Why You Should Watch Game of Thrones

In all of the recent television programming, none have reached the spectacle that is George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones.” Based off of Martin’s best selling novel series, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the series tells us of the feuds between the ancient rival houses on the continent of Westeros, all while a more imminent threat of something far more ancient and evil lies to the north.  With captivating story lines, countless characters, exemplary acting, and beautiful visuals, “Game of Thrones” is one of the best television programs to date. Having watched the series three times over, I can confidently say that I have significant knowledge of the series itself. Even after my third viewing and watching the final episode of season seven, I was left empty with a desire to watch more.

“Game of Thrones” is comparable to well-known programs such as “Breaking Bad,” “The Sopranos,” and “The Walking Dead” due to dramatic and engaging story lines, complicated characters, and long run times in both episode and season length. If I were to describe the series to one who has never heard of it before, I would call it “The Sopranos” meets “Lord of the Rings,” due to the shows dramatic nature and fantasy elements. “Game of Thrones” contains an abundant amount of story arcs, detailing the characters in each arc, introducing new characters along the way, all while fleshing out Martin’s world on screen. Throughout the series (currently at seven seasons), characters move to places and take part in events that you would not have imagined happening in previous seasons. From the first episode of season one to the final episode of season seven, Martin is able to engross you in a fantasy world plagued with all manor of strife, along with character development in phenomenal aspects when comparing them to the beginning of the series.

As the center point of any good television program, the acting portrayed in the series is extraordinary. From the various kings that sit on the iron throne to foot soldiers in the field of battle, the actors truly make you feel that you are watching a real medieval fantasy play out on screen. After only just a handful of episodes, I found myself becoming attached to certain characters whom I related to. I also began to find myself despising those who brought harm to the ones I enjoyed. No matter who you are, you will find at least one character to relate and become attached too, as there are so many. Martin manages to make you feel a deep connection and enthusiasm for certain characters and their various causes. One of the characters whom I felt a connection to is Tyrion who was born with dwarfism into the exceedingly rich house Lannister. Family members and the like constantly ridicule him for his stature day in and day out. Tyrion goes through countless trials and tribulations pushing him to the brink collapse, but throughout everything, he manages to remain strong with an increasingly lightening sense of humor. Do not get overly fond of any particular character though, as they may not be around for too long.

Necessary to the world building the show creates, the visuals are what really grabbed my attention in the series. With a budget of around 15 million dollars for each season, the sets are filmed in the most exotic locations. Ranging from the cold barren tundra of Iceland, to the intense heat of the Moroccan desert, and to the coastal towns of Croatia, these locations set the stage for what the actors will make you feel is a reality. Many of the castles are rendered in CGI throughout the series, as well. Although computer animated, these locations manage to engross you into the fantasy even more. Harrenhal, Dragonstone, and the Eyrie all illustrate how grand the castles and the houses inhabiting them truly are. The castles within these locations add to the sense of scale of how old the houses of Westeros are, how vast the expanse of the continent is, and how brutal life is in the world of “Game of Thrones.”

“Game of Thrones” has, at best, a mixed reputation from the viewers. This is due to the excessive amount of gruesome violence and nudity that tends to be within some episodes of the series. Each episode of the series is about an hour long with each season being on average ten episodes long. This is roughly seventy hours of watch time with another season on the way adding even more. These factors can deter certain viewers, which is understandable. In order to enjoy the magnificent show that “Game of Thrones” has to offer, it is a commitment. Beyond the commitment that the show is, and the graphic-ness of it, is a truly fantastic series with characters filled with personality, humanity, and writing comparable to that of great literature.

If you have a large chunk of time on your hands and are looking for something to sink your teeth into, I could not recommend this series more. “Game of Thrones” has gone beyond one of my personal favorite television program and has become one of my favorite series to date. If you enjoyed J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord Of the Rings,” series on screen or enjoy detailed, in depth drama series, you will love “Game of Thrones.”