Winter Is Coming. Whether you're a diehard fan of HBO's Game of Thrones or have simply existed on the periphery of the TV juggernaut since its premiere back in 2011, you've likely heard this phrase many, many times. It not only sums up the threat posed by the White Walkers and their army of undead wights descending from the far reaches of the North, it also heralds the ultimate confrontation between this force and our fan-favorite characters, heroes and villains alike. Now that the show's end is in sight, since the penultimate season is currently airing, fans will soon be getting their ultimate payoff once Winter arrives in earnest. But it seems that the show's famed and acclaimed opening credits have been showing Winter's slow creep into Westeros since the beginning.

Redditor RohitMSasi (via Buzzfeed) noticed something peculiar in the opening credits of this current season: The sea surrounding the Wall appeared to be icing over in a sort of reverse-climate change/global warming scenario. The comparison between sea ice in the opening credits sequences from Season 6 to Season 7 seems to confirm that, yes, Winter is here, but I took it a step further. Looking back over the openings for all 7 season premieres (and a few more episodes), it appears that the art department has been adding a little more ice and wintry chill to the credits all series long. So while there are many thrilling theories about how the Wall might fall and Winter will descend upon Westeros, it's possible that the White Walkers might just literally walk around it...

For more of our coverage and deep dives on Game of Thrones, be sure to check out these links:

Here's a look at the opening credits from the series premiere, way back in 2011. The Wall looks pretty good, but it's surrounded by clear, deep blue sea on either side of it, nary an iceberg in sight.

game-of-thrones-series-premiere-ice
Image via HBO

Fast-forward to the Season 3 premiere and we've got a few Titanic-sinkers off the coast. Still nothing to worry about here, save for a change in sea level, because the Walkers are still confined behind that solid Wall. That Western border is looking a little frosty, however...

game-of-thrones-season-3-premiere-ice
Image via HBO

In the Season 4 premiere, the sea appears much colder and icier on both coasts. This could, of course, be an artifact of the opening credits or HBO Go's poor streaming quality; regardless, the icebergs are still there.

game-of-thrones-season-4-premiere-ice
Image via HBO

Season 5's premiere must have experienced a warm spell because the ice is completely gone from the picture, looking exactly like the series premiere. However, it's back in action by the second episode of this season, seen below.

game-of-thrones-season-5-premiere-ice
Image via HBO
game-of-thrones-season-5-episode-2-ice
Image via HBO

Season 6's premiere is more of the same, but it provides a nice contrast not only to the series premiere, but also to the Season 7 premiere, seen below:

game-of-thrones-season-6-premiere-ice
Image via HBO
game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-ice
Image via HBO

And just in case that was a weird artifact or something, I've included a shot from the most recent episode's opening credits sequence below. Looks like Winter is here to stay.

game-of-thrones-season-7-episode-2-ice
Image via HBO

While some of these wintry additions may have been subtle tweaks and changes by the art department (or just complete coincidences), it sure looks like the Season 7 team has made a real effort to show the sea ice thickening up. Is this in preparation for the Night's King's march around the Wall and into Westeros proper? Will generations of Watchers work all be for nothing?

We'll have to stay tuned to find out, but for now, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

game-of-thrones-season-7-poster
Image via HBO