[TV Review] Game of Thrones (Episode 1)
Being a big fan of epic fantasy literature I was equal parts concerned and excited when it was announced that George R.R Martin’s epic fantasy series was going to be adapted for TV. I really couldn’t see how something that big would be able to work on the little screen. But then it was revealed that the first season was only going to tackle the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones, and if successful then the other books would follow in subsequent seasons. Colour me excited again!
And now we finally have the chance to see what they came up with, as the first season gets underway tonight on American TV, with the UK getting it one day later tomorrow night on Sky Atlantic. But is it worth adding to your TV schedule?
Plot
Game of Thrones tells the story of the Kingdom of Westeros, ruled over by King Robert (Mark Addy). Years ago he and his best friend, Lord Eddard Stark (Sean Bean), led a rebellion against the then King Aerys Targaryen, known as “the Mad King”, & took power for themselves.
But with the assassinated kings’ children plotting to regain power from their exile across the Narrow Sea in Essos, and various plots within the Seven Kingdoms to wrestle power from King Robert & Lord Stark, the Seven Kingdoms & the seven ruling Houses are not prepared for the return of an evil from beyond the Wall, as they are too busy with the Civil War that is brewing in their midst.
As the motto of House Stark says “Winter is coming”, and in a land where winters can last generations they must find a way to survive the treachery within & the danger from without.
Review
The first thing that strikes you when the first episode starts is how BIG it looks! This is epic TV in every sense of the word and the world of Westeros looks as big as you would have imagined it would.
The opening scenes in the forests by The Wall setup the return of not only an ancient evil that hasn’t been seen in the land for years but also the kind of show this is going to be. This is “adult” fantasy, and doesn’t shy away from showing death & violence, making the world a very real and dangerous place indeed.
I don’t want to go into too much detail about the events in this opening episode, as it truly should be seen rather than read about, but it has to be said that the main characters, of which there are quite a few, are introduced to the audience very well. We soon get an idea of who is who, and where they stand in relation to others in the land, and who is working against who.
There is a lot to take in, but the characters are very well defined with a mix of relatively unknown actors, like Alfie Allen and Isaac Hempstead-Wright, accompanied by a range of well known faces, like Sean Bean, Mark Addy and Lena Hardy, but all are of a higher than usual standard for TV, especially “fantasy” TV, which can sometimes descend into hammy performances & terrible acting.
That is not apparent in this opening episode, as everyone really does seem to be trying to deliver the best performance that they can, in the short time we get to meet & learn about these characters.
The production values are also exceedingly high. The establishing shots of locations like Kings Landing or Winterfell are superb, and wouldn’t look at all out of place in a big budget film rather than a TV show, which can only be a good thing.
Honestly, I cannot find anything to complain about with this opening episode. I enjoyed it immensely, & I really hope that everyone else does as well, as David Benioff and Dan Weiss have managed what I thought impossible at times – to breathe life into George R.R Martin’s creation & bring it to our screens in the best way possible.
Closing Credits
It’s sometimes quite hard to judge a TV show by its opening episode as, by it’s very nature, TV shows have to take longer to get to the point than a film, with there much longer running times. But Game of Thrones episode one is an engrossing and engaging tale of intrigue & danger in a fantasy land that has been realised with amazing clarity.
For fans of the books there is obviously going to be some changes to the story, as they have to condense so much into a ten episode season, but from this episode I think the makers might just have captured something magical that will engage with people both familiar & unfamiliar with Martin’s work.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, then this is the best thing to happen on TV in a very long time. And it’s an adaption that isn’t afraid to show some of Martin’s more “taboo” subjects onscreen.
I really hope that this finds the audience it deserves as I think if you watch this opening episode you will be hooked, and to not see the entire story would be a tragedy.
I’m just glad that I don’t have to wait a week to watch the second episode, as I’m hoping that’s going to be even better than the first (although it does mean that I’m then going to wait two weeks to see how the story continues!).
Basically, watch this show. It’s going to be epic, in every sense of the word!
Game Of Thrones starts at 9PM on Sky Atlantic HD (Channel 108) on the 18th of April.
6 Responses to “[TV Review] Game of Thrones (Episode 1)”
I like epic fantasy literature too. So, I am going to enjoy this one.
This show got me hooked! Highly recommended for RR Martin fans!
Well, the plot just sent me to some imagination of a sort. Gone are the days when those were the stories that use to take me to the deep sleep but when you some how come across anything like that, childhood is revived. And now, it is all the more glorious when you can see it happening in front of your eyes. Thanks to the technological advances once again.
Auckland Property Management
I was a little worried about one of my favorite stories being slaughtered by network television but Game of Thrones did not fail to disappoint. It also helped that I just got a new flatscreen. I can’t wait to see future episodes. I am putting it on my tivo now.
This show WAS epic all the way through! I think only HBO could pull this off. The other networks would have turned it into a shadow of its true potential. Actors are perfect for the most part, the visuals are stunning, and the plot is exiting. Good Stuff!
Trackbacks
What's Your Opinion?