Yesterday, HBO released a treasure trove of new images from Game of Thrones season six (which premieres April 24, the same night as Veep and Silicon Valley). It’s a lot to take in all at once, so let’s break it down. In honor of the sixth season, here are six questions you might have, answered.
1. How is Bran standing?
The last time we saw them, in season four, the Three-Eyed Raven memorably told Bran that he “will never walk again. But you will fly.” So how the heck is he standing up? Either, the Raven (played by the great Max Von Sydow, who’s more than just a voice) has ridiculous old-man strength, or more likely, it’s a psychic vision. They appear to be back in Winterfell, where an important scene from the book that hasn’t happened on the show yet takes place. Think of the Three-Eyed Raven as Bran’s Ghost of Christmas Past. (Sort of.)
2. Why are there so many Greyjoys?
The Greyjoys are no one’s favorite family on Game of Thrones, but they’re going to play a big role in season six. Saying anything more than that risks running into a SPOILER warning, but remember, Pilou Asbæk was cast as Theon and Yara’s uncle and Balon’s younger brother, the ruthless pirate Euron, and the family’s prominence in the new images is very intentional.
3. Is Myrcella dead?
Yes, Myrcella is dead. Everyone assumed as much, considering the poisoned princess collapsed and was bleeding from her nose last season, but there wasn’t any actual confirmation. Well, here’s your verification: Her body is being laid to rest in the Great Sept of Baelor, with rocks over her eyes, as is custom. Meanwhile, Sansa and Theon? Not dead (again, as expected)! They look like a scene from The Revenant, but they’re still alive.
And no, Sansa’s not pregnant.
SANSA IS NOT PREGNANT ITS THE FITTING OF THE DRESS YOU IDIOTS. UNLESS THE DIRECTORS AND HBO SAY OTHERWISE ITS NOT TRUE
— 𝓢ᵃⁿₛₐ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝑲 (Parody) (@TheDove_Stark) February 12, 2016
4. What’s the deal with Arya’s eyes?
As punishment for stealing someone’s face from the House of Black and White and disguising herself as a prostitute to kill Ser Meryn Trant (what a great show), Arya Stark goes blind. And, in my best J. Walter Weatherman voice, that’s why you don’t “borrow” from the Many-Faced God. It’s unlikely her sight is gone for good (in the books, it’s “training”), but the blindness ought to help Arya, or Blind Beth, or Lanna of the Canals, or whatever you want to call her, in the long run. Not being able to see should heighten her other senses, Daredevil-style, and remove the last vestiges of being a Stark.
5. Is Margaery still in jail?
She sure is, and Septa Unella won’t even let her wash her tangled hair. The better question might be, how long is she going to be in jail? Natalie Dormer said Margaery “is a savvy chick [who’s] trying to find a way to get out of that cell, so it’s pretty amusing and ingenious, the route she decides to take.” That’s an interesting way of phrasing it — the “ingenious” aspect implies she’ll be successful, much to Cersei’s dismay. Meanwhile, the biggest question I have about Game of Thrones season six: Who’s looking after Ser Pounce?
6. Where’s Jon Snow?
C’mon, as if HBO was going to give that one away. Let’s do another question.
6 (again). Where can I buy Daenerys’ dragon necklace?
I have no idea (she’s worn it before), but let me know when you find out.
It’s wonderful.
