This weekend, Game of Thrones returns for its fifth season of death and sex, intrigue, and lemon cakes. By now, the many characters and crossing plot lines can be difficult to keep straight, even for book readers—is Gendry still rowing?—but as the HBO series has passed its midpoint, it’s more important than ever to know the status quo. Ahead of Sunday’s premiere, we’ve assembled a quick refresher on where everyone stands at GoT halftime. Game on.
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Photo: Courtesy of HBO
Jon Snow
Born: A bastard
Last known location: The Wall
Aliases: Crow, Wildling Turncloak
Associates: Samwell Tarly, Aemon Targaryen, Ghost the Direwolf
Last seen successfully defending the Wall from a wildling attack, then attempting to assassinate their leader, Mance Rayder. Attempt disrupted by the surprise arrival of Stannis Baratheon and his troops, who destroy Rayder’s men and bring the wildling campaign to an end. The threat of the White Walkers remains.
Gains: One Iron Throne claimant, Stannis; one redhead priestess, Melisandre
Losses: Two friends, Pyp and Grenn; one redhead lover, Ygritte