Although the summer months are approaching, winter is coming.
The "Game of Thrones" season three premiere is finally upon us, and with it comes all the blood, sex and carnage that we've come to love. The show has always had a handle on its special effects, but the upcoming season will seem so realistic it will have fans looking over their shoulders for flying dragons.
The HBO series relies on its imagery. Any broken sword of blotch of dirt can portray a characters current state. Every glimpse of dragon scales and gushing blood can lead the viewer to transcend into the fantastical realm of Westeros.
But special effects aren't the only masterful use of imagery that makes "Game of Thrones" so powerful. Think of how careful attention to the characters' expressions helps tell the story, when we see the anguish on the face of Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) as he's tormented by his father, the look of terror on Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) when King Joffrey's (Jack Gleeson) demented insanity dawns on her, or the captivating eyes of Daenerys (Emilia Clark) that squander any other beauty crafted on the show.
The effects need to be spectacular to capture the true essence of Westeros. The original books are so wild and imaginative that the scenes recreated in the series need to be so realistic that viewers will want to get off their couches and step into the snowy plains beyond the wall or the dry crusted dust of the southern arid deserts.
However episode one of the returning season may not offer fans the extravagant blast of special effects that they expect. Unfortunately, it only serves as a precursor to the bloodbaths that will follow. It begins with Samwell Tarly trudging alone through the mists of the far side of the wall. Viewers expect a murderous wilding to pop out at any second, but the episode then dives into conversation amongst the numerous royal families as they begin plotting their next moves, and then it ends.
So for fans hoping for an action-packed episode reminiscent of the final few from last season, you're out of luck. But not to worry, season three is promised to be one of the wildest most jaw-dropping seasons yet. Fans can't even begin to fathom what's in store. This Sunday, winter will arrive.
Check out a short video featuring some of the "Game of Thrones'" special effects team below.