Over the last few weeks, HBO has flooded the Internet with new images from the highly anticipated sixth season of "Game of Thrones." Now that the show is officially advancing beyond George R.R. Martin's written timeline, fans are paying particularly close attention to any and all "Thrones" related promo material. After reviewing each image with the detail-oriented attention of Sherlock Holmes (the Benedict Cumberbatch version, not Robert Downey Jr.'s), we've come up with a few early thoughts for season six.
1. Bran Stark Walks
When season four concluded, the mysterious The Three-Eyed Raven told Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) that he would never walk again, but he would learn to fly. Maybe that was a bit premature. This year, the Three-Eyed Raven will be played by the great Max von Sydow, who will be standing next to Bran with zero help from Hodor. However, a popular theory making the rounds is that this scene takes place in one of Bran's psychic weirwood greenseer visions that he's been developing off screen the last few years. Or, maybe he's magically healed. Who knows?
2. Daenerys in trouble?
When last we saw the Mother of Dragons (Emilia Clarke), she had been plopped down right in the middle of a hostile Dothraki horde. This new image reveals that they thankfully did not kill her immediately and instead brought her to the current Khal (leader). Our best guess is that she somehow convinces the Khalasar to join her cause, giving her yet another powerful army to control in her quest to regain the Iron Throne...eventually. Or, things will continue to go downhill. At least we know she's still alive.
3. Myrcella is dead
We knew that Myrcella Baratheon (Nell Tiger Free) did not escape her poisonous encounter with Ellaria Sand, Oberyn's lover. That's two children that have now died under the protection of Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) will not be pleased, especially after her degrading Walk of Shame last season. We don't see these two rekindling their love anytime soon.
4. Sansa and Theon are alive
When Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) leapt from the walls of Winterfell, viewers had no idea if they had survived the fall or not. Fortunately for us, the showrunners took mercy on the two most tortured characters in the series and both are alive, but perhaps not well. Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) will likely be hot on their trails once he realizes they're gone. Where can they go? Will Brienne come to the rescue? Things do not look good even if they have escaped Bolton's clutches for now.
5. The Greyjoy family reunion
Theon's father and king of the Iron Isles Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) has not been seen since the season 3 finale. Similarly, his sister Yara (Gemma Whelan) has not shown up since season 4. What have the Greyjoys been up to all this time? Will they try to rescue Theon (again) or will they be receiving news of his demise? We'll find out as both family members, along with Theon's uncle Crow's Eye, will be appearing this season.
6. Arya is still blind
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) stole a face from the House of Black and White last year to exact revenge on a past tormentor. We can't really blame her for this, but the Faceless Men sure can. As punishment, Arya was struck blind, and it appears as if that is how she remains. Has she been exiled from the House of Black and White, or is this another chapter in her training? We're leaning towards the latter.
7. Margaery is in the crosshairs
Cersei was released from the Sparrow's grip after confessing to some of her crimes. Margaery Tyrell has not yet followed the same path, and it seems as if she's getting a stern talking to from the cruel Septa Unella (Hannah Waddingham). We're not expecting another Walk of Shame, but that doesn't mean Margaery isn't in for additional punishment.
"Game of Thrones" will return to HBO on April 24.
