The HBO hit series ​Game of Thrones​ commenced its 6th consecutive season on Apr. 24, basing its plot on George R.R. Martin’s book series A Song of Ice and Fire.

The premiere episode, entitled “The Red Woman,” is expected to be one of the most intense episodes of the series. Fans took to social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, to spread the word of the new season, revealing spoilers and releasing photos and footage. Even memes were made, comparing characters and situations that occurred in the show to real life “first world problems.”

According to the Mashable.com article from one year ago, “​With more than 6 million viewers per episode, the show is a legitimate, bona fide hit — the largest for the premium network since the genre–changing ​Sopranos.”

Two episodes were released prior to the beginning of the new season, leaving fans in anticipation.

“​Familiar faces will forge new alliances to bolster their strategic chances at survival, while new characters will emerge to challenge the balance of power in the east, west, north and south,” stated Collider magazine.

Based on teasers and previews, fans of the show can expect to learn the fate of Jon Snow, master of the Night’s Watch. Fans can also expect the reappearance of Bran Stark, a character who has not made an appearance on the show since the season finale of season four, “The Children.”

When the first book in the series was released, called ​A Game of Thrones​, it was not considered a best seller. Nevertheless, as the series continued, the second and third books, A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords, both made The New York Times ​Bestseller​ List. With the success of the book series, a vast fan base formed.

“I have the best fans in the world for the most part. There is a minority who are annoying, it has to be said. But for every one of those, there are 500 who are just great and who are very supportive. They buy the books and come out in their thousands when I do a signing,” Martin stated in an interview with Independent.