On Sunday, April 6 at 9 p.m., "Game of Thrones" returns for its ten-episode fourth season. We now have the titles and descriptions for April's episodes as well as who will be returning and who will be new to the realm. The following description sums up what season four has in store for us and according to the trailers we've been given, revenge and a lust for power is on tap.
Encouraged by the Red Wedding slaughter in the Riverlands that wiped out many of their Stark nemeses, the Lannisters’ hold on the Iron Throne remains intact…but can they survive their own egos, as well as new and ongoing threats from the south, north and east? While an unbowed Stannis Baratheon continues to rebuild his army in Dragonstone, a more immediate danger comes from the south, as Oberyn Martell, the Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne,” arrives at King’s Landing to attend Joffrey’s wedding to Margaery Tyrell, and perhaps act on an ulterior agenda. In the north, a depleted Night’s Watch seems overmatched against the inexorable Wall advances of Mance Rayder’s army of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe: the undead White Walkers. As if that weren’t enough, Daenerys Targaryen, accompanied by her menacing trio of dragons and army of Unsullied, is poised to liberate Meereen, the largest city in Slaver’s Bay, which could ultimately provide her with enough ships to sail to Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne.
Our favorites are returning for season four (unless, of course, they were slaughtered) including; Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), Aidan Gillen (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish), Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark).
Several new cast members are joining the season as well: Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell), Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand, Oberyn’s paramour), Roger Ashton-Griffiths (Lord Mace Tyrell), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis, a mercenary ally to Daenerys), Yuri Kolokolnikov (Styr, a wildlings chief) and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Ser Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. “The Mountain”).
After the episode descriptions, refresh your memories with the first two trailers for season four...
APRIL'S EPISODES
Episode #31: “Two Swords”
Debut: Sunday, April 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: April 6 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 7 (11:00 p.m.), 8 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 9 (12:30 a.m.), 10 (10:00 p.m.), 11 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (10:15 p.m.) and 18 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 7 (9:00 p.m.), 11 (4:00 a.m.) and 13 (4:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)
Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) welcomes a guest to King’s Landing. At Castle Black, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) finds himself unwelcome. Dany (Emilia Clarke) is pointed to Meereen, the mother of all slave cities. Arya (Maisie Williams) runs into an old friend.
Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by D. B. Weiss.
Episode #32: “The Lion and the Rose”
Debut: Sunday, April 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 13 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 14 (11:30 p.m.), 15 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 16 (12:15 a.m.), 17 (10:00 p.m.), 18 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (12:45 a.m.) and 25 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 14 (9:00 p.m.), 18 (3:30 a.m.) and 20 (4:45 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)
Tyrion lends Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) a hand. Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) and Margaery (Natalie Dormer) host a breakfast. At Dragonstone, Stannis (Stephen Dillane) loses patience with Davos (Liam Cunningham). Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) finds a purpose for his pet. North of the Wall, Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) sees where they must go.
Written by George R.R. Martin; directed by Alex Graves.
Episode #33: “Breaker of Chains”
Debut: Sunday, April 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 20 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 21 (midnight), 22 (8:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 23 (midnight), 24 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (9:00 p.m.) and 26 (12:45 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 21 (9:00 p.m.), 25 (3:30 a.m.) and 27 (3:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)
Tyrion ponders his options. Tywin (Charles Dance) extends an olive branch. Sam (John Bradley) realizes Castle Black isn’t safe, and Jon proposes a bold plan. The Hound (Rory McCann) teaches Arya the way things are. Dany chooses her champion.
Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by Alex Graves.
Episode #34: “Oathkeeper”
Debut: Sunday, April 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 27 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.), 28 (10:30 p.m.), 29 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 30 (12:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdate: April 28 (9:00 p.m.)
Dany balances justice and mercy. Jaime tasks Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) with his honor. Jon secures volunteers while Bran, Jojen (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Meera (Ellie Kendrick) and Hodor (Kristian Nairn) stumble on shelter.
Written by Bryan Cogman; directed by Michelle MacLaren.
-Larissa Mrykalo