HBO has brought George R. R. Martin's series to the small screen. The
story follows the Stark family, a noble family based in the northernmost
of the Seven Kingdoms. Oddly, the 7 Kingdoms have only 1 king. Long
ago, the kingdoms were defeated by Aegon Targaryen and his 3 dragons.
The armies of any kingdom could not stand against the fiery breath of
dragons. However, the dragons have since died but the kingdoms are
still united, barely.
It has been 15 years or so since the Targaryens were deposed and Robert Baratheon became king. However, two surviving Targaryens have joined with the vast Dothraki hordes - similar to the Mongol Horde of Genghis Khan - who might yet reconquer the 7 Kingdoms. This is all the more possible since intrigue and infighting is rampant in the 7 Kingdoms and, worse still, the old enemy has awoken from a 1000 year slumber. The white walkers are coming south. They are quick and wield weapons far stronger than the steel of the 7 Kingdoms. Moreover, those they kill arise as zombies.
The tale is very dark. It is clear that Mr. Martin has read a great deal of history since his book reads like history, with all the cruelties and strange twists. There is graphic violence and a fair amount of nudity.
Ned Stark (played by Sean Bean - best known to fantasy fans as Boromir from Lord of the Rings) and his family are the key characters. His bastard son Jon has been sent to the Wall - a 700 foot tall wall that divides the continent and protects from the threat of the white walkers. Ned and his daughters find themselves in King's Landing - the capitol - where they see the intrigues. Bran and Robb remains in Winterfell, capitol of the north. Catelyn, Ned's wife, is constantly on the move, showing the action through the rest of the country.
The first season had many surprises. I look forward to next season. In the meantime, I have started reading the books. Recommended!
It has been 15 years or so since the Targaryens were deposed and Robert Baratheon became king. However, two surviving Targaryens have joined with the vast Dothraki hordes - similar to the Mongol Horde of Genghis Khan - who might yet reconquer the 7 Kingdoms. This is all the more possible since intrigue and infighting is rampant in the 7 Kingdoms and, worse still, the old enemy has awoken from a 1000 year slumber. The white walkers are coming south. They are quick and wield weapons far stronger than the steel of the 7 Kingdoms. Moreover, those they kill arise as zombies.
The tale is very dark. It is clear that Mr. Martin has read a great deal of history since his book reads like history, with all the cruelties and strange twists. There is graphic violence and a fair amount of nudity.
Ned Stark (played by Sean Bean - best known to fantasy fans as Boromir from Lord of the Rings) and his family are the key characters. His bastard son Jon has been sent to the Wall - a 700 foot tall wall that divides the continent and protects from the threat of the white walkers. Ned and his daughters find themselves in King's Landing - the capitol - where they see the intrigues. Bran and Robb remains in Winterfell, capitol of the north. Catelyn, Ned's wife, is constantly on the move, showing the action through the rest of the country.
The first season had many surprises. I look forward to next season. In the meantime, I have started reading the books. Recommended!
Wow, I wrote this back in June of 2011. Series is still going strong and the last Targaryen is finally on her way to Westeros.
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