"Winter is Coming." - My take on Game of Thrones

Being that all of my favorite TV shows are on hiatus I had time to start something new and let's just say that obsessed is an understatement. A few months ago the hashtag REDWEDDING popped up all over my twitter feed (@rebelontheLO) and I knew it was about the HBO series Game of Thrones so I thought that I understood the hype. That being said I had NO FREAKING CLUE what I was getting into when I decided to start the series.  I've come to the conclusion that it is not only one of the best shows on currently but one of the smartest in the last decade.  Based on the book series by George R. R. Martin (which I have also started) GoT is truly for everyone as long as you can wrap your mind around the fact that the fantasy is part of the reality.

If you haven't seen the show its based in a medieval time period with tons of history in the land itself as well as the characters. If you're not a fan of character death the show isn't for you as a major character or characters are killed off every season. I find that to be part of the show's magic, you never know what's coming so it keeps you on your toes. I also appreciate the fact that the female characters are not complete and total idiots in a time where women are second class citizens even if they are high born.  Characters such as Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), whom many consider to be a villain, are portrayed as strong, smart, and capable people most times even more than the men.

On a more personal level with a show like GoT I never like to have a "favorite" character because it usually leads to disappointment. This time around, however, I couldn't help myself. The one character who started the series as a shy, timid, and often times mute girl ends up being one of the baddest women on television. Daenerys (Dany for short) Targaryen, played beautifully by Emilia Clarke, is the definition of a smart, well written character. As a viewer you are truly sucked into her story and genuinely want to see this character progress.  She becomes the Mother of Dragons (this is literal...she literally becomes the mother of some dragons) in her quest to take back the seven kingdoms of Westeros. For me anything with dragons is usually a series that I wouldn't normally get into but this show, and in particular Clarke's acting make these imaginary creatures believable.  It is this storyline that I get most excited about seeing with each new episode.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryan and her army. Yes ARMY. 

I told you. Mother of Dragons...

On the flip side, the storyline of Tyrion Lannister, portrayed by Emmy Award winner Peter Dinklage, is also one that I find interesting as well as entertaining. Tyrion is one of the few characters who has some type of morals and understands right from wrong yet he is in no control over his destiny.  I usually get excited to see what Tyrion will do or say next because in intense moments it is that character who makes me laugh yet puts things in perspective.

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

All in all Game of Thrones is a show that is definitely worth watching.  If you're telling yourself that you don't have the time to start another series the good news is that each season of GoT is only ten episodes long. I can only imagine what's going to happen next season but if it's anything like the Red Wedding its DEFINITELY worth watching.  Game of Thrones Season 4 premieres in Spring 2014 (at this time no date has been announced).

"When you play the game of thrones you win or you die. There is no middle ground." - Cersei Lannister


**Game of Thrones Season 4 will premiere on April 6th at 9 p.m. on HBO