So. Many. Characters.

This fact was never a surprise to me, but I didn't actually realize just how many there were until I watched this episode. And this fact still stands after a whole bunch of characters have died in the past seasons (this, I know, of course).

These characters have anything but boring names.

From someone who is obsessed with the MCU, keeping track of character's names isn't really a hard thing to do if it's something you're genuinely into; this goes for GOT, as well. But for someone who hasn't really watched episodes on a regularly basis, trying to remember who's-who with these not-so-common names is no easy feat (unless you watch the show, unlike me).

The women are very empowering, but then they take it right back after?

So Cersei told a man this while she was sitting on this very intimidating throne, and I honestly thought of using this quote all over the place from now on. Low and behold, she sleeps with the same guy right after telling him this! I don't know your story, Cersei, but a woman should at least keep her (very badass) word for a good while before she disregards it completely.

Subtle facial expressions are a HUGE deal from any character.

As I was watching my friends' reaction to the show, I realized something important- subtle glances are a common thing, and it's just as so that they are a big deal. I just discovered that these two characters (Sansa and Daenerys) have never met in the show, or at least haven't seen each other for a long time, so I do understand why it's a big deal that even the tiniest of glances do mean something. Unlikely character interactions are everything, after all.

Blue eyes mean RUN, but not all of the time.

What I have gathered is that the ice zombie people (a.k.a. "White Walkers") are not the good guys and that they have ice blue eyes. Apparently, they can go so much as touch a dead being (person or dragon) and transform them into one of their own. Blue eyes are also a natural human eye color, though, and characters have to know well enough to tell the difference.

Sex happens often...

It was no surprise to me that GOT would have lots of nudity spread throughout the series because all of my friends have said it before (plus, it airs on HBO). Alas, the element of surprise is still intact when it actually showed up on the screen. Well, that's all I have to say about that.

... and so does incest (knowingly and unknowingly).

Another thing my friends have warned me about is the amount of incest that happens in the show- can this get any more gross? Not only does Jon and Daenerys not know that they are related and have consummated their relationship already (but Jon soon finally finds out later in the episode, as I reacted to that: "Wow, already, okay!), but that there are twins on the show that also did the dirty. Maybe I won't watch this show after all...

But what exactly is the Iron Throne, anyway?

Other than Leslie Knope gifting a replica of the throne to Ben Wyatt in "Parks and Recreation," I've never really known the true overall meaning behind the sacred Iron Throne. I know the swords stand for the people who someone killed and that person became king, but other than that, does it still play an important part in the show? Or is it just one of those symbols the show just keeps using for a powerful aesthetic?*

*One of my friends just explained the importance to me... and I really hope someone worthy owns it by the end of the show.