Game of Thrones Season 1 Review
Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog. My husband and I are finally jumping in the Game of Thrones bandwagon. We’re only a little behind the times, but better late than never. Everyone always recommends this show to us and we’ve only now gotten around to watching it. So far, we are one season in, and I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts (and my husband’s if he so wishes). Let’s get into it!
Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead!!
I can see why this show was such a hit, and why it has been recommended to us time and time again. We are aware that the ending sucks, but it comes with territory.
For me, the most interesting thing about season one is Ned Stark’s storyline. We meet what appears to be a very noble and honorable man. He cares about his family; he respects his duty and takes his title as lord seriously. He’s admired and respected. Ned Stark is the epitome of a knight.
Which begs the question, if Ned Stark is so honorable and loyal then why do all these bad things happen to him?
If we look back at his conversation with Cersei at King’s Landing, she says you have to play the game of thrones. I think this can be looked at as, you cannot have honor and expect to win. You have to play dirty, you have to play the game or corruption and deceit in order to gain anything. Ned was unwilling to play the game.
His son, Robb Stark, though does know how to play which is why I think he will live. At least through the war that is coming and through season two.
Back to Ned, I think his character is just so interesting. I love Sean Bean (shoutout to him as Boromir in LOTR). I loved the writing and how the show played out. We can see how honor is a double-edged sword. His principles and loyalty make Ned a strong and admired leader, but a poor political player. Again, going back to his conversation with Cersei. He refused to play the game which ultimately leads to his downfall.
We live in a world where traditionally the good guys always win, good prevails over evil, and so on. Ned’s death turns these cliches around and destroys the traditional arc of fantasy. It removes the expecting “plot armor” and moral anchor thinking giving the audience no sense of peace. Even though I knew in my bones Ned Stark was going to die, I was still only 99% sure. That 1% was me wanting, hoping someone would come save him at the last minute.
Ned was centered as the main character, and of course, why would anyone think the main character would die? But his death then immediately sets forth the story into a whole other level because the board and the queen had planned for Ned to live out in exile as a member of the Night’s watch. It’s Joffrey who, determined to show his power as king, that derails the plan and orders Ned’s death. Which brings about another interesting character – Joffrey.
As a writer, I have to appreciate good writing, and this was good writing. In writing, we’re always taught to never use cliches. Ned’s death shows the reader that the good guys are not safe simply because they are on the good side. We then have to ask ourselves, is there even a good side, or is one side just the lesser of two evils?
Now that I’ve ranted about Ned Stark’s death for so long, let’s talk about Joffrey.
An absolute evil and privileged character that is hated. He truly is the vilest character of them all. Especially after tormenting Sansa after her father’s death (i.e. the heads on the pikes). I was annoyed with him from the very first episode when he got his ass beat by Arya and cried about it.
From the moment he becomes king, the audience can tell how badly he wants to prove himself, to assert himself in this position of power. Although, for majority of season two, I can see him being used as a pawn by the queen and Tywin (if he survives the war). He doesn’t have the experience to actually be king and to lead the kingdoms. There’s no way his mother would just let him fend for himself. He’s going to end up as some pretty boy on the throne while his mother does all the behind-the-scenes work.
Joffrey was the one that went against the vote and had Ned Stark killed. I think this shows us two things about Joffrey’s character— One, he actually enjoys being cruel and ruthless. Not only Ned Stark’s death by Sansa’s torment as well. He likes having the power to do whatever he wants to people. He’s used to getting anything and everything he wants. His position of power only amplifies that. We see this again when he’s in court and has the musician’s tongue cut. He’s merciless because he can be and he enjoys it. He shows no remorse during any of these scenes.
Two, deep down Joffrey is a coward. I think Joffrey viewed letting Ned Stark live in exile would be seen as cowardice on his part. Stark was deemed a traitor, why should he be allowed to live? What kind of example would that set forth?
The audience already knows Joffrey’s a coward and a liar, but he can’t risk having any of that shine through to the public. So, even an apologetic traitor has to die. I think he needed to do something pleasing to the public quickly so he could assert himself as a ruthless leader. He used Stark’s death to set an example to those who dare to cross him especially given his lack of experience.
Furthermore, I cannot wait to see more of Arya and Sansa Stark’s characters. I’m not entirely sure if they live until the end, but I do know that Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner are on the show for some time.
Arya and Sansa are the perfect example of character foils. Ayra is rebellious and wild and Sansa is soft and more traditional. Arya wants to wield a sword and know how to fight, while Sansa enjoys things more curated to being a high lady like sewing. Even in the way they have to survive at the end of season one. Ayra is dealing with physical survival as she is being led out of King’s Landing, and Sansa is dealing with emotional abuse while staying in King’s Landing.
It will be interesting to see how their characters become more different or similar as the show progresses. Right now, they appear as complete opposites, but I’m sure their trauma will create a bond for them. That is if they are ever reunited.
Ultimately, I’m loving the show so far, and even though the series finale sucks, I’m looking forward to being able to say the same. I was talking with a friend recently and just wanted to get a feel on how bad this ending was. He said the How I Met Your Mother series ending was worse than the GOT ending.
I absolutely hated the ending to that show – I honestly hated the last season, the characters all regressed to their season one selves, and I just thought it was awful. Especially what they did to Barney’s character. There was no character development. The “mom” reveal was so lackluster. I won’t give away any spoilers, but honestly making it through that series, I think I’ll be able to handle anything.
Alright folks, that is all I have for this week! Come back next week for another blog post. As always, thank you for reading :)