Game of Thrones

No offense, this game of being a rough and different fantasy is mostly about the fact that among all the possible clichés, both directing and story, there is a lot of sex from behind, talking dirty and every now and then someone takes a piss. Otherwise, in the first two episodes, there is a lot of talk, but it does not in any way create interest in the mythology of the fictional world in a person unfamiliar with the book (which is quite a problem when it comes to fantasy). The characters are fine, some of them are absolutely great (especially the decadent dwarf Tyrion), but I kind of found out over time that I don't really care much about what happens to them next. What I miss are the explicitly ballbusting and charming scenes, something that would set this series apart beyond excretion and intercourse. I'm not in the mood to watch the next episode, which is quite a problem for an HBO series. (18/04/2011)

Without the need to vomit out a commentary full of either glorification or dirt after the first episode, I watched this third season of Rome in peace and quiet. True, the sunny amphitheaters have been replaced by the cool atmosphere of massive castles, but the characters remain. The beautifully ambiguous, non-black and white, well-detailed, and superbly acted characters, once again reinforce the belief that even when guns are blazing in a series (film), there may not necessarily be a battle because there are always enough grey eminences, schemers, and related coincidences that can shift the plot in a different way than we expect. If there is anything not worth praising, it is the direction of the last two episodes because the first one lacks proper gradation and the final one lacks a stronger epilogue resonance. When it's no longer in fashion at the library to take out Martin's books and there’s no queue for them at the bookstore, I'll drop by. I’m really intrigued by this world. [PS: My personal sympathies go out to Ser Jorah and Arya Stark, and now that list also includes Tyrion Lannister since the beginning of the second season.] (21/06/2011)

So much fuss over of a single dwarf… No, Game of Thrones does not deserve such vitriol, though it’s true that it most convincingly triumphs in the most literary of disciplines – dialogue. The word rules, the images do not captivate. In my opinion, the actors aren’t suited to their respective roles (including the diminutive Tyrion), but I should blame that on my imagination, not on the people who adapted the book into a series. Game of Thrones is literature in film form, nothing more. Fortunately, it’s literature of extraordinary quality. 80% (20/09/2011)

At first, Game of Thrones seemed like an incredibly original and captivating series, with HBO adapting a book I’d never heard of but is now talked about as one of the best fantasy series ever. I can believe the books are great, and I’m really tempted to read them. But I was curious to see how the show would hold up, especially since I’d heard it was HBO’s way of competing with Lord of the Rings. After all, it was one of the most expensive shows they’d ever made, so I had high expectations. What did I get in the end? Classic HBO—tons of characters, multiple plotlines, and a bunch of conflicts between them, with not much else happening. It ended up being a fantasy world with a vibe that reminded me of other HBO shows like Rome, The Tudors, and The Borgias. Halfway through, it felt like a mix of all those stories, just set in a different world. It’s almost like watching a more sophisticated soap opera—but instead of sleeping around, they kill each other. It wasn’t until the end of the first season that it really hit me: this is actually a fantasy series. That said, Game of Thrones still managed to stir up a lot of emotions for me, especially in the last two episodes, which pushed me to give it a full five stars. Now, I just need to get my hands on all the books, wait for the next season, and hope HBO delivers. There are so many unanswered questions after Season 1, and I can’t wait to find out the answers. HBO, don’t let us down. (27/07/2011)

The first season was a struggle. There’s so much empty dialogue, scheming that goes nowhere and raw fucking that it makes you tired. But as the episodes and seasons progress, you begin to marvel at the thoughtful interconnectedness of the individual fates, how everything fits together with surgical precision, how G.R.R. Martin, or rather the showrunners, are not afraid to shock and allow themselves the least predictable (and yet logical) twists that make your jaw drop, your back shiver, and all you can do is utter an involuntary "Bugger me!". The manner in which the fates of Arya, Sansa, Tyrion (and I could go on) unfold in the least predictable ways brings joy to the hearts of viewers who enjoy rich stories. A real viewer's delight that builds to a fantastic fourth season, and I really have no idea what they're going to top it with in the upcoming one. And the fact that the series has an unprecedented, by TV standards, large-scale set design, sets and atmosphere, where every thoughtfully invested dollar of the generous budget is evident, only confirms the quality of this exceptional achievement. (11/07/2014)