So You Want to Start Watching Game of Thrones

A Guide To Starting Game of Thrones

Lately all your friends are talking about is Game of Thrones. What are the hell are they on about? What is a Daenerys? A Baratheon? An Unsullied? Do the Lannisters always pay their debts? More importantly, what is a Lannister? You don't want to feel left out but you are not completely sure that the show is for you. What they are talking about sounds seriously weird. Read on! Basically I've just compiled a list of things that I think are important to know and make sure before you get into it if you are a little apprehensive. 

Before we get started, I would just like to say that no matter what kind of genre of television you like, I can guarantee you will love this show. I have not heard of anyone who doesn't. No one I know has started it and been like 'meh, I didn't really like it, I'm not going to watch it again'. It's got mystery and crimes, it's got romance (although some is a little incestual!), it's got action and politics, it's a tragedy and a comedy (definitely more a tragedy though). 

Also, in this post there will only be very minor spoilers, which are revealed in the first episode anyway. I will write when there are going to be spoilers before any of these just in case you really don't want to know. I talk mainly about the television series, but also a little of the books. I sort of go off my own experience which was to watch the first season of Game of Thrones and then I started reading the books while waiting for the second season to start. I've just finished the third book (A Storm of Swords) and am up to date with the current season airing on HBO.

Now all that stuff is out of the way here is what you need to know:

This awesome show is based off George R. R. Martin's book series, known as 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. Currently there are five books published, with two more expected to complete the series. The television series is known as 'Game of Thrones' which is actually the name of the first book in the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series. 
HBO are currently airing the third season, based off the events in the third book 'A Storm of Swords'. The first season aired in 2011 and the second in 2012 and each have ten episodes that are just under an hour in length. We are currently up to the fifth episode of season three. If my maths is correct, and you start watching them straight away (and don't leave it until another week goes past!) then you will be able to catch up in 25 hours. That's only a day and one hour, and personally, I think that's a day well spent. Forget sleeping, Game of Thrones is calling. 

Now, when I got into this show it was because my friends at work had been watching this show from the beginning (I think I started when Season 1 was about half way through) and some had even begun reading the books. I had a lot of help from them to understand the show. I think if you are watching the show without reading the books you do need some sort of help. This is because there are just so many characters. Reading the books, you'll get used to it and sooner or later the names begin to sink in. It does take some time though, especially as new characters are always being introduced too. However, watching the television series it's a little harder because a) you don't have the full background the books provide and b) if you are watching it each week you don't have long enough to really delve into it and get used to remembering who is who. I'm not trying to say that you need to read the books to watch the series, but don't expect to get by on just the television series and you'll understand everything perfectly. There are just way too many plot lines and characters for that to be possible, so it is understandable if you don't get it immediately. 

Game of Thrones is essentially a medieval fantasy. It is medieval in the fact that there are different "houses" and families. There is a Lord of each house and they live in castles etc. The costumes are medieval and so is the manners and customs of the characters. It is fantasy because there are things such as dragons, and "Others" weird supernatural people, and there is some magical elements to the storyline. It's a fantastic combination of the real and the magical. 

All the main action in Game of Thrones is set in a land known as Westeros. Each chapter in the books takes on a different point of view, and the television series is very similar. This is because the main characters are set out all across Westeros and so you get to see the plot unfold from all different angles and characters. 

In the first couple of episodes all you really need to know is that there are four main houses in Westeros: the Baratheons, the Starks, the Lannisters and the Targaryens. Okay, deep breath, this is where it gets difficult (and a little bit spoliery). Robert Baratheon is the King of Westeros and he is married to Cersei Lannister. Robert and Cersei have travelled with their children and a bit of entourage up north to visit the Stark family at their home known as Winterfell. Basically, Robert is there to ask Lord Eddard (Ned) Stark to be his Hand. A "Hand" is basically the King's right hand man, and does a lot of the boring, important political stuff that the King doesn't really want to do. Robert and Ned have been best friends for years. The whole reason why Robert is the king is because together they led a rebellion around seventeen years earlier against King Aerys Targaryen (also known as the Mad King). All the Targaryens were killed except for two of Aerys children: Viserys and his sister Daenerys. At the start of Game of Thrones they fled Westeros and are now grown up into young adults, living in the "Free Cities" across the Narrow Sea. Viserys is trying to build up an army in order to take back the throne which he believes is now rightfully his. Got all that? 

This is my favourite character: Renly Baratheon. 

So now you know all the basics, here are two questions you need to ask yourself:

1. Are you prepared to become obsessed? This show is addictive! You won't think so at first, or I didn't, it took a few episodes to get in to but it's only because the storyline can be a little confusing and there are so many characters. Once you've got a good understanding, you are going to be on your way to obsession. 
2. Are you prepared to put in some time? Like I said earlier, if you want to catch up to the current season, you have to watch about twenty five hours worth. Sounds like a chore, right? Trust me, you'll be wishing it was more soon. Apart from the time watching the show, if you do decide you want to read the books too (which I also recommend) they are a huge series. The books are massive, with tiny print and so far there are five of them . . . with two more to come. You are going to need some time. 

Okay, so now that I've given you a little bit of the low down and you've answered the questions above, here are some of the reasons why you should be watching it:

1. There is no predictability. None. You might think you know what's going to happen; but you don't. You better get used to it.
2. This show has strong female characters. It is not some typical medieval show where women are shoved to the back and only play a part in the romantic parts of the story. If you want that kind of show, don't even bother starting this one. In this show, "the women are the strong ones".
3. There are amazing actors. Ned Stark is played by the one and only Sean Bean. And one of Cersei Lannisters brothers is played by Peter Dinklage. Seriously though, everyone in this show is a perfect actor and the casting is just amazing. There has not been one casting decision which I have not agreed on 100 per cent. 

Anyway, this has been a really long post but even if it just gets one person watching Game of Thrones, then I've done my job!

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