Game of Thrones

[richardfinegold]

Why do people watch such dreadful things, and think of them as "entertainment"? The circuses part of bread and circuses I suppose. The same in Shakespere's day. Actually I think such programmes - which I would never watch - are part of a plot by the powers that be (or the powers that know) to soften up the population and prepare them for some future time of war and extinction. You will rarely if ever see an erect penis on the tele-vision, but brutality and devastation are constantly exhibited.

Syd, as usual, you are on to something that the rest of us keep missing. What a valuable resource you are! I beg of you, please keep these observations to yourself and don't share them, because we we would not want to have you eliminated by the "powers that be" as they fear losing the ability to manipulate us like marionettes from our television screens.

[cheesehoven]

I watched it up to the middle of season 3. I found it fairly enjoyable, although over-rated and having a hell of a lot (with the emphasis on Hell) of distastefulness. Gratuitous vulgarity, graphic violence and large amounts of sex and nudity (in the notorious "sexposition" scenes, where boring expositional dialogue is intercut with shots of rumpy pumpy). I have great sympathy with Sydney Grew's point of view-it seems strange and sad that this is now touted almost as high culture and advocated excitedly even by supposedly conservative authors when it is basically a violent softcore porn soap opera with dragons. The dwarf is, however, very good.

In the middle of series 3, we meet a boy with a magic penis and someone with the ability to bring the dead back to life. This being too silly for me, I bailed.

[richardfinegold]

I watched it up to the middle of season 3. I found it fairly enjoyable, although over-rated and having a hell of a lot (with the emphasis on Hell) of distastefulness. Gratuitous vulgarity, graphic violence and large amounts of sex and nudity (in the notorious "sexposition" scenes, where boring expositional dialogue is intercut with shots of rumpy pumpy). I have great sympathy with Sydney Grew's point of view-it seems strange and sad that this is now touted almost as high culture and advocated excitedly even by supposedly conservative authors when it is basically a violent softcore porn soap opera with dragons. The dwarf is, however, very good.

In the middle of series 3, we meet a boy with a magic penis and someone with the ability to bring the dead back to life. This being to silly for me, I bailed.

My wife and I watched a few episodes yesterday. We are going to be spending a week with family soon that includes several 20 something's who all love the show and I felt that we should at least have an idea of what it is about.
I completely concur that this show has gratuitous violence and sex. I also don't enjoy the fantasy part.
Breaking Bad appealed to me because the characters were believable. Any violence was a result of decisions they undertook, and was not flaunted for it's own sake.

[Nick Armstrong]

In the middle of series 3, we meet a boy with a magic penis.

Are you sure you're watching the same series?

That passed me by!

[Stunsworth]

In the middle of series 3, we meet a boy with a magic penis...

And to think poor old Sparky had to settle for a magic piano.

[cheesehoven]

Are you sure you're watching the same series?

That passed me by!

I wished it had passed me by, truly I do!

[VodkaDilc]

I thought I could remember Game of Thrones being discussed here. I've started recording the complete series (plural), which are being shown at the rate of three programmes each evening for the next week or so. I've only watched the first, but I'll try to stick with it and follow the advice given here, as long as my Sky+ box does not reach capacity first.

At present I am very confused.

[Nick Armstrong]

I thought I could remember Game of Thrones being discussed here. I've started recording the complete series (plural), which are being shown at the rate of three programmes each evening for the next week or so. I've only watched the first, but I'll try to stick with it and follow the advice given here, as long as my Sky+ box does not reach capacity first.

At present I am very confused.

I have now watched all 4 seasons twice through.

The toughest was season 1 the first time - probably for the reasons of confusion you mention! Distinguishing your Starks from your Baratheons and your Tyrells and your Lannisters sent me spinning.

This map may be useful. http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/42545...iliesFIXED.jpg

The Targaryens (the blond brother and sister) come from the east, further than is shown here.

[VodkaDilc]

That is a great help, Caliban. I have now watched three episodes and I'm still confused, but your map, giving the location of the various families/kingdoms or whatever they are, will be a great help. I had not quite worked out where the blond brother and sister fitted in (he's a nasty piece of work!). The characters do seem very confusing; they all seem to be either middle aged and swarthy or young and pretty (both sexes).

Was I reading too much into it by interpreting The Narrow Sea as the English Channel and the land to the west of it as Britain? There do seem to be similarities. Or are we in a completely made-up Tolkeinish world? So far it's not what I expected. Did half the country get hooked on this?