"Game of Thrones" season 5 primer: Where we left off and where things are going
It's been 10 months since "Game of Thrones" fans last traveled to the Seven Kingdoms, so we wouldn't blame you if you've gotten a little fuzzy on the details of how last season ended.
But now, with season 5 of the HBO drama premiering this Sunday, it's time for a refresher on all our favorite players in the wide world of Westeros.
Read on for reminders on where the major "Thrones" players stand (for a more detailed review of last year's finale, our full recap of that episode can be found here), and where things are going as they head into season 5. Spoilers ahead, obviously, if you're not caught up.
Tyrion Lannister
After being convicted of a murder he didn't commit in a trial by combat (just try to remember that Mountain-Oberyn Martell battle without cringing), Tyrion escapes execution with the help of big brother Jaimie and Varys, who arranges to have him smuggled out of King's Landing.
But, before being whisked out of the city, he discovers his former lover Shae has been having an affair with his father. He strangles her, then takes out dear old dad Tywin with a crossbow -- while the latter was on the toilet, no less.
Arya Stark
The youngest Stark daughter's buddy-comedy road trip with The Hound came to an end after she leaves him for dead following his fight with Brienne of Tarth, whose protection Arya also refused. Instead, she takes the iron coin given to her by that mysterious assassin Jaqen H'ghar back in season 2, and uses it to get onto a ship bound for Braavos.
Jon Snow
After defeating the wildling army with the Night's Watch in last season's battle at Castle Black, Snow -- morning the death of his love, Ygritte -- travels beyond the Wall on a mission to assassinate Mance Rayder. Before he can act, though, the King-Beyond-the-Wall and his people are ambushed by One-True-King-of-the-Seven-Kingdoms Stannis Baratheon's army.
Sansa Stark and Littlefinger
After Littlefinger married and later dispatched her Crazy Aunt Lysa through that handy Moon Door, Sansa helped him cover up her murder -- earning newfound respect to go along with his (creepy) affection for her. When we last saw her, Sansa and her newly-dyed dark hair are about to join Littlefinger on a tour of the Vale.
Bran Stark
Bran, with Hodor and the Reed siblings, were heading to find the three-eyed raven and that weirwod tree from his vision when they were attacked by "wights" (RIP, Jojen Reed), rescued from those undead warriors by the mysterious Children of the Forest and introduced to a very old man -- the human manifestation of the three-eyed raven -- who tells Bran that he'll never walk again, but he will "fly."
Daenerys Targaryen
All is not well in the region ruled by the Mother of Dragons. There's unrest from her subjects, who are resistant to her moves to free the slaves of Meereen from their masters, and one of her three "children" -- Drogon, whereabouts currently unknown -- decided to barbeque an innocent child. Realizing she can't control them anymore, she chains her other two dragons away.
Where things go from here:
We won't spoil the fun, but without giving anything away we can say the fifth season gets off to a strong (and, at points, ruthless) start. Characters sprawled out across George R.R. Martin's world begin to make moves and cross paths, and a new location -- Dorne, home of the Martell family (including the late Prince Oberyn's lover, Ellaria Sand, and their daughters, known as the "Sand Snakes") and Cersei's daughter, Myrcella, who was sent there in season 2 -- is added into the mix.
One character we won't see, however, is Bran. His storyline is taking a hiatus this year and will return in season 6. (Sadly, this also means no Hodor. We'll miss you, Hodor.)
Long story short, it should be no surprise Sunday's episode is titled "The Wars to Come" -- things are escalating all over Westeros, and you'll want to see what happens next.