40/30
Martin’s wife once said she would leave him if he killed Arya or Sansa
Narrative
Nine noble families fight for control of the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after a millennia of dormancy. George R. R. Tywin Lannister: Any man who has to say « I am king » is not a true king. During the opening credits, each actor’s name is accompanied by the insignia of his/her character’s house..
What’s the consensus?
Featured in Hollywood’s Top Ten: Critics' Choice Nominees: Drama (2011). Main Title (Uncredited) Written and starring Ramin Djawadi. Let’s say you’re reading these reviews and haven’t watched GoT yet, but now that it’s over, you’re considering a marathon. In this case, the consensus is accurate, namely: Seasons 1-6: Excellent. Deep world building, intelligent dialogue, epic Hollywood-worthy sets, professional acting, detailed plot, real surprises, a great soundtrack used sparingly.
GoT is definitely worth watching these seasons
Season 7: You suddenly notice that the writing and drawing have plummeted in quality. There are inexplicable ideas, inconsistent characterization, and soap opera drama. But at least the entertainment value is still very high, so it’s over. Season 8: This one drops to depths you thought were impossible. The writing is so amateurish that the still fantastic production values are no longer enough to save it.
Fatal for fiction
If you ever liked Lost but were surprised by how bad the last season was, you’re in familiar territory here. The biggest problem with the last season was that it took us out of the story and made us think about its many weaknesses. We lost the suspension of disbelief. It also ruined the series arcs to the point where rewatching the entire series is pointless. So can I recommend a GoT marathon for newcomers?
Yes, the first 6 seasons are worth the later disappointments
But it’s not the greatest series of all time. It could have been, but dropping the ball in the final stretch puts it behind the following top series that are more worthy of your marathon: Battlestar Galactica (2003–2008) Twin Peaks (all 3 seasons plus the movie) Breaking Bad