A Game of Thrones Episode 1: MUST SEE!

Ned Stark on the Iron Throne

Now when Geoff and Junior first told me HBO was doing the first book in George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series I was happy to hear it.  At the same time I was worried about how any show could live up to such a complicated book as A Game of Thrones.  In fact I'm still not sure George has even figured out where to go with it after his horrible "half book" a Feast of Crows. 

Yet, like the novel series, HBO has done a great job starting the saga with this pilot episode.  Here's the trailer: 

Lets just say the trailer barely does the episode justice!  I'm going to start off by saying my favorite character in the series is Tyrion Lanister, the "Imp."  He is played by Peter Dinklage who I must say with just blond hair looks like he could honestly be related to the people who play his siblings!  Also his acting is great and he plays the part so well!  I am a bit disappointed to notice that he's only in two episodes! While I know the character is mostly a side role in the first novel it is kind of sad to see such a good actor playing a bit part.  Here's hoping the show does well enough to warrant continuing the series!


As for the episode itself it is freaky seeing the scenes played out brings them back from memory.  It has been years since I read the first novel but I quickly remembered scene by scene what was going on.  They even managed to jump across the ocean and back again just like in the novel.  Even though the over the seas stuff was ALL foreshadowing (as in the books) they were done well enough to not bore.  


Speaking of not boring, this book is a LOT of talking.  It's all about political intrigue and backstabbing, and it is the main reason many didn't figure it'd work well on television.  So far HBO is doing a good job of taking such a talky subject and spicing it up as only premium cable can.  With lots of boobies!  Oh and blood including decapitations and disembowelment.  This is TOTALLY an after hours watching when the kiddies can't see it! 

Of course I can't write about this episode without talking about Eddard Stark played by Sean Bean.  Many will recognize his dark brooding sword swinging from his time in the Fellowship and while there are some superficial similarities to the roles, this is a much harder and darker role that he is taking on well.  Unfortunetly he's also listed as being in only 2 episodes and I find that a telling note on how fast the series is going to go.  Then again 10 episodes for one book isn't breaking any records but that's okay I think that could be a good pace for a book with this much to say.  


All in all I think this is a MUST SEE for anyone who's read the books.  Even if you, like many, are pissed off about Feast of Crows this is still a great telling of the story that's worth seeing.  If you've never read the series that's fine as well, as the show literally goes nearly scene by scene through the novel without too much of the boring bits.  Ignoring that it is still a dark story that only has faint hints of fantasy to it at the moment, with plenty of T&A and Blood for the guys, and dark brooding hunks of man flesh for the ladies.  (My wife is a fan of  Jason Momoa who plays the Mongol like Khal Drogo. I can't bear to tell her he's only in 2 episodes as well for this season. [Two again?  Sheesh]) 


So bottom line this is a must see for anyone who enjoys anything fantasy like, medieval ish, or just plain "for adults only" entertainment.  This is already on my Blue Ray buy list and it's only episode one!