Exclusive S5 Bluray Preview: Robert’s Rebellion

Thanks to HBO, we’re able to provide an exclusive look at one of the new Histories and Lore that will be included in the Game of Thrones Season 5 Bluray set. Listen and watch below as Ian McElhinney—the late, lamented Ser Barristan Selmy—recounts the events of Robert’s Rebellion from their nascent beginnings to their bloody end:

We’re also very happy to be able to provide the full listing of the Histories and Lore, along with all the narrators for each segment. See that below:

Â· The Seven-Pointed Star: narrated by The High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) Â· The Faith Militant: narrated by The High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) Â· Volantis: narrated by Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) Â· Braavos: narrated by Tycho Nestoris (Mark Gatiss) Â· The Faceless Men: narrated by Tycho Nestoris (Mark Gatiss) Â· Winterfell: narrated by Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) Â· The Lord Commanders: narrated by Ser Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) Â· Robert’s Rebellion: narrated by Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinney) Â· Dorne: narrated by Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) Â· The Fighting Pits of Meereen: narrated by Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman) Â· The River Rhoyne: narrated by Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) Â· The Many-Faced God: narrated by Jaqen H’ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) Â· Greyscale & The Stone Men: narrated by Qyburn (Anton Lesser) Â· The Great Masters: narrated by Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) Â· The Dance of Dragons: narrated by Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram), Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd), Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley), and Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson)

As it happens, we’ve received our review copy of the Bluray, and went straight to checking out some of these Histories and Lore. They’re pulling a great deal from A Dance with Dragons, of course—just look at a number of Barristan’s lines in the above video!—but also drawing extensively from material in The World of Ice and Fire. Of course, our favorite has to be the 20(!) minute long Dance of the Dragons segment, featuring multiple voice actors. It uses the device of Shireen’s book on the Dance, so sometimes the art style presented is in a pseudo-medieval illumination style which is actually very appealing.

We hope to provide a more thorough commentary on the histories in the coming days.



(And yes, for those wondering: the horrifying handiwork of Blood and Cheese is recounted.)