Among the other eight additions are Alexander Siddig (Da Vinci’s Demons) as Oberyn’s even-tempered older brother Doran; Toby Sebastian (After the Dark) as Doran’s son Trystane, heir to Dorne and betrothed to Myrcella Baratheon; Nell Tiger Free (Endeavour) as Myrcella Baratheon, daughter of Cersei and Jamie whose position in Dorne has been tenuous since Oberyn’s death; DeObia Oparei (Dome) as Areo Hotah, loyal captain of Doran’s palace guard; Enzo Cilenti (Rome) as wealthy slave trader Yezzen; Jessica Henwick (Spirit Warriors) as graceful Nym Sand, second eldest bastard daughter of Oberyn; Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (The Family) as Tyene Sand, daughter of Oberyn and Ellaria; and Jonathan Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) as pious High Sparrow, who arrives in King’s Landing looking to serve those forgotten by the world at large.

The fifth season of Game of Thrones premieres in the spring of 2015, with the series already having been renewed for a sixth season that’ll debut in 2016. You can check out TVHackr’s guide to the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series here, as well as an introductory video to the new characters below.

Which new addition to Game of Thrones are you most excited about? Are there any book characters that haven’t been introduced already that you’d like to see pop up? How much of the book material would you like the fifth season to cover?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH2ri8RhSnw

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The hit television series Game of Thrones was derived from a series of novels by George R.R. Martin, who has created a world of high fantasy and excitement that remains unrivaled in the world of both reading and television. The series of novels, entitled collectively A Song of Ice and Fire, was originally planned to extend to three volumes, yet the success of the series, and the sheer breadth of the cast of characters involved, has seen the author extend the series to a planned seven volumes, five of which have so far been published to great acclaim.

The world in which the novels are set is inspired greatly by medieval European history; indeed, Martin traveled the many ancient sites of Europe – especially those in Great Britain – and studied historical events carefully to lay the groundwork for the books. The detail is impressive, and scholars of English history will notice that the main plot lines are very much drawn from the Wars of the Roses, which took place between the feuding houses of York and Lancaster.

The novels mainly cover the ongoing feudal battles and intricacies of the great noble houses Westeros, the Wall, and the Targaryens. The many threads that link these three have their roots in genuine events from history, and the wonderfully rendered descriptions of the continent on which they live – Westeros and Essos – paint a picture of a time very different to today. Writing in an engaging and fast paced style, yet managing to keep us informed as to the minute details that make the land so real, the books add an aura of sense and understanding that is sometimes lost in the necessarily compacted world of the TV series.

(*) As of October, 2014.

The overall sales figures vary. In April 2011, The New Yorker reported that more than 15 million of books had been sold worldwide. In May the same year, The Wall Street Journal reported that 6 million copies had been sold in North America. In July 2011, USA Today reported that 8.5 million of copies (including digital copies) had been sold. In December the same year, 12 million. In September 2013, Reuters reported than 24 million of copies (including digital and audio copies) had been sold in North America alone. The series has been translated in more than 20 languages. The 5th book of the series – A Dance with Dragons – in more than 40 languages, according to USA Today.

Book #1 – A Game of Thrones

The first book in the series, A Game of Thrones introduces the reader to the main characters and branches out across three central plot lines: In the Seven Kingdoms tells the tale of the Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark, and his convoluted and troubled family. Eddard has six children – five legitimate, one not – and the plot involves incest, murder, and a clutch of Direwolf puppies, which are central to the story. As with all good yarns, the battle for the head of the house is the central point.

On the Wall makes up the entrance to the novel, and introduces us to the wonders of the magical, 300 mile long wall of ice and stone that protects the Seven Kingdoms from the wilderness beyond, and the Night Watch, who are detailed to man the defense. Eddard’s bastard son, Jon, joins the Night Watch, which allows the reader to see its many flaws.

The third thread is In the East which is set in the Free City of Pentos, and covers the initial story of the Targaryen. It also introduces us to one of the most important figures in the whole series, Daenerys, sister of ‘mad king’ Viserys, who uses her to secure an army intended to overthrow the throne of Westeros. Other themes include magical treasures, execution and, as is the norm, a battle for the crown.

It is notable that the book differs from the television series in its approach, with the plot lines delivered in a less detailed manner and the entire story contracted for television; also, elements of the first book spread beyond the first series of the TV series, while there are other elements that we have not yet read – they appear in later volumes – woven into the opening series. Overall, the books give a better depiction of the timeline.

Click here to get A Game of Thrones from Amazon (Paperback & Kindle)

Book #2 – A Clash of Kings

As with the first novel, the second – A Clash of Kings – takes us through the three main plot lines of the Seven Kingdoms, the Wall and the East. In the former, a civil war rages with the North and South at loggerheads; Rob Stark – son of the now dead Eddard – is declared King of the North, while three of the Baratheon family all have designs on the throne of Westeros. The war that ensues is bloody and tireless, and results in many changes in the family hierarchy.

At the Wall, the Night Watch has embarked upon a mission to investigate the mysterious peoples known as ‘the Wildings’; they discover that they have a fortress, and decide to advance. However, the Wildings are too fierce and the Night Watch face defeat. The result is a failed infiltration attempt, and it is eventually discovered that the Wall is to be attacked by tens of thousands of Wildings, along with their collection of magical beings.

In the East Daenerys has gained a gang of followers and a degree of power – as well as some baby dragons, which ensure her notoriety – and is set upon the throne of Westeros herself; however, assassination attempts, dragon battles and mysterious happenings prevail, and Daenerys is ultimately unsuccessful.

While the second series of the TV adaptation does follow the book more closely than the first, it is arguable that, again, it moves forward too quickly and leaves behind some of the more intricate detailed plots from the novel.

Click here to get A Clash of Kings from Amazon (Paperback & Kindle)

Book #3 – A Storm of Swords

The third book in the series, A Storm of Swords, picks up the story where we left it at the end of the previous book; the War of the Five Kings still rages in Westeros, the Wall is under threat from the advance of the Wildings and their motley army, and Daenerys, defeated so far, is returning to Pentos.

In the Seven Kingdoms the action is split into the North and South regions, with several significant events taking place in each, not to mention a series of fierce and bloody battles. The novel introduces the ‘Brotherhood without Banners’, a revolutionary group hell bent on revenge and power, and central to the plot in the north is the ‘Red Wedding’. Opposed by many of the families involved, and further enraging the battles that are taking place, the wedding is the central theme around which the plot unravels.

At the Wall the threat of attack by the Wildings is looming, and the small army of the Night Watch can do little but wait. Murder and fighting are prevalent, but through it all Jon Snow is offered the title of Lord of Winterfell by the surviving and yet week King Stannis; thanks to a mystical appearance of the ghost of his dead direwolf, Jon refuses. He instead returns as the new commander of the Night Watch.

In the East Daenerys is becoming more unhinged and, with the gift of a dragon, secures the services of a slave army to overthrow and ransack the city of Meeren. However, she discovers traitors in her midst, yet offers them a deal. They take up her offer and, with the help of others, successfully overthrow the city. The rule of Meeros, she sees as a precursor to her rule at Westeros.

Click here to get A Storm of Swords from Amazon (Paperback & Kindle)

The Interim

It is at this point that the author came upon a problem; his next book had originally intended to be set five years after the end of the third novel; this, he believed, would allow him to concentrate on younger characters who had no yet had time to develop. However, Martin also faced the problem that his characters – and there are great many more than the few central ones we have mentioned so far – were not flung far and wide across the continent. Hence, he decided eventually to split the next two books to cover different regions and characters, rather than the three-viewpoint approach of the first two novels. The result is that readers are able to concentrate on the engaging action in two different novels, set concurrently at the same time.

Book #4 – A Feast for Crows

A Feast for Crows, the fourth of the series, covers the happenings in the Seven Kingdoms and the East; the concurrent book, A Dance with Dragons, focuses on the goings-on at the Wall and elsewhere.

We begin in the Seven Kingdoms with the approaching end of the War of the Five Kings; however, the prologue introduces an intriguing character, Pate, who is quickly poisoned, and yet his place n the tale is as yet unresolved. Other central plot themes include the crumbling reign of Queen Cersei, who routinely ignores good advice; the increasingly powerful Tyrell family, and major battles in the closing stages of the war. An important section deals with the Iron Islands, which are central to the theme and to the Daenerys character in this section, as well as many other running themes of family feuds that have certain consequences.

In the East, Jon Snow and his Night Watch make an appearance with a story about assassinations, growing dissent and the importance of the dragons owned by Daenerys, while things are complicated again by mysterious dreams and odd creatures with magical powers.

It is notable that, at this point in the TV series, the two final books become entwined, although not to a point where they are complicated to follow.

Click here to get A Feast for Crows from Amazon (Paperback & Kindle)

Book #5 – A Dance with Dragons

The fifth book in the series, and so far the final one published, A Dance with Dragons begins with Jon Snow’s election as the commander of the Night’s Watch; however, other factions refuse to acknowledge this, resulting in the beheading of one of his main rivals. A reinforcement of the Wall ensues, as well as battles involving the remaining Wildings and others, and the hunt for a mysterious Three Eyed Crow is also central to the plot here.

In Pentos, the Free City, much is happening, with Daenerys still the focus of attention; she remains in Meeren, as ruler, still hoping this is the precursor to her tenure as the ruler of Westeros. Her Dragons also play a prominent part in this section of the story, and Drogon – the senior – is important to the plot, as is a marriage plan intended to bring her to the side of an opposing family. The main plot theme surrounds the ongoing downfall at Westeros where incompetence and family feuds rule, as well as the many threads involving Jon Snow and his ruling of the Wildings.

The television series is now up to date with the story, but it has to be said that, although the on-screen version features a wealth of characters, it cannot be as diverse as the books, therefore several important incidences are omitted. The best way to immerse oneself in the world of Westeros and Essos is to take time with Martin’s books.

Click here to get A Dance with Dragons from Amazon (Paperback & Kindle)

Conclusion

In writing the series of books that make up A Song of Ice and Fire George R.R. Martin has created a fantasy world as real as any that preceded his; indeed, his works have been likened to Tolkien, but with a more involving and less fantastical bent. That his main characters are clearly influenced by – and based upon – real historical figures, particularly those from British medieval history, makes the whole seemingly believable, and enables the reader to become more immersed in the world of the many characters who are well drawn and engaging.

Far more than in the television series, which is necessarily abridged in order to fit some very complex and interesting plot lines into the short screen time, the novels allow for the imagination to get to grips with the plot, and for the characters to come to life. It is to the author’s credit that he has managed to carry his characters through, so far, five volumes, without once losing the reader’s attention. That he needs at least two more novels to apparently conclude the story shows just how much is going on here, and it must be said that the above plot summaries are brief and by no means comprehensive. One can only get a true feel of the majesty of Martin’s writing, and of the world he has created, by reading these wonderful stories.

Where to Get Them

Book #1 – A Game of Thrones	Book #2 – A Clash of Kings	Book #3 – A Storm of Swords
Book #4 – A Feast for Crows	Book #5 – A Dance with Dragons	More to come...

A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Box Set)

All the Game of Thrones books are also available in Kindle versions.

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“Game of Thrones is a phenomenon like no other,” noted Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. “David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with their talented collaborators, continue to surpass themselves, and we look forward to more of their dazzling storytelling.”

The fourth season premiere of Game of Thrones averaged 6.6 million viewers, HBO’s most-watched program since the 2007 series finale of The Sopranos, and helped Silicon Valley become the most-watched comedy premiere since Hung in 2008. Season four’s premiere was up 52% over the third season premiere, adding an additional 1.6 million viewers in two replays for a total gross audience of 8.8 million.

The renewal makes Game of Thrones HBO’s longest-running scripted series, as True Blood ends its seven-season run this summer, Boardwalk Empire‘s five-season run concludes this fall, and nine-season comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm isn’t guaranteed to return. The series had already become the highest-rated on the network thanks to a ratings trajectory not unlike True Blood and with HBO currently in flux, restocking itself with the likes of True Detective and Looking, Game of Thrones is an even more important asset for the network to have. This renewal also takes the series to within one season of showruners Benioff and Weiss’ seven-season plan, which should easily be achieved considering the ratings heights, critical acclaim, and cultural footprint Game of Thrones has achieved in its first four seasons.

Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9:00 on HBO.

What did you think of the fourth season premiere of Game of Thrones? Should the show try to go beyond the seven-year plan of its creators? Is Silicon Valley the right comedy to premiere behind Game of Thrones?

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Eva Longoria, Sean Bean and Kate Walsh are coming together in an Indie drama which would be directed by Rustam Branaman. The feature is named

Another character, Jolene is portrayed by Eva Longoria, who is a mortgage broker and comes across Vian in a grocery store, along with Jimmy. Not at first, but eventually she agrees to go out with Vian, only to have her spiteful ex-boyfriend disclose disturbing information about her. Kate Walsh plays Vian’s elder sister, Bethley, who is a single mother. She is a strong but extremely charming woman, who has done nothing but work her entire life, ever since her husband abandoned her. Beth has strong religious values.

The original screenplay has been written by Rustam Branaman, himself and the photography of the film head-starts in Los Angeles on October 21st. Branaman shared that the story of the feature is very close to his heart and is full of themes, which intrigues him, the major one being life-transformation. He said that transformation in a person’s life is something which is beyond any measure, when love and compassion combine; it leads to a deeper sense of unpredictable behaviors, which is present in all of us, people.

Our television star, Game of Thrones’ fame Sean Bean also stars in the forthcoming TNT and Jupiter Ascending’s Legends pilot, whereas, Desperate Housewives’ fame, Eva Longoria’s next project would be Frontera. The upcoming films starring Kate Walsh are Just Before I Go, Dermaphoria and Staten Island Summer.

The producers of Any Day include Jeanette Zhou, of Jaguar Entertainment, Darryl Marshak (The Marshak/Zachary Co.) and Andrew Sugerman (Pantheon Entertainment). Jaguar entertainment is the financer of the movie, this being their first film. The director of photography is Harlan Bosmajian.

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Robb and Catelyn seem prepared to take someone down, but exactly who their target is appears uncertain via this particular clip. I don’t think they’re ready for the big game yet.

As Dany makes battle plans, she also has her hand intertwined with Daario’s, which might be going unnoticed by Jorah, who has always had a candle lit for the girl he protects. What difference might a new love interest make to Dany and can she really trust him fully at this juncture?

Jon Snow is poised and ready to take on some crows in a battle and his little brother Bran is circling Castle Black with his squadron of oddball friends.

This is, as we like to say, a preview to the penultimate episode of season 3 of Game of Thrones. The story hardly seems prepared for an ending in just one more episode does it? Check out the preview and let’s hope for the best. Second 4 will be a long way off. Maybe they’ll get more than 10 episode to finish up this chapter of the saga. Catch it  June 2 at 10:00 ET on HBO.

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Bran awakens and Hodor, Osha, Summer and Shaggydog are nearby. Osha tells him they need to move because they don’t know who might be after them.

Talisa is next speaking to Robb Stark who is telling him her mother called them grim, stinking barbarians. Robb asks if he ever imagined she would marry one. Lord Bolton arrives with word from River Run and Winterfell.  Robb is speaking with Catelyn about a death, and she is in tears. Robb delivers the news that by the time anyone got to the island it had been torched and Bran and Rickon had not been found. He admits he has not heard anything from Theon to indicate they may be his hostages.

Theon is strung up and being doused with water. He has no idea where he is. When he asks what the man holding him wants, he says he wants to do “this” and puts a spike through his hand.

Jaime is whining that it is taking too much time as Brienne escorts him to King’s Landing over fields. They argue over Lady Starks virtues and then Brienne watches as Jaime takes a pee. It has, apparently, taken this long for them to start talking about how Brienne came to be in the company of Catelyn Stark. Jaime susses out that Brienne ws into Renly, and he breaks the news to her he was into men. Jaime says, “I don’t blame him, and I don’t blame you either. We don’t get to choose who we love.” Wise words from a man of questionable character. A man happens by and Jaime suggests they kill him to get his ride. Brienne refuses to kill an innocent man.

Joffrey is being fitted for a new frock. He doesn’t want flowers and demands new fabrics. Cersei suggests giving the fabric to Margaery for her wedding gown. She asks Joffrey what he thinks of Margaery. Joffrey says she’s an ideal match and that with the Tyrells beside them they will crush the northerners. Cersei notes that her concern for the common people is interesting, and Joffrey says the conversation is becoming boring. Joffrey says intelligent women do what they are told and that is why Margaery married Renly.

Shae and Sansa are talking about Littlefinger. Shae is suspicious of Baelish, but Sansa thinks he is only concerned because of his love for her mother. Ser Loras arrives and asks Sansa to visit with Margaery and her grandmother in the gardens at their invitation. Sansa is presented honorably by Margaery to her grandmother Lady Olenna. Lady Olenna doesn’t believe Joffrey belongs on the throne and says they are there to help get them through the mess, shocking Sansa.

Lady Olenna asks if Sansa has met her son, the Lord of Highgarden. She says he is much like her late husband, an oaf who rode over a cliff while looking up at the sky. She then asks Sansa’s opinion on Joffrey, saying that nobody would know better. She asks if there is truth to the troubling tales she has heard. Lady Olenna does not easily believe what Sansa says and asks if she’s frightened to talk. Sansa says her father always told the truth and Joffrey took his head for it. She said he took her up on the walls and made her look at it. They ask her to speak freely and Sansa says Joffrey is a monster. Sansa begs that the wedding not be stopped, and Olenna says not to fear. Lord Oaf wants Margaery to be queen and so it shall be.

Robb’s army is walking by and Grey Wind stands nearby. Talisa offers assistance to Catelyn, who refuses, saying only a mother could take on the task of making what she was to protect her children. Catelyn tells Talisa a story about asking the gods to take away Jon Snow, and when he got the pox she made him one to save him. She would ask her husband to make him a complete son, call him a Stark and she would love him as his own. She said all the horror that has befallen her family since then is because she was unable to keep her promise to love a motherless child.

Rayder asks if it was hard for Jon to kill the Halfhand. Jon says yes, but Rayder says it won’t be hard for him to kill Jon if he’s untrue even though he likes him. Rayder tells Jon the only way he got all the different clans to march together without killing each other was to that they would all die if they didn’t march south. He told them the truth.

The come upon a warg, who can see through the eyes of animals, and he’s scouting for them. When he comes to, he tells them he saw dead crows.

The Night’s Watch are still marching toward the wall, and someone is taunting Sam calling him Piggy, saying it’s unfair he’s still alive when so many others are dead. Sam falls to his knees and cries that everyone left him when the white walkers came. The admit they did because he’s fat and he’s slow and they didn’t want to die. Mormont forbids Sam to die.

Bran is awoken by Osha and Summer as Osha looks for food. Summer growls menacingly. The boy from Bran’s dreams appears and Osha puts a stake at his neck. His sister comes puts a knife to Osha’s throat. Summer calms at the boys presence and lets him pass. it is Jojen Reed and his sister Mira. He says they have come a long way to find Brandon and they have much farther to go.

Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie are walking through the woods and Gendry is astounded that Arya didn’t give better name for Jaqen to kill. He says she could have ended the war with her choice. Arya is no longer hiding under the guise of a boy. Men from the Brotherhood find them and want to know how they escaped Harenhall. Great line. “Half the country’s starving and look at this one.” “Maybe he’s the reason half the country is starving.”

Tyrion visits Shae and she tells him she is concerned about Baelish and his interest in Sansa. Shae and Tyrion argue about Ros and although he tells her he has eyes only for Shae she’s angry. It shows how much she cares for him. They begin to make love and he tells her not to come to him again as it’s too dangerous.

Joffrey summons Margaery to ensure she is happy before he leaves on a hunting trip. He begins showing his evil ways to her by taunting her about his sex life. She told him one night Renly suggested something that sounded painful and couldn’t have resulted in children. Margaery shows great interest in Joffery’s pursuits. He asks her if she could kill. She asks if he thinks she could and he says yes, and he would like to watch her.

We switch back to Theon being drawn and quartered. Someone is asking why he took Winterfell. He says to hold it and rule it, until he is pulled again and says he did it to bring glory to his house and his father. Then, he took it because he hated the Starks for holding them and he wanted to hurt them. A hood is tossed over his head and he is pulled even further. He begs for the hood to be removed and in return he would say anything. His sister has sent a man to come for him, and removes the hood, saying he will be back.

Bran, Rickon, Summer, Shaggydog, Jojen and the gang are walking along a path. Jojen tells Bran he is a warg and that someday he will be able to control his entry into Summer. He mentions the three-eyed raven. He asks if Bran has forgotten that they have seen it together. Bran says he dreamed it when his father died, and Jojen said he didn’t dream it, he saw it, as did Bran. Jojen says their fathers were friends. Jojen has spent his life seeing Bran.

Arya, friend and the Brotherhood are eating at a pub. Arya takes on one o the men with her sword. She didn’t expect they would let her go, but they kept their word. When Arya turned around, they had the Hound and he asked “what in seven hells are you doing with the Stark bitch?”

Jaime and Brienne come to a bridge and as they decide whether to cross, Jaime continues to nag at her. In the middle of the bridge he decides to rest and cuts himself free. They begin a sword fight. Jaime is without armor and taunting Brienne while she is far more skilled than he imagined. With one hand, she knocks him to the ground and they are approached by a house of men who want to capture Jaime for themselves.

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Catching up with Arya and her pals Gendry (bastard so of the late King Robert, something even Joffrey can’t claim) and Hot Pie turned out to be bittersweet. While they took care of themselves with the Brotherhood and held their own, even in a mini sword fight, things could have ended better.

Arya is no longer disguising herself as a boy on the road and that’s rather refreshing. Of course, it wont be long before that’s altogether impossible anyway. She’s a born leader is Arya Stark. When the Brotherhood crossed paths with she and her friends, it wasn’t the king’s son who jumped to confront the visitors, but Arya. She seems, at times, to be frightened of nothing. She is truly her father’s daughter. I loved how she wasn’t afraid for a little sword play to ensure their freedom after their meal, but their was a hint of trepidation when she realized who the hooded man was that was brought in behind her – The Hound.

For as much as he has grown to care for and want to protect her sister, Sansa, the feeling is obviously far from mutual when it comes to Arya as he shouted out her name, damning her to those around them. With the way Game of Thrones tells stories, it could be weeks before we find out what happens to her due to that proclamation!

Sansa thought she was in trouble herself when Ser Loras came to her quarters to invite her to tea with Margaery and her grandmother, Lady Olenna. Unless I’m way off base here, Sansa has found in the Margaery and her grandmother friends and protectors. Lady Olenna is exactly the kind of old woman you’d want in your corner, and it helps to understand where Margaery gets her courage. If anything happened to her, I think Lady Olenna would take down the entire kingdom herself.

Her wisecracking words were full of wisdom and also caring. She felt for Sansa and all that she had suffered, and and also didn’t want to see her granddaughter suffer the same at the hands of Joffrey. I don’t know what she will do to prevent it, but I hope she has a very cunning plan that will leave viewers screaming for more. I no longer fear for Sansa being at King’s Landing with the Tyrells in residence, although I do hope she can remove herself. Sensibly, I don’t see that happening. At least now she may have people to confide in and look our for her.

The way Margaery winds up Joffrey when he starts to get a bit whiny is impressive. She’ll take his mind off of whatever is bothering him by making ludicrous suggestions knowing fully well his hardened and sickening heart will find them appealing, such as the idea of watching her kill something, or someone. Yes, Joffrey would take great pleasure in that, but he’d most likely make someone suffer for it afterward. Might Margaery be able to stop him from doing that, as well? She seems to have a magical way about her. At first I was skeptical about her presence, but now I’m all in. I hope she doesn’t disappoint.

There was another short scene of Robb, still unsure what he’s doing as King of the North. He asks his men if they’ve lost faith in the cause, but truly, I think he’s the one who has lost it. He appears to be doing a lot of nothing. When he received news of River Run and Winterfell, it was his duty to report to Lady Catelyn that Bran and Rickon were not found. I am still paying little mind to Robb and Talisa, but it was to Talisa that Catelyn confessed something very interesting. She carries on her shoulders the weight of all horror that has befallen the family because she was unable to keep her promise to the gods to accept Jon Snow as her own son.

When he was but a baby, he got the pox and she prayed to the gods that if they saved him, she would accept him and love him and beg for Ned to change his name to Stark and he would be raised no differently than any of her other children. Jon would be her own. But when it came down to it, and he was healed, she was unable to keep the promise and for that the Starks have been haunted, all at her hand. I hope that means, somewhere down the line, there will be a reunion between Catelyn and Jon and she will share that story with him, make amends and name him a Stark. Can she do that? I don’t know the rules, but I know because of his hunger for a mother, and his love and respect for Catelyn, that gesture would mean the world to him. It meant the world to me to know that she beats herself up over it now, and still ponders what a huge mistake it was.

So while she was making what looked like a dreamcatcher to pray for Bran and Rickon, the same things she made once for Jon and from which she believes he was saved, Theon was being held captive, while Bran and Rickon were walking free, having escaped the horror of Winterfell despite Theon’s best attempts otherwise. I don’t know who has Theon, but it was so enjoyable watching him being tortured. He’s such a pathetic little man, and now his sister, Yara, will come to free him. Am I crazy to think she’s the one who is holding him in the first place? Testing him to see how big his balls are? It didn’t take much to get him to spill his guts, and tell every truth he knew: how much he hated the Starks, wanted the love of his father, wanted to rule Winterfell for himself. The answers always changed with the turn of the screw, but each held some truth.

The children he was supposed to have killed, Bran and Rickon, were on the road, with Osha and Hodor looking after them, along with Summer and Shaggydog. Oh how I loved seeing so much of the direwolves during the episode! I don’t think we’ve seen so much of them since they were picked up along the road as pups. Bran has grown into quite the warg, seeing through Summer’s eyes on a very frequent basis. He’s never quite sure what is real or what is not, but when he meets a boy that was in his dream in the flesh and Summer lets him pass, he starts to understand the difference. Yes, we’ve finally met Jojen and Mira Reed. Jojen has been seeing Bran his entire life with his warg capabilities, and he will teach Bran what he needs to control it.  I simply can’t wait for that story to continue.

The hour ended with Jaime taunting Brienne again, and it was his undoing. By being an idiot, as he is around her, he not only kind of lost a sword fight to her while she was using only one  hand, but because he was insisting on wasting time and trying to escape a local house rambled by, found the Kingslayer and took him for the reward. I don’t think either of them are in any real danger, but Jaime can be such a pain in the ass, always making things more difficult than they need to be. Now they’ll have to waste more time trying to escape even more people who want his head. Typical Jaime Lannister. Hot bastard that he is.

For the full rundown on what happened during the episode, check out the recap!

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What about Sansa, can she trust the Tyrells or will her head soon be sharing a place of honor somewhere next to her beloved father Ned Stark’s?

Elsewhere, Arya and her friends are out in the woods trying to get to safety, but safety has a way of eluding them. Can they escape the biggest danger or will it find them when they aren’t even looking?

Osha is certain someone is tracking Bran, but how could anyone know where they are? They left no footprint behind and are as far from civilization as they can get in the seven kingdoms. What kind of a creature could raise the hackles on Summer and will she be enough to save the lost group as they ramble along?

Brienne is doing her best to protect Jaime as she takes him to King’s Landing to trade him for Sansa and Arya, but Jaime makes it more difficult than necessary with his jabs and barbs. Will Brienne be the one to take him out of will the kingslayer be his own doom?

This week proves that what you expect is never what you get on Game of Thrones and if you think you’re close to safety, more likely than not you’ve just moved closer to darkness and danger than you’ve ever imagined. Meet new friends and encounter old enemies as you watch “Dark Wings, Dark Words” and always be prepared for who may be watching you when you aren’t looking. Even they may not know just what, or who, it is is that is right in front of them.

Check out a clip of tonight’s episode and hurry on back here for a recap and review after the ET airing at 10:00 PM.

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LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2013 – HBO has renewed GAME OF THRONES for a fourth season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming.

Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, GAME OF THRONES is an epic story of treachery and nobility set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years, and only the lust for power is eternal. The Emmy^®– and Golden Globe-winning series launched its ten-episode third season Sunday, March 31 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, with other episodes debuting subsequent Sundays at the same time.

Among the early critical praise for the third season, the Hollywood Reporter called GAME OF THRONES “addictive and outstanding,” while Newsday termed the series “superb,” awarding the show an A+. The Chicago Tribune hailed the show as “spellbinding” and the Washington Post described it as “masterful.”

According to early data, GAME OF THRONES’ season three premiere March 31 on HBO topped the series’ highs, with record viewership for both the 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) airing and gross audience across the three plays. At 9:00 p.m., it averaged 4.4 million viewers, outperforming (+4%) the previous high of 4.2 million viewers from last season’s finale. GAMES OF THRONES improved 13% in comparison to last season’s premiere of 3.9 million viewers. Across the three plays for the night, 6.7 million viewers tuned in, surpassing last season’s debut night of 6.3 million viewers by 7%. Last season, GAME OF THRONES had an average gross audience (HBO linear plays + HBO On Demand/HBO GO + DVR) of 11.6 million viewers.

For more on the series, visit facebook.com/GameOfThrones and twitter.com @GameOfThrones #GameOfThrones.

Season three credits: The executive producers of GAME OF THRONES are David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger, Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin, Vanessa Taylor; produced by Chris Newman, Greg Spence.

In other news, the sky is blue, the sun is golden and the grass is green. I’m not sure why HBO doesn’t just go ahead and renew Game of Thrones through the end of the series as it would probably be just as easy to cancel the renewal if need be and if they knew while there were filming, say, Season 4, they could just start filming scenes from Season 5, thereby taking full advantage of the kids while they are still of an age to be kids. Sort of like when they filmed the Lord of The Rings movies concurrently.

Something tells me with as popular as the book series has been over the decade or so they have been in print, the television series will be as well. And, let’s face it, George R. R. Martin isn’t getting any younger. He promised a cameo in the show next season, and we’d like him to be around to have input into the end of the series whether or not he finishes the books (hint, hint Mr. Martin!).

Be sure to come back to TVHackR this weekend for the review and recap of Season 3 Episode 2, “Dark Wing, Dark Words.” We’ll have clips and photos for you of what to expect from the episode along the way, so never be far from all the excitement you can find right here.

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Take, for example, take the opening scene. For two years we’ve known that winter is coming, but it has yet to arrive. We’ve also known the wildlings were going to breach the wall, and now that Sam failed to release the crows, nobody will know what’s coming for them. Lord Commander Mormont shouted it loud and clear, their new message to the masses was to let them know that by the time winter ended, everyone would be dead.

That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think? Winter hasn’t even arrived yet, and the wildlings have barely crossed the hearth of the wall, but he’s already calling it a done deal. Way to give up old man! The best part of his speech was Ghost, somehow still a part of the Night’s Watch and no longer at Jon Snow’s side, listening raptly as Mormont gave the men their marching orders. Any glimpse of a direwolf in Game of Thrones is a winning moment for me.

The battle of Blackwater left many dead and others scarred emotionally and physically. Tyrion is holed up in his new quarters, fearing death and wondering why Tywin has yet to visit his heroic son. When Cersei does dare to visit, two guards at her side, she needles Tyrion and mocks what he accomplished on behalf of King’s Landing. It’s no surprise some of the closest relationships Tyrion has made during the series have been with the Starks. His own family’s derision for him is pointless and hypocritical.

When he finally goes to see Tywin, Tyrion is not thanked for preparing King’s Landing for the assault, but instead blamed for it. For if he had not been born and killed Tywin’s wife, their lives would have all been different. Tywin is not a stupid man. Why does he focus on having a disabled son whose mother died giving birth to him rather than looking at his other two children, who are engaged in incest and have produced the most disgusting and vile king to ever rule? Yes, Joffrey, I’m looking at you. When you take Arya away from Tywin, he’s a tyrant. I was seeing him in a completely different light when she was serving him at Harrenhal.

Tywin’s inability to give Tyrion the respect he deserved chalked up the end of any compassion I had for Tywin. It also made me want to pick up the darn books again, which I had chosen not to do because keeping the books and series differentiated was becoming so difficult.

Daenerys’ search for an army grows on, as she has persuaded some of her Dothraki people to travel with her across the poisoned water. I can’t wait for a scene when all three of her dragons are together, because even one just blows me away. Dragons! Dany’s a great leader because her strength, determination and compassion keep her humble enough to know when an army is being mistreated, but brave enough to know she can do better by them and make them into men who will earn a new and highly regarded life under her command. Ser Jorah is always by her side giving her advice that feeds her in ways others wouldn’t be capable. Their friendship, which it appears will one day become more than that, is one of my favorites.

The Unsullied army seem quite lucky to have fallen into the hands of Dany. After the man who trained them, and finds that ripping their nipples off as an example of the mastery of said training is acceptable, lets them go, it would seem they might follow Dany and her more caring ways of treating those who serve her to the ends of the earth. That’s exactly the kind of army Dany needs to win the Iron Throne.

As Sansa has been cast aside by Joffrey in place of Margaery, I find myself unsure whether to like or dislike the latter. Margaery seems just cunning enough to be likeable. Nobody who wants to marry Joffrey and still visits orphans with a smile on her face can be in their right mind, but I believe she has bigger plans for herself. It seems she will be a giant thorn in the side of the Lannisters and she’ll be able to smile her way out of it without truly offending any of them. Winning the love of the people is a perfect start, especially doing so in the place where Joffrey was once attacked.

She has set her sights on becoming queen, but that doesn’t mean she can’t do good as queen, unlike the Lannisters have done during their realm.

As I said earlier, there are so many short bits during hour that are mere glances in comparison to other storylines. Davos found his way back to Stannis, only to be marked as a servant of darkness and thrust into the dungeons. Stannis is a freaking nutcase. We saw a glimpse of Jon as he asked to join Ygritte’s people, but the story stopped there. Robb and Talisa were at Harrenhal and it was destroyed. All we learned from the scene was Robb is treating Catelyn as a prisoner for setting Jaime free. With Brienne at his side, I think Jaime may be the one hope we have left, other than Tyrion, for the Lannisters.

As I watch Game of Thrones, I like to imagine a team from the different realms who would work well together to run all seven kingdoms. Tyrion and Dany are on my must have list at the moment. We’ll see who else makes the cut as the season(s) progress, and who might fall off.

All in all, not a bad premiere, but if they’re going to focus on three main storylines, them focus on them. There wasn’t a need to interrupt with Robb in this episode, nor with Stannis and Davos, for that matter. Sometimes the sheer enormity of what they try to squeeze into one episode makes it feel disjointed, instead. The bits with Tyrion, Joffrey and Margaery and Dany were brilliant and exactly what I’d expect from Game of Thrones.

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