A Thousand Miles Behind

Disclaimer: I have not read any of the books from which Game of Thrones is adapted. I am only expressing my opinion on the merits of the TV adaptation alone. 

Finally, I have finished the first season of Game of Thrones a couple of days ago. When I heard HBO was doing this series, I was already on board, watching the premiere, up to the third episode. Here was a series, promising the magic and might of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Critics and viewers were all over Game of Thrones, declaring it the best series, by far, this year. Boy, oh boy, right? However, I stopped. I just gave up on it. Frankly, I don’t know why I did. I’m usually a very patient viewer. Even if something I’m watching is super boring, I will finish it. Sometimes, the pay-off of these stuff are in the finales. My sister continued watching it, so did the rest of the world. Then I read TV.com’s ranking of Top 100 of Everything for 2011 and Game of Thrones came out on top. So I asked my self, did I miss something? 

Since I’m on vacation, as well as all other TV series I regularly watched, I decided to give the Game of Thrones another chance. Just to ensure I didn’t miss anything, I started it from the beginning. At the third episode, I was again feeling that lull, but I persevered with it. Things got interesting at around Episode 6, A Golden Crown. Ah, I told myself, here it is! Why didn’t I continue watching this in the first place? 

I have to say, Game of Thrones is indeed an impressive production. HBO really pulled the stops in this one. I remember the time when they produced Rome. That’s one thing that is consistent with HBO: everything they produce really looks good. Also, considering the complexities of the plot, the series managed to tell its story quite clearly. One might have a hard time to follow the names of the characters, but don’t fret. You will get it. I love the fact that HBO made it very easy for the viewer to be in awe of Game of Thrones. Thus, it is a hit, for both fans of the genre and casual viewers alike. 

BUT, would I say that Game of Thrones the TV event of the year, or the decade, as some pundits would put it? 

In its current state, no. Definitely, no. 

There is nothing wrong with the series. Really. On every accounts, it’s almost perfect. For all its glamor, hype and strengths, Game of Thrones is a story of people and their emotions in a mythical setting. The thing is, I didn’t feel anything for the characters. There were lots of bloodshed, violence and even sex, but so what? I have watched quite a number of TV shows, and even, in the rarest occasions, the not-so good ones manage to move me. Some of the better TV series manage to do that on a regular basis. What Game of Thrones is missing, for me, is the human element of the human stories. Yes, I get the story. It’s clear. I just don’t feel transported. I don’t feel part of the journey, growth, pain and triumph of the characters. Sigh, I could only wish that this series was not overhyped like this. Otherwise, I could have thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Will I be tuning in for season 2? Oh yeah. However, I will be approaching it with less expectations and trepidation. The maybe when I do, I will finally be transported to the Seven Kingdoms…