If you loved the first season of “Game of Thrones,” you’re gonna dig the second season, which debuts Sunday night on HBO, even more.  The show’s Metacritic score — determined from early reviews — was an extraordinary 90 out of 10.

Synopsis (from HBO)

War is coming to Westeros. As the cold winds rise and five kings vie for power, bonds are forged and broken, identities are challenged and romance blossoms. With the stakes higher than ever before, who will survive the chaos to claim the Iron Throne?

Selected reviews:

• Los Angeles Times: Mary McNamara
• Hitfix.com: Alan Sepinwall
• Huffington Post: Maureen Ryan