SPOILERS for the past four seasons of Game of Thrones
SPOILERS for last night’s premiere episode

Game of Thrones Season 5 premiered last night. I found Season 4 to be deeply satisfying, so while I was super-excited about the premiere, there weren’t many “OMG, I have to see how this situation turned out” moments. I knew Tyrion was okay after he killed his father. I knew Dany was still trying to figure out how to be a good queen and that her dragon-babies would not like to be chained up. I knew Melisandre would take an interest in Jon Snow. But there were some surprises and shocks, I guess. Let’s do some highlights.

Brienne of Tarth. I’m worried about Brienne, you guys. Ayra didn’t want her help (completely reasonable) and Brienne is aimless, her oath to Catelyn Stark unfulfilled. But I like that we got a so-close-and-so-far moment where Sansa is literally just yards away. Damn you, GoT!

Sansa Stark. Dark Sansa, or Alayne Stone (that’s her AKA amongst the people of the Vale) is here. We don’t have the weak, victimized Sansa any longer. With Littlefinger’s help, Dark Sansa is coming into her own as a leader, manipulator and strategist. Or something. I have to admit, I like the chemistry between Sansa and Littlefinger. He enjoys her so much. And the scene where Robyn is learning swordplay? Hilarious.

Dany. I love that GoT writers and producers know we want to see the dragons in the first episode just to know that they’re still there. They’ve gotten bigger in the past “months” of the show too. And they are not happy with Dany at all. And where is Drogon? He’s checking out the world, yo. As for Dany with her lover, Daario…. I like that actor a lot. And he’s got a cute butt and great shoulders and arms. I don’t even give a crap about what he says and how he’s trying to manipulate Dany. I just want more Daario shirtless.

Tyrion. Tyrion is so depressed, you guys. I like his beard but I hope the whole season isn’t Tyrion being depressed and drunk. I want him to be witty and cynical!

Cersei/Jamie. I figured out in a few seconds that the little blonde girl in the opening was a young Cersei, but who was the brunette girl? Was it Lyanna Stark? Anyway, I loved the witch’s riddle and I loved that Charles Dance came by to do one last scene as Tywin. I loved that Cersei is still pissed at Jamie. I loved that we got a glimpse of things to come with the Sparrow movement. I can’t wait for Jonathan Pryce/High Sparrow to come to Kings Landing!!

Jon Snow/Mance Rayder. I wasn’t expecting that. I wasn’t expecting Mance to die in the FIRST EPISODE of the premiere. I thought it was going to be a whole season of Jon and Mance chatting to each other in that dank prison cell. Death by fire? I guess I would expect that from Melisandre and Stannis, but it really was an awful way to go and I loved that Jon Snow had enough and put Mance out of his misery. Ciaran Hinds gave a post-death-scene interview to Entertainment Weekly – go here to read. R.I.P. MANCE!!

Photos courtesy of WENN.