We were very lucky to be among the few catching the first episode of the season four, Two Swords, of the ever growing fantasy phenomenon, Game of Thrones, at London’s Guildhall last night. The cast were out in force on the black carpet whilst eager fans turned up to catch a glimpse. See our interviews with them here or read on for an overview of the first episode.

Every year it seems we’re waiting even longer for our next fix of the new season of Game of Thrones and this year probably felt the longest. If we thought Ned’s death in season one was bad the aftermath of the Red Wedding (something we’re still coming to terms with…) has made us demand retribution!  The good news is we’re unlikely to be disappointed, we have it on good authority from the cast we’re unlikely to endure another Red Wedding shocker, but good news or bad news, season four is going to propel very quickly into a series of unforgettable events.

Whoever you’re rooting for remember don’t be complacent, just as we didn’t expect Ned’s execution, or the demise of the Starks we can’t think for one moment we’re going to get what we want.  Ok so no spoilers, because where is the fun in that? But facts we do know from the trailers… There’s going to be a wedding, a march on the wall by the Wildling king and the arrival of some new Dornish characters.

Episode one opens with Tywin and Jamie. Jamie, once the prodigal son of  the Lannister pack is quickly put into his place, and (now with a deformity of missing hand) is deemed a lesser man in the eyes of his cruel father, although not treated with the same contempt as Tyrion, it’s clear Tywin is trying to hide his disgust.

We progress to the arrival of the Dornishmen, as Tyrion is sent to greet new arrivals and guests for the Royal Wedding.  Understandably, Tyrion is uncomfortable to learn the only royal Dornish Royalty who will be attending is Prince Oberyn Martell who has already arrived in Kings Landing without Tyrion’s knowledge. Our first encounter with Prince Oberyn Martell is an altercation with some Lannister guards in Littlefinger’s whore house as Oberyn hears them proudly singing the ‘Rains of Castermere’. But just who is this Prince? Well here lies an important piece of history!

For those paying attention a Martell was wedded to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen before King Robert’s rebellion.  Elia of Dorne (Prince Oberyn’s sister, also Daenerys’ sister-in-law) was brutally murdered along with her children by the Mountain, who has allegiance and takes orders from the Lannisters. Prince Oberyn Martell takes pleasure in reminding a very uncomfortable Tyrion, the Lannisters aren’t the only ones who pay their debts…

As the Tyrells gear up for the wedding it’s clear nothing the Lannisters suggest is going to convince the Queen of Thornes of their taste. We move to Sansa and Tyrion holding a conversation about how Sansa’s family died at the Red Wedding, cue the tears and sounds of screaming in your head. But you can sense the pain Tyrion feels for Sansa in her predicament, he doesn’t want to be married to her just as much as she doesn’t want to be married to him. You can feel Tyrion’s sympathy for Sansa as he states even though Catelyn tried to execute him, he held admiration for her in trying to keep her family safe.

Perhaps the most heart warming scene for Sansa is the return of Ser Dontos. The former Knight turned Fool whom she saved from death on Joffrey’s name day. It’s in  this scene where we actually see Sansa genuinely smile as Ser Dontos hands her a token of his gratitude for saving his life.

Jamie and Cersei are reunited, but it’s not all brotherly sisterly loving.  Cersei, according to Qyburn, has been unwell but she doesn’t detail what about and as Jamie’s new gold hand is fitted Cersei rejects Jamie’s advances and hisses ‘Everything has changed’. This is a truly pivotal scene as Jamie struggles to understand why Cersei is so angry with him. It’s clear she feels she has held strong whilst Jamie was captured, even though realistically she is losing her grip on the whole situation she has tried to engineer.

Brienne is back, and in a kind of dress? She reminds Jamie of his vows to Catelyn to keep the Stark girls safe. We do get a glimpse of some Wildlings as Ygritte is questioned in her ability and allegiance to the cause since she failed to take down Jon Snow when he fled. Meanwhile at the wall Jon Snow faces the wrath of the despicable Janos Slynt  and equally unlovable Alliser Thorne during an inquisition into his whereabouts and the murder of Qhorin Halfhand. Will Jon be treated to the same fate as all deserters of the Nightswatch?

Whilst in other lands we see Daenerys sitting admiring her (getting rather big) children (dragons) squabbling over a carcass, but just as the dragons are getting bigger they are getting bolder and rather adolescent in behaviour and everyone remembers what they were like in their own defiant teenage years. Regardless, Daenerys and her army march on to Mereen the largest of all the slaver cities.

Perhaps some light relief comes finally from Arya and The Hound. Still companions sharing a comical, and increasingly dark relationship it’s probably this scene which sets the tone for how season four is going to go: revenge and some retribution. Finally!

Season four might be the best yet and we’re very excited. If you haven’t been watching Game of Thrones where have you been? Sky is offering up seasons 1, 2 and 3 on demand now and the episode one season four airs on Sky Atlantic 9pm on April 6th in the UK.