The whole of the UK will be looking to Westeros this evening as George RR Martin’s hit fantasy Game of Thrones returns to Sky Atlantic.
At 9pm GMT, Britain will be introduced to the fifth season of the saga with the first episode promised to be as explosive and as shocking as any instalment before.
US fans have already seen the first episode and will continue to be a day ahead of the UK for the entire season so if you do not want spoilers be extra cautious.
With the intertwining web of Martin’s renowned storylines, it is important to remember exactly where each character is in relation to the ultimate prize, the Iron Throne.
If you are not up to date, look away now.
House Lannister
Tommen Baratheon – Currently occupies the Iron Throne. Following the grisly death of Joffrey in Season 4, Tommen received the throne by right of succession. Despite seeming to be the best of a bad bunch when it comes to the Lannister’s, unfortunately – like his brother Joffrey – Tommen has no true right to the throne being a product of Cersei and Jaime’s incestual relations – something which might later come back to trouble him.
Cersei Lannister – Remains in Kings Landing by her son’s side. Cersei is a manipulative, powerful woman who is suspicious of everyone and everything in the Capital. Following the murders of son Joffrey and father Tywin Lannister – the latter at the hand of brother Tyrion – we can be sure that Cersei will not allow Tyrion to run free from the executioner without a fight.
Tyrion Lannister – This leads up on to Tyrion. The clever, witty dwarf who at the end of the Fourth Season we saw freed from his dungeon cell by brother Jaime following his false imprisonment for the murder of King Joffrey. He had requested a trial by combat which resulted in Prince Oberyn’s head gruesomely being crushed to liquid by The Mountain, so Jaime knew to save his brother’s life he had to free him. On his way out of Kings Landing, Tyrion killed his father Tywin and ex-lover Shae, who had testified against him in the trial, for revenge. The trailer suggests that Tyrion may seek refuge and support, along with Kings Landings’ spider, Varis, in none other than Daenerys Targaryen.
Jaime Lannister – After freeing his brother from the jaws of death, his relationship with Cersei is bound to rapidly disintegrate. Over the course of the first Four seasons we have seen Jaime go from witty, handsome bad guy, to reveal a good guy at heart and with no major links in his storyline other than with Brien who is away in the North, he could be a prime candidate for Martin’s customary killing off of a character we grow to love. I for one, hope this does not happen!
Myrcella Baratheon – The last we saw of Myrcella was the young Lannister disappearing on a ship across to Dorne after Tyrion sent her away. As the trailer suggests, Myrcella and the land of Dorne will become a figure of the new series so it will be interesting to see if she has turned out like her mother or more like her father, Jaime.
House Baratheon
Stannis Baratheon – Following the murder of brother Renly, at the hands of the Red Woman – Melisandre – and his failings at the battle of Blackwater Bay in the siege against Kings Landing, Stannis has had to regroup. With Lady Melisandre and the Lord of Light on his side, it appears Stannis is not down and out yet. At the end of Season Four we saw him ride north of the wall, bumping into Jon Snow and Mance Rayder of the Wildlings, something which is sure to enhance Jon Snow’s character and maybe the Lord of Light will shed some truth on Snow’s past and decendency? Will Stannis begin fighting against the White Walkers or is his quest for the Iron Throne still central to his aims?
House Stark
Sansa Stark – Currently Lady of the Vale after Peter Baelish saved her from the ever more dangerous Capital. Baelish saw an end to the former Lady Lysa’s reign by pushing her through the moon door and coming down the stairs in a black dress and black hair, Sansa appears to be following Baelish’s lead in becoming a powerful figure. Whether Baelish can be truly trusted is yet to be seen as he has formerly crossed almost every ally he has had, including Sansa’s own father Eddard, and whether she finds out about this betrayal we can only find out, but Sansa could play a big role in the seasons to come.
Arya Stark – The last we saw of Arya, the tenacious half of the Stark sisters, was leaving travelling companion The Hound to die following a swing of Brien’s sword. She hopped on board a boat bound for Bravos uttering the words ‘Valar Morghulis’. Arya then, setting sail to meet Jaqen H’ghar once more, will be sure to play a huge role in the seasons to come. Inspired by revenge, Jaqen is the perfect man to learn from and the two could become a healthy alliance. Lady Melisandre once said, ‘I see darkness in you, we will meet again’. Arya then, as with both of the Stark girls, are sleeping giants who at some stage could re-distribute the power balance that the Stark household lost at the Red Wedding and with Eddard Stark’s execution in Season One.
Jon Snow – Following the battle for Castle Black, Eddard Stark’s bastard Jon Snow has become a fan favourite over the past four seasons. He has battled Wildlings, White Walkers, and is never far away from action. We left him in the middle of Stannis and Mance Rayder, a conundrum which could see him either join forces with one of them, both of them or even none of them at all. It’d be a surprise if the Crows of Castle Black didn’t go with him as he seems certain now to take over as Lord Commander of the Nights Watch, but this could only be achieved if the two sides join forces and battle against the White Walkers. ‘I want to fight for the side of the living’. Does Lady Melisandre and the Lord of Light need him? Does he have a hidden secret in his past or from his decendency? Whatever happens, Snow’s character is certain to become integral to the future of Westeros.
Daenerys Targaryen
After liberating the slaves in Qarth, Astapor, Slaver’s Bay, Yunkai and Mereen, Daenerys has a powerful hold over many of the lands outside of Westeros. With that, her following is increasing and with an army of Unsullied, Dothraki, Seven Sons and liberated slaves following her, it appears her cause is the most interesting and could well be the most powerful. In Season 4 we saw her right-hand man Jorah revealed as a Baratheon spy, a story I am sure will not see Jorah disappear forever, and her kingdoms began to fall into turmoil and struggle. Daenerys is only now finding her feet as a leader and these testing times will see how strong she truly is. If she can control her own lands, how long is it before she sets sail for Westeros and Kings Landing? ‘I’m not going to stop the wheel. I am going to break the wheel’.
House Bolton
Reece Bolton – Lord Bolton is currently Warden of the North. After betraying the Starks’ at the Red Wedding he was given the North to patrol by the Lannisters’ as reward. So far Lord Bolton has done a good job of it and with powerful allies in the Lannisters’ and Walder Frey, it may be sometime before his cause potentially weakens.
Ramsey Bolton – Finally granted recognition in the Bolton name, Reece’s bastard has been very busy brutally murdering enemies and with his savage alienation of Theon Greyjoy into his pet Reek, Ramsey is a powerful bad guy. However, should he fall, I am sure Martin will give him a truly fitting end.
The Greyjoys’
Theon Greyjoy – Currently lost into the subconscious mind of Ramsey’s pet Reek. Theon/Reek has been at the hands of Lord Bolton’s bastard for the past two seasons, ever since his failed seizure of Winterfell disintegrated almost immediately. However, the Iron Islands’ motto is ‘what is dead may never die’ and even though the real Theon appears to be lost forever, following the death of the Starks’ at the Red Wedding, he may resurface again at some stage. If he does, this could be dangerous for the Boltons’.
Baylon Greyjoy – Baylon Greyjoy’s assault on the North so far hasn’t gone particularly well. With Theon held captive by Ramsey Bolton after his disastrous attempt to take over Winterfell, the Iron Islands are yet to play a major role in the battle for the Seven Kingdoms. With no major allies and Ramsey Bolton’s army appearing to slaughter them at ease, paying the iron price has never been so high. Nevertheless, the Iron Islands’ cause is still very much alive.
Mance Rayder
Mance Rayder’s Wildling army took a hit at the Battle for Castle Black at the end of Season Four. But his cause is still alive. Rayder and Jon Snow came head to head and the end of the Season before Stannis marched in to end all the fighting. Will the two sides join forces against a much darker foe in the White Walkers, or will Wildlings and Crows continue to fight in a battle which ignores the rising dead?
The Noisy Vuvuzela 