Game of Thrones is back, and it’s back with a style and panache only Game of Thrones can bring. As always, there were lots of moving parts, and characters to catch up on, but who was the biggest mover and shaker of Game of Thrones on its opening week? All shall be revealed – Valar Morghulis.

*Game of Thrones season 5, episode 1 spoilers*

Game of Thrones has a new badass in town, and his name is Stannis Baratheon. OK, so he’s not a new character at all, but in one single episode (and just a handful of scenes) he went from being someone who I had little to no interest in, to someone I’m possibly more intrigued to see develop over the season from any other. He is one smart, calculated fella, and he plans on taking back the North from that damned Roose Bolton.

He’s always just been there, popping up now and then to look a bit frowny, with his partner in crime Melisandre filling in the inevitable boob quota, but all of a sudden, through a mixture of osmosis from sharing screen time with good ol’ Jon Snow, and him setting out on a noble course (albeit for personal gain) to take down the most hated of Game of Thrones villains, I can’t help but find myself rooting for Stannis. The enemy of an enemy is a friend, right? Right??

He’s not on this path to put right Roose Bolton’s moral wrongdoings, he’s doing heading down this route simply because he wants the power Roose has for himself. Ned Stark he is not, and I think that’s what makes me most hopeful that we will see him take down the Bolton empire (and from there forge attempt two on the Iron Throne). We’ve seen in the past how far nobility and doing what is right gets you (I’m looking at you, every Stark character ever). With his attempt to enlist the Wildlings, and the ruthless execution by flames of Mance Rayder, he’s shown that he’s not afraid to do things the dirty way. He’s just what the North needs, and it was a real treat to see him actually making some real progress as a character, and as a player in the Game.

Sidenote takeaways:

– I can tell already that it’s going to be a long, arduous road to the Tyrion/Daenerys meeting. I want it to happen THIS much – if either character dies before they make it I will freak out.

– So Cersei was a full on bitch even as a small child….no surprises there then!

– Has Sansa broken bad? Does she only have the one dress to symbolise this? She seems kind of like the same old Sansa, just in black.

– Daenerys is a terrible mother, someone needs to contact the dragon social services. One dragon lost, and two chained up in a tomb, bad form!

Mini Review:

Game of Thrones returned with a solid as ever opener. Whilst there was no time for Arya, the developments at the wall with Stannis, and the burgeoning tease of a Tyrion/Daenerys meeting laid solid foundations for the season to come.

Rating (out of 5):