The Winds of Westeros

With so many Kit Harrington sightings in Belfast and on current production sets, the question remains: is Jon Snow dead or alive?

Spoilers below.....you've been warned.

If you go to Westeros.org or Watchers on the Wall, let's just say that there's plenty of photos to suggest that *maybe* Jon is going to be present in Season 6.

Here's hoping!!!!

Okay, so now Richard E Grant has been cast in Season 6. This is very interesting, indeed. He's had some pretty eclectic roles in movies and television. I wonder who's he's going to portray?

My husband is a huge fan of the Danish series, Borgen. You can imagine his delight at reading that Danish actor Pilou Asbaek has been cast as Euron Greyjoy. 

But what really got my attention is who else was cast.....and for their specific role!! If you've been watching Dowtown Abbey (I have become a fan in the past few years), then you'll definitely remember a certain stern patriarch, Lord Cinderby.

OMG. That actor is perfect for the role of Samwell Tarly's father, Randyll. James Faulkner will be playing the notoriously rigid and cold Tarly patriarch. Boy, do I ever feel for Same now! His dad was cold as ice and I have to say that they cast the actor perfectly for the role. Kudos!

How fortuitous......the Emmy's just happened to fall on GRRM's birthday (September 20).

And what a birthday present he got! Game of Thrones won in several areas, most notably being Peter Dinklage winning his second Emmy award.

He is awesome, his wit razor sharp and his political savvy a blessing. No wonder why Peter Dinklage won the Emmy - Tyrion Lannister is not only a fan favourite, but every time fans are fortunate enough to see Tyrion on screen, we know something interesting, dynamic or shocking is about to happen.

Happy birthday, GRRM. So, um....as a birthday present for your fans....any chance that The Winds of Winter will be coming out winter of 2016??

More Game of Thrones Funko Pop figures have been ordered.

Yes. I know. I already have 24 in my collection.

But.....but....I just want to order a "few more".....as in 8. LOL

I am STILL WAITING for my Jaqen H'gar Funko doll!!!!

I swear to GOD, either the folks at HBO are the worst when it comes to keeping a secret OR it's just sheer coincidence that Kit Harrington has been sighted in Belfast.

As in, he was on the same flight as our sexy assassin, Jaqen (Tom Wlaschiha) and has been seen walking around the streets with the actor who portrays Dolores Edd.

C'mon, already!!!!!!! I REALLLLLY want to believe Jon will be coming back in one form or another?!

Jon Snow?

Jon Stark?

Rumour has it that another round of Funko Pop dolls are going to be coming to a store near us...

I'm patiently waiting for a new version of Braavos Arya and Jaqen H'ghar. Is that too much for a fan to ask?!

And with Comic Con in full swing, I am feeling a bit blue. I really wanted to go this year, but alas, house renovations took precedence over flying out to San Diego.

Sigh.

Someday, I suppose.

Book readers aren't too thrilled with some of the changes that have been taking place on the HBO series.

Let me reiterate that I understand it's a huge challenge to include every single character and every single plot line from book to screen play adaptation.

However, I think it's kind of silly when they don't include ones that fans were strongly hoping for (Lady Stone heart) but end up throwing characters together for the sake of another plot twist (placing Bronn and Jaime together, in order to go to Dorne, which does not happen).

I will concede that getting rid of some of the long winded plots (the endless travels and shenanigans that Tyrion has to undergo in order to get to Daenerys Targaryen) were a solid move. The faster Tyrion is on the move and gets into Dany's inner circle, the better. Same with Margaery and Tommen getting married and making Tommen older on the show. That was a good move. I also heartily approve of Tyrion and Jorah together, as well as placing Podrick and Brienne together. We need some comedic relief and some serious dramatic monologues, and those four are great with both.

BUT REALLY?! SER BARRISTAN and MANCE dying?! David and Dan, what on earth are you thinking?! And you wonder why fans are getting ticked off?!

Be honest.

How many people have watched the first four leaked episodes?

LOTS. There's arguments for and against watching them. Die hard fans are staunchly foregoing this option. Others want to wait it out and be surprised, week by week. Some fans are so obsessed that they couldn't wait to see what the first four episodes were all about.

Remember: there's going to be a ton of changes from the books. I am a book reader and am prepared to deal with a lot of changes, in terms of characters, plots and divergent storylines.

And many have asked about whether or not I've see a glimpse or two of the leaked episodes.

A girl sees nothing. A girl is no one.

YES.

The Seven are just. The day has finally arrived.

Millions of fans wait in anticipation, huddled together in front of their television screens, with family and friends, to rejoice and watch the Season Five premiere of Game of Thrones.

MAJOR shout out to my cake lady Linda, who made the most amazing cake creation for my get together. Lemon with chocolate cream filling.

A cake worthy of sitting on the Iron Throne of Westeros!

#GameOfThrones

#TheVanillaBean

YES.

THE GODS ARE JUST.

Today, the second trailer for Season V of Game of Thrones aired. I've watched it....a few times. Yes, somewhere between 20 to 40 times, at least.

I'm trying to analyze what each frame means, its' secrets, plot changes, new characters, and putting together predictions.

All I know is I AM STOKED!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THE FEELS!!!! I was trying to be productive at work. Honestly. A phone call changed all that.

I watched the leaked Season V Game of Thrones trailer.

In a word: STUPENDOUS!!!!!

Oh this is getting better and better.

First, I find out that there's going to be a short special about Season V on February 8. Now, I find out that an actress has been cast to portray a young Cersei Lannister. 4

Can we say "flashback" coming to us very soon, via HBO?!

Happy New Year's to all the fans in the realm!

I just saw an article on 109 We Come from the Future and it's really exciting! On February 8, there will be a short behind the scenes glimpse on Game of Thrones.

Speculation is high: will it be a behind the scenes of Season 5? The new characters joining for the upcoming Season? Will it be something to do with how the show is diverging from the books? Who knows? For now, us fans must simply be content with the fact that it is now officially 100 days until Season 5. Hopefully all the news leaks on the internet were correct and that April 5 is the premiere date.

Although, I was thinking about it for a bit and well, maybe it will be a week earlier? If memory serves correct, Game of Thrones season premiere in 2014 took place on April 6. So maybe.....just maybe it will be the last Sunday in March (March 29th). There'll be no quarrel from me or my friends and family members, that's for sure!!

Wishing all the fans in the realm a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As of December 25, there will be 108 days to go!!!

And 108 days is way better than 208! And by the time January 2 rolls around, we will officially be into a double digit countdown (99 days to go).

Have you checked out HBO's Year Ender trailer?

You see Cersei walking with some of the Kingsguard; Jon back at Castle Black; Arya standing on a the shore (which I presume she has safely landed in Braavos) and Tyrion looking pretty grim and disguised with longer hair and a full on beard. It's only 8 seconds long but it is better than nothing!

:)

So, the bosses over at HBO Watch decided to publish a little parody that I wrote of "12 Days of Christmas."

Take a peek here and drop me a line if you think it was alright!

http://hbowatch.com/the-12-days-of-game-of-thrones-christmas-a-song

Tell Tale Games in partnership with HBO is going to release a new Game of Thrones animated game. It looks incredible! It's going to be a six episode game and will focus on a backstory, but still related to the War of the Five Kings.

I've posted the link to the article. I just have to make sure that I have the right game console before I preorder this game.

It's called "Iron from Ice" - with the game being centered around House Forrester, who are loyal banner men to House Stark. I can't wait for this game to come out. So far, four actors/actresses have already been attached to this project. You'll recognize Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Margaery Tyrell and Ramsay Snow in it.

BOOM. Bring it!

Whaaaaaaat?!?! Huh?!?!

My eyes were not playing tricks on me when I read several reports about Season 7 being (almost) officially greenlit. Word on the street is that certain actors and actresses have negotiated their contracts into two groups: A List and B List.

A List: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Kit Harrington, Nicolaj Coster Waldau and Emilia Clarke are the first five in that group. They have the highest salaries, according to a few articles. B List: Maisie Williams, Natalie Dormer and Sophie Turner. Still, all in all, they are making great money per season. I'm just super stoked that Season 7 will be up and running!

JUST YES!!!!

What arrived at my door today? After days of anxiously awaiting the package, it finally came!

I ordered 3 copies of the new book, "The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones."

Two of them came today and one is on its' way as a gift for someone special: my mother.

I got her into A Song of Ice and Fire books about two years ago. I guess after hearing me rant and rave about the books and the HBO series at how many family gatherings and get togethers, curiosity got the better of her.

I haven't opened my books yet but boy, oh boy is it a beauty! It's a large book, with an appealing burnt orange slash brown colour to it and they are individually sealed.

I can't wait to open it up and start reading the contents. But with Halloween around the corner and my full time occupation of teaching wee little ones, this week is just way too busy to crack the book open.

Friday night, however, is another story!

Okay, so according to all the websites that I subscribe to, many a leaked photo indicate that Jaime Lannister is in a different outfit.

As in, Dornish robes.

Yes, you read that correctly. What on earth is Jaime doing in Dorne? What for? Why is this change taking place in the HBO series?

I've read the first five books and there was never any mention of Jaime Lannister + Dorne.

I'm very confused and a tad annoyed by this. Sure, I'm annoyed...because if they are showing Jaime Lannister in Dornish clothing, than that means that plenty other plotlines are going to be messed up.

But hey! Let's leave out Lady Catelyn Stark's resurrection into Lady Stoneheart out of the upcoming season because they didn't feel it was worth including.

Whatevs.

Seville, Spain is the setting for the 5th Season. Spain is going to be the stand in for the southern most portion of Westeros, Dorne.

Lots of articles and lots of pictures taken by fans and fan threads, which is extra exciting, because a certain scene has now been given the green light.

Book readers know what I'm talking about.

Oh Cersei. You didn't think you were going to come out of this Season unscathed, did you?!

Can't wait to see Karma come back to kick someone in the behind. Trust me, she's earned it!