‘Game of Thrones’ Season 4 Episode 5 Preview: What Will Happen In ‘First Of His Name’?

“Game of Thrones” Season 4 premieres on HBO this Sunday, April 6^th and we have some scoop about the mid-season episode 5 that pretty much changes everything in Westeros. Episode 5, “The First of His Name” is set to premiere on HBO on May 11, and it will be a game changer, based on the episode title alone, fans can expect to see a shift in leadership. “The First of His Name” like the other episode titles of Season 4 give fans basic insight as what to expect in the forthcoming episode, like it’s predecessors it has an average run time of 54 minutes, but episode 5 will begin a new reign for Season 4. If you are still not picking up my subtle, attempting to be spoiler free hints, then let me clarify.

“First of His Name” in addition to being an episode title, is a phrase that “Game of Thrones” viewers have heard multiple times in the past. The now more meaningful expression, is a part of a royal’s title, a King of Westeros, to be more specific, that has a different name from any other King who has sat on the Iron Throne before him. Fans first heard this moniker when King Robert Baratheon was announced, and it has continued into Season 3 of the series with none other than his “son” King Joffrey Baratheron.

The formula is simply really, the King is formally addressed by his subjects as "Your Grace" and in official events referred to his full name which is normally announced by the Royal Steward, “All hail His Grace, Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."

Warning spoilers for Season 4 of “Game of Thrones” ahead. Do not read any further if you do not want to know what will happen in the fifth episode of the forthcoming season.

So now that you have a clear understanding of what exactly “First of His Name” means, the implications are serious. Joffrey has served as the reigning King of Westeros since his father’s death in Season 1, so why now after two seasons of rule, would there be a new King whom is the first of his name to bear the title. The most obvious indication is because Joff may no longer be sitting on the Iron Throne, or something else that we have seen, more “imposter Kings” as Stannis dubbed them.

We watched how they fared in the War of the Five Kings which Joff deemed he won in the Season 4 trailer, however his “uncle” Jamie Lannister warned the boy King, “the war is not won.” Despite not winning the war, the Lannisters have made quick work of the imposter Kings, Renly was killed by an evil spirit, Stannis’ army decimated in the Blackwater Bay, Robb Stark slain at the Red Wedding, and Balon Greyjoy has barely been able to capture the North. Considering the war is not won, both possibilities are viable, either Joff has been removed from the Iron Throne, or another rebellion is on the rise. For a spoiler filled preview of “Game of Thrones” Season 4 episode 5, click here to discover the history behind the “First of His Name” episode.