GAME ON
Meet Oberyn Martell’s Hardcore Daughters in New Game of Thrones Feature
Yes, this new Game of Thrones video is actually about the weaponry of Dorne, the grooviest region in all of Westeros. But all eyes are going to be on the fearsome trio of women wielding those weapons. (And you too, Areo Hotah!) We’ve seen glimpsesof the so-called Sand Snakes before (surely you remember Nipplegate 2014), but this is by far our best look at Oberyn Martell’s daughters. I don’t know about you, but I like what I see.
Obara (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Tyene (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers), and Nymeria Sand (Jessica Henwick) are, according to the show, the bastard daughters of Ellaria Sand and Oberyn Martell. (They have different mothers in the books, but this is smarter, simpler storytelling.) As you can see from this feature, they’ve inherited their parents’ good looks and their father’s lethal edge. Each, to borrow a phrase from Liam Neeson, comes with a particular set of skills. Obara, like her father, prefers the spear, Tyene the double daggers, and Nymeria is rocking that whip.
Obara (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Tyene (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers), and Nymeria Sand (Jessica Henwick) are, according to the show, the bastard daughters of Ellaria Sand and Oberyn Martell. (They have different mothers in the books, but this is smarter, simpler storytelling.) As you can see from this feature, they’ve inherited their parents’ good looks and their father’s lethal edge. Each, to borrow a phrase from Liam Neeson, comes with a particular set of skills. Obara, like her father, prefers the spear, Tyene the double daggers, and Nymeria is rocking that whip.
Once you get over how incredibly great these women look with deadly objects in their hands (honestly, the nipples on Obara’s breastplate barely register here), it’s worth noting how much Weapons Master Tommy Dunne took inspiration from Oberyn’s weaponry last season. These are the small details of Game of Thrones that won’t necessarily register for the casual watcher, but help build a rich and intricate world.
For better or worse, these behind-the-scenes looks are going to mean more for book readers than they will for show watchers. Advance knowledge of the Sand Snakes means that both nit-pickers (Tyene’s weapon is poison, not double daggers!) and relentless optimists (seriously, how badass does Obara look?) will find plenty to pore over. Show watchers, on the other hand, will likely feel puzzled. Who are these women and why should you care about them?
All you need to know, show watchers, is that if you liked Oberyn, you’ll love his daughters and the show has thoughtfully placed a few familiar faces in Dorne to keep you intrigued. Like the Stark girls, Oberyn’s daughters have plenty to be angry about. Winter may be coming, but the Sand Snakes are going to get here first.
Game of Thrones Season 5 premieres Sunday, April 12.
