New Game of Thrones Season Four TV Trailer Released

To those still recovering from the Red Wedding, be very afraid- it was just the beginning...
HBO Studios have today released a new television spot for the upcoming fourth season of their fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Set just days after Season Three's climactic instalments The Rains of Castamere and Mhysa, the next run of adaptations of George R.R. Martin's ongoing franchise of novels will chronicle the events of his fourth A Song of Ice and Fire text, A Storm of Swords Part 2.

We'll shy away from spoilers here, but if HBO's teaser trailer or last week's fifteen-minute preview didn't already indicate that the stakes would be ramping up this time around, then rest assured that the latest video clip (below) does so in great measure. Martin's infamous Red Wedding was obviously Season Three's major narrative twist, yet the production team have confirmed that the twists will come thick and fast from the outset in two months' time. The trailer reprises the title of Season Two's finale, Valar Morghulis, which- for those of us who lack education in the Westerosian vocabulary- translates to 'all men must die'. Could it be, then, that every hero and villain of this sadistic fantasy saga will bite the bullet before Episode 10's credits? If so, we'll have to drastically reconsider our definition of literary adaptations on the small-screen from now on...

Before we sign off, however, here's a final, spoiler-lite dilemma for fans who've stayed clear of the novels to consider: at 1:06, we see Shae rising in a bed chamber, at which point we cut to Tywin Lannister examining his weapon of choice. What could it possibly mean? Such is the burden for those of us who have read Martin's novels in advance, for now we must remain coy on these juxtaposed shots' combined implications...food for thought, anyway! All will be revealed in the Spring, and when those secrets emerge, we can guarantee newcomers one thing- Westeros will never be the same again (it's funny how often we end up saying that with regards to the ever-changing realm of Thrones, eh?). On the bright side, though, you may just find that the War of the Five (well, Three now that Renley and Robb have exited the conflict in deadly style) Kings begins to move in a more favourable direction- and it's about time...

Game of Thrones returns to Sky Atlantic for its devastating fourth season on April 7th.