Theres absolutely no denying that Game of Thrones is now a cultural phenomenon. Once just a book series with a large following, it is now probably the biggest thing on television. This year alone saw the show's viewing figures going through the roof, as the fantasy epic managed to snatch the record of most watched HBO TV drama from the Sopranos, another adored TV epic. Season four of the show was probably one of the best yet and has set up season five to be one that brings massive changes to the landscape of the entire series. That puts significant pressure on the shoulders of show runners David Benioff and Daniel Weiss, though the pair have proved to be pretty capable of doing a fine job despite such a burden. Although season five will be the series that most deviates from the source material, it will be bringing one plot point from the books onto our screens that has yet to be seen, and that is flashbacks. Previously, the creative forces behind the show had decided to consciously avoid such plot devices because they didnt feel that they would work in the medium of television, actually going as far as to say that it would be jarring for the viewers. They have clearly decided to change that stance though, and that has set the minds of fans of the book series to thinking what scenes we might be getting to witness next year. Inevitably some book spoilers do follow...