Many years ago when it first came to paperback I purchased the book. I remembered enjoying it but it didn't cry out to me that I had to stick with the series, and thus; I was familiar but not super interested in the show. But by the time season three was happening enough people I know, most of whom are not at all the type that would read a "fantasy" book or be interested in such types of stories, were raving about it all over social media. Thanks to the beauty of DVD Box Sets, I was able to catch up quite quickly and Season 3 was quite amazing.
Season 4 is upon us and if you don't want to go back and watch all 30 hours of the first three seasons, allow me to catch you back up.
First - the houses:
Stark -
Wardens of the North, Lords of Winterfell - mostly dead. Eddard, the liege lord of Winterfell died at the hands of Ser Ilyn Payne under the orders of the bastard King Joffrey. Arrya, whom escaped Kings Landing with the help of a member of the Night's Watch, was then captured by Lannister forces and eventually escaped, only to wind up the prisoner/compatriot of The Hound. Sansa, betrothed to Joffrey, mistreated for the deeds of her Father and Brother, escapes by circumstance of Joffrey casting her aside for another only to wind up the wife of Tyrion Lannister. Rob, the King in the North, called in the bannerman of the North and marched on Kings Landing, originally to rescue his father from the cells beneath the Red Keep and eventually to enact justice for the murder of Eddard; died at the hands of Frey men, under the direction of Tywin Lannister. Catelyn; died alongside her son, not knowing that Arrya was within 100 yards of her - she hadn't seen her in years. Jon Snow - member of the Nights Watch, joined the caravan that went North of the wall - killed his compatriot and joined the Wildlings and their King Beyond the Wall - this was merely a cover. He betrayed his new brethren and returned to Castle Black.
Lannister -
Lords of Casterly Rock. Tywin, having saved the Red Keep and all of Kings Landing from the siege of Stannis Baratheon, was named Hand of the King by Joffrey. Cersei, plotted to murder the king, plotted to murder Eddard Stark, sought power for herself as the Queen Regent, only to realize too late that Joffrey was a mad dog not possible to control. Her fate now teeters towards marrying Loras Tyrell. Jaime, Kingslayer - the truth of which becomes more and more apparent over the third season wherein he loses his right hand to a bannerman of Lord Bolton; returned to Kings Landing less of a man, but no less a Lannister. Tyrion has had a number of adventures and was rewarded for his defense of Kings Landing during the siege that he was nearly murdered for it. Disdained by his father and sister, Sansa is his "prize" for his deeds; but his heart belongs to another - Shae.
Targaryen -
Still in Essos, Daenerys was sold/married to Dothraki horselord Khal Drogo who eventually died at the hands of a witchdoctor. Left with nothing she believed her own fevered dreams and brought her three Dragon Eggs (a wedding gift) into the funeral pyre of her late husband. She arose with live dragons; and magic was reborn into the world. Since that time she has fostered their growth and sought her own army to cross the Narrow Sea and claim her rightful seat; the Iron Throne. Her dragons have grown large and strong and after "purchasing" an army of Unsullied (slaves) she sets to march on all the slave traders of Essos. Her story has the most upside and I am hopeful she plays a larger role in season 4.
The story:
Westeros is a complex country with seven kingdoms and twice as many power mongers working to control all that they can. Looming on the edge of all stories has been the ancient threat of the White Walkers - demonic creatures from North of the Wall - an adaptation of history tells me that the First Men and the Andals fought the White Walkers, pushing them back each time to their thousand year slumber. Now, the bickering and divided men of Westeros much once again unite as the White Walkers have returned...
Check out the Season 4 Trailer HERE
Enjoy Season 4!!!
all sigil images taken from HBO
Season 4 is upon us and if you don't want to go back and watch all 30 hours of the first three seasons, allow me to catch you back up.
First - the houses:
Stark -
Wardens of the North, Lords of Winterfell - mostly dead. Eddard, the liege lord of Winterfell died at the hands of Ser Ilyn Payne under the orders of the bastard King Joffrey. Arrya, whom escaped Kings Landing with the help of a member of the Night's Watch, was then captured by Lannister forces and eventually escaped, only to wind up the prisoner/compatriot of The Hound. Sansa, betrothed to Joffrey, mistreated for the deeds of her Father and Brother, escapes by circumstance of Joffrey casting her aside for another only to wind up the wife of Tyrion Lannister. Rob, the King in the North, called in the bannerman of the North and marched on Kings Landing, originally to rescue his father from the cells beneath the Red Keep and eventually to enact justice for the murder of Eddard; died at the hands of Frey men, under the direction of Tywin Lannister. Catelyn; died alongside her son, not knowing that Arrya was within 100 yards of her - she hadn't seen her in years. Jon Snow - member of the Nights Watch, joined the caravan that went North of the wall - killed his compatriot and joined the Wildlings and their King Beyond the Wall - this was merely a cover. He betrayed his new brethren and returned to Castle Black.
Lannister -
Lords of Casterly Rock. Tywin, having saved the Red Keep and all of Kings Landing from the siege of Stannis Baratheon, was named Hand of the King by Joffrey. Cersei, plotted to murder the king, plotted to murder Eddard Stark, sought power for herself as the Queen Regent, only to realize too late that Joffrey was a mad dog not possible to control. Her fate now teeters towards marrying Loras Tyrell. Jaime, Kingslayer - the truth of which becomes more and more apparent over the third season wherein he loses his right hand to a bannerman of Lord Bolton; returned to Kings Landing less of a man, but no less a Lannister. Tyrion has had a number of adventures and was rewarded for his defense of Kings Landing during the siege that he was nearly murdered for it. Disdained by his father and sister, Sansa is his "prize" for his deeds; but his heart belongs to another - Shae.
Targaryen -
Still in Essos, Daenerys was sold/married to Dothraki horselord Khal Drogo who eventually died at the hands of a witchdoctor. Left with nothing she believed her own fevered dreams and brought her three Dragon Eggs (a wedding gift) into the funeral pyre of her late husband. She arose with live dragons; and magic was reborn into the world. Since that time she has fostered their growth and sought her own army to cross the Narrow Sea and claim her rightful seat; the Iron Throne. Her dragons have grown large and strong and after "purchasing" an army of Unsullied (slaves) she sets to march on all the slave traders of Essos. Her story has the most upside and I am hopeful she plays a larger role in season 4.
The story:
Westeros is a complex country with seven kingdoms and twice as many power mongers working to control all that they can. Looming on the edge of all stories has been the ancient threat of the White Walkers - demonic creatures from North of the Wall - an adaptation of history tells me that the First Men and the Andals fought the White Walkers, pushing them back each time to their thousand year slumber. Now, the bickering and divided men of Westeros much once again unite as the White Walkers have returned...
Check out the Season 4 Trailer HERE
Enjoy Season 4!!!
all sigil images taken from HBO
