Game of Thrones Season 5 continues the complex and interwoven storylines across the continents of Westeros and Essos, focusing on political intrigue, power struggles, and personal transformations.
Main Plot Points
- King’s Landing and the Lannisters: After the deaths of King Joffrey and Tywin Lannister, Tommen, Cersei Lannister’s young son, ascends to the throne. The religious group known as the Sparrows gains influence, imprisoning Cersei, Queen Margaery, and Loras Tyrell for various sins. Cersei is forced to confess and undergoes a humiliating walk of atonement. Jaime Lannister travels to Dorne to retrieve Princess Myrcella but she is poisoned and dies as revenge for Oberyn Martell’s death
- Winterfell and the North: Sansa Stark is left at Winterfell by Littlefinger and is forced to marry Ramsay Bolton, who abuses her. Stannis Baratheon marches on Winterfell but is defeated and killed. Sansa escapes with Theon’s help. Jon Snow becomes Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, allies with the Wildlings, but is ultimately betrayed and stabbed to death by mutineers
- Essos and Daenerys: Daenerys Targaryen struggles to maintain control over Meereen amidst resistance from the Sons of the Harpy. Jorah Mormont saves her during a fighting pit attack. Tyrion Lannister flees to Essos and becomes an advisor to Daenerys. Daenerys is eventually captured by a Dothraki horde but escapes on her dragon Drogon.
- Arya Stark’s Journey: Arya arrives in Braavos and begins training with the Faceless Men, a guild of assassins. She disobeys their rules by killing Ser Meryn Trant for personal revenge and is blinded as punishment.
- Other Storylines: Melisandre sacrifices Stannis’s daughter Shireen in a desperate attempt to win the war. Brienne of Tarth executes Stannis for the murder of Renly Baratheon. Varys arrives in Meereen to help govern alongside Tyrion and others. Samwell Tarly departs Castle Black to train as a Maester1.
Episode Highlights
- Episodes explore key events such as Jon Snow’s election as Lord Commander, the rise of the Sparrows, Sansa’s marriage, the attack by the Sons of the Harpy, and the dramatic conclusion with Jon’s stabbing and Cersei’s walk of atonement.
- The season consists of 10 episodes, starting with “The Wars to Come” and concluding with “Mother’s Mercy,” which features many pivotal moments including Stannis’s defeat, Myrcella’s death, and Arya’s punishment2.
Themes and Reception
Season 5 is marked by darker and more mature themes, including religious fanaticism, betrayal, and the harsh realities of power. It continues to build on the complex characters and political machinations that define the series.
