Beyond a vast wall of ice in the north of Westeros something cold stirs. The Starks of Winterfell receive the visit of the royal family while the exiled Targaryen prince forges a new alliance to regain the Iron Throne.

The Lannister twins have a lot on their minds at Winterfell after a certain feat goes awry. Jon and Tyrion head off to the Wall in the north whilst Ned Stark faces a family crisis en route to King's Landing.

At King's Landing, Ned is shocked to learn of the Crown's profligacy. Jon Snow starts his training to become a man of the Night's Watch and wary of the Lannisters hand in Bran's fall, Catelyn covertly follows Ned.

Ned probes Arryn's death and uncovers one of King Robert's bastards. Jon takes measures to protect Sam from further abuse at Castle Black while Tyrion finds himself caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Incensed over Daenerys' alliance with the Dothrakis, Robert orders a pre-emptive strike on the Targaryens, undermining his relationship with Ned. Tyrion escapes one perilous encounter, only to find himself in another.

Ned issues a decree that could have long-term consequences throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Meanwhile, Tyrion confesses to his crimes and demands a trial by combat whilst Viserys receives his final payment for Daenerys.

Ned confronts Cersei about the secrets that killed Jon Arryn. Jon takes his Night's Watch vows, though not with the assignment he coveted and an enraged Drogo vows to lead the Dothraki to King's Landing.

In the aftermath of Ned's capture, Syrio and Arya face off against Lannister guards while Cersei uses Sansa to her own ends. Robb rallies his father's northern allies against Tywin Lannister and heads south to war.

With Sansa's life in danger, Ned makes a fateful decision. Robb wins his first major victory and captures a prized prisoner. As Drogo's wound festers, Dany defies Qotho and puts her trust in the witch Mirri Maz Duur.

As tragic news spreads across the Seven Kingdoms, Bran and Rickon share a prophetic dream, Catelyn interrogates Jaime about her son's fall, Robb's destiny is forever changed and a new king rises.

Stark continues the war against the Lannisters; Tyrion arrives to save Joffrey from threats old and new; Daenerys searches for allies & water in the Red Waste; Jon Snow and the Night's Watch shelter beyond the Wall.

Tyrion administers justice after a bloody purge in the capital; Arya shares a secret with a Night's Watch recruit on the road north; Dany's scout returns with disturbing news; Theon Greyjoy returns to the Iron Islands.

Tyrion plots alliances through the promise of marriage; Catelyn arrives in the Stormlands to forge her own alliance; Balon Greyjoy maps out his strategy of attack; Luwin tries to decipher Bran's dreams.

Catelyn entreats Stannis and Renly to unite against the Lannisters; Tyrion practices coercion with a queen's man; Dany finds her ally outside the gates of salvation; Melisandre casts a large shadow on the Stormlands.

The Baratheon rivalry ends forcing Catelyn to flee and Littlefinger to act; Tyrion learns of Cersei's secret weapon; Arya collects a debt she didn't know was owed; Jon and the Night's Watch man an ancient fortress.

Theon completes his master stroke; the Lannisters send Myrcella from harms way just in time; Arya comes face to face with a surprise visitor; Dany vows to take what is hers; Qhorin gives Jon a chance to prove himself.

Jaime meets a distant relative; Dany receives an invitation to the House of the Undying; Theon leads a search party; Jon loses his way in the wilderness; Cersei counsels Sansa.

Theon receives a visitor and holds down the fort at Winterfell; Arya calls in her debt with Jaqen in a way that displeases him; Robb is betrayed; Dany ignores Jorah's advice; Stannis & Davos approach their destination.

Tyrion and the Lannisters fight for their lives as Stannis' fleet assaults King's Landing.

Tyrion awakens to a new world; Joffrey rewards his subjects; Theon stirs his men to action as Luwin offers words of advice; Brienne silences Jaime; Arya receives a gift from Jaqen; Jon proves himself to Qhorin.

With all of the many storylines and innumerable characters swirling around in Westeros and Qarth, why not take a look back at where things left off with a comprehensive list of who is where, and where they will be heading.

Continuing from season 2, Jon is brought before Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall, while the Night's Watch survivors retreat south. In King's Landing, Tyrion asks for his reward, Littlefinger offers Sansa a way out, and Cersei hosts a dinner for the royal family.

Arya encounters the Brotherhood Without Banners, while her brother Bran encounters a mysterious group of followers on the other side of the world. Jaime & Brienne continue their journey towards the capital, while the capital itself welcomes the infamous Queen of Thorns.

In King's Landing, Tyrion is made the new Master of coin. Jon Snow is sent with a band of wildings to scale the wall, while Daenerys makes a deal for all the Unsullied and slaves in Astapor. Jamie convinces his captors against the rape and murder of Brienne.

Jaime tries to come to terms with his new situation. Varys schemes with the Queen of Thorns. Things heat up with the Night's Watch at Craster's Keep. Arya and Gendry meet the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners while Daenerys finalises the deal for the Unsullied.

The Lannisters discover the Tyrells' plot to marry Sansa Stark to Loras Tyrell. In Riverlands, the Hound defeats Lord Beric in trial by combat and is released. Beyond the Wall, Jon Snow struggles to earn the Wildlings' trust while holding back the crucial information.

Tywin plans strategic unions for the Lannisters. Melisandre pays a visit to the Riverlands. Robb weighs a compromise to repair his alliance with House Frey. Roose Bolton decides what to do with Jaime Lannister, while Jon, Ygritte and the Wildlings face a daunting climb.

Daenerys exchanges gifts with a slave lord outside of Yunkai. As Sansa frets about her prospects, Shae chafes at Tyrion's new situation. Tywin counsels the King, and Melisandre reveals a secret to Gendry. Meanwhile, Brienne faces a formidable foe in Harrenhal.

King's Landing hosts Tyrion and Sansa's wedding. Melisandre and Gendry arrive at Dragonstone, where she seduces him and extracts his blood. Daenerys finds out Yunkai employed a mercenary company called the "Second Sons", and Sam and Gilly are attacked by a White Walker.

Edmure meets his bride as House Tully prepares to ally itself with House Frey. Meanwhile, Jon faces the toughest test of his life, Bran finds he has a new gift, and Daario and Jorah discuss strategies for taking Yunkai.

Joffrey challenges Tywin. Bran tells a ghost story. In Dragonstone, mercy comes from strange quarters. Daenerys waits to see if she is a conqueror or a liberator.

Tyrion is sent outside the walls of King's Landing to greet a royal party from Dorn. Jon Snow finds himself on trial over his time with the Wildlings and the death of Qhorin Halfhand. Daenerys heads toward the slave city of Meereen, and Arya runs into a familiar face.

In King's Landing, Tyrion offers his assistance to Jamie. Melisandre oversees a sacrifice to the Lord of Light at Dragonstone as three traitors are burned at the stake. North of the Wall, Bran sees where he and his friends must go after experiencing a series of visions.

Ser Dontos spirits Sansa out of King's Landing and Pod gives Tyrion news of his forthcoming trial. Jon proposes a bold plan after the wildlings send a chilling message and across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys picks a champion to take on the best that Meereen has to offer.

In King's Landing, Jaime finally visits Tyrion in jail after some persuasion from Bronn, and he also has a mission for Brienne. Daenerys tries to balance justice and mercy in Meereen. At Castle Black, Jon asks for volunteers to deal with the mutineers at Craster's Keep.

Cersei and Tywin plot the Crown's next move after Tommen's coronation. Ser Jorah gives Daenerys worrying news about matters in Yunkai and Astapor. Jon and his volunteers mount a raid on the mutineers at Craster's Keep, and Sansa and Littlefinger arrive at the Eyrie.

Stannis and Davos set sail from Dragonstone with a new strategy, while Daenerys meets with supplicants. In King's Landing, Tyrion faces down his father Tywin in the throne room.

Tyrion enlists an unlikely ally, while Daario entreats Daenerys to allow him to do what he does best. Jon's warnings about the Wall's vulnerability fall on deaf ears, while Brienne follows a new lead as she continues her mission with Pod to track down the Stark girls.

Tyrion's fate is decided as his champion Oberyn Martell comes up against Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane in his trial by combat. Mole's Town receives unexpected visitors, Ramsay tries to prove himself to his father and Littlefinger's motives are questioned.

Jon Snow and the men of the Night's Watch face their biggest challenge yet as they prepare to defend the Wall against an attack by Mance Rayder and his wildling army.

An unexpected arrival from north of the Wall shakes things up, while Daenerys is forced to face some harsh realities in Meereen. Elsewhere, Bran learns more about his destiny, and Tyrion sees the truth in his situation.

Cersei and Jaime adjust to a world without Tywin. Varys reveals a conspiracy to Tyrion. Daenerys faces a new threat to her rule. Jon is caught between two kings.

Arya arrives in Braavos. Pod and Brienne run into trouble on the road. Cersei fears for her daughter's safety in Dorne as Ellaria Sand seeks revenge for Oberyn's death. Stannis tempts Jon. An advisor tempts Daenerys.

In Braavos, Arya sees the Many-Faced God. In King's Landing, Queen Margaery enjoys her new husband. Tyrion and Varys walk the Long Bridge of Volantis.

The Faith Militant grow increasingly aggressive. Jaime and Bronn head south. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes vow vengeance.

Daenerys makes a difficult decision in Meereen. Jon recruits the help of an unexpected ally. Brienne searches for Sansa. Theon remains under Ramsay's control.

Arya trains. Jorah and Tyrion run into slavers. Trystane and Myrcella make plans. Jaime and Bronn reach their destination. The Sand Snakes attack.

Jon prepares for conflict. Sansa tries to talk to Theon. Brienne waits for a sign. Stannis remains stubborn. Jaime attempts to reconnect with family.

Arya makes progress in her training. Sansa confronts an old friend. Cersei struggles. Jon travels.

Stannis confronts a troubling decision. Jon returns to The Wall. Mace visits the Iron Bank. Arya encounters someone from her past. Daenerys reluctantly oversees a traditional celebration of athleticism.

Stannis marches. Daenerys is surrounded by strangers. Cersei seeks forgiveness. Jon is challenged.

At Castle Black, Thorne defends his treason while Edd and Davos defend themselves. Sansa and Theon race the cold and the hounds. Cersei sees her daughter again.

Bran trains with the Three-Eyed Raven. In King's Landing, Jaime advises Tommen. Tyrion demands good news, but has to make his own. At Castle Black, the Night's Watch stands behind Thorne. Ramsay Bolton proposes a plan, and Balon Greyjoy entertains other proposals.

Daenerys meets her future. Bran meets the past. Tommen confronts the High Sparrow. Arya trains to be No One. Varys finds an answer. Ramsay gets a gift.

Tyrion strikes a deal. Jorah and Daario engage in a difficult task. Jaime and Cersei try to improve their situation.

Tyrion seeks a strange ally. Bran learns a great deal. Brienne goes on a mission. Arya is given a chance to prove herself.

An old foe comes back into the picture. Gilly meets Sam's family. Arya faces a difficult choice. Jaime faces off against the High Sparrow.

The High Sparrow eyes another target. Jaime confronts a hero. Arya makes a plan. The North is reminded.

While Jamie weighs his options, Cersei answers a request. Tyrion’s plans bear fruit. Arya faces a new test

As the Starks prepare to fight, Davos loses something dear. Ramsay plays a game. Daenerys faces a choice.

Cersei faces her trial.

Jon Snow organises the defence of the North; Cersei tries to even the odds; Samwell discovers crucial information; Daenerys comes home.

Daenerys receives an unexpected visitor; Jon faces a revolt; Sam risks his career and life; Tyrion plans the conquest of Westeros.

Daenerys holds court; Tyrion backchannels; Cersei returns a gift; Jaime learns from his mistakes.

The Lannisters pay their debts; Daenerys weighs her options; Arya comes home.

Daenerys offers a choice; Arya grows suspicious; Tyrion answers a good question.

Jon and the Brotherhood hunt the dead; Arya confronts Sansa; Tyrion thinks about the future.

Cersei sits on the Iron Throne; Daenerys sails across the Narrow Sea; Jon Snow is King in the North, and winter is finally here.

Arriving at Winterfell, Jon and Daenerys struggle to unite a divided North.

Jaime argues his case before a sceptical audience.

Arya looks to prove her worth as a fighter.

In the wake of a costly victory, Jon and Daenerys look to the south as Tyrion eyes a compromise that could save countless lives.

Daenerys and Cersei weigh their options as an epic conflict looms at King's Landing.

The fate of the Seven Kingdoms is at stake as the final chapter of Game of Thrones is written.