Winter may be ending for most of us but HBO's "Game of Thrones" is just getting ready to start. The hit show's fifth season will debut on April 12 and it's anyone's guess what will happen this year. Author George R.R. Martin, who wrote the book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" that the show is based on, has said previously that season five will be a stark departure (see what I did there?) from his source material. Rumors have even gone so far as to suggest that characters who are still alive in the novels may meet their makers in the show.
We may not know whose time is running up and which seats of powers are about to be vacated, but we do know what the first three episodes will cover. HBO has released plot synopses for season five's first three episodes.
"Episode #41: 'The Wars to Come': Cersei and Jaime adjust to a world without Tywin. Varys reveals a conspiracy to Tyrion. Dany faces a new threat to her rule. Jon is caught between two kings.
"Episode #42: 'The House of Black and White': Arya arrives in Braavos. Pod and Brienne run into trouble on the road. Cersei fears for her daughter's safety in Dorne as Ellaria Sand seeks revenge for Oberyn's death. Stannis tempts Jon. Ad adviser tempts Dany.
"Episode #42: 'High Sparror': In Braavos, Arya sees the Many-Faced God. In King's Landing, Queen Margaery enjoys her new husband. Tyrion and Varys walk the Long Bridge of Volantis."
Okay, so the plot summaries may be light on juicy details and heavy on broad description. But still, more "Thrones" information is better than less.
Clearly, Arya has made it to Braavos in her quest to become a true warrior. Daenery's issues with the locals of Meereen appear to be continuing, if not growing. Jon Snow may be playing mediator between Stannis Baratheon and Mance Rayder. King's Landing seems to be in a bit of a limbo following Tywin's death. And Tyrion and Varys are off playing the most intriguing version of "The Odd Couple" in Westerosi history.
Not bad.
