Westeros

A look at a familiar sword in a familiar place, though never before seen together: this is Cregan Stark (played by Tom Taylor) carrying Ice on the Wall, where it seems he takes Jace. This is not something that happens in Fire and Blood, and is likely to connect the show more firmly to Game of Thrones.

HBO

A dragon flying over water, which we think may possibly be Seasmoke? That would be a surprise, if so.

HBO

Three eggs being kept warm, reminiscent of Dany’s three eggs, and definitely a parallel.

HBO

The dragon from the earlier screenshot, we’re pretty sure.

HBO

King Aegon II with two newly-introduced companions. They are Ser Martin Reyne (played by Barney Fishwick) and Ser Leon Estermont (played by Ralph Davis). These are characters unmentioned in Martin’s writing, and have specifically been created by the TV show.

HBO

Rhaenyra examining weapons. The first, the one she’s picking up and later shown holding out, has a very interesting, slightly archaic design, especially the hilt that reminds us of the Roman gladius or early mediaeval sword hilts. This may represent a pre-Doom Valyrian blade that retained Valyrian-made guards and pommels, unlike Blackfyre and Dark Sister which swordsmith Peter Johnsson has explicitly remarked were re-hilted as part of the Targaryens assimilating themselves to Westerosi styles.

HBO

Rhaenyra with the sword, giving a better view of its cross-section. Very nice.

HBO

A glimpse of a map of Westeros with counters on it, seemingly to track the war, in the small council chamber.

HBO

We believe these appear to be Lannister forces passing beneath the the Golden Tooth, seat of House Lefford and the gateway between the westerlands and the riverlands.

HBO

Lannister forces, arrayed much as they were more than a hundred and fifty years later in the time of Game of Thrones. Would have liked to see the same variety and lack of uniformity we’ll see in later screenshots, but one might suppose the extremely wealthy Lannisters have devoted a substantial amount to having their elite guards and soldiers equipped similarly to one another.

HBO

Now this is definitely Moondancer, the young, nimble dragon ridden by Lady Baela.

HBO

Hightower forces marching out of King’s Landing, we think, but this suggests they’re going south, not north, which is wrong. Could this possibly be a new take on Oldtown, and showing troops marching north to join the Lannisters? Only more details will.

HBO

A terrific glimpse of an army showing a great variety in arms and armament, and especially heraldic arms and livery, showing a greater level of fidelity to the sort of historical examples of medieval warfare than its predecessor. Notable are the arms of three houses of the crownlands, sworn directly to the Iron Throne: House Darklyn (though we think too many white shields—denoting members of the house that have served in the Kingsguard—are present at this point in time), Rosby, and House Stokeworth.

HBO

Two Velaryon ships appear to be an intercepting a third. Note the oars clearly visible on the left-most vessel.

HBO

Curious to know what the Valyrian glyphs on the wall say, in this scene which appears to emphasize Prince Daemon’s thwarted ambitions and desires.

HBO

Sunfyre, accounted the most beautiful of all the Targaryen dragons, flying above King’s Landing.

HBO

A closer look at Sunfyre’s rider, King Aegon II, as he flies above the royal city.

HBO

The same army for before appears to be marching to attack the castle featured. This is very likely Rook’s Rest, seat of House Staunton.

HBO

Daemon on Caraxes landing at we believe to be a gloomy Harrenhal.

HBO

Northmen marching towards what appears to be the Wall.

HBO

And another look at Lord Cregan Stark and Prince Jacaerys Velaryon on the Wall.

HBO

A display of Moondancer’s nimbleness and Baela’s daring, as they appear to be chasing…

HBO

... Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and others. This is not a scene from Martin’s history, suffice it to say, suggesting Baela’s and Moondancer’s roles have been expanded.

HBO

This is almost certainly the famous confrontation between the Kingsguard knights (and brothers) Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk Cargyll.

HBO

A first glimpse at Alyn of Hull (played by Abubakar Salim), wearing Velaryon-emblazoned armor.

HBO

This is Rhaena Targaryen, sister to Baela, who rumors claim will also have a substantially expanded story on the show from what is present in the histories.

HBO

A great shot of Baela on Moondancer as the dragon dives towards the earth.

HBO

A dragon’s fire raining down on a battlefield, where we can see the Rosby coat of arms, suggesting this is the Battle of Rook’s Rest.

HBO

Mysaria, sans accent seemingly, and with what looks like a new scar on her throat? Possibly a burn scar, following the events of last season?

As I was reminded on the A Song of Ice and Fire forum, she had this scarring in the first season, and it appears to have been the result of her having been collared as a slave for many years before escaping and making her life in Westeros.

HBO

This is likely to be Blood and Cheese, and we’ll say no more about that.

HBO

Queen Helaena and Queen Alicent running in terror from a riot. This is not something that happens in Martin’s history, not at that juncture at least.

HBO

Princess Rhaenys atop Meleys, the Red Queen, flying towards what we guess to be Rook’s Rest.

HBO

Prince Aemond atop Vhagar, with flames licking at him which suggest he’s locked in battle with another dragon…

HBO

But Vhagar has flames as well.

HBO

Last but not least, this is very likely to be Vermithor, the second largest dragon of House Targaryen, seemingly first glimpsed last season after Prince Daemon’s summoning song.

HBO