Entertainment

What Do We Know About 'GOT' Season 5?

by Rachel Simon

It may only be two minutes long, but as viewers learned on Friday morning, that didn't stop the nice people who made Game of Thrones' season 5 trailer from filling it with just as many beloved characters, crazy surprises, and quotable one-liners as any of the series' actual episodes. So much information was jam-packed into the trailer that taking in all of it must've been difficult even for book readers — and for those of us who are have only seen the show, it felt next to impossible.

Thankfully, the power of Youtube allows us to watch the trailer as many times as we want, giving it the proper pauses, rewinds, and shouts of "what the..." to fully comprehend everything that's there. And oh, is there a lot; even without knowing for certain what's ahead for the people of Westeros, the preview gives plenty of insight — or at least allows for plenty of guesses — about their future plans. Looking back on the events of season 4, here are my best (spoiler-free) interpretations of what the Thrones trailer is telling us about season 5:

Cersei

Where We Left Off: At the end of season 4, Cersei had made up with her (rapist) brother, happily watched as her other brother was sentenced to death, set her youngest son up to be king, and told her father all about his kids' abnormally close relationship.

What's Up Next: As one might expect, she's furious that Tyrion (or "that little monster," in her words) has escaped, and says that "nothing's more hateful than failing to protect the one you love." Could she be planning to track her brother down? Also: Tommen and Margarey are getting married, and Olenna Tyrell is seen telling someone, "they'll never even find what's left of you," a scary sentence very possibly directed at Cersei.

Tyrion

Where We Left Off: After a heartbreaking trial by combat (R.I.P, Oberyn) that wrongly sentenced him to death, Tyrion managed, with Varys' and Jaime's help, to escape — but not before killing Shae, for her betrayal, and his father, for his... everything.

What's Up Next: Free at last, with Varys by his side, Tyrion's future is unknown — but, as he says, it definitely won't include him sitting on the Iron Throne. Yet if he follows Varys' advice, it just may include him helping someone else "climb those steps and take that seat" instead.

Stannis/Jon Snow

Where We Left Off: The King of the Seven Kingdoms (in his mind, anyway) came to fight the wildlings, but instead befriended Jon Snow and continued doing nothing, forever. Snow, meanwhile, watched his lover die, took command of armies, and became set on destroying Mance, the King Beyond the Wall.

What's Up Next: No idea — the trailer people apparently find this plotline as boring as the rest of us. All we get to see is Jon looking fierce in a winter coat, which is nothing new.

Arya

Where We Left Off: After watching the Hound die, our favorite 'lil warrior said "valar morghulis" and boarded a ship to Braavos.

What's Up Next: Arya's in real clothes, with combed hair, and a sword in her hands. This is gonna be good.

Sansa/Littlefinger

Where We Left Off: Despite initial hesitance, the eldest Stark daughter allied herself with Littlefinger, helping him escape imprisonment and accompanying him outside. Oh, and she dyed her hair.

What's Up Next: Something bad, as Littlefinger is seen telling her that "there's no justice in this world, not unless we make it. Avenge them."

Khaleesi

Where We Left Off: Somewhere between taking over cities and embarrassing the hell out of Jorah, Dany came to the realization that having three huge dragons flying around killing things might not be the smartest idea, so she locked them up in the catacombs.

What's Up Next: This exchange between Varys and Tyrion sums it up:

Varys: "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?"

Check out the trailer below and get ready for Thrones' return on April 12:

Images: HBO (7)