Game of Thrones Season One Ultimate Unofficial Guide: The Game of Thrones Season 1

Welcome to The Game
    The sensation that is the HBO series Game of Thrones transports viewers to the mythological realm of Westeros, where the characters unravel and the drama unfolds. A gripping tale of the violent turmoil and honorable sacrifices inherent with power struggles, the show bravely bares all aspects of this society’s undercurrent. Stemming from the imagination of author George R.R. Martin, this epic fantasy comes to life on the screen through the dedication of a film making team determined to accurately translate the authenticity of his written word. At first presented with offers to adapt his book into a feature length film, Martin refused because he felt the story was too complex to be limited to a few hours on the screen. He feared too many details would have to be cut and the significance of the story would be lost. This is when HBO stepped up and presented the possibility of turning Martin’s fictional world into reality through a full season TV drama. This decision resulted in a brilliant combination of fantasy and realism blended together into an epic saga never before done for television.
    Game of Thrones is an exceptionally human story involving people caring, loving, and fighting in a revolving conflict of values, respects, and lands. The tale chronicles what happens when duty and honor are overshadowed by deceit and greed, when truth and justice no longer reside in the hearts of those in power. The tangled web woven by the many hidden ulterior motives of each character makes it difficult to know who to trust or believe. The family with the most money influences the kingdom from behind the scenes. Those who take a stand for the truth wind up dead, leaving other individuals fearful of upsetting the balance of power. Meanwhile, as the struggle for influence ensues among the humans, an ancient mythical evil has awakened that threatens to destroy all strategic plans in the game for the throne. The question remains if the families can band together to fight this evil, or if they will allow their differences to lead to their eventual demise.
    At the root of the story is a contemporary drama brought to life in a fantastical land whose complex characters thrive in a world of grays. As the season progresses, viewers are introduced to the six families of the realm, each playing a vital role in the politics of the region. There are the honorable Starks of The North, a family comprised of head of house Eddard “Ned” Stark, his wife Lady Catelyn “Cat,” and their five children: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. The ruling Baratheon family includes King Robert, Queen Cersei, and Prince Joffrey, along with two younger children who play minor roles in this season. Queen Cersei is of the Lannister House along with twin brother Jaime, dwarf younger brother Tyrion, and their over-bearing father Tywin. Together they enjoy status as the wealthiest and most influential family in the realm. The two remaining descendants of the once powerful Targaryen Dragon Kings, siblings Viserys and Daenerys, live an exiled existence in Essos, the eastern region of this imaginary world. They have vowed to return home and to the throne. Also residing in Essos are the Dothraki Khal, a nomadic tribe of horse lords ruled by their greatest warrior, Drogo. Daenerys becomes queen of the Khal when she is wed to Drogo by her brother in a strategic power move for the iron throne. Two additional families with Westeros roots are The Arryns of The Vale and The Greyjoys of The Iron Islands. Although playing subsidiary roles in the first season, viewers are left with the impression that their places in the game will become more significant as the story board unfolds. The only group forswearing claim to namesake and politics is the Brotherhood of The Night’s Watch, a unit of men sworn to protect the entire realm from the supernatural elements that lie beyond the northern boundary of The Wall. The values of each family become apparent to the viewer as the struggle to protect family name and holdings is intensified by the political changes inherent in the game of thrones.
    While family history plays an important role in shaping the motives of these characters, there are no distinctly evil or strictly good personalities in the story. All the people involved in this world are complicated and have many aspects to their personas. If not for the costumes and medieval setting, this tale could easily be a modern day account of powerful