“I was at my desk, but I was winded, wounded and broken by the Seven Kingdoms”

Grace Dent's Game of Thrones journey continues this week, with season three

Cersei Lannister (HBO)

"If you’re a newcomer to the incredible Game of Thrones box sets on Sky, I am completely envious. But I’ll warn you, by Season Three, avoiding friends who clamour to discuss it with you becomes like a military manoeuvre. Fans like me just adore this part of the Game of Thrones journey so much, that the mere mention of Jon Snow, King Joffrey or the House Stark makes us giddy with frustration.

Grace Dent

We’re dying to shout about how this is the exact point where the show shifts, furnishing us with new villains, fresh feuds and fabulous unseen kingdoms. We want to pull up a chair and blather about the breathtaking battles and harsh betrayals.

Personally, I love to talk about Brienne of Tarth’s story, or the delicious verbal sparring between siblings Cersei and Tyrion Lannister. And I want your personal take on Bran Stark’s otherworldly forest adventure. But, of course, we can’t. We have to somehow keep it all in! Because I still remember exactly how mentally eviscerated one particular episode in this run left me.

Keeping the spoiler away from my friends was torture. I was at my desk – in the real world – but I was winded, wounded and slightly broken by the Seven Kingdoms! I want you to feel that too. Thankfully because Game of Thrones Season 1-5 box sets are all beautifully, handily stacked up on Sky waiting to go, it’s a great excuse to hibernate and get up to speed.

Yes, spring may well be springing, but no one would blame a Westeros newcomer for closing the blinds, gathering some snacks, turning their phone off and losing themselves in the mesmerising tale of Daenerys Targaryen's prospering brood of dragons or the Red Witch’s ominous rise.

Daenerys Targaryen (HBO)

Season Three is the junction where writers David Benioff and DB Weiss specify they channelled all their previous efforts into heading onwards. It’s where out most beloved characters flourish and the spot where slow-burning plot seeds burst into bloom.

We find new depth in Jamie Lannister and gasp as Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister steals numerous scenes with menacing, but avuncular charm. At the same time, Season Three is where our long-held trusts in our favourite folk are obliterated. We’re let down dramatically. We’re forced to grieve.

With Game of Thrones time and again, I re-remind myself, it’s daft to get attached. ‘Death is coming for everyone and everything' is the ever-present motto.

But, as ever, I’ve already said too far much. Hurry up and catch up! You won't regret it."

Every episode of Game of Thrones available now. Exclusively on Sky Box Sets

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