Expectation can be a tough master, especially on a show like Game of Thrones.  The fans have come to expect ‘big’ things as we near the end of the season.

Just when you think you’ve got the Game of Thrones formula nailed, they go and shake things up in a rather dramatic way.

After the controversial wedding night rape of Sansa of last week, things are a little more ‘subdued’ this time around. Which is a mercy, really. 

You think Game of Thrones is ‘dark’, what with its violence, the Walkers, a Red Wedding and executions? Well, you haven’t seen anything yet.  In episode six, we venture down dark corridors that make for disturbed viewing.

Heads up everyone.  There will be violence and nudity in Episode 5.  Just in case you were wondering.  But really the pre-show warnings should include ‘this episode contains scenes of emotional torture and dragons'.

Say whatever you want about King Robert Baratheon, the Seven Kingdoms was held it together under his rule.  Since his demise way back in season one, things have slowly been falling apart.

Game of Thrones loves a ‘good’ wedding.  We’ve had the infamous ‘Red Wedding’ and the much anticipated ‘purple wedding’, spelling the end of Robb Stark and Joffrey Baratheon.

The last we saw of Arya Stark, she was sailing towards a new life in Braavos in the final episode of Season Four.  Having survived her journey through Westeros with The Hound, Arya was looking to a new beginning.

As a season opener, it lacked the punch of the last three episodes of season four.  But we shouldn’t expect all the bells and whistles just yet.