26/27
George RR
Nine noble families fight for control of the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after lying dormant for millennia. Martin’s wife once said she would leave him if he killed Arya or Sansa. Tywin Lannister: Any man who says “I am the king” is not a true king. During the opening credits, each cast member’s name is accompanied by the insignia of their character’s house. Hollywood Top Ten Spotlight: Critics’ Choice Nominees: Drama (2011).
What’s the consensus?
Main Title (uncredited) Written and performed by Ramin Djawadi. Let’s say you’re reading these reviews and haven’t watched GoT yet, but now that you’ve finished it you’re considering a binge. In this case, the consensus is accurate, and it’s: Seasons 1-6: Excellent. Deep world-building, clever dialogue, epic Hollywood-worthy set pieces, expert acting, detailed plot, genuine surprises, great soundtrack used sparingly. These seasons are definitely worth watching GoT for.
There are unexplained ideas, inconsistent characterization, and soap opera drama
Season 7: You suddenly realize that the writing and plot have dropped off dramatically in quality. But at least the entertainment value is still very high, so it passes. Season 8: This decline descends to depths you didn’t think possible. The writing has become so amateurish that the still-fantastic production values are no longer enough to save it. If you once enjoyed Lost but were surprised by how bad the final season was, you’re on familiar territory here.
Fatal to the fiction
The biggest problem with the final season was that it took us out of the story and made us think about its many weaknesses. We lost our suspension of disbelief. It also ruined the show’s arcs to the point where rewatching the entire series is pointless. So can I recommend a GoT marathon for newcomers? Yes, the first 6 seasons are worth the disappointments later on.
But it’s not the best show ever
It could have been, but dropping the ball in the final stretch puts it behind the following superior series more worthy of your marathon: Battlestar Galactica (2003-2008) Twin Peaks (all 3 seasons, plus the movie) Breaking Bad
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