The second episode of Game of Thrones'final season aired on Sunday, April 21, and although none of our beloved characters have yet died, the episode did see the reintroduction of a character who's been long absent from our screens.
*Warning: Mild spoilers ahead*
For years now, fans have been wondering what in the world happened to Jon's beloved direwolf, Ghost!
Dear @HBO and @GameOfThrones, Last night's #GameofThrones season 8 premiere was fantastic, but I feel I speak for m… https://t.co/tad9p8ql8x— David (Razor) Harris (@David (Razor) Harris) 1555344996.0
Where The Hell Is Ghost On "Game Of Thrones"? https://t.co/hcXFccwa1r— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) 1555468863.0
But then... could it be?!
Did... did I just see #Ghost?!? #GameOfThrones— Natalie Abrams (@Natalie Abrams) 1555897134.0
Yes! There he is! In the background of an establishing shot on the outer wall of Winterfell!
Hey @GameOfThrones , please, explain Ghost and how it came from nowhere !! #GameOfThornes https://t.co/huiCMpxkw4— Manuel AlejandroGoPe (@Manuel AlejandroGoPe) 1555900041.0
Though tucked away in the background, Ghost is clearly still alive and well!
Seeing Ghost this episode like #gameofthrones #got https://t.co/TMVS5UMCgG— Jon (@Jon) 1555899765.0
SHOUT OUT TO GHOST #GameOfThrones— Tom Fornelli (@Tom Fornelli) 1555898889.0
Twitter rejoiced! GHOST IS BACK!
YALL PEEP THE BESTEST BOY GHOST 🥺 #GameofThrones https://t.co/C7ind8yIKk— LIN ʷᶦᵗʰ ˡᵘᵛ (@LIN ʷᶦᵗʰ ˡᵘᵛ) 1555898330.0
Me: Oh look, its ghost. *Double take* ME: OH MY GOD. MY FURRY BABY. YOU PURE CREATURE YOU. YOU'RE BACK, NEVER GO AW… https://t.co/4CpDZ0YhwA— Saray_Camarillo (@Saray_Camarillo) 1555898329.0
GHOST, BABY! GHOST! #GameofThrones https://t.co/RAkk9LV1Vw— harman. (@harman.) 1555900196.0
The internet loves dogs, especially giant, white ones who've spent their lives protecting our main characters.
*Ghost finally gets his .5 seconds of screen time in #GameOfThrones Audience: https://t.co/KeAQthFu7F— ᴘᴏʟᴏ (@ᴘᴏʟᴏ) 1555899353.0
GHOST #GameofThrones https://t.co/ztJQX5eUCx— Warrior of Light (@Warrior of Light) 1555899014.0
Ghost hasn't been seen onscreen for literally years, which led many to question whether he'd ever return.
#gameofthrones Ghost jumping back into the series after being gone for three years... https://t.co/0KroerLU8D— where tf is ghost? (@where tf is ghost?) 1555900762.0
Good boi Ghost in the background like #GameofThrones https://t.co/aofsS9ZnBU— Sarah O. (@Sarah O.) 1555900500.0
It seems the show's producers just wanted to give fans a little reassurance that Ghost was ok (although perhaps a bit expensive to render on screen for full scenes).
When Ghost appears on screen for .2 seconds just to bless us. #GameofThrones https://t.co/uz0ZXA5WdL— Justin Harenchar (@Justin Harenchar) 1555899983.0
Also HOW ABOUT GHOST SLIDING INTO THIS EPISODE ACTING LIKE HE HASNT BEEN MIA FOR YEARS #GameofThrones https://t.co/PoXGFrhgl7— Jay Tyler (@Jay Tyler) 1555899249.0
A few fans wished Ghost's apparent reappearance had been given a little more explanation.
You’re just gonna bring Ghost back with no explanation???? WHERE WAS THAT GOOD BOY???? I#GameOfThrones https://t.co/ibWoNFuztG— Kacie McDonnell (@Kacie McDonnell) 1555897046.0
So are we all just going to act like Ghost has been around forever? #GameOfThrones— Anthony Ramos 🐏 (@Anthony Ramos 🐏) 1555899342.0
With Ghost back in play, people have big plans for how the last four episodes of the series are going to play out.
all i want from this season of game of thrones is for somebody to pet ghost. just give him a nice pat on the head o… https://t.co/WZOxjDNKIP— Andrew Goldfarb (@Andrew Goldfarb) 1555899424.0
Seriously I don't care if everyone dies as long as Ghost lives forever. #GameofThrones— Cher (@Cher) 1555896975.0
One possible ending for Game of Thrones: Everyone at Winterfell dies. The Golden Company and Euron Greyjoy flee K… https://t.co/HuXg3bmZfU— Courtney!!! Milan 🦖 (@Courtney!!! Milan 🦖) 1555900468.0
With only a handful of episodes left, each longer than an hour, fans are preparing for what's likely a heartbreaking conclusion to the epic series. At least Ghost will be there to enjoy the ride along with us.
Game of Thrones | Season 8 | Official Trailer (HBO)www.youtube.com