Den-in-NH
Happy For Tom
My apologies if there is already a Game of Thrones thread, I thought there was, but I searched and could not find it - I have been avoiding reading anything about GOT until I could watch the first episode, which I did last night - and I am now curious as to others' reactions. I just posted my initial thoughts on FB and I'll copy them here as well:
Firstly, let me say I am not familiar with the source material. That being said I was expecting a historical drama and was surprised that this was actually a fantasy set in a fictional universe. I thought this would be similar to Showtime's "Tudors" (perhaps a fictionalized history, but surely set in Europe as oppossed to a completely new world). I am fine with this being a fantasy, although I think that this may be too niche to be successful. The show looks quite expensive and the fantasy aspect may be a turnoff for many (like my wife who immediately tuned out upon the realization) - fantasy works for a movie (or three) but will it have enough appeal to get viewers each week? I don't know, but I think it is going to have to be really, really good to do so. So my first critique is this - I wanted to know more about the setting. Is this a "Middle-Earth" type world where mythological creatures and magic exist, or simply a reflection of medieval Europe? I saw there was a reference to "dragon's eggs", but was that literal? Do dragons exist in this world? Conversely, I felt the first episode introduced too many characters. There are a lot of characters with complicated backstories and complex relationships with each other. It seemed to me to be a case of "too much, too fast" as I found myself rewinding several times to catch the nuances of the characters relationships to each other. Perhaps a better tactic would have been to introduce each of the major "family houses" one episode at a time. However, there are a number of excellent characters - I loved the Queen's dwarf brother and the bastardized son of the main charcater. And the acting is very good. The sets and costumes as well are impecable. So overall, it has my interest and I hope to be able to become more invested into this world. My only fear is that indeed I will, and the show will make a quick departure from HBO a la "Rome" and "Deadwood".
Firstly, let me say I am not familiar with the source material. That being said I was expecting a historical drama and was surprised that this was actually a fantasy set in a fictional universe. I thought this would be similar to Showtime's "Tudors" (perhaps a fictionalized history, but surely set in Europe as oppossed to a completely new world). I am fine with this being a fantasy, although I think that this may be too niche to be successful. The show looks quite expensive and the fantasy aspect may be a turnoff for many (like my wife who immediately tuned out upon the realization) - fantasy works for a movie (or three) but will it have enough appeal to get viewers each week? I don't know, but I think it is going to have to be really, really good to do so. So my first critique is this - I wanted to know more about the setting. Is this a "Middle-Earth" type world where mythological creatures and magic exist, or simply a reflection of medieval Europe? I saw there was a reference to "dragon's eggs", but was that literal? Do dragons exist in this world? Conversely, I felt the first episode introduced too many characters. There are a lot of characters with complicated backstories and complex relationships with each other. It seemed to me to be a case of "too much, too fast" as I found myself rewinding several times to catch the nuances of the characters relationships to each other. Perhaps a better tactic would have been to introduce each of the major "family houses" one episode at a time. However, there are a number of excellent characters - I loved the Queen's dwarf brother and the bastardized son of the main charcater. And the acting is very good. The sets and costumes as well are impecable. So overall, it has my interest and I hope to be able to become more invested into this world. My only fear is that indeed I will, and the show will make a quick departure from HBO a la "Rome" and "Deadwood".