for anyone with enough money to pay them, and they take their jobs seriously. While sellswords in general are thought to be oathbreakers by nature (that's why Stannis declines to hire the company when Ser Davos suggests it in season four), the Golden Company takes great pride in their reputation. As a result, they keep their word once money exchanges hands. But just because they've never broken a contract before doesn't mean they never will, especially when it comes time to fight for Cersei and Euron.
The Lannister queen is making a smart move by bringing the Golden Company to King's Landing, there's no doubt about that. They are a ready-made army of trained men with battle experience. And since they are based in the Free Cities, they may have experience fighting against Dothraki Screamers, something the young soldiers of Westeros are clearly not prepared to do.
One potential downside is that she could be seen as bringing a foreign threat into the land, just like she accuses Daenerys of doing. But after the Loot Train Battle and the big wight reveal, her remaining allies will surely prefer the Golden Company's services over losing more of their own men to dragon fire or an army of frozen zombies. As a group, these sellswords could give Cersei major leverage, but there's one thing the queen isn't taking into consideration: the Golden Company could be swayed to Daenerys's side.
Targaryen bastard Aegor Rivers is the founder of the Golden Company. Many years before the events of Game of Thrones, he leaves Westeros and gathers the exiled knights and lords seeking sanctuary in the Free Cities to form a company of sellswords who stay true to their word. Even though this current iteration of the group never met Aegor, their company would not exist if not for a Targaryen. This could work in Daenerys's favor, especially when Jorah is factored in.
The newly cured Jorah is back by Dany's side, and his timing couldn't be better. Way back in season four, the Dragon Queen chastises Jorah for being suspicious of Daario's sellsword past because Jorah himself once worked for the Golden Company. That's right; before he is enlisted to spy on Daenerys and later switches to her side, Jorah worked for the most famous group of sellswords in the known world. Whether or not the knight left on good terms remains to be seen, but his passion for his queen could compel him to intercede on her behalf with his old band of brothers.
A dragon is responsible for founding the Golden Company, and even gold may not be enough to make them fight against the last Targaryen in the world (at least, the last one anyone knows about). Granted, their entire reputation is built on not breaking their contracts, but in the books, they compromise their motto to fight alongside a Targaryen who hasn't been a part of the show until recently - Rhaegar's supposed son, Aegon. Now that we know Jon Snow's real name is Aegon and he's the legitimate son of Rhaegar and Lyanna (and also the heir to the Iron Throne, NBD), there's an even stronger chance that the mercenaries could flip sides.
Whether the Golden Company follows through in their contract to fight for Cersei (or flips to Team Daenerys), look for this crew of sellswords to turn the tide of the war for whichever woman is lucky enough to contract them. A ready-made army with 20,000 fighters is bound to be formidable, whether they're fighting alongside dragons or against them.
The Mysterious Trailer For Netflix's Chambers Will Chill You to the Bone
Over the past few years, Netflix has proven itself to be a stellar destination for horror fans of all kinds. Whether you're into psychological thrillers like The Haunting of Hill House that have you looking over your shoulder any time it gets dark, or you're more of a grisly bloodbath connoisseur, the streaming giant has been churning out high-quality horror hits as of late. Now it's time to say hello to the latest entry into Netflix's cadre of scary TV series: Chambers.
The upcoming series doesn't launch globally until April 26, but fortunately, the platform has released a handful of intriguing stills from the show, as well as the first trailer, above. The series follows 17-year-old Arizona native Sasha (Sivan Alyra Rose), who suffers a near-fatal heart attack but luckily gets a donor heart the same night, saving her life. Unfortunately, along with a second chance, the organ begins to affect her life in other ways - she's suddenly gifted with the talents of the deceased girl, Becky, whose heart she now has inside her, but some of them are "troublingly sinister."
As Sasha begins to realize that something terrifying could be lurking inside her new heart, she starts digging into a mystery connected to Becky's parents, Ben and Nancy (Tony Goldwyn and Uma Thurman, respectively). Watch the mysterious, creepy trailer above before the series hits Netflix later this month!
Jon Snow's Incredible Ride in the Game of Thrones Premiere Has Been a Long Time Coming
Warning: BIG ol' Game of Thrones spoilers below! Stop reading now if you're not into Jon Snow-related secrets.
Every time I try to talk about Game of Thrones to someone who doesn't actually watch the show, their reaction is always inevitably something along the lines of, "Oh, that dragon show?" Despite all the political intrigue, backstabbing, badass empowering moments, and, uh, unsuspecting aunt sex, the HBO fantasy series is always overshadowed by Daenerys's three - sorry, two - dragons.
And, hey, I get it! Dragons are cool as f*ck. They roar! They breathe fire AND ice! They've inspired plenty of amazing theories! In fact, one of the most popular theories is commonly referred to as the "Three Heads of the Dragon." Fans of the series interpreted the prophecy in the House of Undying to mean that there must be three riders for Daenerys's three dragons before she can win back the Iron Throne - Daenerys, Tyrion, and Jon would each end up riding Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. In a jaw-dropping moment in the season eight premiere, part of that theory comes to pass: Jon Snow is able to successfully ride Rhaegal alongside his aunt love, Daenerys.
So, how was he able to pull it off when no one else (save for Tyrion) has been able to even get close to them? And why is it important? Let's dive in.
How Is Jon Snow Able to Ride a Dragon?
There are so many incredible things about this development to consider, especially given how difficult it is to tame a dragon. If you're wondering why Rhaegal allows Jon to ride him in the first place, it's because the former King in the North has Targaryen blood flowing through his veins - his mother is Lyanna Stark and his father is Rhaegar Targaryen. (Something Sam finally fills Jon in about in the premiere, FYI.)
Way back when, the Targaryen family mastered the rare art of dragon-riding through a mix of sorcery and good old-fashioned practice. In Daenerys's case, she seems to be able to ride them without the use of magic; she's shown to have bonded with the creatures on an intense level (she's their mother, after all). Jon appears to have a similar bond with the dragons, who must be able to sense both his Targaryen blood and his relationship with their mother.
We previously got a glimpse of how the dragons would react to Jon climbing aboard in the season seven episode "Eastwatch," when Drogon allows him to get close and even stroke his scaly skin while on a cliff in Dragonstone. In the premiere, Jon not only gives Rhaegal a few pats, but also climbs up after Dany tells him to, and the pair fly off to a romantic, icy waterfall in nearby Winterfell. (Anyone else get Aladdin and Jasmine vibes during that scene? No? Just me?)
What Does This Mean For the "Three Heads of the Dragon" Theory?
Targaryen dragon riders were the first to be able to unite the seven kingdoms, which is why many hoped Dany's dragonfire would be able to save Westeros from the Night King's army. Will Jon be able to help her do this? After the premiere, it's looking like a big fat hell yes. It's also worth wondering if, since Viserion was turned into a zombie in season seven by the Night King, it means that Jon, Dany, and the Night King are now the three heads from the prophecy, rather than Jon, Dany, and Tyrion. Ever since the zombie dictator shot down Dany's baby with an ice spear and turned it into an ice-breathing, wall-destroying machine in season seven, the theory has essentially been null and void.
Regardless of whether the prophecy in the House of the Undying ever completely comes to fruition, somehow, Dany and Jon's chances of victory over the White Walker army are vastly increased with Drogon and Rhaegal now both equipped with riders who can handle them in battle. Apparently we'll get our answer in episode three when the Battle of Winterfell begins.
Game of Thrones Fans Can Practically Taste the Tension Between Sansa and Daenerys
Warning: small, petty spoilers for the Game of Thrones season eight premiere ahead!
If there are two women that Game of Thrones fans have been anxious to see interact, it's the Lady of Winterfell and the Dragon Queen. Sansa Stark has been pretty blatant about her feelings for anyone who tries to take away the security of her home, but Daenerys obviously rubs her wrong in a big way. And it's not just because of the bad blood between House Stark and House Targaryen - which started because Dany's father killed Sansa's grandfather and uncle, and the world still believes Dany's brother Rhaegar raped Lyanna Stark. The redhead's wariness is compounded by the fact that the foreign queen managed to get Jon to bend the knee, which he did without consulting his family back at Winterfell. All-in-all, Sansa's not looking to make friends with anyone coming into her home and claiming what she rightfully won back.
When the two finally meet, Dany greets Sansa with a compliment and a smile on her lips. In response, Sansa gives her a long look (we felt the judgment through the screen, honestly) and a dry, "Winterfell is yours, your Grace." And thus, Sansa "Snark" was officially unleashed. Throughout the episode the two women butted heads, with sly side eyes and barbed remarks being openly exchanged while they spoke in front of the Stark bannerman. Jon tried to make light of the situation by joking about Sansa's fickle affections towards him, but Dany wasn't having it. The woman even starts saying something about how Sansa doesn't have to like her, but if she doesn't respect her . . . before she's cut off and the subject isn't brought up again. When Jon confronts Sansa about it, she asks him the question fans have been wondering since season seven: "Did you bend the knee to save the North, or because you love her?" Jon doesn't answer.
So it's obvious that the tensions between House Stark and House Targaryen are far from over, especially since Jon now knows some big news that could change Dany's world completely. But fans couldn't help but revel in the drama between the two women, always able to find the humor in tense situations. Keep reading for some of the best reactions to Sansa and Dany's introduction in episode one and get ready - we have a strong feeling things are going to get super rocky between these two before it ever gets better (if it ever does).
Game of Thrones: "What Is Dead May Never Die" Means More Than You Think
Warning: Spoilers for Game of Thrones below!
A Great War may be coming on Game of Thrones, but the writers on the eighth season premiere made sure to remind us of all the ground the show has covered over the years - particularly with regard to Theon Greyjoy. Near the end of the episode, Theon finally rescues his sister Yara from Euron Greyjoy's ship. The reunion is somewhat bittersweet, as Theon had effectively abandoned her last season despite her loyalty to him throughout his ordeal with Ramsay Bolton in seasons prior. But after a headbutt for retribution, Yara forgives her younger brother stating, "What is dead may never die."
In this particular instance, Yara uses this phrase to refer to their bond as one that has grown stronger despite the hardships both siblings have faced. However, the phrase carries a larger significance on the Iron Islands and the show as a whole.
This phrase first appeared as the title of the third episode of the second season. In the episode, Theon's father Balon Greyjoy prepares to wage war on the North. Theon suggests they'd be better off creating an alliance with the Starks, but Balon views the move as foolhardy. Yara insists such weakness is a sign Theon must choose where his loyalty lies - with the Starks or the Greyjoys. Theon considers warning the Starks, but ultimately decides to serve his father and undergoes a ritual baptism in the name of the Iron Islands' deity, the Drowned God. Part of the prayer from the baptismal ritual states, "What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger."
Since the ritual itself reinforces the idea that once you've experienced death, or in this case drowning, nothing is to be feared. Essentially, the speaker of this phrase is saying he or she has nothing left to lose. As German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche says: "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." (Just ask Kelly Clarkson or Kanye West.)
What Are the Chances of Daenerys Finding a Fourth Dragon on Game of Thrones?
The season eight premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones is packed with plenty of awesome imagery - including some great peeks at Daenerys Targaryen's dragons (with Jon Snow on the back of one!). Her fire-breathing babies will surely play a big part in fighting the White Walkers and her quest for the throne, but let's not forget that she's down a dragon. In season seven, the Night King sadly kills Viserion and turns him into a wight to assist his undead army. Can Daenerys successfully defeat them with only two dragons? And more importantly for all the dragon-loving fans, can she ever get more of them?
Though the dragons seem like such a staple on Game of Thrones, they don't actually show up until the very last episode of season one, so a refresher might come in handy. For much of that season, they're simply eggs. Dany receives the three eggs as a wedding gift from Illyria Mopatis, the guy who arranges her marriage to Khal Drogo. The eggs are mostly for decoration and revered for their worth, as they've aged and turned to stone overtime. But Dany feels connected to them somehow, and tries to get them to hatch.
Nothing happens until she burns Mirri Maz Duur for cursing her and failing to save Drogo. Dany has the witch tied to Drogo's funeral pyre, places her dragon eggs on it, and walks into the fire when it's ignited. The next day, she's miraculously unharmed, and the eggs have hatched into three baby dragons.
Dany names the dragons Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion and raises them like her own children throughout the series. But as far as we and the characters on the show know, these are the only living dragons around, and the first ones to appear in centuries. If there are more out there, there's no definitive place they would be, since their origins are a little vague. In season one, Dany's handmaiden Doreah says that she heard dragons came from a second moon that hatched when it got too close to the sun. Dany's eggs, however, are said to have come from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai. Could there be more eggs there? If so, Dany would have to travel all the way back to Essos, even further away from Westeros than she's gone previously.
However, the season eight premiere also includes a new title sequence. that hints at the possibility of Dany finding at least one more dragon. After the episode aired, Reddit user ninajo94 noted how when a sword blazes across the screen, you can catch a glimpse of four dragons - count 'em, four - decorating the metal, as well as a comet soaring across the sky.
[SPOILERS] 4 dragons on the sword during the intro...that's one too many from r/gameofthrones
Now, if you've read up on the Azor Ahai prophecy, this should ring some bells. In A Song of Ice and Fire, the series of books that inspired the TV version of Game of Thrones, there is a popular myth surrounding a hero figure named Azor Ahai who allegedly rose up to save the world from the White Walkers centuries earlier by forging a legendary sword - Lightbringer - that helped him push the Others far, far into the North, where they were all but forgotten about.
In A Dance With Dragons, the prophecy about Azor Ahai is stated as follows: "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone." Seeing as the White Walkers are back and more terrifying than ever, it stands to reason that Azor Ahai's reincarnation is, too. Could the sword emblazoned with a falling star and dragons be a hint Dany is the Prince That Was Promised? OR could it simply be teasing the arrival of a fourth dragon?
While the television series has deviated from the book series multiple times, there's always a chance that the final season pulls from the books for inspiration. In A Feast for Crows, Maester Aemon reveals that dragons are "neither male nor female . . . but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame." Dany's remaining dragons could feasibly reproduce, though it seems quite late in the game for that. If she wants fully grown dragons, her best bet might be the Azor Ahai prophecy.
Popular guesses think this refers to raising dragons from Dragonstone, which is a volcanic island. Since Dany has been hinted as a possible candidate to fulfill the prophecy, it would certainly be an exciting twist if she found even more dragons!
Forgot About the Karstarks on Game of Thrones? They Could Be the Key to Winning the War
Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution!
The Stark's army got a little bit bigger thanks to an assist from an old Northern House in the Game of Thrones season eight premiere. Shortly after Daenerys and Jon arrive with reinforcements in preparation for the army of the dead, little Alys Karstark stays true to her word by having her bannermen join the camp at Winterfell. Like Lyanna Mormont, the young woman is a leader before her time, but she's proving to make smart decisions already.
In season seven, Jon grants Alys a pardon for her father's betrayal during the Battle of the Bastards. The Starks and Karstarks have been allies for many years, with the Karstarks serving as a vassal house under Ned Stark. Their bond begins to fracture in season three, when Robb Stark beheads Rickard for murdering two Lannister boys who were under his protection. Rickard's son, Harald Karstark, then becomes the Lord of the Northern House and supports Ramsay Bolton during the Battle of the Bastards. He dies during the battle, leaving his daughter in charge, and Alys wisely pledges her House to the Starks once more.
With the Night King heading toward Winterfell, it's important for the Northern houses to stand united. Although Daenerys's army is vast, it's not enough to stave off the dead. She and Jon need as many allies as they can get, and since the Karstarks are an influential Northern House, it's vital that they have them on their side. The Unsullied and Dothraki are skilled warriors, but they don't know the North and they have no sway there.
In contrast, the Karstarks are the North, and their men know how to fight in the snowy terrain. That makes them an asset on a number of levels, and if enough of the Karstarks survive the coming battle, they could also be instrumental to winning the rest of the Northerners over for Daenerys (or Jon) when it comes time for the Dragon Queen to make her play for the Iron Throne.
Their recent history with the Starks is messy, but the bond that exists between the two Northern houses is proving to be a strong one deep down. Alys is committed to the pledge she made to Jon, and even though she stands to lose men in the battle against the dead, she seems convinced that she's doing the right thing. We'll have to wait and see just how large of a role the Karstarks play in the final season, but for now, they're rallying around Jon as he prepares for the biggest battle the North has ever seen.
Why It Matters That This Particular Boy Meets His End on Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones has never shied away from creative and gruesome deaths over the years. After all, this is a show that has included deaths by molten gold and shadow stabbing, alongside your fantasy-standard beheadings and poisonings. But the season eight premiere just might have a new contender for most disturbing death. Lord Umber, a young boy who was part of Sansa Stark's court at Winterfell, was captured by the White Walkers, turned into a wight, and nailed up alongside dismembered body parts of the Walkers' other victims as a warning from the Night King.
Lord Umber, whose given name is Ned (yes, like Ned Stark), became the head of the minor house of Umber after the senior Umber died at the Battle of the Bastards. Although he's only a boy, he's been a good lord, sworn loyalty to the Starks, and done his best to take charge of his men. In the opening minutes of the season eight premiere, he's seen telling Sansa that he needs more wagons to bring his men to Winterfell. She promises him what he needs and sends him to his family seat: Last Hearth, which lies between Winterfell and the breached Wall. Later, while going over pledges with Jon, she comments that House Umber hasn't shown up, and she seems concerned.
It's towards the end of the episode that we find out exactly why they never showed up. Tormund and Beric and their respective groups bump into each other, discovering a horrific scene of slaughter at the keep. Beric recognizes young Ned Umber, and Tormund recognizes the creepy symbol that the bodies have formed as a sign from the Night King: the White Walkers are headed to Winterfell, and there's nothing the Night's Watch can do to stop them. But Game of Thrones doesn't stop there: Umber transforms into a wight and wakes up, shrieking and trying to attack the men. Beric quickly stabs the zombie-fied boy with a flaming sword, which puts him out of his misery and also sets fire to the whole "arrangement," lighting up a deeply creepy symbol.
If things are this violent and we're only in the first episode, we can be pretty sure that it's only going to get more deadly as the series finale quickly approaches.
What Cersei's Prophecy on Game of Thrones Means For Her Fate
The eighth season of Game of Thrones is here, and Cersei still seems like she's on her way to becoming the Mad Queen now that Jaime has abandoned her and she's tangling with Euron. As queen, Cersei has had one thing on her mind: killing her brothers. Oh, and a new pregnancy.
After sleeping with Euron, the queen is seen sitting at a table in her bedroom in a dressing gown that shows off her bump. The sleazy Greyjoy leader even comes over, dripping with arrogance as usual, and places a hand on her stomach before saying that he's going to "put a prince inside" her belly one day. Obviously the child inside her is Jaime's but it certainly seems like Cersei is cool with Euron raising the newborn with her, instead. But before that ever comes to pass, there's the pesky matter of that whole prophecy about her.
Back in the season seven premiere, she talks to Jaime about her bloodlust while also dismissing their need to grieve over their other children, which reminded us of the prophecy Cersei was once told as a kid. She referenced it back in season six's premiere as well, just after she finds that her daughter Myrcella is dead. Here's what you need to know about said prophecy - and why it matters.
Cersei's Prophecy
Cersei mentions the prophecy of a witch she'd been told years ago: "She promised me three children . . . she promised me they'd die," she says, and of course, it wasn't all that long ago that we actually saw this scene on the show; it happens in the season five premiere. Here's the clip where a young Cersei visits Maggy the frog, the fortune teller in question.
"Everything she said came true . . ." Cersei says in the season six premiere to Jaime, her beloved brother and father of her three children - all three of whom are now indeed dead. "This prophecy, it's fate." So let's go over exactly what the witch did prophecize and how it all plays out on the show.
1. "You'll never wed the prince, you'll wed the king."
Did it come true? Yes. Cersei marries King Robert Baratheon and not "the prince" - Rhaegar Targaryen.
2. "You'll be queen, for a time. Then comes another, younger, more beautiful, to cast you down and take all you hold dear."
Did it come true? Yes, though the younger, more beautiful queen had been questioned. Margaery came to mind first as the young queen who was married to King Tommen, but now that she's dead, it's assuredly Daenerys Targaryen, the queen we are all hoping brings about the end of the Lannisters.
3. "The king will have 20 children and you will have three. Gold will be their crowns . . . gold their shrouds."
Did it come true? Yes. The king did have multiple illegitimate children without the help of Cersei, while Cersei bears just three: Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen - all three of whom have died. Joffrey and Myrcella are both poisoned, by Lady Olenna Tyrell and Ellaria Sand, respectively. Tommen tragically commits suicide by throwing himself out a window after he sees that Cersei has murdered his love, Margaery Tyrell. Now that Cersei is pregnant, a fourth child would contradict the prophecy, which has a lot of people believing that she will either die before her child is born or miscarry.
What's Next?
But wait, there is one more piece to the prophecy in George R.R. Martin's books that did not make it into that scene in the show. The witch also tells Cersei: "And when your tears have drowned you, the Valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you." "Valonqar" means "little brother" in Valyrian - and if we are taking that literally, that means Tyrion . . . or Jaime, who is her twin, but could technically be her "little brother" since he was born after her. (That really makes the incest somehow even grosser, right?) But it's also been theorized that her killer could be someone else entirely.
So, there's still a piece of the prophecy the witch predicted that we can look forward to: Cersei's murder!
Game of Thrones: What We Can Learn About Season 8 From the New Title Sequence
A new season of Game of Thrones means a brand new title sequence featuring that three-dimensional map depicting the continents of Westeros and Essos. The opening credits vary from season to season - even from week to week - depending on the locations visited in the current episode. But for the eighth season premier, we are given snippets of the past events as well as potential hints to the future. Several interesting locations make their debut, such as the crypts under Winterfell as well as the Qyburn's dungeon laboratory beneath the Red Keep. So let's take a moment to review a few key elements, because they pose a great many questions . . . and may have a few answers, too.
Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution!
These 101 Disney Princess Tattoos Are the Fairest of Them All
Disney princess love is a forever kind of love, and there's no better way to show this sentiment than with a beautiful, princess-inspired tattoo that will last a lifetime. From timeless quotes to colorful depictions of Ariel, Snow White, Pocahontas, Mulan, and every princess in between, this magical ink will inspire your next tattoo and open you up to a whole new world of magical markings.
- Additional reporting by Hilary White
Why the Three Heads of the Dragon Prophecy in Game of Thrones Is More Important Than Ever
Warning: the night is dark and full of spoilers - as is this article - so proceed with caution!
The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones premiered on April 14 and naturally we have a lot of questions. Like, is Bronn going to kill Jaime and Tyrion? Are the ladies in King's Landing brothels always so delightfully gossipy? Did Jon Snow and Daenerys realize they were basically recreating a scene in Aladdin? Oh, and what the HELL does Jon Snow's ability to ride a dragon mean for the rest of the series?!
Like we said - we have a lot of questions, but let's focus on Jon and his cool new car dragon for now.
The scene of Jon getting the OK from Rhaegal to climb aboard and ride off through the icy countryside is actually pretty adorable, since he clings to the dragon for dear life (and with none of the grace that Dany usually does). But as cute as the moment is, it feeds into an important, longstanding theory about how the Targaryens could reclaim the Iron Throne: the "Three Heads of the Dragon" theory.
It feeds into an important, longstanding theory about how the Targaryens could reclaim the Iron Throne.
During Daenerys's trippy journey through the House of the Undying, she has a vision of her late brother, Rhaegar (aka Jon Snow's real dad), stating that "the dragon has three heads." This three-headed dragon theme is reflected in the series over and over again throughout the series: Daenerys originally has three dragons before the Night King kills one in season seven; the Targaryen house sigil features a three-headed dragon; and Dany's ancestor Aegon Targaryen conquered Westeros alongside his two sisters, who were all mounted atop dragons. Diehard fans (and even author George R.R. Martin himself) have interpreted the prophecy to mean that there must be three riders for Dany's three dragons before she can win back the Iron Throne.
Although it's not official, it makes the most sense that Daenerys herself is one of these dragon riders - she's already ridden Drogon through battle, after all. As for the other two riders? Up until the Night King turned Viserion into a giant, ice-breathing wight, it was assumed that Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister would be the remaining two. It's been confirmed that Jon is actually of Targaryen lineage since his father is Rhaegar, and even if Tyrion isn't related to Jon and Dany, he has a proven connection with dragons since he was able to approach them in Meereen.
Obviously now that season eight has premiered, we know Jon is definitely one of the three riders. Daenerys also is. But is the Night King the prophesied third dragon rider? It certainly wouldn't seem like he'd be a positive force in helping the Targaryens claim the throne. Let's take a closer look at each potential rider in the prophecy, ahead.
GOT: In Case You're Wondering About Those White Walker Spirals, Here's What They Mean
Warning! Spoilers for the Game of Thrones season premiere ahead.
The final season premiere of Game of Thrones has a lot going on, and we're obviously not even close to being done processing it. There are family reunions, tense revelations, and clashes over power that are colder than the North in the thick of a long Winter. But of course, the Night King isn't about to let a party get started without him! Just when we think the craziness of the episode is finally dying down, the undead leave a message for the living in the form of their own grotesque art project, letting everyone know that war is quickly approaching.
In one of the last scenes of the episode, Tormund Giantsbane, Beric Dondarrion, Eddison Tollett, and other survivors of the Wall's destruction, are shown at Last Hearth, which is the home of House Umber. The homestead looks entirely torn up and the group comes across the sight of little Lord Umber, strung up and surrounded by severed human limbs arranged in a familiar spiral pattern. As the men discuss their next move, young Ned's eyes pop open and he begins shrieking and trying to attack them. Beric lights him on fire with his sword, but he continues screaming for a while afterward until he finally dies (again).
If the creepy arrangement of limbs has you scratching your head because you swear you've seen it before, you're not alone. The spiral - and similar symbols - is a familiar calling card of the Night King's gang of ghouls. It's first seen in season one, when White Walkers kill group of wildlings and arrange their bodies in the pattern. Jon comes across some of the Night's Watch horses cut up and arranged in a similar spiral in season three, and also sees the pattern carved into the walls of the caves in Dragonstone, which he reveals to Daeneyrs before they begin mining it for dragonglass.
But the first known use of the spiral is by the Children of the Forest, seen in season six when the Three-Eyed Raven shows Bran the creation the Night King. The Children have a First Man (played by the actor who portrays the Night King) tied up to a weirwood tree at the center of the spiral pattern, where they stab him with a dragonglass dagger, thus turning him into the first White Walker, and later King. The White Walkers adopt the spiral pattern as a sort of signature, using it as a way to display the bodies of their victims - including the poor little Umber.
As of the season premiere, there has been no straight answer on what the symbol means exactly; we just know that it's basically the calling card of the Night King's army. It's obvious that the pattern meant something sacred to the Children of the Forest, and perhaps had some magical quality to it since they used it when making the Night King.
We don't know if it has the same properties when the undead create it, since all the pattern seems to do now is creep people out. Perhaps we'll learn if there's any significance to these symbols in the last few episode of the series, maybe not. There is one thing that's certain: the Night King is coming for Winterfell and it's going to be a bloody mess no matter who wins.
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