Game Of Thrones Season One Review

***Minor Spoilers: I will not give any information regarding surprises or major plot points***

Creators David Benioff, D.B. Weiss

Cast Sean Bean, Mark Addy, Jason Momoa, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Harry Lloyd, Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jack Gleeson

In mid April, HBO debuted the much anticipated series Game of Thrones, based on the series of books ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ by the American Tolkien, George R.R. Martin. I knew this would be arduous, but HBO is arguably the best network for original content. (See: The Wire, Deadwood, Sopranos)

For some reason, the other premium cable networks had other medieval shows at the time as well; Camelot on Starz and Borgias on Showtime. It’s weird how these things happen, like Deep Impact and Armageddon. Snakes on a Train was released on DVD right before the theatrical release of Snakes on a Plane. Same with Transmorphers and Transformers. In all of these cases, one is not like the other. Game of Thrones is the clear leader.

Adapting a book or graphic novel is a rough task, managing the most efficient ways to grab all of the key points, but not hold back so much as to offend the die hard fans. I haven’t read the books because I can’t read, but I’ve talked to a few that have and they are extremely happy with the show.

Game of Thrones is a perfect mix of swords, strategy, politics, lust, and humor, mostly from Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. The first episode, “Winter is Coming”, can be a bit confusing as it introduces almost all of the main characters in less than an hour, but make it to episode two and you will be hooked. The storytelling and character development are too good to pass up. I can’t see anyone hating this show.

The show is told through four sets of stories, all of them intertwining. The Starks, The Lannisters, The Baratheons, The Targaryens. I can prove imperically that these stories are enthralling enough to make a kid with ADHD sit still long enough for an entire episode. The show spends just the right amount of time on one character or one part of the story before moving to a new one, which is the downfall of similar shows.

Watching week to week is immensely frustrating though. This is a show that you’ll want to watch straight through on a Sunday. The finale gives you just enough information that things are about to get crazy. If you haven’t seen it, find a friend who has it DVR’ed. Go. Now.

I give this debut season a VERY STRONG BUY THE BOX SET IMMEDIATELY UPON RELEASE.

--- Moose