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7/26/2011

A Game of Thrones reviewed

First of all, this brandnew TV series is an adaptation of a book cycle called A Song of Ice and Fire by writer George R. R. Martin who also co-produces the TV series. He just finished book Number 5, of a total of 7. In the TV adaptation, you'll be able to watch Book 1 called A Game of Thrones as Season 1, Book 2 as Season 2 will be aired in 2012 and so on (or until it's cancelled). Season 2 is already in the making, the TV heads decided this shortly after the pilot had aired. Imagine this. All the fantasy buffs must have been watching HBO that night with 2,22 million viewers for the pilot. And the number even climbed up to 3,04 million towards the end of Season 1. That's massive for pay TV. And the bockworm fantasy genre. Even HBO's flagship True Blood didn't have a much better rating in the beginning. Yay!


So, why would you watch it when you're not already a fan of the book series and/or are not all that into the kind of fantasy that demands you read up to 700 pages per novel? First of all, it's a rather atypical fantasy story. At least the first book gets by without it being too flamboyant. There are no wizards, there is no defined magical force in Martin's realm. No broomsticks.

The only magic (I can't say if it's even mentioned in the TV series) is that the seasons change irregularly and these changes are initiated by some unknown powerful force beyond the realm; in the beginning of  Season 1 the inhabitants of Westeros are up for a long and brutal winter. The onset of winter and the seasonal changes may or may not have something to do with the unknown northern part of the continent. There is a wall that separates the two parts of the world, and beyond that wall, there are said to be undead, magical creatures roaming around, but they don't really play a major part in the first book. The fantasy elements are rather thinned out, especially for the adaptation, and A Game of Thrones is first of all, a medieval epos about different Houses competing for the pole position as King.



George R.R. Martin has an obvious soft spot for the misfits of his universe, you'll notice that right after reading the first few pages rsp. seeing the first few scenes. The dialogue lines of Tyrion Lannister are by far the best, he is brother to reigning Queen Cersei and burdened by being an imp, but much smarter and wittier than all his siblings put together. He immediately gets some sympathy points for being brutally honest towards fellow in misery Jon Snow, who isn't physically disabled, but handicapped by birth rank. He is the bastard son of Eddard Stark and as such, not even allowed to carry his father's surname.

There are many other characters who are less memorable than those two and be prepared, you may have some initial difficulty to tell them apart or know who is actually related to whom and who conspires with whom to do what. After a little while though, it becomes rather self-explanatory, so don't go looking for family trees if you don't immediately remember all the connections. It's all about them, wanting the position of absolute power, being the reigning force over the seven kingdoms of Westeros, epitomized by the iron throne.

In spite of all the intrigue, the story is more character-driven than one might think. The politics-portion is not that dominant, and besides that, how complex can a political system be when it's a monarchy - no offense! But for this story it basically means that there is one monarch to rule them all, and the story is mostly about the empowerment of certain parties; what's finally done with it is only at the margines of the epilogue. It can get a little monotone at times, but the characters are diverse and multi-layered enough, so that you'll soon begin to care deeply for them, with Eddard Stark leading the way, played by the amazing Sean Bean, or Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and even the current king who indulges all too much, Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) is a likeable figure.



The sceneries and scenarios all over all (visually) stunning and a pleasure to watch, the intrigues are played out in brutal ways (like in the book), prepare to see some rolling heads, and a lot of bleeding going on, dear goodness, much bleeding. It splutters, it flows, it detonates out of people's necks. Yes, it's HBO, I get it, but is this bloodbath really necessary? And speaking of brutality, prepare to be surprised, because Martin uses his characters like pieces in a game of chess. He is one of those writers who isn't all too much in love with his creation, which, in theory, is a good quality for a writer. But as they die like flies, it becomes abundantly clear, that in the kingdom of Westeros, there's only one true ruler and his name is George R. R. Martin and he does as he pleases. Prepare to be shocked. And engaged.

But don't get too attached to them, because that is where he'll get you and I promise there is at least one shocking moment which will make you say out loud: "No way he just did that to this character!" And you'll hate him a little at first, but after a while, you'll want to know how the story continues. I did.

The complete first season will soon be out on DVD and Blu-ray.

3 comments:

  1. Yes! So true, I did hate him at one point! I did say I couldn't believe he did that to that character. I have not read the books Daniela. And it was sort of happenstance that I even saw the first show. My son had the tv programmed to auto-tune onto that channel, I walked through the room and was hooked within a minute. It is the only tv show I watch. It has been years since there was a show I set my schedule around--to be sure I was free to watch it...not since the first couple seasons of "Lost". After Farscape ceased to produce new episodes, I just quit watching tv. This is scheduled to air season 2 next spring (I think). I think that Peter Dinklage makes the show--so perfectly cast. Just about everything he says is a perfect, biting, gem. Great review... wonderful way with words :-)

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  2. That's a great way to stumble upon such a gem :) Oh and I agree, Peter Dinklage is perfect for executing those well-written lines to showcase his talent. So looking forward to season 2!

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  3. I'm not a fantasy fan, but it's very well told and the plot is quite grounded in reality, which makes it somewhat unremarkable, but believable.

    But in the end, the storytelling is what counts. I'm a SciFi nerd and with many authors it's the other way around, great plot, horribly told. And over the last years i start to get angry at the authors for that (Specially Peter F. Hamilton, he should either have bad ideas, so i don't have to read his works anymore, or get the storytelling into shape, so i can enjoy it again)

    Anyhoo, Game of Thrones was able to get me interested and invested in the characters early on. I don't mind killing them off. It actually cures the problem that it's hard to take danger seriously when it comes to the main cast.

    I've not read the books, so it's new to me. I'm hooked, more please ... quick ...

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