Game of Thrones: We're Back! Season Premiere Recap & Discussion

Spoilers! 

Do not read this if you haven't seen this week's episode. Do not blame me if you keep reading and see something you don't want to know.

So this was the season premiere of Season 4, and how we have been waiting for it. We're putting the characters back out on the board, gearing up for what's to come. After some pointed review scenes at the beginning to catch us up on the reappearance of some minor characters, things get started. Tonight's theme is "You can't always get what you want." What happened:

• Nobody at King's Landing is getting anything they want. Well, Jaime got that sweet sword made from Ned Stark's old one, but he's going to have to content himself with that for a while as Cersei is exerting what little power she has to deny him access to herself. Shea can't get Tyrion, who's denying himself to everyone. And Margaery can't find a nice necklace for her wedding. I hate when that happens! *Stamps my foot.*
• Sansa gets a friend, which she doesn't want but probably should be grateful for.
• I do love scenes between Jaime and Brienne though. I love how she's becoming his conscience and he's learning to use his powers for good. His character arc has been fascinating so far and I can't wait to see what's to come for him.
• Over in the far-away lands, Daenerys has an admirer in Daario Naharis, recast from that blond underwear model to some guy from "Nashville". She says she doesn't want that, but I think she does, a little.
• Her dragons are getting large and testy. She wants to control them and might have to learn that she can't.
• There's a new kid on the block, some guy with a grudge against the Lannisters. Like that doesn't describe every character who isn't a Lannister, and most of those who are. He wants revenge. Will he get it? And who is the woman for whom Rhaegar left this dude's siser? Lyanna Stark maybe?
• Jon Snow gets to keep his head after answering to the Night Watch's council, so that's pretty good.
• Some scarred-up guys starting hanging out with the Wildlings. Oh and they're cannibals. Neat.
• Arya gets what she wants as she and the Hound continue their journey. He says he taking her to the Vale but if history is any predictor, where he says he's taking her is the one place she isn't going. But she gets some delicious revenge, served hot and bubbly. And she gets Needle back. So good for Arya.

So what I liked best were the scenes with Jaime, pretty much all of them, and how twice in the episode we get reminders of Jon Snow's relationships with the Stark children. There are his references to his affection and rivalry with Robb, and Arya's references to him as her brother- the brother who gave her Needle, for which she is willing to kill. Margaery is fun as always and I liked her scene with Brienne. "Joffrey is our king now." Uh-huh. That's your story and you're sticking to it.

So we got our usual helpings of blood and body parts and some new characters to boot. The royal wedding is coming up, which means Joffrey shouldn't start any long books. Tune in next week!

What did you think of the season premiere?