Forum Topic

Game of Thrones

As I was at a loose end this evening and looking for some light relief from Brexit, I thought I'd try Game of Thrones, never having watched a single minute of the previous 677 series. So I tried the opening episode of series 678, but couldn't even last 30 minutes. It was AWFUL: like watching EastEnders but without the laughs. Terrible acting (people constantly staring meaningfully into the distance: the CGI dragons were more animated than the human characters), worse dialogue (some queen or other: "You might be the most arrogant man I've ever met. [pause] I like that [another pause]. Now I want to be alone." (They obviously filched that line from Kathleen Turner to William Hurt in Body Heat: "You're not very bright, are you? I like that in a man" plus a bit of Greta Garbo).So bad, but nowhere near bad enough to be watchable. How do people manage to sit through this tripe? Can anyone here explain to me what the attraction of it is?

Richard Carter ● 2764d17 Comments

Sorry Richard, but I absolutely love it and have hooked since episode one.  To me, the writing, acting, CGI and plot are simply wonderful. Guess it would be a dull world if we all agreed on everything.  Hope you found something else you found more enjoyable :)

Craig Fordham ● 2764d

I’ve not seen it even once. What channel is it on?

Jonathan Callaway ● 2764d

Knitting for beginners?

Andy Pike ● 2764d

Can anyone here explain to me what the attraction of it is?Yes, Richard. It's because viewers have been told it's wonderful.

Alexander MacLeod ● 2764d

It's on Sky Atlantic.

Richard Carter ● 2764d

No need to apologise, Craig, I'm pleased you enjoy it.But perhaps I should have persevered: a friend has pointed me to a blog explaining that it's about the horror of fossil fuels all along! Lol.https://theconversation.com/game-of-thrones-was-about-the-horror-of-fossil-fuels-all-along-94351

Richard Carter ● 2764d

All I would say is that it's not one to dip into. Absolutely no point trying to gauge its appeal by watching an episode from the final season having seen nothing else. It's one to watch from the beginning or not at all.I think the three main appeals are plot, character and a very well-realised world, with believable and interesting law, culture, economics, religions, history etc. There really is a *lot* to it.It is also handsomely made and, for the most part, I disagree with you about the acting. In past seasons you've missed Diana Rigg, Jonathan Pryce, Peter Vaughn, Charles Dance, Patrick Malahide, Donald Sumpter  and many others.I have to say though, I bailed out midway through the third season when there some extended scenes of physical and psychological torture by a sadist, which just weren't my cup of tea.

James Elder ● 2764d

I would assume maybe more at the advanced crochet level;-)Must say on topic, that was not that impressed by season 8 episode 1, compared to the opening scene of the last season at the Frey’s feast which is still one of my faves

Mike Warman ● 2764d

Maybe this re-imagination will help 🤔https://order-order.com/2019/04/15/game-theresa-westminsteros/

Mike Warman ● 2764d

Not available in our household!!  Free to air only round here.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2763d

I see your point about a well-realised world. though it did strike me on a casual acquaintance as more Horrible Histories medieval (dirty peasants, scowling villains etc). And I may have missed the earlier actors, true: but the man playing Jon Snow has fewer expressions than a car crash test dummy, and his consort (Daenerys something?) seems to do simpering only. Your wider point, though, about not trying to dip into it at this rather late stage is certainly valid. But to watch the entire thing from the beginning: the horror, the horror!

Richard Carter ● 2763d

Ah! The opening scene of 7/1 was a masterpiece. Wait, surely Walder Frey is dead! Oh, I get it. The North Remembers.

Frances Clarke ● 2757d

It has to be admitted that neither Kit Harrington (Jon Snow) nor Emilia Clarke (Danaerys) are the greatest actors.You do have to start at the beginning, go on until you get to the end, and then stop. I was dubious about episode one, and almost gave up, until the big drama at the end. Now I wouldn't miss it and have all the DVDs.

Frances Clarke ● 2757d

The reason I started to watch it from series 1, was Sean Bean, and when he died that was it.  Never watched another episode.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2757d

I get the impression people would rather watch Eastenders...

Mark Phillips ● 2756d

And what does that mean, Mark?  Anything wrong with that if people do?Haven’t watched Game of Thrones, but wish I had. Did someone say it’s on Sky?  We don’t have it, which is probably why I haven’t seen it.Only one thing I have watched over the past couple of years that I really raved over, and that was “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”. Fantastic!Loved the drama about the Jeremy Thorpe, too.

Martine Guy ● 2756d

As well as Sky, it's on Now TV if you can get that.The earlier seasons are all on DVD and available to buy as downloads on sites like Amazon and Google Play.

James Elder ● 2756d