A Complete Recap of "Game of Thrones" Seasons 1-3, in GIFs

Get ready for "Game of Thrones" season four by reading through this detailed primer.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Those words "Dothraki," "Daenerys," and "Khaleesi" you've been hearing lately aren't indications that your friends are suddenly speaking in tongues—it's once again time for HBO's epic fantasy drama series Game of Thrones, and, understandably so, fans are stoked.

With more family trees and fantastical characters than Mario Puzo and J.R.R. Tolkien combined, author George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice string of bulky, involving novels has given Game of Thrones co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss a wealth of material from which to pack 10 robust episodes per season.

That abundance of story has also turned HBO's celebration of dragons, kingdoms, and T&A into television's hardest show to follow—well, assuming you haven't read any of Martin's books. Early discussions are pegging the show's fourth season (which begins tonight at 9 p.m. EST) as its bloodiest one yet, setting expectations for a plethora of "Oh, shit!" moments quite high.

Naturally, many people who've resisted Game of Thrones are now finding themselves ready to join up but also intimidated by catching up with all that's happened so far. That's where we come in—simply use the following GIF gallery to acquaint yourselves with everything you'll need to know before watching season four of Game of Thrones. You'll be able to cite names like "Stannis Baratheon" in no time.

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Ned, "the Hand"

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Daenerys meets Khal

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Jaime pushes Bran

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Bran Almost Killed

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Jon Snow and Sam

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Ned Confronts Cersei

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Daenerys Eats a Heart

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Jaime Kills Ned's Men

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Tyrion Put on Trial

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Khal Kills Viserys

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Tyrion Chooses Bron

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Joffrey the King

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Ned Stark Dies

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Robb Stark Captures Jaime Lannister

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Joffrey Keeps Sansa

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Arya Goes to Tywin

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Khal Dies

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Daenerys Fire

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Tyrion, "the Hand"

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Theon Travels

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Stannis and Melisandre

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Theon Burns Kids

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Melisandre's Shadow Demon

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Renly Dies

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Shae and Sansa

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Dragons Stolen

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Robb and Talisa

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Brienne and Jaime

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Tyrion Saves Sansa

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Jaqen and Arya

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Blackwater

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Tyrion Slashed

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Joffrey and Margaery

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Theon Betrayed

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Tywin, "the Hand"

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Daenerys Gets Her Dragons Back

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White Walkers March

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Jon Snow and Mance Rayder

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Daenerys Takes Command of the Unsullied

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Theon Greyjoy's Torture Porn

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Jaime and Brienne vs. the Bear

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Jon Snow and Ygritte Have Sex

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Jon Snow and Ygritte Break Up

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Tywin Arranges Awful Marriages

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Arya and The Hound

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The Red Wedding

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Arya Gets Some Revenge

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Daenerys and the Yunkai

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