Game of Thrones finally embarks on sixth season

For a year, fans have been saying “Game of Thrones is coming,” and on April 24, the HBO original series returned for its sixth season.

The critically acclaimed winner of 26 Emmy Awards picked up right where it left off, with Jon Snow dying on a snow bank in Castle Black in the shadow of what can only be described as The Wall. With only one episode in, all I can say is that it’s not looking good for our favorite bastard. With Jon Snow indisposed, Alliser Thorne is set to take over as Lord Commander, and it looks like he has a majority Night’s Watch following.

Elsewhere in the North, Ramsay Bolton has men and dogs out searching for the escaped Lady Sansa and Theon Greyjoy. His power inheritance hinges on finding Sansa, for if he does not produce an heir with the wife he has abused, his stepmother’s unborn child could become the Lord of Winterfell.

In King’s Landing, Jaime Lannister has returned the body of Princess Myrcella to his sister and lover, Cersei. If you remember, Myrcella was poisoned by the Ellaria and the Sand Snakes of Dorne.

Across the Narrow Sea, Tyrion and Varys are left to govern the free city of Meereen, while Daenerys Targaryen has been taken captive by a Dothraki hoard.

In Braavos, Arya has been blinded by her own selfish vengeance. She is left to beg on the streets, while enduring beatings from the Waif.

Returning to Castle Black, viewers received an extraordinary inside view of Melisandre’s quarters. What happened in this scene was so unexpected that it has fans buzzing with curiosity and speculations about how old the Red Witch really is, so much so that fans are taking a break from their Jon Snow conspiracy theories.

Among many other storyline developments, fans will learn more about the Priests and Priestesses of R’hllor and their “Red God.”

The sixth season also signifies the pick up of Bran Stark’s story. He was a noticeable omission from the fifth season, doing what only the “Old Gods and New” know.

It seems that Daenerys also has an interesting season ahead of her. Will she be able to return to the city she set free that is now surrounded in strife and conflict? What action will Cersei take against the High Sparrow who is set to takeover King’s Landing? How soon will Ellaria retaliate for her late lover, Prince Oberyn? And most importantly, is Jon Snow really dead?

Tune in next Sunday, May 1, to see more of the story unfold.