A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms encapsulates the restlessness of war.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms encapsulates the restlessness of war. Well, the bits that come before it at least. Moments of pain and sorrow, of love and passion, of fear and (liquid) courage. Winterfell is fervently preparing for battle, but we open with a tense scene featuring Jaime being confronted about his past, and the lack of a Lannister army accompanying him. Loyalties old and new are being tested, even with the army of the dead bearing down.
There are reckonings to be had. If there is a theme to the episode, it is that the past has consequences. The Lannister men certainly have mistakes for which to atone. If the premiere was about reuniting with people from the past, this episode is about confronting it.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Game of Thrones. Photo: Home Box Office
The suspense is building for a major battle and that tension permeates through the entire episode, especially when the news of the Umbers’ fate arrives at Winterfell. Secrets are still being held close to the chest, trust is not necessarily forthcoming even on the eve of battle.
Men and women alike are trying to figure out what to do with the last moments of their lives. Despite the impending doom, there are some lovely scenes with old friends sharing their final hours together. It seems the writers are giving us some final, desperate moments with our beloved characters before they die.
It’s hard to see why the first two episodes couldn’t have been combined, especially as we only have 4 episodes left to wrap up two different wars, but this was a well-executed episode nonetheless. Given the enemy approaching is an army of the undead, its nice to see the humanity of those about to fight them. Despite the touching moments, the tension builds steadily throughout and everything is finely poised for the battles to come. And boy are they coming.
Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones. Photo: Home Box Office
Jaime is on trial. And it is tense. Daenerys reminisces about a childhood spent wanting to kill him. Sansa, not to be upstaged, joins in. And Tyrion looks very guilty about Cersei’s betrayal. How many more mulligans does he have left before Daenerys feeds him to her dragons as an appetiser? Brianne is as honourable as ever, saving Jaime from certain death, but not before Bran lets Jaime know that he’s got him by the short and curlies.
Isaac Hempstead Wright in Game of Thrones. Photo: Home Box Office
Jaime and Bran have a long overdue conversation. Luckily for Jaime, Bran isn’t too bitter about being thrown out a window and never being able to walk again. Jaime’s late arrival in the last episode means more reunions that we missed last week. Jaime’s relationships with Tyrion and Brienne are at the forefront of this episode and provide the most touching moments.
Ser Friendzone Jorah is playing peacekeeper, counselling Daenerys to forgive Tyrion for his mishaps, and also seeking to bridge the divide between her and Sansa. It will be interesting to see what role he plays in the future with Jon and Dany, assuming he survives this battle.
Sansa and Dany hash out some of their differences and reckon with their own histories. It looks like there is a potential for them to become friends and allies. The thawing of the icy relationship might be on hold though. Sansa may bend the knee, but she wants Daenerys to know it isn’t her choice, nor the North’s. Luckily, a blow-up is avoided with Theon’s arrival. His reunion with Sansa is surprisingly touching. Sansa has clearly forgiven his behaviour as Reek, remembering only his heroism to help save her.
Alfie Allen and Sophie Turner in Game of Thrones. Photo: Home Box Office
The unhappy band of brothers has made it to Winterfell, just in the nick of time. The army is less than a day away (or one week in our case). It’s time to plan for battle. Jon is inspirational about their prospects for the battle ahead. Sam tries to be philosophical but just sounds like a bit of a twat. Tormund tries to put a nice spin on death: We’ll all go together when we go! Bran reveals the Night King is after him, and because of his mark, The Night King always knows where Bran is. Honestly, can’t he cut off his arm to get rid of the mark? Am I being too literal about this mark? Either way, Bran is going to be the bait. A cripple in an exposed Godswood with Theon to protect him. I can’t see anything going wrong with this plan.
Ghost is back! Albeit very briefly and not doing much. But its nice to see the last of the Night’s Watch boys back together. If anyone survives the battle, you know it will be poor old Dolorous Edd who is typically upbeat about everything to come.
Tormund has gone full freak for Brienne, revealing his very peculiar Oedipal complex regarding giant women and breastmilk. Davos needing a drink is the only acceptable response. The less said, the better.
Joe Dempsie and Maisie Williams in Game of Thrones. Photo: Home Box Office
Arya is definitely a woman now. And apparently, the Baratheon name still has some pulling power. It’s peculiar seeing Arya exhibit human emotions, but it is the end of the world, stranger things have happened. Plus she now has her weapon, a double-bladed dragonglass staff. Her training with the Waif will certainly be put to the test.
Game of Thrones showed its heart in a beautiful scene with Jaime knighting Brienne, although it does beg the question, if he could do it all along, why didn’t he do it before now? Regardless, this is a truly touching scene, proving that there is still a way to find meaning in your final moments. A bit later, Pod sings a beautiful rendition of Jenny of Oldstones, a song which features in the books but makes its screen debut here, while various people say their final goodbyes.
The scene bringing the episode’s title. Photo: Home Box Office
And finally, the big moment, cruelly interrupted by the army of the dead’s arrival. Jon reveals his parentage to Daenerys, who is sceptical to say the least. Her claim is threatened. We’re left wondering how she will react to this news once the dust settles. She may love Jon, but whether she knows him is another matter. He has never wanted to be king, but she may not know or believe that. It may all be moot if one or both of them dies in battle, but the stakes are high if they survive.
The army of the dead is at Winterfell. The final scene pans out on a legion of little Sam’s half brothers riding their dead steeds, although there is no Night King or undead Viserion. Is he pulling a Robb Stark and attacking somewhere else, or am I just overthinking all this? Probably the latter.
Iain Glen, Conleth Hill, and Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones. Photo: Home Box Office
We’re at boiling point now. The writers have teased another episode out before the inevitable war to end all wars. This episode was better executed than the premiere, although it’s hard not to feel a bit cheated about having another set-up episode given the shorter length season and amount of work left to do to tie everything together. But maybe after next week we’ll all be so shell-shocked that we’ll look upon this with fond memories of a time when most of the people we loved were still alive. Either way, time’s up. The Night King’s army is at the gate.
Joe is the film and TV critic for The Lincolnite. He is a Master’s student at the University of Lincoln, having abandoned the sunny beaches of the Cayman Islands for the slightly colder climes of Lincolnshire to see whether he could make it as a writer. Joe graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland in 2016, where he studied the Liberal Arts and drank far too much bad American beer.
Fewer cases but more deaths this week
There have been 1,643 new coronavirus cases and 83 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire this week – compared to 1,670 cases and 71 deaths last week.
Some 304 new cases and 17 deaths were reported in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday – the third day in a row with 17 deaths.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 252 new cases in Lincolnshire, 28 in North Lincolnshire and 24 in North East Lincolnshire.
On Friday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, four at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Some 51 hospital deaths have been recorded this week, compared to 48 last week.
On Friday, national cases increased by 40,261 to 3,583,907, while deaths rose by 1,401 to 95,981.
Lincolnshire health bosses estimate that 80-90% of new coronavirus cases in the county are now a mutant, more infectious strain of COVID.
Figures earlier this week said that by January 8, 59.2% of cases had confirmed the new virus — up from 36% by the end of 2020 — and now county leaders estimate the number to be even higher.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but also more deadly, it has been revealed.
NHS bosses are hoping to offer all care homes in Lincolnshire the first COVID vaccine dose by the end of the week. This comes as almost 5.4 million people have received jabs nationally.
Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire CCG Martin Fahy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that about three quarters has been completed so far.
A single week in December saw Lincolnshire deaths reach 13 times the yearly average, explained local health bosses frustrated with COVID deniers.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health Professor Derek Ward explained that the week including December 14 would usually see an average of 23 deaths, but 2020 say 301 deaths that week.
In national news, there are no plans to pay everyone in England who tests positive for COVID-19 £500 to self-isolate, No 10 has said.
The PM’s official spokesman said there was already a £500 payment available for those on low incomes who could not work from home and had to isolate.
The coronavirus R number in the UK has fallen sharply since last week, suggesting the lockdown is slowing the spread of coronavirus.
The R, which refers to the number of people that an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to, is between 0.8 and 1 across the UK, according to the figures released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass the virus on to between eight and 10 others.
Lincoln City has taken the top spot with the highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire.
This week saw South Holland at the top which was put down to two outbreaks in care homes with up to 100 cases. South Holland has now dropped to third place in the region.
Greater Lincolnshire still remains way below the national average infection rate of 472.9, with just 217.3 per 100,000 of the population.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate over the last seven days up to January 22 according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 15 to Jan 22. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
45,645 cases (up 304)
1,760 deaths (up 17)
of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)
3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 deaths
The charity project turned into a business
A Lincoln couple will reopen their independent pizzeria at a new location on Friday night, with an array of main and signature pizzas and Belgian waffles.
Weirdough’s Pizza Emporium will open at Tap & Spile on Hungate from 5pm on Friday, January 22, but it initially started out as a charity project making Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.
Husband and wife team Matt and Rachel Barnes have lived in Lincoln for around five years and last year they wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS.
Matt starting to prepare a pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Kneading the dough. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt used to work at a Lincoln school, but they were closed to most pupils for a few weeks in March, so he started working on a project and Weirdoughs Pizza Emporium was born.
It was initially run from The West End Tap from the end of last summer, but in January the pub announced it would not reopen again under its current management, so Weirdoughs had to find a new premises.
The base ready for the next stage of the pizza making. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt putting the pizza into the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The tasty pizza in the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Adding the finishing touches to the pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
All profits made from the food sold – just under £2,000 – went to the NHS. The couple also did some drop offs at the coronavirus ward at Lincoln County Hospital.
Matt was made redundant at the end of May and Rachel was due to give birth four weeks after that.
It was a hectic time for the couple as Rachel, who works at a primary school in Peterborough, would be on maternity leave and Matt would soon have no income.
The Margz main pizza – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Weirdough – San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, Emmental, mozzarella, red onions, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, spicy Nduja sausage, rocket, balsamic glaze and garlic drizzle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As the pizzas were working so well and following feedback from customers, the couple decided to turn it into a business.
Dan Neale, who previously ran the West End Tap, has joined the Weirdoughs team of four as a pizza chef.
Or why not try a Create Your Own Weirdoughs Waffle? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The dough is homemade 24 hours ahead to make their special main and signature pizzas, while customers can also order a create your own Weirdoughs waffle.
The Belgian waffles come with a variety of toppings such as Kinder Bueno, Crunchie, and Galaxy Caramel, with sauces including white and milk chocolate, salted caramel and toffee, with ice cream.
Weirdoughs will open Friday to Sunday 5pm-9pm and Wednesday to Thursday 5pm-8pm for takeaway or delivery.
Pre-ordering is advised via Facebook or Instagram or by calling 07734 297 035, with the latter option preferred if it is after 4.30pm.
Owner Matt Barnes will help meet your pizza needs. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Delivery is available to the following areas: Ermine, St Giles, Monks Road, High Street, Bailgate, Boultham, West End and the city centre.
Weirdoughs will try and accommodate other areas too, but it may incur additional charges, while the takeaway will also be joining Uber Eats in the near future.
Weirdoughs will be based inside the Tap & Spile pub in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Once pubs are allowed to reopen again, customers at the Tap & Spile will able to order Weirdoughs food straight to their table and Matt said he can’t wait for people to able to experience it that way.
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