Title: Game of Thrones (2011 – present, TV series)

Creators: David Benioff, D. B. Weiss (based on George R. R. Martin’s novels)

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Action, Serial

Rating: 4 stars

Note: I wrote a review on Season 1 of GoT too. *SPOILER ALERT!*

Before I go into this review, I just want to say that I watched all 6 seasons from June to mid-July this year, so I didn’t really give myself time to digest every main story line after each season. I’ll just say that the human need to know who will die next is a very powerful force.

Overview of the 6 Seasons

For me, Season 5 was noticeable worse than all other seasons, and Season 6 was probably the best one so far. What I loved about the development of the series was the fact that we had to keep up with several story lines at once. But when they started killing off characters (and hence their story lines), Season 5 got really bad. However, I suppose Season 6 makes up for it, because the characters that do survive end up ‘finishing’ their deceased story lines. In other words, it was very satisfying to see how characters like Sansa and Arya finally realized who they were, and what they were meant to do.

Characters

I absolutely loved the development of the main characters throughout the series; in every season we got to see a different, or more developed, side of each character, directing their story line towards a different path than expected. Below are only some of my favorite characters, because there are too many to name them all!

• Tyrion: He’s by far the best character (and actor) so far. The only Lannister with brains also happens to be the only likable Lannister. His sarcasm, shrewdness, and even drunkenness all make him such a compelling character. The fact that he has received so many death wishes and gotten out of every single one of them until now, never fails to impress me. I feel that many of the things Tyrion has suffered through in his early life are not shown, which made it a bit hard to empathize with him. However, when we got to see his ‘tender’ side in his fleeting relationship with Shae and how he overcame the situation by focusing on Khaleesi the bigger picture, that was more than enough. Tyrion is really something. I hope he doesn’t die.

• Khaleesi: Daenerys Targaryen, avaluable name with a list of titles, but I’ll just call her Khaleesi here. If anyone’s untouchable in this series, it has to be her. I particularly grew to like her when she faced the challenges of ruling in the last few seasons, because that forced her to understand the reality that her people faced. Anyway, she looks like a goddess, she acts like a queen, she bore dragons… I don’t even know what she is anymore.

• Arya: I love how she, ever from an early age, knew where her position was. She knew from the start whose side she was on, and who the enemies were (unlike Sansa, who very well took her time). I feel like she has a lucky amulet everywhere she goes, because there is always someone there to ‘protect’ her – which leads me to believe that she is unlikely to die until she has fulfilled her death list (Cersei?). Favorite quote: “A girl has a name, and it’s Arya Stark of Winterfell”, as Jaqen smiles knowingly. Go Arya!

• Jaime and Brienne: The only reason I started liking Jaime was because of Brienne. Their story line is/was amazing. Jaime showed that he was, in fact, an asshole mainly when around Cersei, and Brienne revealed her soft heart despite the appearance that she tries to put up with. As much as I want Tyrion to be the one that slays Cersei’s head, I really hope Jaime is, in fact, the “Valonqar” (little brother) that will end her life, according to Cersei’s prophecy.

• Jon: They killed him once, so I guess it’s safe to say that he’s untouchable, at least for some time. To be honest, I wasn’t very into his story line for the first few seasons; I wasn’t really into the Night’s Watch. But as winter got closer, their importance also grew. And that’s when Jone shone with his bravery, despite all costs. And damn, he will be some major character in the following seasons, and I’m really curious as to what would happen when he finally meets with Khaleesi.

• Margaery: *mourns silently* Up until she died, I was constantly wary of her attitude. She always seemed to know more than she should, and act in such a manipulative way that it was impossible not to assume that she was onto something. But the scene of her death revealed that she was simply a step ahead of everyone else in the game. She never let herself be the victim, and that, I admired in her. Poor Tommen. Cersei did not deserve the Iron Throne. At all.

All of these characters have each gone through their own sh*t… and yet they have only become a better version of themselves, if they were still alive after that. It’s inspiring and humbling to see how each of them continues the continuous challenges that they face down their path.

Highlights

• “Hold the Door!”: This scene couldn’t have been any more perfect and meaningful. Hodor’s life purpose came down to that one moment to save Bran. And it also gives us a lot to speculate about Bran’s connection between the past and the present.

• The Red Wedding: I did not see this coming, at all (I’m so naive). My OTP of the series dying within the span of a few seconds, and then Catelyn’s throat slain at the last second – I almost thought it was a joke. This was probably the most heartbreaking death scene (along with Hodor’s) in the whole series, because it wasn’t just these 3 characters dying, it was little Ned Stark too.

• Battle of the Bastards: It was the most epic and beautiful battle ever. Enough said. It was a bit disappointing to see Rickon appear one last time for his death, though, considering that every other Stark had a major role in the series.

• The Winds of Winter: All of Season 6’s finale was a highlight. It was the most satisfying and conclusive ending that I could have asked for, especially after the with Ramsay and Walder Frey’s deaths.

There are so many things to talk about Game of Thrones in all the 6 seasons, but these were just some of the characters and scenes that have stuck with me the most. Now, all there’s left to do is speculate about some theories (Gendry?) and hopefully read the books soon (I really want to read the books).