TV Show Review: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Running Time of Each Episode: 57 minutes

Rating: TV-MA

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I’m not sure if it’s even worth it to discuss the last season and the previous seven before it since the last season aired in 2019 and took me a while to watch it when released on DVD.  Since it’s been sitting here, waiting to be written upon, I will briefly discuss season 8 along with the other seasons.  While I discuss some plot points, there aren’t any major spoilers in this.  I kept it pretty vague and brief in case you haven’t watched the series.  As I watched the last season, I understood why people were disappointed with it.  I sat somewhere in the middle, neither here nor there, but the last season did not have the vibrancy and potency of past seasons.  The creators didn’t ramp up the tension and prolong the inevitable.  The six episodes should’ve been ten.  They greatly underused the White Walkers and it was the biggest disappointment.  Some of the characters who died lacked the comeuppance they deserved while others who lived ended on a flat note.  If George R.R. Martin had published his last two books before the last season, I’m sure it would have ended differently.  Seasons 1 through 4 mirrored the books where Seasons 5 through 8 introduced original content plus outlines from the last two unpublished books and content from the published books.  With this being said, I would watch this series over and over again.  In fact, I already have.  I’m going to give a quick recap of each season, list my favorites from each one, and from there you can decide if you want to give it a try.  This show is not for everyone, but for those who are into nobles fighting for domination, it’s everything to get excited about with each passing episode.

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Season 1 introduces us to the bastard child of Ned Stark.  Everyone refers to him as Jon Snow and he is sent to the Night’s Watch.  It’s not a great place to be and those who are there have no other choice or live to serve.  Ned Stark’s family entertains Robert Baratheon, the King, and becomes his Hand.  The Stark and Baratheon families do their best to get along.  Daenerys Targaryen realizes her true power through marriage.

My favorite episode is called “A Golden Crown.”  It aired on May 22, 2011.

My favorite scene is in episode ten called “Fire and Blood” where Daenerys has a bone to pick with a witch and the result of it.

My favorite character I liked is Tyrion Lannister played by Peter Dinklage.

My favorite character I disliked is Tywin Lannister played by Charles Dance.

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Season 2 focuses on the power struggle among the Baratheons while everyone searches for allies in Westeros including the Starks.  Jon Snow finds the Night’s Watch unsettling after his discovery and everyone has decisions to make about what the next step should be.

My favorite episode is called “Ghosts of Harrenhal”  It aired on April 29, 2012.

My favorite scene is in episode ten called “Valar Morghulis” where we first see the White Walkers.

My favorite character I liked is Jaqen H’ghar played by Tom Wlaschiha.

My favorite character I disliked is Joffrey Baratheon played by Jack Gleeson.

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Season 3 involves characters not wanting to do things but having to do them anyway for the survival of their families.  The Lannisters strengthen and humiliate through marriage, Starks are invited to a wedding, and Daenerys remains faraway from the others with her own plans.

My favorite episode is called “The Rains of Castamere.”  It aired on June 2, 2013.

My favorite scene is in episode one called “Valar Dohaeris” where the Qarth warlocks and Daenerys meet.

My favorite character I liked is Samwell Tarley played by John Bradley.

My favorite character I disliked is Ramsay Bolton played by Iwan Rheon.

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Season 4 is where much goes wrong for many characters and others really wrong.  The fighting continues within the Lannister family and new alliances are formed while old ones are tested.

My favorite episode is called “The Lion and the Rose.”  It aired on April 13, 2014.

My favorite scene is in episode eight called “The Mountain and the Viper” where Tyrion has high hopes in Oberyn Martell’s combat skills.

My favorite character I liked is Oberyn Martell played by Pedro Pascal.

My favorite character I disliked is again Ramsay Bolton played by Iwan Rheon.

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Season 5 is where new material comes into play where characters struggle to survive because you can’t force new alliances when they aren’t ready while others pay for their past mistakes through ridicule and revenge.

My favorite episode is called “Unbowed, Unbent, and Unbroken.”  It aired on May 17, 2015.

My favorite scene is in episode five called “Kill the Boy” where Sansa Stark finds an ally.

My favorite character I liked is Tormund Giantsbane played by Kristofer Hivju.

My favorite character I disliked is Melisandre played by Carice van Houten.

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Season 6 is where secrets are finally revealed and the battle for domination is heightened in Westeros.  It’s the season where past characters come back, some characters finally get their revenge, and others finally get their freedom.

My favorite episode is called “The Door.”  It aired on May 22, 2016.

My favorite scene is in episode ten called “The Winds of Winter” where we learn about Jon Snow’s identity.

My favorite character I liked is Bran Stark played by Isaac Hempstead Wright.

My favorite character I disliked is Randyll Tarly played by James Faulkner.

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Season 8 is what we’ve been waiting for and that is the final fight for the Iron Throne and against the Night King.  It all ends at King’s Landing and ule the Seven Kingdoms.

My favorite episode is called “The Long Night.”  It aired on April 28, 2019.

My favorite scene is in episode one called “Winterfell” where Jamie Lannister reconnected with Bran Stark.

My favorite character I liked is Varys played by Conleth Hill.