The Small Fries

It has been a long winter, and we have waited even longer for the season five premiere of the hit series on HBO, Game of Thrones. Last night ended the “long night.” For the non-book readers, we were left with many questions at the end of last season. We had no idea what was in store for Tyrion – having just killed his father—or Arya and Sansa. What was going to happen to our watchers on the wall? What about Ser Jorah? Well, hopefully these questions can be answered, and soon. Last night focused on four major characters, with a glimpse at Sansa’s story. For those of you that haven’t seen last night’s episode: SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS!

Young Cersi. She obviously hasn't changed much in facial expressions.

The newest episode opens with a flashback on a young, golden haired girl, who I quickly and correctly guess to be Cersi, hunting for a witch’s home in the woods. She stumbles across it and demands the witch tell her prophecy. The witch tells Cersi that she will marry a king, but have three children; where the king will have twenty. She will rule as queen until another, younger woman comes along and takes everything away from her. Thus, explaining her hatred for Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer).

Cersi, with a similar facial expression, on her way to her father's funeral. She has what you would call permanent resting bitch-face.

Flash forward to the present. Cersi (Lena Headey) is on her way to pay her respects to her deceased father. Jaime, standing guard, tells his twin-sister-lover-mother-to-his-children something everyone is thinking: with Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) dead, everyone will come for them. One can only hope. As much as I love Cersi as a villain, I really hate her and hope she gets what’s coming soon. Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is right though, with their father gone, they’re now weak. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), their own brother, has killed their father; now there is no one to protect his children. His legacy. Cersi is furious with her lover-brother for setting free “that little monster.” She has shown no effort in hiding her hatred for Tyrion, so why start now?

Jaime and Cersi discussing Tyrion's escape

Tyrion Lannister, our favorite imp, has landed himself in Pentos with Varys (Conleth Hill), who is trying to convince Tyrion to fight for Westeros. Throughout the episode the two debate on the state of the world that Tyrion has given up on. Finally, Varys lets him in on the conspiracy he has been a part of since season one: help restore House Targaryen to their rightful place.

Varys: “You could help another take the steps to climb to that seat [the Iron Throne]…the seven kingdoms need a ruler loved by millions with a powerful army and the right family name.”

Tyrion: “Good luck finding him.”

Varys: “Who said anything about him?”

Of course, Tyrion couldn’t care less about meeting and helping Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) take the Iron Throne. His only concern is to be able to drink himself to death on the road to Meereen.

Tyrion in Pentos talking with Varys

Speaking of Daenerys, she’s struggling to keep her queendom under control. A rebellious group, Sons of the Harpys, have attacked her unsullied and the masters at Yunkai are testing her by offering a compromise: letting go of slavery for bringing back the human fighting pits. Of course, Dany is not about to bring back “human cock fighting.” She refuses to make any compromises and basically says that she is the queen. They must do as she commands. *insert z snap here* However, later in the bed chamber, Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman) tries to convince her otherwise. His argument is the fighting pits made him the man he is today, which led him to her. Sorry, I do not ship these two, so I am rolling my eyes at Daario. (Jorah + Daenerys foreva!) Not only is he trying to convince her to bring these back but to also release her dragons. Drogon hasn’t been seen for weeks, and Daenerys admits she can’t control her dragons. Daario says , “A Dragon Queen without Dragons is not a queen.” Honestly, I agree. She is the Mother of Dragons. Hiding these Dragons is hiding her true power.

Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, Mother of Dragons and Breaker of Chains

Daenerys visits her other two Dragons, Rhaegal and Viserion. Both of which are less than happy to see their “mother.” They are attempting to take their anger out on her by breathing fire and snapping at her. She quickly leaves their cage in fear for her life. “A Dragon Queen without Dragons is not a queen.”

Between all of these major plot points, we get a small glimpseat what Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) is up to. She is stuck with her creepy “uncle” Lord Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Adian Gillen) and her cousin Robin Arryn, who is hilariously failing at combat practice. I’m pretty sure I could hold a sword better than he did. All we know about Sansa is she is leaving with Littlefinger and headed west. Sansa has definitely grown up since the last time we saw her at the end of season four, and I am hoping that Baelish keeps his hands to himself – seeing as he had a hard time with that last season…ew.

Sansa Stark and Lord Baelish

Finally, Jon Snow (Kit Harington). At The Wall, there are quite a few things happening. Aside from training new recruits, recovering from the major battle, and the threat of White Walkers, Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) is hoping to be chosen as the new Lord Commander – Vote Snow 2015! Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) and his...Melisandre (Carice van Houten), are wanting to take back the North with the help of the Wildlings; so long as Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) bends the knee. However, things are NEVER that easy in this show. Mance rejects the thought of bending the knee and going against everything he’s ever fought for, and thus he burns at the stake. Thanks, Lord of Light. The night is dark and full of Mance’s screams and burning flesh.

Jon Snow trying to convince The King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder, to bend the knee

The season is off to an interesting start with the body count at two. I had high hopes for this episode, and was a little let down at how mellow it was compared to other episodes. However, from all the speculation surrounding this season and new additions to the cast (The Sand Snakes!), I know that it’s going to get better from here. There have been various reports released by HBO and George R. R. Martin stating that this season will be straying from the books even further, much to readers’ dismay, causing many characters to die who do not die in the books. This only goes to show us, no one is safe this season. But as fans of the series, we all know one thing: Valar Morghulis.

Game of Thrones is on HBO, Sunday nights at 9ET

--Kasey