George R.R. Martin fans, try not to get too terribly excited, but HBO has only posted the plotlines for its five May episodes of "Game of Thrones."
After this Sunday's episode — in which Ned sets off with the king and his snooty entourage, Catelyn investigates Bran's accident, and Jon Snow kicks it wall school at Castle Black — things begin to heat up (literally, as much of the series' action for the subsequent four episodes takes place in the warmer climes of King's Landing and the South).
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In particular, episode six, which we have gleefully previewed, ends on a enormously satisfying note. Hardcore fans of the book series will know what we're referring to; the rest of you will be as happily surprised as we were.
Here is the official HBO press release announcing the plots of the five May episodes.
GAME OF THRONES
MAY EPISODES
Episode #3: “Lord Snow”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: May 1 (11:00 p.m.), 3 (11:00 p.m.), 4 (10:00 p.m.) and 7 (11:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 2 (9:00 p.m.), 5 (8:00 p.m.), 6 (midnight) and 8 (3:00 p.m.), and June 28 (midnight)
Arriving at King’s Landing after his long journey, Ned (Sean Bean) is shocked to learn of the Crown’s profligacy from his new advisors. At Castle Black, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) impresses Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) at the expense of greener recruits. Suspicious that the Lannisters had a hand in Bran’s fall, Catelyn (Michelle Fairey) covertly follows her husband to King’s Landing, where she is intercepted by Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen), aka “Littlefinger,” a shrewd longtime ally and brothel owner. Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) ponder the implications of Bran’s (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) recovery; Arya (Maisie Williams) studies swordsmanship. On the road to Vaes Dothrak, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) finds herself at odds with Viserys (Harry Lloyd).
Episode #4: “Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 8 (11:00 p.m.), 10 (11:00 p.m.), 11 (10:00 p.m.), 14 (11:45 p.m.) and 25 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 9 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (8:00 p.m.), 13 (midnight) and 15 (6:00 p.m.), and June 29 (10:00 p.m.)
Ned looks to a book for clues to the death of his predecessor, and uncovers one of King Robert’s (Mark Addy) bastards. Robert and his guests witness a tournament honoring Ned. Jon takes measures to protect Samwell (John Bradley) from further abuse at Castle Black; a frustrated Viserys clashes with Daenerys in Vaes Dothrak; Sansa (Sophie Turner) imagines her future as a queen, while Arya envisions a far different future. Catelyn rallies her husband’s allies to make a point, while Tyrion finds himself caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Episode #5: “The Wolf and the Lion”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 15 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 15 (11:00 p.m.), 17 (11:00 p.m.), 18 (10:00 p.m.), 21 (12:15 a.m. ET/11:15 p.m. PT) and 25 (9:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 16 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (8:00 p.m.), 20 (midnight) and 22 (3:30 p.m.), and June 29 (11:00 p.m.)
Incensed over news of Daenerys’ alliance with the Dothrakis, Robert orders a preemptive strike on the Targaryens that drives a wedge in his relationship with Ned. A captive Tyrion helps Catelyn, but receives a cold reception at the Eyrie from her sister, John Arryn’s widow Lysa (Kate Dickie). Sansa is charmed by the dashing Ser Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones), aka the Knight of Flowers. Arya overhears a plot against her father.
Episode #6: “A Golden Crown”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 22 (11:00 p.m.), 24 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (10:00 p.m.) and 28 (11:45 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 23 (9:00 p.m.), 26 (8:00 p.m.), 27 (midnight) and 29 (4:30 p.m.), and June 29 (midnight)
Reinstated as the Hand, Ned sits for the King while Robert is on a hunt, and issues a decree that could have long-term consequences throughout the Seven Kingdoms. At the Eyrie, Tyrion confesses to his “crimes,” and demands that Lysa give him a trial by combat. Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) apologizes to Sansa; Viserys receives his final payment for Daenerys from Drogo (Jason Mamoa).
Episode #7: “You Win or You Die”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 29 (11:00 p.m.) and 31 (11:00 p.m.), and June 1 (10:00 p.m.), 4 (midnight) and 15 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 30 (9:00 p.m.) and June 2 (8:00 p.m.), 3 (midnight), 5 (2:30 p.m.) and 30 (10:00 p.m.)
Explaining that the future of the Lannisters is at stake, Tywin (Charles Dance) presses Jaime to “be the man you were meant to be” as they prepare for battle. Ned confronts Cersei about the secrets that killed Jon Arryn. With the fate of the missing Benjen (Joseph Mawle) very much on his mind, Jon Snow takes his Night’s Watch vows, though not with the assignment he coveted. After Ser Jorah (Iain Glenn) saves Daenerys from treachery, an enraged Drogo vows to lead the Dothraki where they’ve never gone before. An injured Robert takes pains to ensure an orderly transition at King’s Landing.