Written by: Kevin Berge
Even those who hadn't read the books before the series should have seen the ending of the first season coming. What else do you do with a fantastic actor like Sean Bean? (Image Courtesy of: wikiofthrones.com)
Game of Thrones Reviews: Season 1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7
Last night, Game of Thrones returned for its final season. It's remarkable to look back on that history now as we approach the end of one of the biggest franchises in television history.
What was once just a promising HBO show based on a book series that was somewhat well known has grown into a phenomenon unlike any other in history. It has come to define fantasy storytelling at the same level as Lord of the Rings following the trilogy's release in theaters.
For what it's worth, I don't know if that should be considered a good or a bad thing. It's complicated, but there is no doubt that George R.R. Martin changed the way everyone sees fantasy with his highly violent adventure through European-history-inspired politics.
Last night, Game of Thrones returned for its final season. It's remarkable to look back on that history now as we approach the end of one of the biggest franchises in television history.
What was once just a promising HBO show based on a book series that was somewhat well known has grown into a phenomenon unlike any other in history. It has come to define fantasy storytelling at the same level as Lord of the Rings following the trilogy's release in theaters.
For what it's worth, I don't know if that should be considered a good or a bad thing. It's complicated, but there is no doubt that George R.R. Martin changed the way everyone sees fantasy with his highly violent adventure through European-history-inspired politics.
***As a quick warning, this look back at the franchise will contain spoilers sprinkled throughout for some of the biggest and most defining moments in the entire series. If you somehow have not seen the series up to season seven and have managed to avoid spoilers to this point, you may want to turn back.***
I remember when I was first given A Game of Thrones, the first book in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It was not that long before the first series was set to debut, and I plowed through that first book in a matter of weeks.
I had always loved fantasy and looked for more franchises to get into. Even though there were element of Martin's fantasy that bothered me, I was enamored with its world and character building as well as the sense that anything could happen. Moreover, I had no idea how to take the first book's biggest twist.
I cannot think of any moment in any franchise that shook me as deeply as the death of Ned Stark. It is the defined moment of the series both in book and TV show form. In fact, the show made it even more impactful by casting Sean Bean in the role as the biggest name actor in the series and focusing centrally the story of season 1 on him.
To kill such a vital character to the franchise so early is the bold move that defined the series. Those who stuck around to get to that point were immediately made aware of what this show is all about. They saw that anyone can die though, with the following seasons, they also came to understand that death matters deeply.
I remember when I was first given A Game of Thrones, the first book in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It was not that long before the first series was set to debut, and I plowed through that first book in a matter of weeks.
I had always loved fantasy and looked for more franchises to get into. Even though there were element of Martin's fantasy that bothered me, I was enamored with its world and character building as well as the sense that anything could happen. Moreover, I had no idea how to take the first book's biggest twist.
I cannot think of any moment in any franchise that shook me as deeply as the death of Ned Stark. It is the defined moment of the series both in book and TV show form. In fact, the show made it even more impactful by casting Sean Bean in the role as the biggest name actor in the series and focusing centrally the story of season 1 on him.
To kill such a vital character to the franchise so early is the bold move that defined the series. Those who stuck around to get to that point were immediately made aware of what this show is all about. They saw that anyone can die though, with the following seasons, they also came to understand that death matters deeply.
The Night King really was just a rip-off of Sauron, a tangentially dangerous villain that never really mattered until the very end. (Image Courtesy of: joe.ie)
Many shows use death to catapult a story forward. Heroes are defined by tragedy. Usually, that death comes so early though that the loss does not much matter. It may affect the hero, but the audience has not had time to be affected by it.
Ned Stark's death was the death of the main character, setting everyone on a new path. It set in motion The Clash of Kings, the title for the second book but also the true fight for the Iron Throne that has raged throughout the following seasons.
Moreover, it set the characters on a better path. Every single Stark only truly begins to grow with the death of Ned. They all become the central heroes of this story with his death. More deaths also begin to show that the concept of "heroes" in this world is dangerous.
What I will always love about Game of Thrones and the world that Martin has built is that it is brutal and unrelenting, but there's a purpose behind each move. There's also a humanity given to those who survive, even the worst villains going in.
The second biggest moment of the franchise is The Red Wedding. A Storm of Swords is easily Martin's best book. It is filled with twists and turns, finally give real development to a host of characters, and it brings the second big twist that shatters the story asunder.
While Ned dying mattered, it was ultimately a fairly safe kill. He was the father figure who had lived his life well and died honorably. The Red Wedding was anything but honorable. It was a brutal slaughter brought about by those who knew they were losing.
Over the course of just a few minutes, the series kills off multiple important main characters and those who should have been safe to live out Ned's legacy. To kill Rob Stark and Catelyn Stark was truly horrific and proved that even the rules of hospitality could be broken.
Ned Stark's death was the death of the main character, setting everyone on a new path. It set in motion The Clash of Kings, the title for the second book but also the true fight for the Iron Throne that has raged throughout the following seasons.
Moreover, it set the characters on a better path. Every single Stark only truly begins to grow with the death of Ned. They all become the central heroes of this story with his death. More deaths also begin to show that the concept of "heroes" in this world is dangerous.
What I will always love about Game of Thrones and the world that Martin has built is that it is brutal and unrelenting, but there's a purpose behind each move. There's also a humanity given to those who survive, even the worst villains going in.
The second biggest moment of the franchise is The Red Wedding. A Storm of Swords is easily Martin's best book. It is filled with twists and turns, finally give real development to a host of characters, and it brings the second big twist that shatters the story asunder.
While Ned dying mattered, it was ultimately a fairly safe kill. He was the father figure who had lived his life well and died honorably. The Red Wedding was anything but honorable. It was a brutal slaughter brought about by those who knew they were losing.
Over the course of just a few minutes, the series kills off multiple important main characters and those who should have been safe to live out Ned's legacy. To kill Rob Stark and Catelyn Stark was truly horrific and proved that even the rules of hospitality could be broken.
If one of these two isn't on the throne by the end of the series with dragons by their side, what even was the point? (Image Courtesy of: hbo.com)
There are so many great moments in Game of Thrones. Each one may have mattered more to other fans than these two defining moments, but these feel like the points that have made Game of Thrones a massive hit. They define the franchise's willingness to change direction when it is warranted.
As I look over these seven seasons of storytelling as well as the five book (and two upcoming that may never be released), I see a franchise that is built on strong foundations and has relied on the passion of fans to stick with it at its more brutal.
Many comments can be made about the show's decline in recent years as well as its certain missteps throughout that time. Jokes can certainly be made about its reliance on violence, sexuality, and shock value to get people's attention.
Ultimately though, why I am still looking forward to seeing how season eight come to fruition is the growth of the work as a whole. The books have created characters and grew with their circumstance, but the series brought forth many unknown actors and let them grow with those characters.
When we look back on this show, it shouldn't just be about the storytelling but the talent that was fostered by its popularity and longevity. When it is all said and done, how many new stars will have emerged to take over the industry?
Like Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey were always great actors (though given some of the best material of their careers), I will avidly watch to see what comes next for Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, and so many more.
This has been an epic journey to watch grow and evolve over the years. While it was never perfect and its effects may lead the industry down wrong paths in the future, I was certainly glad to have experienced it all.
As I look over these seven seasons of storytelling as well as the five book (and two upcoming that may never be released), I see a franchise that is built on strong foundations and has relied on the passion of fans to stick with it at its more brutal.
Many comments can be made about the show's decline in recent years as well as its certain missteps throughout that time. Jokes can certainly be made about its reliance on violence, sexuality, and shock value to get people's attention.
Ultimately though, why I am still looking forward to seeing how season eight come to fruition is the growth of the work as a whole. The books have created characters and grew with their circumstance, but the series brought forth many unknown actors and let them grow with those characters.
When we look back on this show, it shouldn't just be about the storytelling but the talent that was fostered by its popularity and longevity. When it is all said and done, how many new stars will have emerged to take over the industry?
Like Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey were always great actors (though given some of the best material of their careers), I will avidly watch to see what comes next for Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, and so many more.
This has been an epic journey to watch grow and evolve over the years. While it was never perfect and its effects may lead the industry down wrong paths in the future, I was certainly glad to have experienced it all.