48/13
Martin’s wife once said she would leave him if he killed Arya or Sansa
Line of Events
Nine noble families fight for control of the lands of Westeros as an ancient enemy returns after lying dormant for millennia. George R. R. Tywin Lannister: He who has to say “I am king” is not a true king. In the opening credits, each character’s name is accompanied by the insignia of his character’s house.
What’s the consensus?
Featured on Hollywood’s Top Ten: Critics’ Choice Awards: Drama (2011). The title track (uncredited) was written and performed by Ramin Djawadi. Let’s say you’re reading these reviews and haven’t watched GoT yet, but now that it’s finished, you’re considering a marathon. In this case, the consensus is accurate, and it is: Seasons 1-6: Outstanding. Deep world building, intelligent dialogue, epic Hollywood-worthy sets, expert acting, detailed plot, real surprises, great soundtrack used sparingly.
GoT is definitely worth watching these seasons
Season 7: You suddenly notice that the quality of the writing and plot has plummeted. There are inexplicable ideas, inconsistent character development, and soap opera-like drama. But at least the entertainment value is still very high, so you get a pass. Season 8: This plunge sinks to depths you didn’t think possible. The writing has become so amateurish that the still-fantastic production values are no longer enough to save it.
We’ve lost our disbelief
If you ever enjoyed Lost but were shocked by how bad the last season was, you’re on familiar territory here. The biggest problem with the last season was that it took us out of the story and made us think about its many weaknesses. It’s fatal to fiction. It’s also ruined the series arcs to the point where it’s pointless to rewatch the entire series. So can I recommend a GoT marathon for newcomers?
Yes, the first 6 seasons are worth the later disappointments
But it’s not the greatest series of all time. It could have been, but if it drops the ball in the final stretch, it falls behind the following excellent series that are more marathon-worthy: Battlestar Galactica (2003-2008) Twin Peaks (all 3 seasons, plus the movie) Breaking Bad