Courtesy HBO
Game of Thrones season four begins Sunday.
Warning: Contains season three spoilers.
The long wait is finally over. The conflicts of the lands of Westeros are returning to HBO on Sunday in season four of “Game of Thrones.” Readers and watchers alike have been eagerly awaiting something to feed their addictions. The show’s faithful will finally get the resolution to some of the plot lines laid down in season three, while the books’ faithful will get their fix during the long wait for the next installment in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, “The Winds of Winter.”
Season three left off with our favorite characters in their constant struggle to maintain power, win glory and legitimacy and, for some, survive. Tyrion, the universally loved “Imp” of House Lannister, has just been wed to Sansa Stark, a daughter of the house his family has been warring against. Following his failed siege of King’s Landing, Stannis Baratheon has decided to take his forces north to defend against the impending invasion of the Wildlings at the behest of his Red Priestess, Melisandre.
Yara Greyjoy has just decided to go on a mission to save her brother Theon, who has been in the clutches of the sadistic Ramsay Bolton. Arya Stark, a prisoner and companion to Sandor Clegane (aka the Hound), is roaming the Riverlands after discovering that her brother Robb has been murdered at the hands of Walder Frey during the Red Wedding.
Jaime Lannister has returned to King’s Landing healthy, but missing a hand. Everyone’s favorite brooding bastard Jon Snow has just returned to Castle Black after abandoning the Wildlings and his new love, Ygritte. Finally, Daenerys Targaryen and her Unsullied soldiers wrapped up the season with the conquest of Yunkai.
The approaching season should be one of the most exciting in the series. Joffrey’s royal wedding to Margaery Tyrell is on the horizon. Viewers will finally meet the Martells, the mysterious rulers of Dorne, who have not been present in the series thus far. Also the epic battle brewing at the Wall should be one of the season’s penultimate moments.
The unresolved cliffhangers have been one of the most grueling aspects for show-only watchers.
“I’m so ready to see what is to come of the Wildling invasion of the Wall, and where Arya’s story arc will end up on her journey with the Hound,” said Matt Mueller, senior geological engineering major.
Resolution of plot points isn’t the only thing that draws in viewers though, as attested by the many readers of “A Song of Ice and Fire.”
Senior psychology major Ben Tedford said he has both read the books and watched the show.
“I’m really looking forward to the long-awaited introduction of Oberyn Martell and the cunning schemes the fans are in for from Littlefinger, my favorite player of the ‘Game of Thrones,’” he said.
No matter the outcome of season four, whoever lives and whoever dies, whoever comes up victorious and whoever is left broken and defeated, one thing is absolutely assured: George R.R. Martin will enjoy the taste of our tears. Valar morghulis, everyone.
