Game Of Thrones for dummies
NOW in its fifth season, it’s still the hottest thing on TV. But if you still don’t know who Jon Snow is and why winter is continually coming, here’s a guide.
ABOUT four years ago, a good friend breathlessly came to me with his new favourite show.
“It’s called Game Of Thrones and you have to watch it,” he said. “It’s like The Sopranos meets Lord Of the Rings. But with more blood and boobs.”
Wait, what? A mashup of the finest movies and the greatest TV show of the new millennium, with added gratuitous violence and nudity — where do I sign up?
I was immediately hooked and over four seasons and 41 episodes (and counting) have watched and marvelled as the riveting HBO drama mounted a bloody campaign from the nerdy fringe of fantasy fanatics to conquer the mainstream.
Last Monday, the show broke subscription TV records in Australia when 553,000 viewers tuned in to watch episode one of the fifth season. Still more watched it since on various catch-up devices and an unacceptably large number, thought to be around 150,000 downloaded it illegally, cementing the show’s reputation, and Australia’s, and a pirating pioneer.
WINTER IS COMING: Is this the end of Game of Thrones?
The fact that the figure was 76 per cent higher than the first episode of the previous season is proof that the acclaimed show has now a genuine cultural phenomenon. But if you’ve ever wondered why winter is continually coming and just who is this Jon Snow (who apparently knows nothing), or if wouldn’t know a Hodor from a hole in the ground — here’s a dummy’s guide to get you started.
WHAT IN THE WORLD?
The throne in question is the Iron Throne and whoever sits on it rules the kingdom of Westeros, from its capital King’s Landing. Of course it’s rarely that simple, with fighting families including the Starks, the Lannisters, the Targaryens and the Baratheons, each with their own claims to the throne. Cue Machiavellian scheming, beheadings, betrayals, battles, assassinations and a whole lot of blood and sex. Not to mention dragons, magic, and frostbitten zombies.
FROM PAGE TO SCREEN
The TV show is based on the fantasy novel series of George R.R. Martin, A Song Of Fire and Ice, the first volume of which was published in 1996. The notoriously slow author published the most recent book, the fifth of a planned seven, in 2011 meaning the TV show has now caught up with the books — and is on track to overtake it. Show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss work closely with Martin but now have arguably as much control over the characters as the author, raising the very real possibility of the TV show and the books heading in different directions in coming seasons.
CAST OF THOUSANDS
Well hundreds, anyway. GoT has the largest TV show cast ever assembled and the biggest budget, with each episode reportedly costing $6 million on average. And it’s not just quantity, it’s quality too. Established and respected actors including Sean Bean, Charles Dance and Diana Rigg have been key cast members and this season will add Jonathan Pryce and Kiwi Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes. The series is now making own its stars too. Emelia Clark, who plays Iron Throne aspirant Daenerys Targaryen, will headline the new Terminator movie and Richard Madden, (the late, lamented Robb Stark) just played the Prince in Kenneth Branagh’s live action Cinderella movie.
NO ONE IS SAFE
In internet meme went around a while ago with a picture of Martin and the words: “Oh, you have a favourite character? Not any more.” Lord Of the Rings actor Bean was the biggest name and the driving character of the first season and (spoiler alert!) still ended up with this head on a pike. And if the actors have no clue whether they will survive from one season to the next, what chance does the audience have? It’s genuinely shocking and thrilling television and episodes such as the now infamous “Red Wedding” episode will leave you literally open-mouthed and speechless.
FAMOUS FANS
Jennifer Lawrence is a mad-keen fan, as is Madonna. Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick this week tweeted that there needed to be more male nudity. The leader of the free world, Barack Obama apparently requested, and received, advance copies of season four and has named it as one of his favourite shows (along with The Wire).
START AT THE VERY BEGINNING
Tuning in now would be like trying to pick up War and Peace halfway through. Thankfully GoT is a show that rewards binge-watching, which makes it easier to follow the interrelated characters and complex plot threads, some of which take seasons to resolve. The first four seasons are now available on DVD/Blu-ray as well as on Foxtel and Foxtel Go. Cancel your plans next weekend — winter is coming.
GAME OF THRONES, FOXTEL SHOWCASE, 11AM AND 7.30PM, MONDAY
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