I Love Game Of Thrones!
All I wanted was to acquaint myself with Alan Taylor's works. He's directing Thor: The Dark World so I'm curious about what he could do with this movie. Asgard and the Nine Realms, the Dark World, the Dark Elves - it'll be a complete fantasy movie. I've read that Taylor's done great work on Game of Thrones so why not check out an episode or two to determine what great work he'll do on Thor: The Dark World. But he directed the season finale and a few episodes of the next season. I wouldn't be able to understand the man's work without understanding the series first. So I start with the pilot episode. And I couldn't stop.
Is it an addictive show or is just a really damn good series? Or both? I don't know, but the thing is, Thrones isn't usually my kind of show. For American television, I go for the episodic, entertaining ones like cartoons, comedies, and crime shows. My top three shows are Psych, Leverage, and How I Met Your Mother. The only "dramatic" ones that I used to watch are Law and Order: SVU and House. (I LOVED HOUSE!!!) The one show that comes close to Thrones in the drama genre that I used to watch was Revenge. But when the two-timing and back-stabbing started, that was when I realized that I didn't give a damn enough about these people to continue watching. And that's the key - likable characters.
Game of Thrones has a ton of characters, and you're bound to like one if not many of them. I myself love the Starks, especially Arya. She's gonna become one badass heroine, isn't she? I really like Robb, too. He’s a bit more belligerent than his father, but he’s still got that Stark honor I love so much in his father. Sansa is weak compared to the other Starks, and for that I didn't like her at all. I never favor the damsel in distress, but I guess I'm starting to feel some sympathy for her. I love the adventurous Bran; so mature for his age! Let's not forget the other Stark, though not by name. The bastard of Lord Stark, Jon Snow is my favorite of the whole ensemble. He can be a bit stubborn, but I love his heart! He loves his siblings; loves his friends. And he's so protective! He’s so much like Ned actually! I haven't read the books, but I've read spoilers and theories. Now I'm a believer of Jon's great destiny. XD Ooh, another great thing about the Starks is their sigil, the Direwolf. WOLF! I've been crazy about wolves since I was a kid. I wanted one as a pet. Actually I still do, lol.
Some of my other favorites are the ones who know how to "talk" to people. Tyrion Lannister the Imp is one my favorites. I love his jokes! Ah, the nonchalant sellsword, Bronn is also amusing though he doesn’t say as much. Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer, who is a **** for trying to kill Bran and for attacking Ned, is handsome and charming enough with his words that I was starting to like him at the end of season 2. I don't trust him much anymore, but I still like Baelish aka Littlefinger despite what he did to Ned. Although Varys the Spider seems a bit more trusting, I still wouldn't trust him completely. I still like him though. But oh my gosh, if an episode would focus on just these five alone in a room, I would be on the floor, dying because the jokes and insults from these men would be so well written! Honestly though, I really do end up laughing my ass off at the comic relief in this show. It's just golden!
Now onto the unlikables.
King Joffrey!!! Why, Sansa, couldn't you have pushed him when you had the chance! I couldn't stand this boy the second I saw him. His face, his voice, his whole existence. But then to find out that he's such a rotten, spoiled prince, I was happy to hate him. And I became so much happier when his Uncle Tyrion slapped him a few times. Then somehow the little brat became king. How? I still can't seem to understand that. Wouldn't a boy have to come of age first in order to become King? Anyways, I don't hate the kid for being the horrible King that took away Lord Stark, I hate Joffrey as the person he is. Cowardice, disrespectful, foolish, idiotic, sadistic, abusive, etc. I could go on, but I'd rather cut his head off instead. I hope we get to see that in season 3. :)
I blame Cersei Lannister as much as I do Joffrey for what happened to Stark. But I don't wish death upon her...just yet. She, unlike Joffrey, has one redeeming quality, and that is her love for her children (and Jaime). She can and does care about others and not just herself whereas Joffrey only frets about his own ass. Which someone should have spanked a bit more often when he was younger...
Moving along outside of Westeros now, the next unlikable is another abusive one. Viserys thankfully died early enough in the series. Harsh I know, but that's the truth. He reminded me so much of Loki (from Thor and Avengers) with his "I am Lord of the Seven Kingdoms! I want my crown!" There was something deliciously sinister about Loki that made him likable, but Viserys was all bark and no bite. An arrogant fool who got what he deserved. Thank you, Drogo! I love that Golden Crown. ;P
And this is why I shouldn't get into these political shows full of treachery and treason. I can become a little too passionate in my hatred for the villains. I love to hate.