Game of Thrones Season 6 Preview: Anything and Everything You Need to Know

In our Game of Thrones season 6 preview, we detail anything and everything you need to know going into the April 24 debut on HBO….

By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer

For the first time in six seasons, Game of Thrones will officially enter uncharted territory when the show returns this Sunday night at 9pm ET on HBO as the TV series surpasses author George R.R. Martin’s source material.

Unlike every episode before now, Game of Thrones will no longer be based strictly on Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels because his sixth book — The Winds of Winter — is still being written and the show can’t wait for the author to finish. So instead, Game of Thrones show runners David Benioff and Dan Weiss have plotted a new course for the series starting with season six that will be a surprise to anybody and everybody tuning in this Sunday night.

Now it must be noted, Benioff and Weiss spent several days with Martin at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico a few years back to help lay out the plot for the rest of his series in broad strokes for each character remaining on the canvas. The idea was if the series caught up to the books — which is clearly the case — the show runners would be able to stick to Martin’s source material even if the books weren’t released yet.

There’s no guarantee Benioff and Weiss will follow Martin’s direction in every way possible going forward, but considering how loyal the pair has been to the majority of the source material it’s hard to imagine they’d veer away from his intended ending starting now.

Admittedly, previewing Game of Thrones previously was an easy chore considering the books were a road map for potential storylines but that’s no longer the case. Thanks to a pair of trailers, interviews and other information released via HBO, our preview will be the most in depth look back and look ahead for Game of Thrones season six.

Without further ado, let’s dive back into Westeros and the rest of the known world where we will go place by place to look back and look ahead at Game of Thrones season six!

THE NORTH

Jon Snow is dead.

That’s the headline teaser for the debut episode titled “The Red Woman” that will air on HBO this Sunday night at 9pm ET to kick off the season for Game of Thrones. The reality is no one really believes that Jon Snow is staying dead for the entire season, but it certainly seems the producers and writers behind the show are sticking to that story as the season begins. How long it sticks to that formula remains to be seen but with only 10 episodes per season, it’s hard to imagine Jon Snow will stay dead very long.

WHERE WE LEFT

Jon Snow was made Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and immediately started making decisions many of his brothers didn’t agree with but he was doing it for the right reasons. At the top of the list was Jon’s decision to go north of the Wall to broker a peace treaty with the Wildlings and bring as many of them south before the White Walkers could claim them for the army of the dead.

When Jon arrived at Hardhome, he recruited as many free folk as he could to travel south with him to the Wall but before his party could escape, the White Walkers descended on the makeshift city with a full force attack. During the fray, Jon killed a White Walker with Longclaw, which proved that not only could dragon glass kill one of the icy dead men but a strike with a sword forged from Valyrian steel could also get the job done.

Unfortunately, Jon’s mission was a failure because for every Wildling he saved, three more were left behind and each one that died, eventually rose again courtesy of the Night’s King who showed up just in time to stare the Lord Commander in the eye as he continued to build his army of the dead.

Despite that foreboding battle ahead, when Jon returned to the Wall with the Wildlings, he was met with resentment from his brothers. To make matters worse, Jon sent Samwell to the Citadel to train to become a maester after Maester Aemon died from old age. With no friends to watch his back, Jon was lured into a trap by Ser Alliser Thorne and stabbed repeatedly by his brothers after being called a traitor.

“For the watch”

In the end, Jon Snow laid dead from his wounds as all of his brothers turned their backs on him and watched him die.

Elsewhere in the North…..

Stannis Baratheon is also dead after he made an ill advised deal with the devil (so to speak) and burned his daughter Shireen alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light. Instead of receiving gifts from his god, Stannis saw half his army abandon him, his wife took her own life and even the lady Melisandre left his side like a thief in the night.

So rather than turn tail and run or give up on his plans to attack Winterfell and the Bolton army, Stannis attacked anyway — and got his ass kicked.

The Boltons eviscerated Stannis’ army in a matter of minutes although neither Ramsay or his father Roose got the pleasure of gutting the only remaining Baratheon brother. Instead it was Brienne of Tarth, who got revenge for her king Renly, as she beheaded Stannis and brought his life to an end once and for all.

Speaking of the Boltons….

Ramsay married Sansa Stark in a move orchestrated by Petyr Baelish with a promise that their wedding could help reunite the North and give the Boltons a stronger claim with a Stark back on the throne in Winterfell. Unfortunately the wedding ended in torture and abuse for poor Sansa, who had to endure her husband raping her night after night while keeping her captive in a room in the castle she once called home.

Finally, Sansa made her move to escape and just when it appeared Ramsay’s psychopathic lover Meranda was going to stop her, Theon Greyjoy woke up from his years of abuse and servitude to toss her over the side and rescue the eldest Stark daughter. Together, Sansa and Theon jumped over the wall to escape Ramsay’s sadistic torture as they look to run away from Winterfell before things could get even worse

WHERE DO THINGS PICK UP IN SEASON 6

 

Judging by the trailers (and a long list of interviews from Kit Harington), Jon Snow is still dead and we know his body is being guarded by Ser Davos Seaworth, who was sent to Castle Black to retrieve help from the Night’s Watch for Stannis’ army only to find out that his king was slaughtered after he sacrificed his only living heir.

Now it appears Davos is convinced that the real battle that lies ahead comes against the army of the dead and he’s going to help lead the charge against the White Walkers. In one of the few scenes made available ahead of the season, Davos is seen defending Jon’s body with a group of men as they try to hold off the mutineers who killed him.

Davos will have back up — courtesy of Tormund Gianstbane and the rest of the free folk who followed Jon Snow south to safety.

The real enemy to the north will also play a major part this season as the army of the dead led by the Night’s King begin to unveil plans to conquer Westeros and envelope the world in another Long Night. The dead are coming and they are a bigger threat than any king or queen trying to capture the Iron Throne.

We know the Lady Melisandre made her way back to Castle Black last season and most believe she will be the catalyst to bring Jon Snow back to life. Don’t forget Thoros of Myr — another priest who practices worship of the Lord of Light — helped restore Beric Dondarrion multiple times after he had been killed. Will Melisandre do the same for Jon Snow?

Also Bran Stark will make his return to the canvas this year after training with the Three-Eyed Raven north of the Wall for the entirety of season five. Bran arrived there after a long journey north and now he looks to become a warg and a greenseer. Judging from the trailers, Bran is already harnessing his gift to see into the future after he witnesses the Night’s King in one of his visions.

While his story seemed to drag for a big part of the first four seasons, Bran still seems to e an integral part for the future of Westeros and the war coming between the living and the dead.

We also know Theon and Sansa remain on the run from the Boltons as season six begins. Sansa is expected to have a major story this season as she looks to avenge her family and take back the North as the rightful heir to Winterfell. Who will help Sansa on her quest to gain vengeance? There are plenty of families in the North who still believe a Stark is the only person worthy of ruling so Sansa has options, but who will get to her first?

MEEREEN

WHERE WE LEFT

Daenerys Targaryen’s rule over Slaver’s Bay hit a wall last season after her queendom was attacked numerous times by a group of masked thugs called the Sons of the Harpy. Brutal attacks became common place in Meereen and even Barristan Selmy was killed by the Sons of the Harpy during the season.

To help broker peace in the region, Daenerys ultimately married Hizdahr zo Loraq — a member of one of the ruling families from Meereen — in an attempt to show good will to her new people. The marriage worked only briefly as Hizdahr was nothing more than a puppet and the Sons of the Harpy had no more use for him than they did for Daenerys.

She did gain one powerful ally, however, when Tyrion Lannister showed up on her doorstep offering assistance and guidance as she eventually looks to conquer the Iron Throne.

Unfortunately for Tyrion, his help was cut short after the Sons of the Harpy attacked Daenerys during the Great Games in the fighting pits of Meereen. It looked like the band of thugs would finally kill the queen until her dragon Drogon showed up and burned most of them alive before carrying Daenerys off on his back, far away from the fighting pits.

The day was saved but Drogon was injured from several spears that were jabbed into his side so when he finally landed, he was too tired and ill to carry Daenerys back to Meereen. Daenerys was then intercepted by a horde of Dothraki riders, who appeared out of nowhere and took her as their captive.

Meanwhile back in Meereen, Jorah and Daario have teamed up to go on a hunt to save the queen while Tyrion stays behind with Grey Worm and Missandei to rule over the city in Daenerys’ absence. Tyrion gets some additional help from his old pal Varys, who shows up at the last minute offering to give his friend some much needed advice from his vast network of spies.

WHERE DO THINGS PICK UP IN SEASON 6

Daenerys has been taken prisoner by the Dothraki and taken back to their great city called Vaes Dothrak. Not much is known about what the Dothraki intend to do with Daenerys, but from the trailers, several blood riders do refer to her as Khaleesi — which is the Dothraki word for queen.

She was abandoned by the Dothraki after Khal Drogo died, but what does this horde have in store for her now that she’s been captured?

Meanwhile, Jorah and Daario continue to hunt for her while finding a trail of clues that will undoubtedly lead them back to the Dothraki. Jorah is also dealing with his own woes after contracted greyscale last season in a deadly encounter with the Stone Men of Valyria.

Tyrion is still leading Meereen but obviously that will result in plenty of problems throughout the season. We do know he suggests that Daenerys’ other two dragons — Rhaegal and Viserion — be let out of captivity. Will the dragons seek out their mother and rescue her from the Dothraki? What will be left of the Sons of the Harpy after the attack on Daenerys last season?

KING’S LANDING

WHERE WE LEFT

As always, King’s Landing was filled with plot twists, back stabbing and all kind of conniving last season.

In an attempt to get rid of House Tyrell’s grip over King Tommen and the rest of the kingdom, Cersei helps to empower the Faith Militant —an army of religious fanatics, who once held power in Westeros until the Targaryens banned them from the kingdom and essentially put an end to them. A man known as the High Sparrow takes over leadership of the Faith of the Seven with a pious and pure approach to doling out holy justice throughout King’s Landing.

Among the people tossed into prison include both Margaery and Loras Tyrell, who are held on crimes against the gods. Loras is accused of laying with men while Margaery is accused of lying to the gods when she was put on a stand and asked about her brother’s fornication. Just when it seems that Cersei has found a way to defeat the all power Tyrell family, she’s tossed into a jail cell as well after her affair with her cousin Lancel Lannister is also revealed.

The plot to get Cersei arrested was coordinated by Lady Olenna of House Tyrell and Petyr Baelish, who is quietly mounting his plan to kill off the Boltons and take over the North for himself. Lady Olenna and Baelish already conspired to kill Joffrey so what’s one more Lannister, right?

Finally, Cersei gains freedom until her trial begins but she faces walk of atonement from the Great Sept of Baelor all the way back to the Red Keep, stripped naked of her clothes and her hair cut off as a sign of penance for her crimes against the gods. When she returns, Cersei is covered in blood and excrement before being covered up and carried back to safety by her friend Qyburn and his new silent warrior — a zombified “Mountain” Ser Gregor Clegane — who vows to protect the queen and eradicate all of the king’s enemies in due time.

WHERE DO THINGS PICK UP IN SEASON 6

It’s clear the Faith of the Seven are still a ruling force in King’s Landing, but Cersei has no intentions of ever returning to that cell much less giving way to a trial for her crimes. After restoring the Faith Militant last season, it seems Cersei is more than prepared to take that away and due battle with the religious fanatics in the streets of King’s Landing.

Cersei is also dealing with another tragedy in her life — more on that later — while still trying to keep her son Tommen under her thumb for as long as possible.

Meanwhile, both Margaery and Loras Tyrell remain in custody of the Faith Militant and King Tommen is still too scared to do anything to rescue his queen from their clutches.

The battle between the crown and the faith will certainly play a major part in the season ahead, especially considering the return of Jamie Lannister, who appears to be ready to take over the Lannister army following his father’s death.

DORNE

WHERE WE LEFT

Jamie was charged with traveling to Dorne last season to rescue his “niece” Myrcella from the Martell stronghold after a threat was made against her life. It seems Oberyn Martell’s family is seeking revenge after he was murdered a season ago in his battle with “The Mountain” during Tyrion’s trial by combat.

Jamie ends up taking Bronn with him as well and the two make contact with Myrcella only to be thwarted by Prince Doran Martell and the rest of his men.

Ultimately, Jamie and Bronn are given safe passage back to King’s Landing and they will be allowed to take Myrcella with them under one condition — Prince Trystane must return with them and take over the seat on the small council that was vacated when his brother Oberyn was killed.

Everyone agrees and Jamie takes Myrcella back with him.

Unfortunately before leaving, Myrcella received a poisonous kiss from Ellaria Sand, who was seeking revenge for her beloved Oberyn along with his bastard daughters known as the Sand Snakes. Just after Myrcella acknowledged that Jamie was her father and the two embraced, she fell to the ground and bled out from the deadly poison.

WHERE DO THINGS PICK UP IN SEASON 6

Jamie returns to King’s Landing with another dead child to present to his sister Cersei. It’s unclear what exactly the repercussions will be for Ellaria striking back at the Lannisters after she was strictly forbidden from continuing her blood feud in an attempt to avenge Oberyn’s death.

There’s been no mention of Prince Trystane or a return to Dorne this season, but Prince Doran and the Sand Snakes are all expected to appear in season six so there will certainly be more to play out from the murder of Princess Myrcella this year.

How much time we’ll spend in Dorne remains to be seen, but we haven’t heard the last of the Martells or their extended family.

BRAAVOS

WHERE WE LEFT

Arya Stark began her training to become one of the assassins of the Faceless Men of Braavos, but she ran into more than a few road blocks along the way. Despite her desire to appease her new friends at the House of Black and White, Arya struggled to understand their ways for most of the season.

Finally she was given a test to poison and kill a man in Braavos, but instead of finishing him off, she decides to exact revenge on Ser Meryn Trant, who traveled there with Mace Tyrell for a meeting with the Iron Bank. Arya ends up killing Trant and slitting his throat, but when the Jaqen H’ghar finds out that she took a life on her own accord, she has to be punished by the Many Faced God.

So at the end of the season, Arya loses her sight and she goes blind after this latest encounter with the Faceless Men.

WHERE DO THINGS PICK UP IN SEASON 6

Arya is still going through her training at the House of Black and White and it appears at least part of the time that she remains blind. Judging by the trailers, Arya is given a second chance to prove herself to the Faceless Men and charged with another assassination.

Needless to say, Arya should probably avoid messing up this time around.

NEW AND RETURNING CHARACTERS IN SEASON 6

Take a look at some of the faces we’ll be meeting for the first time this season or returning to the cast for season 6.

Brynden “The Blackfish” Tully — last seen at ‘The Red Wedding’ in season 3, he’s expected to return this season as the Tully family reappears for the first time in several years.

Edmure Tully — also returning for the first time since he was wed to Walder Frey’s daughter and then tossed into a cell after the events of ‘The Red Wedding’.

Walder Frey — the villainous turncoat responsible for the deaths of Robb and Catelyn Stark as well as all their banner men is on the cast list to appear during Game of Thrones season 6.

Randyll Tarly — Samwell’s brutish father is expected to debut for the first time this season. His other son Dickon, his wife Melessa and daughter Talla are also expected to show up on the canvas this year.

Euron Greyjoy — the younger brother of Balon Greyjoy and uncle to both Theon and Yara Greyjoy is expected to show up this season as well. His younger brother Aeron Greyjoy is also expected to appear during season six.

Three Eyed Raven — he will appear alongside Bran Stark this season for the first time. For more information on who the Three Eyed Raven might really be, check out our past column from Send the Ravens.

Ian McShane — the Deadwood actor will appear in a single episode this season and he’s teased that he’s bringing somebody back from the dead. While first guesses were Jon Snow, it appears the character he’s speaking about is “The Hound” Ser Sandor Clegane!

Theater Troupe — a group of traveling actors who perform plays based out of famous stories from Westeros. Actor Richard E. Grant is expected to play one of the troupe leaders.

Red Priestess — played by Melanie Liburd, another true believe of the Lord of Light popping up this season

Khal Jhaqo and Khal Rhalko — two powerful men in the Dothraki army who will appear this season

FLASHBACK

There have been hints through a couple of quick scenes shown in the trailers that we will get a flashback again this season, this time focusing on a young Ned Stark.

Rumors have abounded but it certainly looks like at one point or another, Ned is seen at the Tower of Joy — which is the site where he discovered his sister Lyanna after she was ‘kidnapped’ and held captive by Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna’s kidnapping was the spark that started Robert’s rebellion against the Mad King and the eventual end of the Targaryen dynasty.

Lyanna’s story ending in the Tower of Joy is part of a very famous theory involving Ned and Jon Snow. To find out more about that, read our column from Send the Ravens about that subject.

TRAILERS

IN THE END

The stakes are higher than ever for this season of Game of Thrones, especially given the teaser than the final two seasons may be upon us after these 10 episodes are finished. This may also be the last season with 10 full episodes after the show runners said that they currently have plans for only 13 more episodes, split apart into two smaller seasons. There’s been no confirmation that’s how much time is left, but it makes Game of Thrones season 6 even bigger than before if we are truly heading towards the end.

Game of Thrones season 6 debuts Sunday night, April 24 at 9pm ET and don’t miss our weekly recaps as well as our special Send the Ravens columns each week as we answer your questions about the show!