'Game of Thrones' Season 5 Premiere Plot Spoilers, Season 4 Recap: Where are the Families? What are their Schemes?

Winter is still far away but "Game of Thrones" Season 5 is here. The clans of Westeros returned to HBO this Sunday, April 12.

Below is a primer on where the families are and what they were scheming about at the end of Season 4:

The Lannisters

Tywin Lannister was killed by his youngest son, Tyrion, with a crossbow, leaving the family trying to cling to power in a sticky spot. Tyrion was last seen sailing incognito in the company of Varys, the "Master of Whispers," "which at least provides for a potentially entertaining new buddy duo in season five," according to The Guardian.

Jaime, the eldest of the Lannister children, might be filled with guilt as he indirectly caused his father's death because he set his brother free. Queen Mother Cersei, meanwhile, will finally get her hands on the power she has always lusted after.

The Starks

The ever-diminishing family from the north was scattered to the corners of Westeros and beyond by the end of the fourth season. Sansa, the eldest daughter, backed Littlefinger's version of her aunt Lysa's death while Bran, who was having visions, was determined to continue with his quest in a "conveniently placed" Weirwood tree. Arya, who has seen her father's execution in Season 1, boarded a ship going to Braavos. Rickon, the youngest, is with Osha.

The Targaryens

Daenerys Stormborn, the last Targaryen, Mother of Dragons, and other titles, has settled in the former slave city of Mereen to practice how to govern people before returning to Westeros to attack. She was forced to cast away Ser Jorah Mormont after discovering that he has been betraying her all along. As for her dragons, she had to chain two of them after the third one killed a child. "None of which suggests this season is likely to be happy for the young queen," commented The Guardian.

The Tyrells

The Tyrells are pretty much in a good position, remaining closely connected to the throne despite the death of Margaery's husband, King Joffrey, so long as the newly empowered Cersei allows her to marry Tommen. This is not really unfortunate for them given the Queen of Thorns' plot to ensure Margaery's new husband is still a Lannister but not a murderous one.

The Baratheons

The self-styled rightful heir to Westeros, Stannis, made a surprise move last season when he rocked up at the Wall in time to save Jon Snow and his colleagues from wildlings' attack. With the Red Priestess Melissandre at his side, Stannis is determined to rule a kingdom, but which one and how will he take it? The Guardian said that two things are certain: the men of the Night's Watch "are in for an uncomfortable time, given Stannis' rigid adherence to what he sees as right," and Davos Seaworth will still be "the most decent man in the Seven Kingdoms."

The Greyjoys

Their House's motto "We do not sow" in reference to their raiding past reflects what the Greyjoys are up to in the past four seasons: "the Greyjoys don't do much of anything else either," said The Guardian. While Theon has been tortured past breaking point and reborn as Reek, who follows newly legitimized Ramsay Bolton to Winterfell, Yara has abandoned Theon to his fate because of her failed rescue attempt.

The Martells

The next season "promises a trip to Dorne and some answers as to what the game's newest players might want," said The Guardian, after the emissary of Dorne's independent ruling family to Joffrey's wedding, Oberyn Martell, was killed.

The Night's Watch

The men guarding the Wall had a difficult time defending it against Mance Ryder's wilding horde because of their severely decreased ranks. Stannis saved them in the nick of time, but what does Melissandre want with Jon Snow? And how long can Sam hide Gilly and her baby at the Wall?