Game of Thrones 5.1 FAQ
What’s it called?
“The Wars To Come.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to series masterminds D.B. Weiss and David Benioff.
What says HBO?
“Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) adjust to a world without Tywin. Varys (Conleth Hill) reveals a conspiracy to Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) faces a new threat to her rule. Jon (Kit Harington) is caught between two kings.”
Is it great?
It is.
Do the Sand Snakes visit what’s left of The Mountain to avenge the death of their father, Prince Oberyn Martell?
We see no Snakes or Cleganes this week.
How does it start?
With the series’ first-even flashback scene! A pair of pretty youngsters make their way through the woods. “We shouldn’t be out here alone,” warns the darker one.
Is Charles Dance back this week?
The opening titles on the screener: Peter Dinklage. Nikolai Coster-Waldau. Lena Headey. Kit Harington. Aidan Gillen (Baelish). Charles Dance (Tywin). Natalie Dormer (Margaery). Stephen Dillane (Stannis). Liam Cunningham (Davos). Carice Van Houton (Melissandre). John Bradley (Samwell). Sophie Turner (Sansa). Kristofer Hivju (Tormund). Hannah Murray (Gilly). Conleth Hill. Gwendoline Christie (Brienne). Michiel Huisman (Daario). Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei). Dean-Charles Chapman (Tommen).
Is Tywin in the opening flashback? Does he have a speaking role?
Dance is not in the opening flashback, but Tywin Lanninster is referenced.
So no Arya, Olenna, Greyjoy, Ramsay, Roose, Bran, Osha, Hodor, Edmure, Blackfish or Jorah Mormont in this one?
No. We catch up with 13-year-old Robin Aaryn, thirsty without his late mother’s breast to suckle. And Margaery’s brother Loras, the man-loving Knight of Flowers. Stannis’ disfigured daughter is out of her cell, at least long enough to join her parents at Castle Black.
Wait. Daario and Missandei but no Khaleesi?
There’s a LOT of Emilia Clarke in the episode; she’s just not in the credits of the screener I was forwarded. (Was this intentional to root out pirates? We’ll see if HBO corrects the error by Sunday night.)
No Mance this week either?
Ciaran Hinds gets the first “guest star” credit at episode’s end. Mance remains imprisoned by his old pals on the Night’s Watch.
Are slavemasters the “new threat” to the Khaleesi’s rule?
A mask-wearing group calling itself Sons of the Harpy is the new menace.
Are Snow’s “two kings” Mance Rayder and Stannis Baratheon?
Yes.
Is Varys’ “conspiracy” something we already know about?
If you’ve been watching the promo clips.
Tyrion has a pretty big beard in those promos. How long has he been on that ship? Has Tyrion been peeing into a wine bottle the whole time?
I saw no bottle.
Is Baelish about to marry Sansa at this point?
They’re hanging out together.
Does Sam have sex with Gilly this week?
Not that I noticed.
Has Brienne had sex with anyone?
She sharpens her sword as she considers what to do with herself now that Arya has rejected her protection.
The big news?
Not every major character survives this installment.
What else is HBO not telling us?
Cercei reconnects with her ex-lover Cousin Lancel, who has joined a religious movement called The Sparrows.
What’s great?
Ciaran Hinds. “He loved you more than anyone in this world.” “I don’t think I am anymore.” “Habit.” “Or he burns.” “Not for a coward.” “But it will be.” “Bad way to go.” Manse’s appraisal of Stannis. Tyrion’s Creosote-like decision to continue consuming. The visually and sonically impressive statue dismantling. Missandei’s question for Grey Worm. The Dragons.
What’s not so great?
Four episodes in, I do miss Joffrey and Oberyn and The Hound. And especially Tywin, whose role is much diminished this season.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
One major character kills another.
9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
Journey To “The Force Awakens”!! 
Journey To “The Force Awakens”!!
