According to reports, around a billion people are expected to tune into Sunday night’s premiere of the final season of HBO’s blockbuster series, Game of Thrones. Mr. R and I will be two of those people. If you’re a fan of the show, you know what I mean.
If you’re one of those who hasn’t seen a single second of the show, I get it. Normally, I am that person. The one who bucks the trend and avoids that which everyone else seems to obsess over. I was that way about Breaking Bad, but I eventually saw the error of my ways.
I was also late to The Sopranos party. I don’t think I saw a single episode until after the entire series was over.
Fun Fact: Mr. R and I are currently binge-watching The Sopranos for at least the second time, LOL.
When Game of Thrones was first coming out in the spring of 2011, I read a lot about it from a lot of different sources. It really didn’t sound like my cup of tea. An epic fantasy filled with kings, queens, knights, wars, dragons, etc? On the other hand, did I want to miss getting in on the ground floor of the ‘next big thing’? So I decided to watch the first episode. Worst-case scenario, I waste an hour of my life.
But then I watched the opening sequence. In seven minutes and twenty-two seconds, I was totally in. I had no idea what was happening, but I was hooked. Eventually after that first season, I went back and read the books.
Game of Thrones is based on A Song of Ice and Fire, an epic fantasy series of books by George R.R. Martin. And he has worked closely with the creators of the show. As a writer, I’m fascinated at Martin’s ability to create a whole world–no really, the books include maps, and the locations in the show are based on those maps. He’s created characters that are rich and diverse and strong and flawed. Dragons aside, for me it’s the human drama that makes the show the achievement that it is.
Westeros and beyond is populated with strong women, ruthless warriors, noble folk, and monsters of the human variety as well as the supernatural ones. I was impressed by the fact that dwarf Tyrion Lannister (expertly played by the excellent Peter Dinklage) has a hugely prominent role.
Granted, the show is not for the squeamish–scenes of violence abound. And there is quite a bit of sex as well. These are not well-behaved characters, for the most part. But I wonder if you might see a few things that ring familiar, as well.
Music plays a huge part in Game of Thrones. In fact, it’s almost a character within itself, setting the mood, identifying the various families and banners. The opening theme, A Song of Ice and Fire, is iconic, and for tonight’s serenade, I’ve included two versions. The first one is an acoustic quartet, and the second is an entire orchestra featuring 2Cellos.
And…
If you’re still on the fence about Game of Thrones and haven’t seen a second of it…
Please grant me seven minutes and twenty-two seconds and watch the first sequence of Season 1 Episode 1.
Oh, and rule of thumb for watching GoT–don’t get too attached to anybody. Just saying… And be careful online–The internet is dark, and full of spoilers.
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. Be sure to hug those you love.
Happy Saturday night!
Adventures in Date Night 