THE SUPERLATIVE ‘GAME OF THRONES’
VALAR MORGHULIS: All Men Must Die.
Game of Thrones is an HBO TV series so carefully crafted that it gets you hooked right from the first episode (every season). What’s intriguing about the show and what engages millions like me to the screen is the fact that everyone is conspiring against each other. There is none you can trust so it gets completely unpredictable.
The story teller places the stage on a warring continent; a continent which is primitive, set in the medieval ages and where strength or wealth is all that counts. You have knowledge; you bend a knee to the king, nevertheless. You have all the riches in the world; you bend a knee all the same. Why? Because the king has knights who live by their oath to slit anyone in pieces on one command.
How it all began:
The show revolves around two continents, Westeros and Essos that remain divided by the Narrow Sea. Westeros was inhibited by old men from the north, who worshipped the Old Gods. Essos consisted of people from Volantis and Valeyria, who came through the Narrow Sea and conquered the old men of Westeros. These men were called ‘The Andals,’ who worshipped the ‘Seven New Gods’. The Andals rushed the defeated old men of Westeros and sent them far north, where a huge 700ft long wall was built, to keep them away.
The story is set on an arranged marriage gone wrong.
The then rulers were House Targaeryen (Aegon). Meanwhile, the daughter of House Stark (Elena) was promised to the son of House Baratheon (Robert). But the son of House Targaeryen (Rheagar) saw Elena Stark and fell for her. So, the Baratheons and the Starks, aligned with most of east and north, rebelled. Finally, the Usurpers won and King’s Landing was about to be taken when the king’s main guard killed the king himself. That guard was Jamie Lannister, from the House of Lannisters.
Coming to the present setting:
Practically, all members of Houses Targearyen and Stark are dead or presumed dead. It’s the silence of the clans after the war but people are suspicious about whether the current king is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. There is fear everywhere and only one thing is holding Westeros – money that Lannisters are giving to the crown. With the Baratheon brothers fighting for the throne and killing the other in the process, will the Lannisters be successful in keeping the throne with the young child Tommen Baratheon?
Ironically, the show has surpassed all unprecedented viewer records despite being criticized widely. Many argue that while it brings the true face of war in front of people, there hasn’t been a slight hesitation when it comes to slaughtering men, women and children alike, using limitless nudity as and when required or even when not required.
Others say that violence is the base requirement since the continent has been at war for the last 4-5 years. About the nudity, by royal families they mean to depict all the real pleasures the kings and lords have, women ready to go naked at the drop of a hat; which deems fit as the stage is set in the medieval era where all they ever cared about was gold.
Personally, now that I’ve been following the show too passionately, I feel nudity that’s shown is either shot in brothels or bedrooms of man and wife; which shouldn’t be offending many.
We spoke to ‘G.O.T frenzied people’ about their views on the hit series.
Roma, a 2nd year undergraduate, got to know about it through the raging memes and references on the internet and has watched it keenly since the very first season. She said, “It’s my temporary refuge. The very first episode fit right in my alley and I personally follow it for every aspect, be it nudity or violence or patriarchy. I believe we can always enjoy a fictional show of such greatness without cribbing about it.”
Abhishek, a CA student, was asked why he follows the show. He says, “There are multiple theories to this show, each of which is too engrossing and makes me question my intellect at every turn. Everything is done to perfection; you doubt if it’s some work of a human.”
Another ardent fan, Sanjana, was asked if she watched it for the pseudo erotic scenes in the show. She said, “The show is so visually appealing and the way they build tension keeps you guessing and drives you crazy. It’s unbelievable at times; the whole grandeur has you hooked on to it and the tact with which the show is dealt has you enraptured.”
Amber said, “The show is so much more than just nudity. And honestly, I don’t even watch it for the naked girls and I can vouch for other fans of the show for the same.”
So, while ‘haters gonna hate’, the whole essence of this mind boggling series will leave you in an awe and you will lust for more. The sets, the huge ensemble cast and every intricate detail is done to perfection.
And for our readers, who haven’t yet had a rendezvous with the show, it’s never too late folks! You have the books and TV series easily available on the internet.
Grab your copies soon because Winter Is Coming!
Picture Source Google Images
