In the third season of HBO's drama series Game of Thrones, the Lannisters struggle to hold on to the throne as they face a fierce attack from the sea by Stannis Baratheon and unrest in the North that threatens to upend the balance of power. After a series of victories over the reigning house, King Robb Stark faces a crushing defeat, while Mance the Raider and his vast army of wildlings march south beyond the Wall.
Daenerys Targaryen is trying to gather an army across the Narrow Sea and prepares to leave Essos with her nearly grown dragons, hoping to finally claim the Iron Throne. In Series 3 of the original series based on George RR Martin's bestselling novels, the rival houses of Westeros continue to cross arms: their relationships are strained, the faithful face many trials, and many cruel fates are fulfilled.