(Editor’s Note: This article was written by Jeff Merrick.)
I tried not to. I told myself when I started reading “A Song of Ice and Fire” that I would not spoil the TV series for myself and stop when I got to the point where I was caught up with the show. I discovered this to be impossible. Once you start reading Martin’s epics, you have to read to the finish (or at least until the last book he finally finished and released). And so I did. And now I can provide some insight (spoiler free for this season of course) into what to expect for the upcoming season of Game of Thrones. Here are five things to look forward to this season…
(Note: If you are not caught up through the first three seasons of the show, there will be spoilers for you).
1. This will be the best season so far!!!
If I end up being wrong on this, feel free to find me, knock on my door, take a copy of George R.R. Martin’s “A Storm of Swords”, and throw it in my face. You can borrow my copy of the book if you don’t have it. And trust me, it will hurt. The book has a ton of pages in it. But I have little to no doubt this prediction will be correct.
The first two seasons of Game of Thrones cover the first two books of the series. But book three (the previously mentioned “Swords”) had so many epic events in it that more than one season was needed to give them all justice. So season 3 covered the first half of the book and one of those epic events (you may recall a certain wedding). But every other epic event was saved for this season. Which also means we won’t have to wait for episode nine for a conclusive, plot altering event. Expect these events throughout the season.
2. The following is a list of detestable returning characters who’ve been away for a while that you get to scowl at again in Season Four:
Lysa Arryn: Back in season one, we were introduced to Catelyn Stark’s sister, Lysa. She has been going crazy in hiding up in the Vale since her husband Jon was murdered. But she has been promised to Petyr Baelish in an attempt to secure the Vail for the Lannisters, returning her to the story. We will also get to see our favorite, still breast fed 8 year old, Robin (though now the actor who plays him is 13, so hopefully there won’t be any of those scenes this season).
Ser Alliser Thorne: Another season one villain, Ser Thorne was the man who trained the Knight’s Watch while Jon Snow and his lads were still green. He was no fan of the man he mockingly called “Lord Snow” and I don’t expect any warm fussy feelings to develop between the two now that Jon has returned to the wall having broken his vows and killed one of the best Rangers the Knight’s Watch had (Qhorin Halfhand back at the end of Season 2).
Janos Slynt: Tyrion Lannister once told Janos Slynt, “I am not questioning your honor. I am denying that it ever existed” (I am still looking for opportunities to say this to someone). After butchering a baby under the orders of the beloved King Joffrey, Tyrion sent Janos to the Knight’s Watch. Now he returns as a full-fledged man in black, and I don’t think he will be a big fan of Ned Stark’s bastard either.
Ser Dontos Hollard: Ser Dontos is not a villain and he has barely appeared on the show (just a few minutes to open Season 2). But in that small amount of time, Ser Dontos managed to show up drunk and late for a dual in honor of Joffrey being named king. If it had not been for the pleading of Lady Sansa, Joffrey would have had Ser Dontos executed. Expect Ser Dontos to try his best to return the favor this season.
3. Oberyn Martell:
The Red Viper (coolest nickname for any story ever?) gets his nickname from his weapon of choice, a poisoned spear. And his arrival in King’s Landing is sure to stir things up, thanks to a bitter rivalry between the Martels and Tyrells.
4. Important Characters (as usual) will die:
If you are surprised or disappointed by this, I have some Full House and Saved by the Bell reruns you can watch on Sunday nights that you can handle easier. But I won’t include Zach and Kelly’s break-up episode. That would be too sad for you.
The question is no longer if people will die, but how many, who they are, when they will die and how they will meet their end. And I can promise you won’t see all of them coming.
5. Cliffhanger Ending:
The standard formula for Game of Thrones has been to build up throughout the season to a conclusive episode 9. Then, use episode 10 to allow characters to deal with the aftermath and set them on their respective courses for next season. But starting with book 3, Martin has been ending his books with an epilogue. And that epilogue always includes a major plot twist to chew over until the next book is released. But that does not mean the producers of the show will see fit to include the plot twist that is introduced. And if they do, how will they choose to introduce this plot twist? They may not wait until episode 10. But if they do, be prepared for significant gnashing of teeth, as you won’t be able to find out what just happened and how until at least season 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Y_qhzxn2c