Sunday is coming: 'Game of Thrones' Season 2 preview

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

This Sunday may be April Fool's Day, but it's no joke that it is also means the much anticipated return of HBO's gripping, and medieval fantasy series, Game of Thrones. The last episode aired on June 19 and since then, fans have been anxiously counting down to the next season.

Jack Gleeson as Joffrey, courtesy HBO

So what does Season 2 have in store for "Thronies"? Well, after scouring the Internet and watching the extras that HBO has graciously provided, Paranormal Pop Culture has these findings to share with you.

According to cast members and executive producer Dan Weiss, this season promises to bring us more battles, bloodshed (particularly in the form of gruesome executions), more complex characters and, our favorite ... more dragons! The final episode of Season One, gave that  tease with the hatching of the Khaleesi's (Emilia Clarke) three dragons. How big will they get in this season? Will they talk? Breathe fire? Allow riders while they fly around the seven kingdoms? That we don't know but we can assume that they'll be fiercely loyal to Daenerys and potentially "burn" those who have wronged her and her tribe.

And Oh, that Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson): How we hate that psychotic product of incest! Or do we love him and his wicked highjinks? Based on what we've seen and read, this power-hungry, new ruler of the Iron Throne will prove to be more evil that we can imagine him to be. Maybe because he is 100% Lannister?

Speaking of Lannister's, that wench and wine-loving imp, Tyrion (Emmy-Award-Winning Peter Dinklage) will also be a more developed character and we could not be happier! His role will be to aid the teen king in managing his newly acquired kingdom. To quote Lord Peter Baelish (Aidan Gillen), "Sometimes, those with the most power, have the least grace."

Carice van Houten as Melisandre
Courtesy HBO

As if Game of Thrones doesn't already have a slew of interesting characters, we'll be introduced to some new faces this season. The one that we're most looking forward to is "Melisandre" (Carice van Houten). According to the novel, she hails from the distant land of Asshai and is a beautiful high priestess who becomes close advisor to Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane). Stannis is late King Robert Baratheon's middle brother who believes the Iron Throne is rightly his. Stannis' right-hand man and biggest supporter of his right to the Throne, is "Ser Davos Seaworth" (Liam Cunningham). We also meet "Margaery Tyrell" (Natalie Dormer) who was raised for "court life" and becomes betrothed to Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony). Renly is Robert and Stannis's younger brother, and this marriage is apparently what is best for the seven kingdoms. We'll see how Renly's good "friend" Sir Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones), Margaery's brother, handles this marriage! AWKWARD!

So yes, this Sunday at 9 p.m. and the next 10 Sundays until June 3, our eyes and ears will be glued to HBO in great anticipation of what the Targaryens, Starks, Lannisters and Baratheons, have in store. Mass quantities of debauchery, ribaldry, magic and mystery are guaranteed! "War is coming!"