And now my watch begins...

25 Apr 2016

The much anticipated premiere of Season 6 of Game of Thrones finally took place last night in a simultaneous global release (3am this morning, South African time). It didn't disappoint, leaving as many questions unanswered in the first episode as the final of Season 5!

There were many trailers released by HBO to tease fans ahead of Season 6, but the best by far had to be the mash up by Mashable to recap Season 5 top storylines – with kittens. Yes, KITTENS.

Credit: Mashable/Buzzfeed

Clearly some fans who like their sleep didn’t get up early or stay up late, depending in which time zone you live, and were battling to stay away from any and all spoilers!

One does not simply log onto the internet after not watching Game Of Thrones.
— Jerm (@mynameisjerm) April 25, 2016

For the web is dark and full of spoilers.#GameofThrones #Season6
— Elizabeth Pilotos (@iammisseliza) April 25, 2016

Have to wait till this evening to see the first episode of #GOT #GameofThrones this gonna be the longest day pic.twitter.com/FCwuo3VORn
— JHB PR Girl (@JHBPRGirl) April 25, 2016

The big question

And no, we still don’t know, really, maybe, depends on your point of view, or which theories you subscribe to… if the tragic hero, Jon Snow, played by actor Kit Harington, is alive or dead and will experience a miraculous resurrection. Which really, is why most people tuned in and why I got up at 3am!

The Telegraph in the UK put it so succinctly in its review of Episode 1, Season 6: “Snow has fought the White Walkers and lived and it is unthinkable anyone else could plausibly lead the campaign against the ice zombies. Before the season ends – probably sooner – it is surely reasonable to assume that the cold light of the north will alight on Harington’s manly man-curls and he will flash his winning pout.”

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! YOU CANNOT JUST STOP THERE!!!! DAMN YOU! NO, JUST DAMN YOU AND THE DRAGON YOU RODE IN ON!!! #GameofThrones
— Dia (@fembot77) April 25, 2016

When the season premier of #GameofThrones finally happens and didn't answer a single question or cliffhanger... Okay.
— Danielle Kloepfer (@DaniLynnKloef) April 25, 2016

Spoiler alert

There were special screenings and viewing parties in most parts of the world and clearly some people stayed up all night to talk about THAT ending when the genetically-blessed ‘Red Woman’, Melisandre, played by actress Carice van Houten, took off her magical necklace and reverted to a 200-year-old crone. The shock and horror of seeing a naked old lady was too much for the interwebs which briefly forgot Jon Snow was still very much, apparently, maybe, stone-dead, as this plot twist dominated chatter on social media after the credits rolled.

After watching several people get brutally slaughtered, nation is shocked by naked old lady. #GameOfThrones
— Mike Moats (@MikeMoats) April 25, 2016

Instagram vs real life. #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/tcOYEbWKCE
— Daniel (@_DHearn_) April 25, 2016

I really thought i was seeing thngs, weird hours of the morning & all. Turns out Gollum's mom was on #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/Smj6TH88Sg
— MMJ Mbanze (@mmjmbanze) April 25, 2016

Before you go to bed tonight, make sure you moisturize and put your magical necklace in a safe place #GameofThrones
— TV Guide (@TVGuide) April 25, 2016

The popularity of Game of Thrones is not just its indiscriminate violence, but the magic of the fantasy and how anything can happen. Even heroes get killed brutally. And there are dragons. And magic. But, dragons.

And while the action is heart-stoppingly fierce at times, there are funny moments, made even funnier by the reaction of fans on Twitter last night.

So excited for the spin-off, "Real House Wives of Dothraki" #GameofThrones #CutHerHeadOff lol
— Zac (@nz_guimba) April 25, 2016

Flying away from problems via dragon seems like a solid life strategy #GameofThrones
— Katherine Speller (@Kathriller) April 25, 2016

Life lesson: When you really make a powerful decision, just add "I swear it by the old Gods and the new" to your sentence. #GameofThrones
— Chris Witherspoon (@WitherspoonC) April 25, 2016

According to the M-Net publicity machine, Game Of Thrones returns for its 10 episode, sixth season on Monday, 25 April at 3am (express from the US) and from Thursday, 28 April at 9pm (primetime) on M-Net Edge channel 102 on DStv. There will be a new talk show, After the Thrones, which will be on air from Thursday 28 April at 22:00 just after every Game Of Thrones Season 6 episode. After the Thrones will be presented by television critics and writers Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald. The hour-long show will delve into humorous and sophisticated discussions about the epic fantasy series, Game Of Thrones.

The award-winning show is based on George RR Martin’s books Song of Ice and Fire. The series has now caught up to the books and the storyline will diverge, although Martin remains a co-executive producer on the show.

Pls Jon #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/a2ZJ5zZ2Oj
— Elena (@elenazm97) April 25, 2016

Not sure I’ll get up at 3am again, should have known they would drag out the Jon Snow’s ‘is he dead or isn’t he’ storyline for as many episodes as they can. Next time, someone just send me a raven please…

About Louise Marsland

Louise Burgers (previously Marsland) is Founder/Content Director: SOURCE Content Marketing Agency. Louise is a Writer, Publisher, Editor, Content Strategist, Content/Media Trainer. She has written about consumer trends, brands, branding, media, marketing and the advertising communications industry in SA and across Africa, for over 20 years, notably, as previous Africa Editor: Bizcommunity.com; Editor: Bizcommunity Media/Marketing SA; Editor-in-Chief: AdVantage magazine; Editor: Marketing Mix magazine; Editor: Progressive Retailing magazine; Editor: BusinessBrief magazine; Editor: FMCG Files newsletter. Web: www.sourceagency.co.za.
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