I was really sad when I noticed that I was meant to work tomorrow night when the first episode of season four of Game of Thrones was meant to air. I mean, I was practically devastated. I was already planning on how to get home as fast as possible when my shift ended. I even considered calling in sick even though I've never taken a day off of work from my current job.
But then suddenly, good news came! I've just found out that the première episode is showing at 2am on Sky Atlantic. Yes, readers, I'll be staying up and watching at 2am. I'll be live blogging my thoughts through the first episode and posting them on the blog once the episode is finished. I'm so excited.
So if you've stopped off at this blog before then you probably know I'm a Game of Thrones fan. I love the books and I love the show. Now many people may get on his back about writing the final instalments of his Song of Fire and Ice series but GRRM is an author who knows what he's doing.
So, for NaNoWriMo, here are some excellent writing lessons from the man himself. These are 12 things that George R.R Martin has said of writing.
(Note to readers: I've tried to keep this post pretty much spoiler free, so do not fret.)
After another wait that seemed as long as a Westerosi Winter, Game of Thrones is returning to our screens. I myself am currently rewatching Season Two before the showing of the premiere on Sky Atlantic tomorrow night. With an army of devoted fans Game of Thrones is said to be the most illegally downloaded show ever. I personally don't watch much television but Game of Thrones is the kind of show I travel across the country for so that I can watch the season premiere as it is on air (yes, I've done this the past two years)
What is it about Game of Thrones that has made it so popular? Many would point the finger and proclaim that the popularity of such a show lies in HBO and their willingness to bring forth sexual content to our screens. Though I'm sure this is an aspect of the show that many enjoy however I believe that the interest lies in the complexity of this show. Never before have I come across a show that has taken on such vast and complex content and explored it whilst remaining so faithful to the books on which they are based. This is a show that deals with very human emotions and situations to which we can relate but on the outskirts things beyond our mortal comprehension threaten the peace. White walkers, dragons, dark magic. It quickly bridges that gap between the reality we know and the magic of George R.R Martin's world. Game of Thrones is the kinky cousin of Lord of the Rings bringing a new wave of people into the realm of fantasy. The scripts for the show remain captivating and complex. One could argue that the show demands a level of intelligence to keep up with the vastness of Westeros and characters, many of whom have similar names, and this therefore separates the wheat from the chaff in terms of nerdkind.
To other fans of the books, I must say that I have awaited this season with excitement and dread. I'm looking forward to the Red Wedding, I'm looking forward to The Boltons, I'm looking forward to MORE TYRION. I'm not sure if it'll happen but one character I'd like to see this season is Patchface. If we're getting Shireen Baratheon, I want to see Patchface because this is a character that when reading the books captured my imagination instantly.
I can personally say that this is my favourite show of all time. Never before has a television series captivated me so. Filmed over multiple locations with a rotating cast of well crafted characters I would go so far as to say that this show is an ambitious step in television history.
The show captures intriguing perspectives on the widespread impact of warfare and family ties. Even the villains can be sympathised with.
If you've not watched it, or if you were somewhat put off by all that sex in the first episode (like me - God was I really so prudish? Thanks go to my friends Taj and Ryan for simply telling me to watch the second episode), persevere and keep watching because you may be ruining a fantastic show for yourself.
Also my mother has informed me that when she was younger she was in a theatre company with John Stahl who plays Rickard Karstark in Game of Thrones. Does this mean my mother holds allegiance with House Stark?
Episode One of Season 3 starts in the UK tonight at 9pm on Sky Atlantic.
Do you watch Game of Thrones?
Who is your favourite character?
Which house would you pledge your allegiance to?
