Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Creator: Based on the fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin
Director: Brian Kirk, Daniel Minahan, Alan Taylor, Timothy Van Patten
Writer: David Benioff, George R.R. Martin, D.B. Weiss
Cast: Sean Bean, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Mark Addy, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Harry Lloyd, Jason Momoa
Summary: Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue abound. The primary families are the Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon families. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as his chief advisor. Eddard, suspecting that his predecessor had been murdered, accepts so that he can investigate further. The Queen’s family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take control. Across the sea, the last surviving members of the previously deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also plotting a return to power. The conflict between these families and others, including the Greyjoys, the Tullys, the Arryns, and the Tyrells, leads to war. Meanwhile, in the north, an ancient evil awakens. Amidst war and the political confusion, a brotherhood of misfits, The Night’s Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the horrors beyond. [IMDB]
Tagline: Winter is coming.
Runtime: Hour-long television series
Honestly, I didn’t need more than the pilot to write a review for HBO’s Game of Thrones. It took me on as a lover from the very first episode. Based on the George R.R. Martin fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire”, this television adaptation has the stones to tackle the formidable feat of translating the epic scale and story of this series to screen.
I know that there is a rabid fan base for this series. I will be straight with you and tell you that I will not begin to read the books until the conclusion of full seasons in order to provide you an unbiased review. If you do not have HBO and are waiting for this to come out on DVD, this review will not reveal too much so that you may have the pleasure of experiencing it for yourself.
The richness of Game of Thrones’ story comes from its ensemble of characters that you immediately form an emotional connection with. It is easy to care for some and to despise others as the political, cultural, and philosophical lines are laid out. Each character has their own agenda and I find it immensely fascinating to discover every angle and how these characters’ paths and pasts are intertwined. Even before there was talk of HBO taking on this series, my husband described it to me as The Sopranos meets Lord of the Rings and I must say that this is an apt description echoed by this production as well. Martin has woven an intricate web of political intrigue and compelling characters.
[Above: A most beautifully shot scene with Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) going to speak with her husband Ned Stark (Sean Bean) in Winterfell]
The well-calculated assignment of actors feels much like a masterfully planned deployment of warriors. There are so many stand out characters right off the bat in this cast: Sean Bean as the noble warrior and Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark, Michelle Fairley as his faithful wife, Catelyn Stark, Peter Dinklage as the clever dwarf Tyrion Lannister, Maisie Williams as the feisty young Arya Stark, and Kit Harrington as Ned Stark’s bastard son, Jon Snow, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Lena Headey as the scheming, ruthless twins Jaime “King Slayer” Lannister and Queen Cersei Baratheon and Jack Gleeson as the make-my-skin-crawl, vile Prince Joffrey Baratheon.
[Above: Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark and Kit Harrington as Jon Snow]
I have a feeling that just like in Martin’s books, show creators David Benioff (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Troy) and D.B. Weiss have orchestrated this series to make you fall in love with a certain character… right before something horrible happens to them. Case in point, in the pilot episode you can’t help but take to the adorable ten-year-old Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and sit horrified as he falls victim to consequences of being at the wrong place at the wrong time at the hands of the Lannisters. The episodes are paced in such a way that each leaves you banging your fists on the couch for more to see what transpires next.
[Above: The Wall]
Episode One, “Winter is Coming,” gives the viewer the lay of the land, showcasing the different cultures, major houses, and political history that twist tensions between the characters. This pilot episode opens with a sequence that embodies the Stark family cautionary saying that Winter is coming and makes you wonder what is this threat north of the Wall? What are the White Walkers?
[Above: Mark Addy as King Baratheon, Lena Headey as Queen Cersei and Jack Gleeson as Joffery Baratheon]
Episode Two, “The Kingsroad,” delves into the influential and corrupt Lannister family that have married their way onto the throne, but as with any great crafting of characters, these characters are not just black or white hats. Queen Cersei may not be a nice person, but there is a scene between her and Catelyn Stark that humanizes her as she recounts the death of her firstborn. There is a “stark” difference (sorry, could not resist the pun) in values and morality between the Stark and Lannister families.
[Above: Technically, this shot is from the fourth episode, but still illustrates the boys of the Night’s Watch]
Episode Three, “Lord Snow,” reveals the reality of the Wall and sad truth of the ancient order of the Night’s Watch, a revelation in the investigation into what happened to Bran, as well as a jewel of a scene between Ned Stark and his tomboy daughter, Arya. Fans of Arya will be delighted to know that she receives her “dancing lessons” in this episode.
[Above: Arya in her “dancing lessons”]
Another fan fave, Daenerys Targaryen aka “Dany”, played by Emilia Clarke fresh out of acting school, has undoubtedly captured many viewers hearts as well as you see her find her place away from her single-minded brother, Viserys (Harry Lloyd), and grow from a child married off as his bargaining chip in his quest to regain his throne to become a woman of power.
[Above: Emilia Clarke as Daenerys]
Throughout this series, I urge you to notice and appreciate the awe-inspiring production value of this production. It requires a well-coordinated effort of the brilliant talent of each and every single member of the production team to make this series happen. From the choice of the locales to film on location in Ireland and Malta to every stitch of clothing, down to every utensil eaten with, the tiniest detail of life in Westeros has been addressed and executed with thoughtful consideration. I must give props to HBO for a fantastic job in providing behind the scenes featurettes prior to the premiere of the show. (Click here to see our full coverage of Game of Thrones and its featurettes.)
[Above: King’s Landing]
With your eyes, you will see that the art direction and costuming have taken cultural cues from here and there from our own global history and formed an amalgamation for each culture of Martin’s world. This creates a visually familiar and relatable way of life for the viewer. Check out the featurettes from the Costume Armorer Simon Brindle (Clash of the Titans, Prince of Persia), Weapons Master Tommy Dunne (The Tudors, Gladiator), Production Designer Gemma Jackson (John Adams, Finding Neverland), Costume Designer Michele Clapton (Sense and Sensibility-TV series), and Set Decorator Richard Roberts (Gulliver’s Travels, Star Wars: Episode III).
[Above: Look for the beautiful detail on Jaime Lannister’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) armor]
With your ears, you will hear themes in the score emerge with foreboding hints of the unknown threat coming with the long years of Winter. Also noteworthy is the creation of the Dothraki language for this television adaptation by David J. Peterson of the Language Creation Society.
[Above: Jason Momoa as Dorthaki Warlord Kahl Drogo and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys, his new bride]
Martin is an executive producer on this production and he assures fans that they will be happy with this series. Ultimately, this adaptation is a testament to Martin’s masterpiece. I recommend enjoying each episode at least twice to properly register all the nuances of the dialogue and performance by the actors and to take in every succulent visual detail.
The only criticism I have about Game of Thrones is the repeated lingering visual-association shots of Dany and the dragon eggs. We get it! They are special to her storyline, but that nail was hit a little too hard for my tastes. Other than this tiny point, I would go as far as crowning Game of Thrones my Best New Show of the Year!
Before I close this review, I must digress for a moment to address an insult that was made to women are smart enough to read intelligent books and are fans of the fantasy genre. Contrary to what Ginia Bellafonte of the New York Times claimed in her review of the premiere, this “boy fiction” can be understood by the minds of women. She also claimed not to have known a single woman who is interested in such a genre. All I have to say is that she must have absolutely dim-witted female friends whose vocabulary must only consist of shallow topics that litter the minds of Sex in the City girls.
Geek girls exist. Wake up and smell our IQ, lady! Ok, rant mode off now…
[These dire wolf pups grow up fast, Ginia Bellafonte…]
I leave you with this quote from Bran’s nurse:
“Oh, my sweet summer child, what do you know about fear? Fear is for the winter where the snows fall a hundred feet deep. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides for years and children are born and live and die all in darkness. That is the time for fear, my little lord, when the White Walkers move through the woods…”
Savor the ten episodes of Season One of Game of Thrones. HBO has already renewed it for a second season. Ratings have been strong and growing! Episode Four garnered 3.1 million viewers in its two back-to-back airings combined last week. This series is a must-buy when it come out on DVD.
I give HBO’s Game of Thrones Five out of Five Stars.
What is a Three Episode Review? I believe that you need at least three episodes of a new show to tell if it’s worth watching or not. By three episodes, you should be able to understand the characters and their motivations, start to see the major plotlines unfold, and have a good gut feeling about the compatibility of what the show offers and what you look for in a show. I think this allows a viewer to be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to continue watching a new show. Thus, the Three Episode Review is designed to help you decide if a show is worth adding to your TV watching agenda.
