The wait is over. "Game of Thrones" is back. The series returns this weekend and promises to be the most epic season so far, full of spewing gore, soaring dragons and malicious kings. Rumors surrounding pivotal deaths and key plot shifts continue to spiral, so here a few answers to season three's most looming questions.
Perhaps most importantly, fans are desperate to learn more about the role Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) will play in the upcoming season. The first season made him out to be a conniving villain, but he has since made his way into viewers' hearts. He took a major role in the shaping of season two, but may be overshadowed by 27 other regular cast members in season three.
The season begins with Tyrion making amends with his sister, Cersei, in attempt to appease his father, Lord Tywin Lannister. Tywin has returned to Kings Landing and assumed the role of the Hand of the King, stripping Tyrion of his duties. Needless to say, tensions in the Lannister house continue to rise.
"The three of us spar a lot this season," Dinklage said. "That's a challenge because we're a family and it's a family with a very dark history with each other. They're really rich, really well written long scenes - six-page scenes - of just us talking. I really want to do those justice, you really want to serve it well."
"[Tyrion] is a survivor," he added. "He crawls his way back, to a certain extent. But that's what's fun about his character. He'll make the best out of every situation no matter what position he's put in." So perhaps Tyrion will begin his slow, witty ascent toward the throne in season three.
The new season will also prove to be a trying endeavor for the Stark women. The season begins with a troubled Catelyn Stark concerned for her two young daughters as she toils with her son's increasing power. Sansa is still in the murderous hands of King Joffrey and Arya is alone travelling through Westeros, using her wit and combat skills to find her way home.
"She's wrestling with her own demons," said Michelle Fairley about her character Catelyn. "She has a son who is king, she doesn't want him to be king... That's a hard thing, letting her son grow up. Season three for Catelyn is a progression, she becomes very introspective, and she goes to very dark places."
It's unclear what the season has in store for the show's most prevalent characters as creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss have promised that the upcoming season will include a number of "reversals of fortune." We'll just all have to wait and see. Two days isn't that long of a wait. Right?