The new season of Game of Thrones is finally back this weekend. But before it was even a TV show, writer George R. R. Martin was under incredible pressure. And it wasn’t from producers or publishers. It was from his readers. “The online attacks on Martin suggest that some readers have a new idea about what an author owes them. They see themselves as customers, not devotees, and they expect prompt, consistent service.”

+ In addition to being excellent, I’m convinced that Game of Thrones is enjoyable because its level of action (both violent and sexual) rips our glances away from any second screen and forces us to focus. It’s not easy to grab our full attention these days. That’s why I had had to write an Action Hero Blog Post.

+ Wired has a recap to get you ready for the new season.

+ And to get you prepared emotionally, here’s every on-screen death from the first three seasons of the show.