Now that the series Game of Thrones on HBO is at episode 7, the viewer gets a really good picture of how fantastic this new original program is. Based on the best-selling books by George R. R. Martin, HBO once again produces television that brings forth a whole new world. Even if you’re not really into sci-fi/fantasy work, the political intrigue, sexual escapades, and created languages make it totally worth tuning in. Not to mention, the fantastic brooding ability of actor Sean Bean (Return of the King Fellowship of the Ring) and the marvelous debauchery of Mark Addy (The Full Monty, Still Standing). But it’s the performance of Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) that really stands out. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it doesn’t earn him an Emmy nomination.
Adapted for the screen by producer/writers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the show is reminiscent of the richly refined series Rome that ended in 2007 in its superb art direction and costuming. But the show stays true to its book roots – a very hard task taking into account the author’s enormously descriptive language and the very complicated world full of medieval intrigues and mythical creatures. But the expert storytelling navigates easily amongst all the characters and clearly introduces and carries all plot points. Genius.
Adaptations are difficult. This is a good one.
Excellent comments. David Benioff is a certified genius and do-it-all hyphenate. Proof? As if showrunning ‘Game of Thrones’ wasn’t enough, check out his novel, ‘City of Thieves.’ Superb tale of two luckless Soviet soldiers ordered to fetch (and return) fresh eggs from behind German lines during WWII. By turns harrowing, funny and oh-so sad. What kind of mind imagines this stuff? WWII? The siege of Leningrad? Eggs? I swore after reading it “This is a writer I must follow.” Imagine my surprise when I discovered DB was the power behind GOT. My esteem for the show skyrocketed.