#10 The Settings
The stories portrayed in Game of Thrones encompass many characters in many conflicts throughout, what can only be described as half a planet's worth of settings. The focus of the show is on events on the of Westeros and Essos which encompasses many different terrains, and beautiful scenery. The filming locations include Iceland, Morocco, Ireland and Croatia and present to us the truly breathtaking and diverse environments from the frozen north to the barren desserts of Essos, they are truly a sight to behold, and they help accentuate the atmosphere and drama of the stories being told.
#9 HBO
While to some it may not seem entirely a big deal that HBO are behind the making of the show, for those familiar with HBO and their back catalogue, this is a very important thing indeed. HBO is big, it has the finances, it has the courage and it has the freedom to really work to bring this series to life, and in no way was it going to disappoint. HBO is driven by its subscriber revenue, so isn't privy to the requirements or limits imposed on traditional broadcasters by advertisers and the ability of a more general audience to access their content, resulting in being subjected to censorship rules. They have the freedom and the funds to go all out and make the series a reality, and so far, they've done one hell of a job.
#8 The Budget
While a big budget is not a surefire way to greatness when it comes to on-screen entertainment (see almost every Michael Bay or Roland Emmerich film ever), the huge budget, estimated as between $5-10 million per episode, ensures that the team behind it are able to achieve the level of scope and detail in order to bring this fantasy world to life in as satisfying a way as possible which is something only HBO can manage on a consistent basis.
#7 Not Knowing What To Expect
One of the best things that can be said about George R R Martin in writing his books is that he's honest about the fact he has no idea where he's going with it. He writes as he feels and not having an ultimate plan or end game for the books gives us an unpredictability about the plot and the lives of the characters. Take, for example, Ned Stark from season 1 and the first book in the Songs of Ice and Fire series from which the show got its name.
Almost instantly he became everyone's favourite character. He was honourable, courageous and a family man. He wasn't hell bent on gaining power but he would always do the right thing. This, in my view, if done well, could have been a character that could have carried on through the books and the show and still have been entertaining, yet he was killed in episode 9 of the first season by King Joffrey who agreed to show him mercy.
His death in the show was an immense surprise, as well as the death of Khal Drogo who had become a fan favourite in some respects. The loss of these two characters left fans wondering what next, and it's this unpredictability and this willingness to take risks by killing off main characters that keeps fans on their toes. You don't know what's going to happen next, and that keeps you gripped.
#6 Made With The Fans In Mind
One thing that can be credited to the show's creators is that they have always kept the fans of the book in mind when looking to adapt the show. So much so, they actually went ahead and got GRRM to write a few episodes for them. Successfully adapting a book series such as this is no easy feat, and it would have been harder if fans of the books weren't behind it, or felt that it had neglected the source material in making the adaptation.
I've had discussions with people before about the show and the books and I've always held the view that, while the books are better, due to their ability to increase the scale of the story being told, the show is just as good, if not better in some areas. Both act as complementary to one another. There are lines delivered, scenes acted out and characters portrayed in precisely the way you'd imagined them while you were reading the books.
Those who watched the show without or before reading the books, have sorely missed out on something great.
#5 The Lannisters
While only one family in a fantasy world consisting of many involved in the stories being told, I personally felt the Lannisters deserved a special mention. They have presented to us one of our favourite characters in Tyrion, a dwarf with an incredible intellect, great sense of humour and a cunning that sees him easily outsmarting those who underestimate him.
They're a family who always pay their debts, and a family who are, while they have their conflicts, fiercely loyal to one another. Especially Jaime and Cersei who engage in a controversial incestuous relationship that threatens to destroy the entire family. King Joffrey is the most sinister of the family as he's proven to be a rather sadistic and cruel king letting power go to his head the moment he sat on the Iron Throne.
Each family in the show has something memorable or unique about them, but it's the Lannisters who stand out as featuring on the one hand a character you can adore (Tyrion) and a character you can absolutely loathe (Joffrey) with the other members of the family being a bit in the middle.
#4 Complexity Made Simple
Telling a story that spans across two continents with a main cast of more than 30 characters is no easy feat. The scale in the books is obviously somewhat toned down in the show, but that is more due to budgetary constraints than a flaw in the ability to tell the story on screen. There are fairly minor changes made in the show compared to the books which either complement the story or make it simple to keep a handle on it all.
Some stories receive less air time than others, but they still make the same progress and are still told in the same way. Sometimes the viewer needs a break from the politics of managing the 7 kingdoms and the show will shift to a brief story about Bran's journey to the Wall. They've brought the show to an understandable level for the average viewer not acquainted with the book series without sacrificing too much or, in some instances, anything at all.
#3 The Sub-Plots
There are the main plots and the expected sub-plots of the show, but the sub-plots are just as entertaining as the main events that keep the show moving. The best example of this would be Tyrion. Known as the 'imp' because of his dwarfism is someone who is standing up against the adversity created by his situation. He is resented by his family because his birth caused the death of their mother, and he has never truly loved another woman.
He is what most would see as an outcast, but he uses his incredible wit and intellect to his advantage over those of his relatives and from other families that underestimate him. He is not someone to be trifled with. He may not have the ability to use a sword to the same effect as his brother, the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister, but you better be sure he's got a plan to defend himself when it is necessary.
#2 Strong Women
I've read newspaper columns on the show criticising the treatment of women in the show as objects or lesser beings. If I'm honest, this isn't something I would outright dispute. Given the world in which it is set, it's expected that, to some degree, women would feature as the submissive gender, but this does not mean the show is devoid of any strong female role models.
Cersei is perhaps the best example of this. While she does her womanly 'duty' by marrying Robert Baratheon in order to ensure the alliance between the two families, she is incredibly cunning and always plotting something or other, such as the death of her late husband and the ascension to the throne of her eldest son.
Arya Stark and Melisandre are two other characters who stand out as fierce and filled with strength and determination. Arya, in particular, defies convention from the very beginning. She doesn't want to grow up and become the servant wife, she wants to fight and be strong. Her journey is by no means a simple one, but it's a positive thing to see her grow and keep that strength and determination within her.
#1 The Actors
The show's cast of mostly British actors is the strongest aspect of the show. Not because they are British (although I'm biased in that respect), but because there was great care and attention paid to each and every role being cast.
Again I come back to Tyrion, played by Peter Dinklage, has skyrocketed this little known actor to super stardom purely because he fits and plays the role so well. Your emotional attachment to your favourite character(s) comes from them being played so well and with such dedication by those involved.
If you've not watched the show yet, for whatever reason, you're simply missing out. Everything about it is just perfect. I would suggest that, if you are tempted by the show, that you check out the books first as, like I said above, the show is complementary to the books and you will get more out of the show if you've familiarised yourself with the books.
Anyway, that Wedding I was telling you about.
