‘Game Of Thrones’ Season 5 Spoilers: A Series First On Deck In Episode 5.01

Game of Thrones show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss just dropped another spoiler on fans of the hit HBO series. The upcoming fifth season of Game of Thrones will feature a flashback for the first time in the series’ history. According to Entertainment Weekly, the flashback will open the first episode of the fifth season.

The news was revealed during a Q&A the Game of Thrones producers held with film students in Spain, which is believed to be the location of filming for scenes set in Dorne, a region of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. In a transcript of the Q&A, one of the producers says:

“By making the first season, we set a rule: No prophecies, dreams or flashbacks. We failed the first two and this season the third. So yes, this season will finally have flashbacks.”

The original Spanish transcript does not attribute the quote to a particular producer. While the quote mentions Game of Thrones flashbacks, Entertainment Weekly could so far only confirm one flashback.

The inclusion of flashbacks at all is a major storytelling shift for the fantasy juggernaut, which routinely sets viewership records. From Game of Throne‘s first episode, titled “Winter Is Coming,” much of the onscreen tension has been traced back to events that occurred nearly two decades before the series, specifically the murder of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen and installation of Robert Baratheon on the iron throne. Early in the first season, it becomes apparent that each character’s memory of the events is colored by their perception and prejudice, particularly for other characters. For example, Ned Stark firmly believes Jaime Lannister is a traitor to the throne, out only to secure his family’s interests, while Jaime’s recollection of events paint him as a misunderstood but good man who saved the people of King’s Landing at the expense of his good name.

With flashbacks, audiences may finally have an objective view of historic events that set the stage for the current plot. While there has been no confirmation about the content of the flashback, The Inquisitr previously reported that Charles Dance is expected to reprise his role as Tywin Lannister.

In an interview to promote Dracula Untold, Dance reportedly said:

“Well, I’m not completely missing out on the next series. More than that I’m not going to say, ‘You haven’t seen the last of Tywin Lannister,’ is all I’ll say.”

Does that mean Game ofThrones fans can expect Tywin Lannister to open the next season? Will we finally see Tywin during the civil war that led to the fall of House Targaryen?

Find out when Game of Thrones returns to HBO in the spring of 2015.