Game of Thrones Season 5 will premiere on April 12, 2015. This season of the HBO television series will feature adapted material from the fourth and fifth books of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novel series – A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. Check back here for a full recap and episode guide for every episode of Game of Thrones Season 5.
Game of Thrones Season 5
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 1: “The Wars to Come”
Cersei’s past is revealed. Sansa and Petyr hide themselves. Daenerys struggle with her role as queen. Tyrion arrives in Pentos. Jon Snow negotiates with Mance Rayder.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 2: “The House of Black and White”
Arya arrives in Braavos. Viewers encounter Dorne and Dorian Martell for the first time. Daenerys deals with the Sons of the Harpy and other insubordinates. Jon recieves an unexpected offer. Cersei and Jaime worry about Myrcella’s future.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 3: “High Sparrow”
Margaery becomes the Queen once again. Cersei courts an unexpected ally. Sansa and Petyr connect themselves to the Bolton family. Tyrion arrives in Volantis.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 4: “The Sons of the Harpy”
Jaime and Bronn head to Dorne. The Sand Snakes hatch a plot. The Sons of the Harpy antagonize Daenerys. The Sparrows gain power in King’s Landing.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 5: “Kill the Boy”
Jon Snow grows into his role as the Lord Commander. Sansa and Theon struggle for agency in Winterfell. Brienne attempts to protect Sansa. Daenerys must make an unsavory decision.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 6: “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”
Jaime and Bronn reach Dorne as the Sand Snakes take action. Trystane and Myrcella become closer. Arya learns more about the Faceless Men. Jorah and Tyrion run into obstacles.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 7: “The Gift”
Sansa attempts to create an alliance with Theon. Brienne tries to infiltrate Winterfell. The wildlings approach the Wall again. Stannis continues his quest to rule the Seven Kingdoms.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 8: “Hardhome”
Arya learns about the Faceless Men’s mission. Jon leaves the Wall. Cersei and the Sparrows struggle for power.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 9: “The Dance of Dragons”
Stannis makes a sacrifice. Jon returns to the Wall. Arya encounters an old enemy. Dany opens the fighting pits.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 10: “Mother’s Mercy”
Stannis marches. Dany is surrounded by strangers. Cersei seeks forgiveness. Jon is challenged.
Although it is impossible to know exactly what will happen in the fifth season of Game of Thrones, speculation has already begun. With an understanding of the Song of Ice and Fire novels, the basic plot of the fifth season can be discussed.
In King’s Landing, the remaining Lannisters adjust to life without Tywin and Tyrion. Cersei has regained the rank of Queen Regent and revels in her power. However, Margaery Tyrell’s cunning is an issue for Cersei and the two battle it out for control of Tommen. Cersei’s lack of diplomatic understanding causes insubordination among the Small Council. Cersei must also contend with the Iron Bank of Bravos due to the massive amounts of debt the Lannister family has created. The commoners become increasingly disgusted with the Lannisters due to mass starvation and poverty.
Littlefinger concentrates his power in the Vale, attempting to gain the loyalty of the bannermen there. With the help of Sansa, disguised as his bastard daughter, Alayne, Petyr is able to keep his post as the Lord Protector of the Vale. He and Sansa work together to keep Robin, son of Lysa Arryn calm and comfortable. Sansa is learning more from Petyr Baelish than she lets on and it is sure to come to use later.
Ramsay Bolton continues his trend of psychopathic murder across the North. He will encounter the ironborn invaders there. Theon Greyjoy, now known as Reek, will have to decide between his new master and old family.
In the far East, Tyrion is encouraged by Varys to find and aid Daenerys in her quest for the throne. However, Dany has her own problems, as her reign over Meereen becomes troubled. She has had to chain her dragons, lost her trusted Jorah and is relying on the advice of sellswords and children. Westeros has heard of Daenerys’ dragons, putting her in even more peril. Daenerys must balance the needs of Meereen with her desires — for both the throne of Westeros and Daario Naharis.
Viewers will see the kingdom of Dorne for the first time in season 5. There, we encounter the Sand Snakes and Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne. Myrcella, engaged to Trystane Martell, will become an important political pawn.
In the North, Stannis offers his aid to Jon Snow and the Night’s Watch. This aid does come with some political strings. Jon must decide what is most important to him — the protection of the realm or the possibility of becoming the Lord of Winterfell. Stannis believes that if he installs Jon as the Lord, the bannermen of the North will follow Jon and Stannis into battle against the Lannisters and White Walkers. As always, the threads of Game of Thrones continue to tangle and snag.