We're officially in the final stretch of our countdown to the sixth season of Game of Thrones [1]. In recent months, we've scrounged up all the possible information about the show's next chapter by obsessing over recent cast interviews [2], watching every new trailer [3] an unhealthy number of times, and puzzling over all the new characters from the books [4] that are coming our way. As we look forward, though, it's quite important that we also look back. To help you really prep for the April 24 premiere, here's a recap of where every major character's story has left off.
Arya Has Killed Ser Meryn Trant and Gone Blind
At the end of season five, Arya has locked into Ser Meryn, whom she wants to kill [5] because he has presumably killed her beloved sword-fighting instructor Syrio Forel. To kill him, Arya steals a face from the House of Black and White. However, since Meryn's life is "not hers to take," she loses her sight as penance for her disobedience.
Jon Snow May or May Not Be Dead
Jon Snow faces the worst kind of betrayal in the finale when he's brutally stabbed to death by his fellow members of the Night's Watch. We have plenty of evidence to suggest why he's dead [6] and why he's not [7], so we'll just have to wait and see how everything turns out.
Jaime Lannister's Daughter Myrcella Is Dead
Jaime heads to Dorne in season five to retrieve his daughter and bring her safely home to King's Landing. Plans go awry, though, when Ellaria poisons Myrcella — as revenge for the Lannisters' part in the death of Prince Oberyn — just before they depart. As the boat makes its way out into the sea, she collapses and dies. Even more tragically, it's just after Jaime admits that he's Myrcella's father.
Brienne of Tarth Has Most Likely Killed Stannis Baratheon
Stannis prepares to march on Winterfell, but faces a slew of terrible news. His wife, Selyse, has hung herself out of grief from losing her daughter Shireen, whom Stannis burned alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light. Nearly half of his men have abandoned him. And Melisandre has fled. The Bolton army ambushes Stannis's tattered forces and easily emerges victorious. Brienne finds the wounded Stannis and explains she's killing him as vengeance for the death of Renly Baratheon. Stannis tells her to do her duty, and after a moment's hesitation, she swings her sword. The only thing is, we don't see where it lands.
Daenerys Targaryen Is Stranded on an Island in the Dothraki Seas
Near the end of season 5, Daenerys is whisked away from the tumult in Mereen by her trusty third dragon Drogon, who's still roaming free. After sustaining injuries in the battle arena in Mereen, Drogon is uninterested in finding food or flying back. Daenerys quickly finds herself surrounded by a huge cluster of Dothraki soldiers who take her prisoner.
Sansa Stark and Theon Greyjoy (aka Reek) Have Escaped From Ramsay Snow
As Stannis and Ramsay's armies clash on the battlefield up near Winterfell, Sansa seizes her opporunity to escape. She's quickly intercepted by Reek and Myranda, who tell her she can't leave until she gives Ramsay an heir. Suddenly, though, Reek hurls Myranda off the side of the castle, and she falls to her death. As Ramsay returns from battle, Sansa and Reek are running short on time to escape. They leap from the high wall of the castle, hoping the snow will break their fall.
Cersei Lannister Has Safely — and Tumultuously — Returned From the Custody of the Sparrows
After being held prisoner for committing the crimes of adultery, incest, and regicide, the High Sparrow agrees to let Cersei go if she'll confess. Shortly thereafter, her hair is cut off, and she's released to walk home, naked, through the streets of King's Landing. She returns to the Red Keep and bursts into tears, and meets the new and improved Mountain, who's bigger, stronger, and meaner after being brought back from the dead.
The White Walkers — and the Night's King — Are Drawing Ever Closer
During an epic battle at Hardhome, which is north of The Wall, the Night's King makes his entrance [8]. His mission is abundantly clear: to kill the living and to recruit them to his army of the dead. They're getting close, too. As we learned in the latest trailer for season six [9], "the dead are coming."
Margaery Tyrell and Loras Tyrell Are Still in the Sparrows' Custody
Although Cersei Lannister has been released, we sadly can't say the same for poor Queen Margaery and her brother Loras. As you might remember, Loras has been imprisoned because of his homosexual lifestyle. Margaery has been imprisoned for condoning her brother's "perversion," and helping him hide it.
Jorah Has Been Infected With Greyscale
While bringing Tyrion to Mereen, Jorah is attacked by a bunch of Stone Men. After the encounter, we see that he's been infected with greyscale [10], which will slowly calcify his skin until he dies.
Tyrion Is Still in Mereen
Jorah has brought Tyrion as a gift for Daenerys, hoping to earn her forgiveness. Nevertheless, Dany exiles Jorah from the city and decides what to do with Tyrion. Most recently, Daenerys has agreed to keep Tyrion as her advisor. Now that she's gone, though, Tyrion has to figure out where he fits in.
Sam and Gilly Are on Their Way to Oldtown
Figuring he won't be much help on the front lines at The Wall, Sam asks if he can act as the new Maester of the Watch on Oldtown. Despite warnings that The Citadel won't condone his relationship, Sam sets off with Gilly and his child, hoping to find safe harbor.