Warning: this article contains spoilers from the television show, Game of Thrones.
The premiere of Game of Thrones season five is only days away! To recap: last season saw the deaths of many notable characters including the obnoxious and cruel King Joffrey, the tyrannical Tywin Lannister, the seductress Shae, the revengeful Oberyn Martell and fiery Ygritte. We also saw the banishment of Jorah Mormont from Daenerys’s court as well as the flight of both Sansa and Tyrion from King’s Landing, both suspected in the murder of Joffrey—although it’s clear now that neither had any part. Meanwhile, “King” Stannis and the red priestess, Meliasandre, have descended upon the Wall, which defended successfully against attacks by the Wildlings with the help of Jon Snow. And that’s not even the half of it.
Season 5 is promised to be one of the most exciting seasons, even more exciting that the action-packed Season 4! There are a ton of great things to look forward to. Here are the top 7:
1. The Sand Snakes
Most exciting is the appearance of the “Sand Snakes.” The Sand Snakes are Oberyn Martell’s bastard daughters. Each possess their own special fighting skill and each are full of revenge after their father was brutally murdered by the Mountain, Gregor Clegane, while trying to avenge the death of his sister by the same man. The Sand Snakes are not only fierce, but clever and manipulative. They, like half of Westeros, are out to spill some Lannister blood and will stop at nothing to avenge the wrongs committed against their family by the Lannisters, while remaining close sisters. Their words are Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken after all.
2. Sansa Stark playing the game like it’s her job.
By the end of Season 4, Sansa Stark was no more. She is now Alayne Stone, bastard daughter to Petyr Baelish, hiding out at the Eyrie. After witnessing Petyr murder her aunt (after her aunt tried to murder her, that is), Sansa revealed her identity to the Royce family, nobility in the Vale, but kept with Petyr’s story, telling it even better than he did. The season ends with her in a different outfit and darker hair, clearly saying that she is not to be played or kept prisoner anymore. Judging from the trailers, where Sansa looks to be making plans with Littlefinger, she has her own agenda.
3. Arya’s travel to Braavos
The end of Season 4 saw Arya Stark taking a boat to Braavos and leaving Westeros behind her. What will she find in Braavos? Trailers show her in different garb (and longer hair—she’s no longer hiding her gender) and in front of a black and white door. Book readers know what’s coming up for her! It will be exciting to see how Arya changes this season.
4. Changing power dynamics in King’s Landing
Although we’re all secretly disappointed that we can’t watch people slap Joffrey anymore, his death sets the stage for his more docile, cat-loving younger brother, Tommen, to take the throne. And Margaery, Joffrey’s widow, has already moved in. Judging from the trailer, wedding bells are ringing! But, Queen Cersei isn’t too happy and it’s going to be exciting to see how she will act to protect her remaining son and her position of power. However, the nobility in King’s Landing may not have the upper hand for once. The High Sparrow, the religious head, is a new and pious man and the trailer shows conflict between him and Cersei. One contentious scene even shows the sparrows blocking Tommen from entering the High Sept. Most excitingly, reports also confirm that there will be a Cersei flashback which may reveal a lot about Cersei’s desire to remain in power.
5. Dany’s pledge to “break the wheel.”
Despite her pledge to “break the wheel” of families struggling for the Iron Throne, as seen in the trailer, Dany is seeing her own struggles in Mereen where she rules. This will include uprisings against her as well as her inability to control her ever-growing dragons. Will she be able to gain control of her own city and make plans to take over Westeros? And don’t forgot her relationship with Daario—which may be heating up even more!
6. Brienne’s adventures with Podrick
Last season, Brienne and her unlikely companion, Podrick Payne, embarked on a journey to recover the Stark sisters. After a fierce tussle with the Hound and the escape of Arya, they’re likely back on track to find Sansa Stark and return her to…Jaime? It’ll be thrilling to see how that will play out. Bonus: we got an awesome shot of Brienne in the snow in a trailer. Is she heading north?
7. Jon Snow’s hair blowing dramatically in the wind.
Enough said.
Tune in this Sunday at 9pm on HBO to catch the season 5 premiere of Game of Thrones!