HBO

Even as we’re staring down the barrel of our final Game of Thrones episodes, one can’t help wondering about the spinoffs. We know any and all ideas are set in the series’ distant past, but one writer confirms that readers of George R.R. Martin will recognize some Westeros history.

Well, if there wasn’t too concern with HBO’s recent hack leaking material early before, there is now. Reports indicate Game of Thrones Season 7’s fourth episode, “The Spoils of War,” has officially made its way online.

Game of Thrones has famously specialized in death ever since Ned Stark beheaded a deserting Night’s Watchman in the third scene of the very first episode. But that poor guy, we hardly even knew him — for as we would soon find out, Game of Thrones‘ true talent is in killing off major characters.

Game of Thrones’ costume designer may rattle off spoilers as she pleases, but series star Gemma Whelan wasn’t afforded the same luxury in Season 2. Announcing her character very nearly cost our then-future Yara her job, Whelan recounts in a new interview.

We’re just two weeks from Game of Thrones Season 7 treating us to the longest episodes yet, though the future remains as uncertain as ever. Even less episodes will populate the eighth and final season, and according to those involved, the run-times may get even longer.

Game of Thrones may have fewer episodes to premiere in Season 7, but there’s always room for a musical cameo. This time out, minstrel Ed Sheeran will sing Westeros a song, as the “Shape of You” singer now reveals the circumstance and scene partner of his appearance.

Dystopian cinema is all the rage right now. Not only is the release of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale only a few days away, we were also recently treated to a series of synchronized screenings of 1984, the film adaptation of George Orwell’s seminal novel. While some may view this as a collective piece of cinematic snark, plenty of others are using these projects as an opportunity to open the door for increased education and awareness about media literacy, politics, and art. And while HBO may only really be interested in art and politics, it is putting one foot firmly in the dystopian game, announcing an upcoming production of Ray Bradbury’s Farenheit 451.

Yesterday brought the very first teaser for Game of Thrones Season 7, which was especially exciting after HBO forced us to watch a block of ice melt for an hour. It featured Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and Cersei (Lena Headey) all making their way towards their respective thrones. It was an awesome little tease, but the music in the trailer? Not the greatest.

We’re way out in the woods on Game of Thrones this year, lacking a summer premiere or any sense of how Season 7 will start wrapping up George R.R. Martin’s incomplete saga. Still, were there any doubt Fire would meet Ice this year, allow the first poster to make that point literally.

Buried among the avalanche of death and destruction rolling through each Game of Thrones season, we can usually find one or two yearly cameos from famous musicians, athletes, or other such fans of the show. We’ve had one debunked for Season 7, but apparently a notable New York Met found time to enter the World of Westeros, that of pitcher Noah “Thor” Syndergaard.

Even the deadest of dead Game of Thrones characters are hardly off-limits by Season 7, though it had appeared Season 6 made short work of lingering figures to tighten up its final years. Surprisingly, we may not have seen the last of a Game of Thrones villain who made a brief return in Season 6, despite a pretty large hole in his neck. Allow us to explain.

If Game of Thrones Season 6 made one notable course-correction, it might have been the sideline of Dorne stories after their meandering focus in Season 5. Still, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes will be backing Daenerys in Season 7, and they may yet end up in a surprising role.