Topic: What's the big deal with Game of Thrones?

[KaZudra]

I'm gonna watch the first season in a few days...

Took me forever since I never got a straight answer when I ask people "What makes it good?"

Can you guys help me out? is it worth investing my time into?

[Anglachel]

I haven't watched much of the show, but the books seem alright. I enjoyed the first one plenty, definitely read that if you have the chance. But I'm kinda losing interest in A Clash of Kings, the second novel.

I think the way to evaluate it is that it is not a fantasy novel in the sense of The Hobbit. To me, it feels like the real world (older times, mind you) with some fantasy in it, rather than fantasy world with some of the real in it.

[X]

To me, it feels like the real world (older times, mind you) with some fantasy in it, rather than fantasy world with some of the real in it.

I can summon this sentence up in one word; Skyrim. That's what Game of Thrones reminds me of. I've only seen bits and pieces of it, but the real world aspect coupled with a hint of fantasy here and there, conjures up images of Skyrim for me. Even though Skyrim is fairly new while GoT has been out in print for quite some time, the TV series just seems to remind me of it. It must be the whole Northern warrior thing...

[crisis]

ive never read the books (i will one day), and i kinda got into the series late (around mid-season 2), but ever since, ive been hooked. that always happens with me; when theres a tv show thats "all the rage" and everyone i know is watching, i usually dont hop on it until later on in the series life. like with The Walking Dead, great show but i didnt start watching until like season 3 (and have since caught up on all the previous episodes). same with Breaking Bad. i dunno, its just the way i am lol

the show somewhat reminds me of a live-action Final Fantasy Tactics (political intrigue, great battle scenes, deep character motivations, etc.). i loved FFT & theres a lot of similar elements here n there.. that may just be my own interpretation tho

but yeah, if uoy like the medieval setting mixed with some fantasy & have the stomach for heterosexual/homosexual nudity here n there (yeah its all there, this show holds nothing back), zombies, human sacrifice (from babies to the elderly & everything in between, no exceptions), gratuitous battles, DRAGONS, incest, excellent costumes and even better acting, then give it a shot!

Joffrey Baratheon Your fingers or your tongue

[GuyStarwind]

GoT is Fire Emblem and I like Fire Emblem. More so Fire Emblem 4.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Yeah, if you wanna compare it to a videogame, it's probably the closest to the PSX "Final Fantasy Tactics" and Nintendo's "Fire Emblem: Genealogy of Holy War".

Take all of the reasons above, as they're my opinion as well:
-compelling characters
-a sprawling world
-a hint of magic/fantasy
-lots of political issues (who rules the Iron Throne, who is the successor, which land belongs to whom)

...and like in Fire Emblem, anyone can die.  Don't get too attached to a character you like.

Go watch the show as it's worth it.  It is not hype.

[Viskod]

Yeah I didn't see the show until my cable company had free premium channel weekend where they give you a channel like HBO or Showtime for free from Friday to Monday.

Coincidentally enough, that just happened to be the weekend of the Game of Thrones season 4 premiere. How about that...

So we watched a marathon of seasons 1 through 3 pretty much all weekend from Friday to Sunday night and fell in love with the show and after that weekend was over we switched our premium channel from Showtime to HBO for Game of Thrones.

The Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics comparisons are pretty spot on. Lots and lots and lots of political maneuvering and lots of death.

[ganonfloyd]

Its also very well done in most areas. The acting is generally good, the sets and costume design all look more or less perfect, and while its not a hugely effects driven show, when they do need good visual effects they deliver. My personal favorite thing about the show is how divisive the cast is. Almost every character (almost) has someone who loves them and someone who hates them in equal measure. I've gotten into real life arguments over who the best ruler would be.

[Mooning Freddy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBcnliSUtb8

[Viskod]

That South Park episode lied to me.

I was hoping for lots of wieners but the show is a damn boob fest.

[Ratty]

I read the first hundred pages or so of the first book (had to return it after that) and it seemed alright, but not extraordinary. I found it pretty funny that people talked about how "dark" it was, but it was like Sesame Street after you've read Berserk. Basically from what I can tell there's a lot of sex and violence, but presented in such a way that people can claim to be attracted to the series primarily for other reasons. So the "Uh no I follow it for the plot" crowd probably accounts for a large chunk of its popularity. But mostly I'd say it's just that people like fantasy stories, and for budgetary reasons you don't see those in a high quality TV show too often.

PS- I assume the sex is more graphic in the show than in the book though. The one scene I read was pretty glossed over, though since it was between a brother and sister I don't know if that's because Martin was trying not to squick his audience. Though there was also threats of a relationship between another brother and sister pair, kind of a running theme. Makes sense considering the book is about royalty and noble families etc.

[Anglachel]

By the way, in case any of you weren't aware..

[GuyStarwind]

Slightly off topic but it's kinda weird reading Fire Emblem: Genealogy of Holy War on a non Fire Emblem forum XD

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I will talk about FE whenever I can sneak a talk about it...
...however, I will say that I'm mostly familiar with Sword of Fire (the one with Lyndis) and Awakening (the very latest which I've got... 500+ hours on... >> ).

[KaZudra]

The only reason I asked first is because I find Dr. Who kinda silly yet It's hyped like it's the damn messiah of sci-fi entertainment.

I just needed a good amount of opinions to decypher if it's all hype of is it that good.