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[Steelyuhas]

*NO BOOK SPOILERS* *NO BOOK SPOILERS* *NO BOOK SPOILERS* *NO BOOK SPOILERS*

***Please read the rules regard spoilers below.***

Game of Thrones is a television series on HBO based on the bestselling A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Game of Thrones is an epic, high fantasy series about the fight for control of Westeros which was inspired by The War of the Roses in medieval Europe. Though it's been labeled as fantasy, Game of Thrones is more about the struggle for power and family dynamics than it is about typical fantasy tropes like magic and elves. As co-producer and writer David Benioff put it: “If you have to just pick one word to describe it, it’s the word ‘power’ and how it affects those who are pursuing it, and how those who already have it try to retain it, and how those who are caught in the crossfire between the two are mutilated in the process.” In addition to complex characters living in a well thought out and developed world, the story boasts plenty of violence, sex, and other adult oriented content.

The fourth season premieres Sunday, April 6th at 9PM on HBO. The season will contain 10 episodes.

HBO’s Press Release on Season 4:

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?

Spoiler

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.

SPOILER RULES:

- ABSOLUTELY NO BOOK SPOILERS. It doesn't matter if they're under spoiler tags, they should not be in this thread. Use the other thread for book-related television discussion. This includes alluding to things, subtle hinting, comparing the books to the show, etc...

- Regular TV thread rules apply:

• Once something airs in the US on the East Coast, it's fair game. Feel free to discuss anything that has aired without using spoiler tags.
• Anything that hasn't aired yet should be spoiler tagged including information from HBO previews, loglines, trailers, interviews, and a few other places.
• Speculation from people that haven't read the books is fine and encouraged.

- For the non-book readers using this thread:

• If you have any questions about plot points or want clarification on something, feel free to send a PM to any of the helpful volunteers (see below) and ask them.

- For the book readers that want to lurk in this thread:

• No taunting or teasing:
  e.g. "Oh, just wait until you guys see what happens to him next week!!!"
• No leading questions:
  e.g. "What do you think will happen to this character by the end of the season?"
• No comparing the book to the show:
  e.g. "Well, that's different than in the book where they..."
• Answering questions is fine when the information is readily available from what has aired on the show.
  e.g. Q: "Wait, how is Robb related to Ned?" A: "Robb is Ned's son."

The bottom line is that this thread was created for people that haven't read the books to enjoy and discuss the television show. Keep their interests in mind and let them enjoy the show on their own terms without constantly pestering them. In general, there isn't a good reason for book readers to post in this thread. Thanks for your help.

Mod Edit:

If you want to get some answers to something, PhoenixDark and timetokill have volunteered to answer questions via PM.

Cast
The cast of Season 4 will be without a few of our beloved members (RIP), but not to fret, it’s still the largest cast on TV and there will be a handful of new cast members joining the fray this season. HBO’s cast page.

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), Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark)

Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), Conleth Hill (Varys), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth)

Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Sibel Kekilli (Shae), Rose Leslie (Ygritte)

Rory McCann (Sandor “The Hound” Clegane), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Snow), Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed)

Nathalie Emannuel (Missandei), Ciarán Hinds (Mance Rayder), Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell), Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed), Kristian Nairn (Hodor), Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy)

Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell), Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand), Roger Ashton-Griffiths (Mace Tyrell), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis), Yuri Kolokolnikiv (Styr), Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Ser Gregor Clegane)

Crew
The writing staff for season 4 includes David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Bryan Cogman, and George R.R. Martin. The directors for season 4 have all directed previous episodes of the show. They include David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Alex Graves, Michelle MacLaren, Alik Sakharov, and Neil Marshall. See the Schedule section below for a breakdown of writers and directors by episode.

Season 4
Game of Thrones returns for its fourth season on April 6th, 2014. The season will once again consist of 10 episodes and they will air each Sunday with the exception of Memorial Day weekend (May 25th). Once the episodes start airing, I will house a permanent link to content roundups for each episode in this section.

Episodes
401: Two Swords (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss) | Content Roundup
402: The Lion and the Rose (Written by George R.R. Martin, Directed by Alex Graves) | Content Roundup
403: Breaker of Chains (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by Alex Graves) | Content Roundup
404: Oathkeeper (Written by Bryan Cogman, Directed by Michelle MacLaren) | Content Roundup
405: First of His Name (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by Michelle MacLaren) | Content Roundup
406: The Laws of Gods and Men (Written by Bryan Cogman, Directed by Alik Sakharov) | Content Roundup
407: Mockingbird (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by Alik Sakharov) | Content Roundup
408: The Mountain and The Viper (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by Alex Graves) | Content Roundup
409: The Watchers on The Wall (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by Neil Marshall) | Content Roundup
410: The Children (Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Directed by Alex Graves) | Content Roundup

Trailers & Promos

• Trailer #1
• Trailer #2 "Vengeance"
• Trailer #3 "Secrets"
• Trailer #4 "Devil"
• "Awaken" Promo
• ”All Men” Promo
• Season 3 Recap: "Politics of Power"

Clips

• Any clips released prior to the season premiere will be posted here

Behind the Scenes

• Season 4: "Ice and Fire: A Foreshadowing"
• On the Set Featurette
• Directing Season 4 Featurette
• Preparing the Wedding Feast Featurette
• Costumes Featurette
• Weapons & Training Featurette
• Atrisan Piece #1: Deborah Riley
• Artisan Piece #2: Intensity of Iceland
• Artisan Piece #3: Shooting in Belfast

Promo Images

• Promo images
• Season 4 Key Art Poster
• Character Posters
• "Beautiful Death" promotional posters (one for each episode leading up the Season 4 Premiere

Links

• Winter-is-Coming.net (aka WiC, the most up-to-date source for news about the series.)
• WiC's Cast page
• WiC's Crew page
• WiC's FAQ page
• Tower of the Hand (Chapter summaries, news, forums, and other information)
• Tower of the Hand Locations Gallery
• Westeros.org (Fan site with forums, discussion, and lots of other information
• HBO's official site for Game of Thrones
• HBO's Viewer's Guide
• Making Game of Thrones (HBO's official production blog)
• HBO's Twitter account for GoT
• Wikipedia entry for A Song of Ice and Fire *spoilers*
• Official pronunciation guide

GAF Threads
TV Threads:

• Game of Thrones Season 1
• Game of Thrones Season 2
• Game of Thrones Season 3

-Tim Goodman for THR: Game of Thrones review

The Bottom Line: Game of Thrones proves yet again why it's one of the rare genre series to not only be taken seriously but to prove its worth season after season. It's well-written, well-acted and has created so many wonderful characters -- who, of course, will probably die. This is a show with no rules -- and that's partly why tension and expectation are both always running high.

-Andy Greenwald for Grantland: [url=http://grantland.com/features/game-of-thrones-season-four-hbo-returns/]‘Game of Thrones’ is back and it’s peaking[/URL]

Game of Thrones is an intensely modern show, both in form and content. But it’s worth noting how strongly it resists the sort of online hyper-dissection that can either carry a series aloft or tear it apart, limb by limb, like a starving mob in Fleabottom. The show proceeds at its own stately pace, telling its own knotty story. Rather than be concerned that future seasons might mar the world that Martin, Benioff, and Weiss have painstakingly created, it’s probably healthier — for your sake and mine — to focus instead on the majesty of that world as it exists now. The night may well be dark and full of terrors, but rest easy: We’re still hours away from dusk.

• The season starts on April 6th at 9PM, and will continue each Sunday after for 10 episodes (with the exception of May 25th).
• Winter is Coming.

 

[Dawg]

So close, can't wait D:

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Finally a thread. I am ready.

 

[thoseAREmySHOES]

So psyched!

 

[Showaddy]

Whilst it's great UK fans now get the show at the exact same time as the US fans, these 2am broadcast times are going to absolutely wreck my Mondays for 10 weeks...

 

[Fury Sense]

Awesome. Wish we had a book-free walking dead thread too, but I guess quality begets quality.

edit: Nevermind. I think I'll pass on this thread too.

 

[Willkiller]

As a book reader, there is no way this season isn't the best.


Strap in.

 

[Chopper]

As a book reader, there is no way this season isn't the best.


Strap in.

Shhhhhhh.

 

[torontoml]

Subbing to this one as well, love reading non book reader reactions.

 

[Plywood]

Delicious, gotta burn through the last two books myself.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

I thought this was the spoiler thread and I almost accidentally posted what happens.

Crisis averted!

Edit: Plywood holy shit your avatar LOL

 

[Dennis]

Team Lannister reporting in.

 

[Dutch Gronk]

As a book reader, there is no way this season isn't the best.


Strap in.

 

[Plywood]

Edit: Plywood holy shit your avatar LOL

The fire rises.

 

[Kave_Man]

OMG DAT EPISODE 5 TITLE!

It definitely is about Hot Pie!

 

[PFD]

I thought this was the spoiler thread and I almost accidentally posted what happens.

Crisis averted!

Edit: Plywood holy shit your avatar LOL

lol me too

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

The fire rises.

When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, when the seas run dry and the mountains blow in the wind like leaves, then you have my permission to die.

 

[Steelyuhas]

When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, when the seas run dry and the mountains blow in the wind like leaves, then you have my permission to die.

:lol

 

[Dennis]

I wish we could banish all book readers to the other reaches of that *other* thread......

 

[Vagabundo]

As a book reader, there is no way this season isn't the best.


Strap in.

I know you were vague, but for the love of the fire god, please read the OP rules: No teasing/taunting.

Lets try and keep this thread book-reader free.In the last thread some dick spoilt the Red Wedding episode for me.

 

[Willkiller]

I wish we could banish all book readers to the other reaches of that *other* thread......

Oh please. All I said is that it's going to be a great season.

 

[_Ryo_]

Is it a good idea to make the OP look exactly like the UNMARKED SPOILERS thread? Seems like it can cause problems and make of people here weep more than Mrs. Stark at the red wedding.

 

[Dutch Gronk]

When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, when the seas run dry and the mountains blow in the wind like leaves, then you have my permission to die.

:jnc

 

[Ithil]

Spoiler: There's a lot of swearing.

 

[Vagabundo]

Oh please. All I said is that it's going to be a great season.

- For the book readers that want to lurk in this thread:
No taunting or teasing:
e.g. "Oh, just wait until you guys see what happens to him next week!!!"
No leading questions:
e.g. "What do you think will happen to this character by the end of the season?"
No comparing the book to the show:
e.g. "Well, that's different than in the book where they..."
Answering questions is fine when the information is readily available from what has aired on the show.
e.g. Q: "Wait, how is Robb related to Ned?" A: "Robb is Ned's son."

I know you might of missed it in the OP.

 

[Dysun]

Spoiler: There's a lot of swearing.

And tits

 

[Blader]

Oh please. All I said is that it's going to be a great season.

You're not supposed to say anything. That's why there are rules written out specifically in the OP, ffs.

I was about to post that I'm looking forward to another year of book readers ignoring the spoiler rules again, but so much for that!

 

[Dutch Gronk]

Spoiler: There's a lot of swearing.

Jesus, might as well not bother watching now..

THANKS A LOT!

 

[Chopper]

And tits

Yesssssss.

 

[ronito]

Here's a spoiler:

Spoiler

what the fuck are you doing highlighting spoilers in the no book spoilers thread? You want the show ruined for you?!

 

[_Ryo_]

I know you were vague, but for the love of the fire god, please read the OP rules: No teasing/taunting.

Lets try and keep this thread book-reader free.In the last thread some dick spoilt the Red Wedding episode for me.

This segregating book readers/non book readers is bullshit. Non readers can take anything a reader says waaaaaaaaaay out of proportion. They could make a grande theory and a reader could comment with either

1. That's mildly interesting.
2. Good theory, bro!
3. What?

and the responses would be the same.

1. What do you mean "mildly interesting?" do not tease, damn book readers. BURN/BANISH HIM/HER
2. How do you know? do not tease, damn book readers. BURN/BANISH HIM/HER
3. Are you dismissing my theory?do not tease, damn book readers. BURN/BANISH HIM/HER

That is immature behavior and it is uncalled for.

We can all get along.

 

[DrForester]

Last time, on "Game of Thrones"...

 

[iAmMaximus]

Binged season 1 - 3 this past week. I am so ready.

 

[Sai-kun]

ugh too many hot people on this show. I can't handle it.

SO hyped for this season. I'm incredibly jealous of my GF, who saw the first episode already.

edit: I need a Jojen Reed avatar.

 

[Dennis]

Here's a spoiler:

Spoiler

what the fuck are you doing highlighting spoilers in the no book spoilers thread? You want the show ruined for you?!

I know this is a joke but the spoilers were super-annoying in the old thread because you didn't know if a spoiler was about the preview for next weeks episode or an actual book spoiler.

 

[Demon Ice]

The premiere is the Sunday before a week of med school exams.



I will not be missing the premiere.

 

[Mondy]

Ohohoho yuuuuus. I have been ready for some time.

Into my veins. Volar Morghulis.

 

[adamantypants]

I'm so glad this thread exists.

I'm currently going through the series in audiobook and it's literally hundreds of hours long.

 

[PFD]

I'm so glad this thread exists.

I'm currently going through the series in audiobook and it's literally hundreds of hours long.

That's how I read most of the books.

"Lord Pa-Tire"

Is it a good idea to make the OP look exactly like the UNMARKED SPOILERS thread? Seems like it can cause problems and make of people here weep more than Mrs. Stark at the red wedding.

I agree

 

[FullMetalx117]

So I'm guess only hbo. No amazon instant video/iTunes the day after?

 

[Shiina]

This will be the first season where I already know what's going to happen since I just got done reading the third book. Will be interesting to see the whole thing from another perspective.

 

[Cyan]

Is it a good idea to make the OP look exactly like the UNMARKED SPOILERS thread? Seems like it can cause problems and make of people here weep more than Mrs. Stark at the red wedding.

Mmm, good point. Edited the OP slightly. Steelyuhas, feel free to change that to whatever you prefer, but we probably should have the top of the OP slightly different between the threads.

 

[TheOddOne]

My man, Steely. Good jub!

 

[yellow submarine]

Dafuq, they changed actors for Nahaaris? And for clegane too wtf!! I thought they sign multi-season contracts so that this bullshit doesn't happen...

 

[_Ryo_]

]This will be the first season where I already know what's going to happen[/B] since I just got done reading the third book. Will be interesting to see the whole thing from another perspective.

me too. read all the books after s3 left me on the floor.

 

[Linius]

Hi there thread, nice OP.

GET HYPE

Think I'll rewatch season three since I bought the blu not too long ago.

 

[Vico]

Will follow GoT-GAF for the first time.
Should be fun.

 

[PFD]

Mmm, good point. Edited the OP slightly. Steelyuhas, feel free to change that to whatever you prefer, but we probably should have the top of the OP slightly different between the threads.

I'd say put a big fat spoiler at the top of the unmarked thread, just so people can be sure

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Dafuq, they changed actors for Nahaaris? And for clegane too wtf!! I thought they sign multi-season contracts so that this bullshit doesn't happen...

This is the third actor for him. He should be better than the second one, appearance wise at least.

 

[Pop]

Yes! So ready for this.