Speaking of languishing plot lines, we also get a cursory scene between Stannis Baratheon and Melisandre.

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Perhaps I say that simply because I actually like Thoros and have a strong dislike of Melisandre.

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Unlike Melisandre, whose penchant for giving birth to shadow demon-assassins and burning men alive makes her rather hard to like, Thoros seems a jovial sort.

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Also included is Downhill Strand, the real world setting for Dragonstone, where Melisandre burned the Seven Idols of Westeros on the beach as an offering to her Lord of Light.

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New cast members in the second season include: Stephen Dillane(Stannis Baratheon), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne), Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell) and Rose Leslie (Ygritte).

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The nine-hour Belfast tour (an epic in itself) takes in sites around Northern Ireland, including the caves where red priestess Melisandre of Asshai gave birth to an evil shadow-baby assassin, and Ballycastle, setting for the Free Cities where the eunuch Lord Varys was born as a slave.

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