NOTE: Spoilers up to and including season 4, episode 1

1) Arya's not afraid to get her hands dirty

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Perhaps one of the most unexpected relationships to have grown in the series is that of Arya Stark and The Hound. At one time she wanted to kill him, but now she's forced to ride with him and so the two defend one another for different reasons.

Arya was reunited at the end of this episode with the sword her bastard brother Jon Snow gifted her all the way back in season one, and when she got her hands on the nifty little 'Needle', she had no trouble in putting an end to those people who took it from her.

2) Shae's bored of waiting for her Giant of Lannister

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Wedded at the demands of his family, Tyrion and Sansa are now together and so Shae is feeling cast aside and left out.

She's tired of hoping that one day she'll be able to be with the man she claims to love, and the former prostitute turned hand maiden is unable to remove her emotions from the equation when it comes to her lover's new wife. How far will she be willing to go to win back her Giant of Lannister?

3) Cersei and Jaime's relationship is on the rocks

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Despite ordering a metal hand for Jaime, it is clear that Cersei is no longer feeling the same way about her brother that she once did, and it's confusing for the Lannister we've all grown to love a little, forgetting his pushing of Bran Stark from a tower window.

Jaime wants to enjoy his sister's company, but she's unwilling to put out as the one thing he thought was certain upon his re-arrival back in King's Landing is stripped away from him, as well as most other things he enjoyed before he lost his hand.

4) Tywin's enjoying living out Joffrey's power as Hand of the King

Credit: Sky Atlantic

The opening sequence consisted of Tywin's smug grin as he melted down what once was Ned Stark's sword Ice, so that he could form two Valyrian steel swords for the Lannister family.

Now, he's enjoying being able to dish out commands and live the life of a King through his grandson Joffrey, and he has no shame in cutting down his children's hopes and dreams wherever he sees fit. He's in the business of maintaining power - not making those around him happy.

5) Jon Snow will keep his head

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Despite running away from The Wall and breaking his vows, Jon Snow is to keep his life - for now.

The members of what are the Night's Watch's council weren't all in agreement that he should survive, but his information proved to be a more vital instrument in the battle against the Wildlings than that of removing his head.

6) Prince Oberyn is going to cause trouble

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Arriving in King's Landing because of his brother's poor health, Prince Oberyn is a Dornishman with a score to settle.

"The Lannisters aren't the only ones who pay their debts." he tells Tyrion, after recalling a story of how his sister was raped and then sliced in half by The Mountain Gregor Clegane, at the orders of Tywin. He's here to stir the pot and seek revenge, but just how he plans on doing that remains to be seen.

7) Joffrey is still a nasty piece of work

Credit: Sky Atlantic

He's not afraid to poke fun at his uncle Jaime despite everything he's tried to do for him, and he's cockier than ever now that the war seems to be over and he is as safe as he's ever been.

With his wedding just a fortnight away, the boy bully King is making preparations to tie the knot with Lady Margaery Tyrell - will the wedding go off without a hitch?

8) Brienne has a friend in the Tyrell family

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Olenna Tyrell finds something amazing about Brienne of Tarth, and Lady Margaery is more than happy to become her friend after she's explained the story of how Renly was murdered.

The pair share a common factor in that they both genuinely seemed to love the wannabe King, and their relationship should prove to be an interesting one as it plays out on screen.

9) Sansa could be in danger

Credit: Sky Atlantic

She at first seems completely oblivious that her life is still at stake, though when she's followed through the King's Landing gardens she may think twice about that one.

However, discovering it's only Ser Dontos who's hoping to give her a helping hand rather than take her life, she is given new hope and could finally be given a chance to escape the clutches of the Lannister family.

10) Tyrion is worried about Oberyn's arrival

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Tyrion knows that something is brewing, and is trying to keep the peace with the arrival of Prince Oberyn as best as he can.

He's now the Master of Coin at King's Landing, but from the looks of season preview videos and pictures it looks as if it won't be all smooth sailing from here on out.

11) Dragons can't be tamed

Credit: Sky Atlantic

As Daenerys continues in her quest to right all the wrongs of the world, we saw at one point in the episode where she tried to calm down her dragon Drogon, that he snapped at her and screeched in her face.

It was slightly worrying to see that he was just inches away from biting off her face, and as the dragons grow so do their power. She may be the self-confessed Mother of Dragons, but is she really able to keep her three biggest allies on a leash for much longer?

Game Of Thrones continues next Monday, April 14 at 9pm on Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD.

Episode one of season four airs once again tonight - April 7 - at 9pm on Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD.

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
find me on and follow me on

Tagged in