TV: Game of Thrones, Season 1

I'd heard a lot about this show before I finally decided to watch it. A lot of people had compared it to Lord of the Rings but I feel its a totally different animal. The comparisons are obvious, both are set in ancient lands featuring kings, lords and fighting with swords. However whereas Lord of the Rings focuses on epic battles, Game of Thrones on the other hand is more about backstabbing and infighting in attempts to become king, with a fair share of gratuitous nudity.

Set in the land of Westeros, the show follows Ned Stark (Sean Bean, who you've probably seen on every single advertisement for the show) who has been appointed Hand of the King after the last Hand suspiciously died, he decides to investigate and discovers a conspiracy which seems to lead right to the crown. Meanwhile pretty much everyone in the king's court is plotting to take the throne for themselves, particularly the twisted Lannisters. Over the shore the previous king's children, the Targaryen's, having fled Westeros following a rebellion, attempt to raise an army to reclaim their kingdom. This all appears to be leading towards war but the first season is more focused on the build up than the conflict itself; setting up who the players are and where they will stand.

Where Thrones succeeds best is in its characters, each of them feeling like a fully three dimensional character by season's end, even the supporting cast are full of intriguing backstory and motivations. For much of the show Ned is the main protagonist, the moral compass among the traitors and backstabbers. As he gets pushed towards the sidelines near the end of the season it becomes apparent just how bad things are going to get next season, as he keeps stating "winter is coming".

One of the most surprising break out characters is Tyrion 'The Imp' Lannister played beautifully by Peter Dinklage, using his wit and intellect to overcome his dwarf status. He is capable of great comedy as well as more dramatic scenes. In fact there isn't a character in the show who doesn't hold his weight in the acting department.

However it isn't a perfect show, there are some times when Thrones is a bit too melodramatic for its own good. The Targaryen brother is a bit too much of an over the top hammy villain and the king is unbelievably incompetent. Additionally sometimes story-lines drag a little, the Targaryen story in particular seems unnaturally stretched in the middle to allow it to finish up in the finale.

The use of nudity can often be totally gratuitous, is there really any need to have two women miming sex totally naked in the background as a character gives a monologue in one episode. And another features a randomly streaking naked man. At times the nudity is well used, such as during one particularly harsh method of death, but it mostly serves no purpose other than seemingly to help horny viewers pay attention.

These minor flaws are outmatched by the show's greater elements, such as its characters and often shocking twists, making it a must watch show.