Here at the The Campus Socialite, we’re suckers for good TV. I realized that my second day on the internship, when the editors mentioned HBO’s Game of Thrones. It’s a medieval-themed fantasy series, based on the books by George R.R. Martin, that follows the struggles of seven noble families of the seven kingdoms of Westeros as they fight for the iron throne. Okay, that sounds cheesy, but it’s probably the best fantasy series since “Carnivale.” This show has everything from women, to violence, to some of the best and most complex story arcs and characters on television. If you’re not already watching “Game of Thrones,” read on for five reasons why you should be.
The World
Game of Thrones was described as The Sopranos meets Middle Earth. The Lord of the Rings reference comes in not only from the fantasy aspect of Game Of Thrones, but from the intricacy of the lands of Westeros and Essos. Author George R.R. Martin and the creators didn’t just brainstorm a bunch of fantasy archetypes with one dimensional personalities. Every different group and race in GOT has it’s own region, it’s own look, and even it’s own personality. Trust me, there are a lot of them too. The main focus of the show is on The Starks and Lannisters, two families that have maintained nobility and fought for the throne all throughout the history of Westeros, and each with their own polar characteristics.
Of course two noble families need to be explored in greater detail, but in GOT, even the lesser groups and savages are deep and complex. Take the Dothraki. They’re a savage and nomadic group of people who speak their own language. Instead of having them speak gibberish with subtitles, however, the creators of the show sought the help of the Language Creation Society. That’s right, they actually created a separate language for the Dothraki, one based on their own unique characteristics as a people, and fully functional as a spoken dialect. In the 1st episode, Daenerys Targaryen asks what the word for “Thank You” in Dothraki is. She is told “There is no word for ‘Thank you’ in Dothraki.” That’s deep.
Character Complexity
In just 5 episodes I’ve seen so much character development in the major and minor characters. The Game of Thrones script is written in a way in which viewers learn about the characters, from their personalities to their past, in just one conversation. You can predict which character’s pride will lead to his or her demise, which character will triumph, and which character won’t make it to the next episode. The character development in Game of Thrones isn’t as simple as the cliche shy princess coming into her own. Each character fights to prove who they are and others fight to prove who they are not.
Of course, character development isn’t very difficult if like most shows there are 4 or 5 worth worrying about. What sets shows like The Sopranos, and now Game of Thrones, apart is their ability to throw so many characters on screen and give them all such deep-seeded complexity. Ned Stark, the main character of the show isn’t simply a Lord who happens to be a good person. He is struggling to fill a role he was never meant to hold, weighing his hate for the Targaryens for killing his sister against his love of peace, trying to support a king who is both his closest friend and a degenerate, comforting his wife over his bastard child, fighting the Lannisters for power, all at the same time. Just so you know, I could have gone on.
The Women
Despite the series being set in a fictional medieval period, the men and especially women are much different than history and fantasy have traditionally portrayed them. I prefer these women to the real thing. The female cast members on the show are “hot as tits,” as my male friends would say. There’s nudity (duh — it’s HBO), sexual content and lots of pretty women for viewers to ogle. These women aren’t just sexy though. They are cunning and smart, and most importantly, they aren’t submissive. Try saying one thing about any female character in Lord of The Rings besides her race, title, and the position you imagine frickin her in. Game of Thrones gives you much more to think about.
Daenerys Targaryen (previously mentioned) is probably the best example of this. Like most premium cable female characters, she is super hot and naked more often than she is clothed. Unlike your typical pushover, one dimensional hot chic, Daenerys is cunning, using her sexuality to manipulate her husband Khal Drogo into turning his ruthless savagery into the makings of a powerful monarch, and playing him against her tyrant brother at the same time. Did I mention she’s super hot.
Violence
Five minutes into the first episode and I was scared stuffless, but I couldn’t tear my eyes off the screen. There was so much going on that I was afraid for the next scene and wanted to watch it all the same. HBO is known for un-censored gore, of which “Game of Thrones” has a lot. This isn’t over-the-top, Texas Chainsaw Massacre gore though. You see the battle from all point of views — the killer and the killed, the fallen and the standing. The choreography is incredible, while still staying true to the logistics of medieval battle. You won’t see a knight wielding a broad sword as if it was 3 pound Katana in GOT, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Comedy
In such a serious series, I expected constant drama. The writers surprised me with Tyrion Lannister aka “The Imp,” played by Peter Dinklage. He’s a highly intelligent, sarcastic and witty man-whore, and he provides most of the comic relief in episode. From the viewer’s first introduction to Tyrion, we see that he’s more than just a dwarf with a silver tongue. In a series where each episode is filled with battle, Dinklage’s portrayal of Tyrion gives the viewer something to laugh at in between scenes that make them cringe.
While Tyrion is obviously the comic relief, the wit doesn’t stop with him. Every character, with the exceptions of the noticeably stupid ones, seem to have great talents for the art of sarcasm and dry response. In the past it has bothered me immensely when every character in a show is a master of wit, but in GOT, the writing is so damn perfect that you can’t help but forgive. The back and forth quips between Ned Stark and Jamie Lannister are some of my favorite dialogues in all of television. After Stark remarks that Lannister’s armor doesn’t have a scratch on it, Lannister says “People have been swinging at me for years and they always seem to miss.” Stark replies “You’ve chosen your opponents well.” Genius.
