(Title Note: The neck is the middle of Westeros, separating the vast North from the rest of Westeros).
Here is a recap of those special moments from the first half and a look ahead to things we can expect in the second half of the season.
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Though I must say, if you are on the internet and haven’t learned that a “spoiler” means you should stop reading if matters you intend to watch in the future are being discussed, then you deserve the “spoiling” you get.
Reminiscing
1. Joffrey’s dead and a new king sits on the throne!!!
He sure went down in a blaze of glory, but the brat king is dead and has been replaced by his brother. Tommen really doesn’t have much to live up to as the last three kings have been the “Mad King,” the drunken King Robert, and Joffrey. But let’s be real, do we really think Tommen will be calling the shots when it comes to ruling Westoros?
2. Tyrion’s in jail…
and his sister is convinced he killed her son. And unfortunately, the quirky one-liners Tyrion has given us over the course of the show have been limited due to his time spent in that cell. Also, the man is heartbroken from the loss of Shae, who he sent away across the narrow sea for her protection.
3. Littlefinger has gone rogue and Sansa is with him
The motivations of Petyr Baelish have been a very well kept secret throughout the first three seasons of the series. One moment, he’s aiding Catelyn Stark, the next he’s betraying her husband. But now we know the former Master of Coin and brothel owner was the man behind the death of Jon Arryn and conspired with the Queen of Thrones to poison Joffrey. Now he has taken Sansa with him to the Vale, where we expect Crazy Lysa and her breastfed 12 year old to keep things interesting.
4. Everything else outside of King’s Landing moves painfully slow.
While the action in King’s Landing has been heavy, everything else has taken a backseat. Stannis is still on an island moving no closer to the wall, the location Davos encouraged him to go next. Danearys marched for three episodes before finally conquering another slave city in episode four. The Wildlings are heading towards the Wall (eventually), but Jon first needed to take care of the mutineers at Craster’s. And while Bran did have to escape capture at the same location, he continues to see visions that tell him he will eventually reach a tree and a three-eyed raven.
5. A new sheriff in the North
Fresh off the betrayal of the Starks at the Red Wedding, Roose Bolton returned to the Dreadfort to further solidify the north. Only one episode focused on this storyline, but it will be important going forward as he and his son Ramsey attempt to control the rest of the North.
Looking forward to the rest of the season
1. The Trial
Tyrion is on trial and the deck is stacked. No one appears willing to come to his defense and the jury includes a father who hates him and a man who will do whatever Tywin tells him (that’s two out of three votes right there). And Martin has not been afraid to kill his main characters off, so Tyrion’s fate is very much in doubt.
2. Daenerys doing what Queens do…
Rule!!! The journey to King’s Landing will be put on hold as Dany tries to bring calm and peace back to the region she’s freed. And don’t expect the slave masters who have survived her wrath to willingly bend the knee to the new queen. And where are the dragons??? We see them in episode one and they look awesome and rebellious!!! And then they disappear without a mention since?
3. The Red Viper makes his move
The man has come too far and has been put into too many important positions to not impact future events at some point.
4. The Wildlings (I promise) will get to the wall
And the battle we’ve been waiting for will be epic as the undermanned Night’s Watch attempts to protect the rest of Westeros (who cares nothing about their existence) from the united Wildling front. Did I mention I am growing impatient with this drawn out story line? Just attack the damn wall already!!!!
5. More shocking death is coming!!!
Joffrey Baratheon is not the only death that will come unexpectedly this season. Many more important characters will meet their end in the 2nd half of season four. I know we expect no less from George R.R. Martin, but even the knowledge of impending death will not prepare you for the people who shall meet their doom before this season is complete.
(Editor’s Note: This article was written by Jeff Merrick)