Finally, an empowering, consensual sex scene on 'Game of Thrones'

It took seven seasons but it finally happened: a sweet, consensual sex scene on Game of Thrones.

The second episode of Season 7, "Stormborn," took a quick break from war plotting to give the audience the long-awaited consummation (pun unintended, how dare you) of Grey Worm and Missandei's flirting. That's right, the two most loyal members of Dany's Queensgaurd finally got together!

Game of Thrones is a show infamous for its gratuitous sex scenes, rampant sexual assault, and countless scenes of female nudity. But for once, this scene felt not only earned, but empowering. These two characters have been gazing longingly at each other for years, but their duty to their queen always came first. (Not to mention Grey Worm's insecurities about his body as a eunuch.)

But with Grey Worm about to embark on the first sortie in Daenerys's war against Cersei, Missandei seized the moment and made her feelings known, demanding that Grey Worm do the same.

When he finally admitted that she is his "weakness," and what those feelings meant to the typically "bravest" member of the Unsullied, she kissed him and disrobed in an act of pure trust. Both former slaves, we now see them with full ownership over their bodies, which enables them to give themselves freely to each other.

When Grey Worm tried to keep himself covered, ashamed of how he might look to her after being castrated, Missandei assured him that she wanted to see all of him. The trust, intimacy and care in the scene was truly moving -- and a rarity in a series that so often sees its characters using sex as a weapon, bargaining chip or display of power.

While some viewers might balk at the idea of taking time away from vital plot and battle plans in favor of a romantic scene (especially in a shortened season), this moment was arguably vital to the plot. As all-out war looms, each episode has taken pains to show moments of humanity to ground the audience, reminding us of the high cost of war and what the soldiers on the front lines are actually fighting for.

Unlike last week's detour with the Lannister soldiers and a distracting Ed Sheeran, Grey Worm and Missandei's long-awaited moment was totally worth it.