One of the reasons millions of fans are captivated by HBO’s Game of Thrones is the epic sweep of the series — dozens of characters in locations spanning a whole world.
But that very epicness also makes it difficult to keep up. It’s hard enough week to week, but after a whole year? That’s why we decided to write this “catching up” guide; it’s just as much for us as it is for you!
So, here’s a breakdown, family by family, of where all your favorite characters are, what they were last seen doing, and where they might be headed in Season 5.
House Stark
Much of this once-great house is now dead: Patriarch Ned, matriarch Catelyn, and heir Robb. All that remains are the younger Starks: Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon, as well as their half-brother, Jon Snow.
When last we saw Jon, he was battling the wildlings, led by Mance Raydar. He was just about to negotiate peace when Stannis Baratheon and his army charged in to “save the day.” Now, Jon is stuck in the middle of the wildlings, Stannis, and the Night’s Watch. Can the three forces manage to join together to defend against the ever-creeping, very dangerous threat of the White Walkers?
As for Bran, he is now north of the Wall, having made the journey to find the Three-Eyed Raven. He found him in the form of a wizened old tree man, who promised to teach Bran how to fly.
Rickon is presumably still with Osha, on his way to House Umber.
Sansa is at the Eyrie, engaged to her cousin, Robin, through the machinations of Petyr Baelish (who also got rid of her aunt, Lysa, by pushing her through the Moon Door). Baelish might be a scheming manipulator of the first degree, but at least Sansa knows him and knows what he wants. For the first time in a long time, it seems Sansa has some degree of control over her situation.
And finally, there is little sister, Arya — really, little no more. After escaping from both The Hound and Brienne, Arya found a ship going to Braavos. She was offered passage upon showing the captain the coin that Jaquen H’ghar gave her and saying the phrase “valar morghulis.” Presumably, she’ll reach Braavos, and learn more about the coin’s origin and meaning.
House Lannister
Death has come to the richest family in Westeros, too. Patriarch Tywin is dead, as is king grandson, Joffrey aka The Worst.
Tyrion, charged with Joffrey’s death, escaped with the help of Jaime and Varys, then shot his own father in the chest with a crossbow. Varys then packed him into a crate and boarded a ship — their likely destination across the Narrow Sea to Essos, which is where Varys is originally from.
Left behind in King’s Landing is Jaime and twin sister/lover Cersei. She will now be regent for the new king, Tommen — a fact that should make Westeros cower in fear. Tywin may have been selfish and high-handed, but he also had wisdom and experience. Cersei is just a brat. We’ll see if Tommen turns out like Joffrey did.
House Targaryen
While the infighting among the houses in Westeros has claimed many lives, Daenerys has been consolidating her power by taking Yunkai and Meereen. But she’s finding that ruling is harder than conquering, and that raising her three dragons is even more difficult than that. She had to lock them up after they raided the countryside for food in the form of children.
Other Houses
In the North, Roose Bolton finally legitimized his bastard son, Ramsay, who used the man formerly known as Theon Greyjoy (now known as Reek) to break the Ironborn at Moat Cailin.
In King’s Landing, Margaery Tyrell was “widowed” upon the death of Joffrey, but Tywin didn’t want to lose the alliance with the wealthy Tyrells. So, he fixed the engagement of Margaery to Tommen once their mourning periods were over.
Prince Oberyn Martell was slayed in trial by combat against The Mountain. We have a feeling the Martells in Dorne won’t take this news well. Remember that Cersei’s daughter, Myrcella Baratheon, is currently in Dorne as their ward. Should make for some interesting family dynamics!
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