'Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Spoilers
What can we expect in the second half of "Game of Thrones" Season 5? HBO

If you were beginning to think "Game of Thrones," Season 5, episode 5, "Kill the Boy," was doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of the plot of HBO series, you're not wrong. And, as things finally start to escalate on the show, there's the realization there are just five episodes left in this season. At the halfway point, there are plenty of unanswered questions and speculation about storylines, missing characters and more. Here's our State of Westeros report before the second half of "Game of Thrones" Season 5.

Warning: "Game of Thrones" Season 5 spoilers and "A Song of Ice and Fire" discussion ahead.

Let's begin by quickly summing up where we are at the end of "Kill the Boy." In King's Landing, Cersei Lannister is busy scheming against Margaery Tyrell. She's restored the Faith Militant and named the High Sparrow the new High Septon. King Tommen is married to Margaery, who is fuming over the arrest of her brother, Ser Loras Tyrell. Jaime Lannister has taken Bronn on a journey down to Dorne to return Myrcella Baratheon to King's Landing. Meanwhile, Qyburn is busy with his experiments.

In Dorne, the Sand Snakes are planning a way to launch a war against the Lannisters. Prince Doran Martell wants to take a more-patient approach, but, come on, that approach never works on "Game of Thrones."

Up north, Jon Snow and the Wildlings -- led by Tormund Giantsbane -- allegedly will be heading to Hardhome to rescue the remaining Free Folk before winter. Janos Slynt lost his head while Mance Rayder was sacrificed by Stannis Baratheon. Melisandre, Selyse and Shireen are traveling with Stannis as he sets off to wage war against the Boltons. Roose Bolton and Ramsay Bolton are at Moat Cailin along with Sansa Stark. Sansa was promised to Ramsay by Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish, who has has left her alone as he heads to King's Leading. Meanwhile, Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne are busy figuring out how to help Sansa.

Across the Narrow Sea, things are a bit calmer. Meereen is in a state of civil unrest, but that could end soon with the reopening of the fighting pits and Daenerys Targaryen's marriage to Hizdahr zo Loraq. The Sons of the Harpy killed Ser Barristan Selmy and wounded Grey Worm. Ser Jorah Mormont kidnapped Tyrion Lannister and is taking him to Dany, but a trek through the ruins of Valyria led to an encounter with the Stone Men. Tyrion was safe despite almost drowning, but Jorah saw the first signs of greyscale. Meanwhile, Arya Stark is training with the Faceless Men in Braavos.

So Many Questions

The "Game of Thrones" storylines centering on Arya and Cersei appear to be moving to the same beats as in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire." Arya will keep training and maybe we'll see her take on her first face. Cersei's reign of terror will not end well, and she has some walking to do.

Daenerys' storyline also seems pretty set. There's going to be a wedding, and the fighting pits will be reopened. Tyrion and Jorah are close to Meereen, but the duo will encounter some slavers along the way. I think that will be wrapped up pretty quickly -- based on trailers and set photographs -- and the two will arrive in Meereen before the end of the season. "Game of Thrones" Season 5 will also set up the conflict with Yunkai, but the end of the storyline will likely see Daenerys riding Drogon away from Meereen.

In Dorne, there are a lot of questions centered on Jaime and Bronn and a possible clash with Dornish fighters. How much of Dorne will be saved for next season? It appears Myrcella will fall in love with Trystane Martell while the Sand Snakes were introduced just two episodes ago. "Game of Thrones" has seemingly eliminated Arianne Martell and Quentyn Martell, which casts a lot of doubt on a potential kidnapping conspiracy.

As for Jon Snow, he may not be headed to Hardhome, after all. It will be interesting to see how "Game of Thrones" Season 5 handles his character going forward.

Will Melisandre stay at Castle Black? Stannis is headed to war, and we'll definitely get to see the Battle of Ice.

What will happen with Sansa? Based on the released episode details, she will try to talk to Theon Greyjoy/Reek, but will he attempt to rescue her and escape Moat Cailin? Will the wedding of Ramsay and Sansa actually happen? Will Brienne and Pod play some role in this scenario?

What's Missing

Aside from the changes in Dorne, the other Greyjoys have been noticeably absent in "Game of Thrones." In "A Song of Ice and Fire," Balon Greyjoy is long dead and the Iron Islands are featured prominently in "A Feast for Crows" and "A Dance with Dragons." Maybe the Greyjoys won't make an appearance this season and will be held for "Game of Thrones" Season 6. Considering how many changes already have been made in transforming the book series into the television series, we should continue to expect plenty of surprises. The TV series could introduce Euron Greyjoy, Victarion Greyjoy and the kingsmoot fairly early in the next season -- although we've yet to see what happened to Yara Greyjoy in "Game of Thrones": There's another missing storyline that has fans wondering about in terms of its meaning for the remaining two "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels.