As many know, Game of Thrones (Season Premiere, 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO) is based on author George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series. But what happens when the show’s progression surpasses that of the source material?
Debuting this week, Season Five will cover the series’ fourth and fifth novels; by the time the finale airs, the show will be “off the books.” This means those who watch will have a leg up on those who read (nerds!). If you ever had a friend threaten to spoil the show with their literary knowledge, the tables have finally turned.
Martin met with the show’s creators to guide them through the future of Game of Thrones — both versions will end with the same basic pieces in place — but fans can expect future seasons to diverge from the forthcoming novels.
In Sunday’s premiere, Cersei and Jaime mourn their father’s death and adapt to life without his direction. At least they have each oth… Ew, nevermind. Tyrion is in hiding in Pentos with Varys, Jon’s loyalty is pulled between Night’s Watch and Stannis, and, after locking up two of her babies and banishing Jorah, Daenerys faces more setbacks in Meereen.
Two of the most anticipated storylines come with new territory — Dorne and Braavos. Following Oberyn’s crushing defeat, we head to his home turf of Dorne to meet his daughters, the Sand Snakes. Also exciting is the prospect of Arya traveling to Braavos to find Jaqen H’ghar. Valar Morghulis, y’all!
WEDNESDAY 08
Blackish (9:30 p.m., ABC) – Bow reconnects with some college friends and invites them to dinner in the hopes of impressing them. Dre learns that one friend is actually Bow’s ex while the kids discover another was on The Real World.
Workaholics (Season Finale, 10 p.m., Comedy Central) – When Alice tries to fire the guys, they look back on their first day at TelAmeriCorp. Workaholics flashback episodes are the best.
THURSDAY 09
The Comedians (Series Premiere, 10 p.m., FX) – Billy Crystal and Josh Gad star as slightly fictionalized versions of themselves — as has become the trend — grudgingly paired to host a sketch comedy show.
Louie (Season Premiere, 10:30 p.m., FX) – Louie goes to a potluck dinner.
FRIDAY 10
VICE (11 p.m., HBO) – Synthetic recreational drugs engineered to walk the line of legality; sex reassignment surgery in Iran.
SATURDAY 11
Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m., NBC) – Empire’s Cookie, Taraji P. Henson, hosts; Mumford & Sons perform.
SUNDAY 12
2015 MTV Movie Awards (8 p.m., MTV) – Amy Schumer hosts the annual Golden Popcorn event, with Kevin Hart receiving the Comedic Genius Award and Shailene Woodley nabbing the MTV Trailblazer Award.
Mad Men (10 p.m., AMC) – Roger offers advice to Don but it falls on deaf ears; Stan and Peggy disagree about an account; Harry seeks Don’s approval. Mustaches.
Silicon Valley (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., HBO) – After a successful presentation at TechCrunch Disrupt, venture capitalists from across the city want a piece of Pied Piper — that is, until Hooli’s Nucleus takes off. Keep an eye out for Winklevoss twins Cameron and Tyler (immortalized by Armie Hammer is The Social Network).
Veep (Season Premiere, 10:30 p.m., HBO) – Selina and her staff scramble as she preps for her first major speech as president; Gary contemplates his importance.
MONDAY 13
RuPaul’s Drag Race (9 p.m., Logo) – Snatch Game!
TUESDAY 14
Justified (Series Finale, 10 p.m., FX) – Raylan, Boyd and Ava face off in a final showdown.
CONTACT JAC KERN: jkern@citybeat.com or @jackern
This article appears in Apr 8-14, 2015.
