Games Of Thrones: Shocking Deaths That No One Saw Coming

[Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS from this week's episode of Game of Thrones. Do not read on unless you want to know who (if anyone) died in "The Red Woman"]

HBO's popular Game of Thrones series has a reputation for shocking deaths when fans least expect them. Tonight's season premiere was no exception, with two unexpected deaths that most fans almost certainly didn't see coming. Both Doran and Trystane Martell met untimely fates this evening, victims of a coup orchestrated by Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes. Trystane took a knife to the back of the head from one of the Sand Snakes, while Ellaria personally killed Doran herself. Areo Hotah, Doran's bodyguard, was also killed by a Sand Snake during the coup.

Doran Martell was the leader of House Martell, the ruling family of Dorne and one of House Lannister's key allies. The alliance between the Martells and Lannisters has been strained since Season 4, when Oberyn Martell had his head crushed during a trial by combat orchestrated by Tywin Lannister and his daughter Cersei. Although Oberyn was Doran's brother, Doran pressured his family for peace, as a war with the Lannisters would have disastrous consequences for the people of Dorne. Further complicating matters was that Doran's son Trystane was engaged to Myrcella Lannister, which would give Trystane a possible claim to the Iron Throne.

While Doran seemingly wanted peace, Ellaria Sand, Oberyn's lover, held the Lannisters responsible for Oberyn's death and pushed for revenge for most of last season. After Ellaria and the Sand Snakes (Oberyn's daughters) staged an unsuccessful rebellion last season, she seemingly got her revenge by poisoning Myrcella during last season's finale.

So what does Doran and Trystane's deaths mean for Game of Thrones? By murdering both Doran and Trystane, Ellaria effectively ended any hope of peace between the Martells and the Lannisters and created a power vacuum in the desert kingdom of Dorne. Ellaria probably doesn't have any designs on the Iron Throne herself, but she may lend Dorne's strength to whoever decides to remove the Lannisters from King's Landing. It should also be noted that the Martells have historically had close ties with the deposed Targaryen family, which may prove important if Daenerys Targaryen ever crosses the Narrow Sea and invades Westeros.

While the other Seven Kingdoms were ravaged and weakened by wars between the Lannisters, Starks, and Baratheon forces, Dorne's army is at full strength and is tantalizingly close to the capital city of Westeros, which could prove problematic as the Lannisters desperately try to shore up their remaining allies.

So what will Ellaria's next move be? How will the rest of the Lannisters deal with this new threat to the south? We'll have to wait for at least another week.

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