Series review: Thrones fit for a King

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to consider HBO’s amazing production of Game of Thrones. A 10 episode opus, Thrones is unlike anything ever attempted by a cable channel. A massive fantasy saga aimed squarely at adults. The books are ripe and complex and many readers were dreading TV shortcuts or dumbed-down choices – something HBO never succumbed to. In short, Game of Thrones is a spectacular achievement and they pulled off the near impossible task of conveying this enormous, sprawling kingdom peopled by dozens of characters.

Thrones looks amazing. From its stylized opening credits, the eye is always engaged. Stupendous Irish locations double for the kingdom of Westeros and blend beautifully with CGI renderings of King’s Landing, Winterfell, and of course, The Wall. The Wall is a stunning achievement. When you first glimpse it in episode 1, you know that this team was determined to make these fantastical environs seem as real as possible.

But what makes Game of Thrones stand as a colossal success is the cast. Sean Bean is perfectly cast as Eddard Stark and his presence dominates the moral center of the story, struggling to stay true against the corruption of the King – an unapologetically rotund Mark Addy – and the scheming mechanizations of the Lannisters. Cersei and Jaime are nicely rendered, if not quite as blond and narcissistic as they seemed in the book.

My favorite Lannisters (there’s a show title) are Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). Okay, a slim argument can be made that technically Joff’s a Baratheon, but do we really want to go there, considering? Dinklage makes Tyrion step right out of the book. Always the smartest man in the room, always the wit that draws blood, Dinklage steals every scene he’s in. Watch him “confess his crimes” to Lysa at the Eyrie (a brilliantly depicted location, by the way. The Sky Cells are breathtakingly frightening).

Joff makes Draco Malfoy seem like a misunderstood Cub Scout. Jack Gleeson is cluelessly entitled and ruthlessly selfish, particularly once he gets a taste of power.

Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa are splendid in the Dothraki scenes as Daenerys Targaryen and warlord Kahl Drogo. These scenes are straight out of the book and done very faithfully. Iain Glen is a real find as Dany’s faithful knight Ser Jorah Mormont - the guy’s terrific.

As youngest daughter of the Stark clan, Maisie Williams is pitch-perfect as Arya. Her tomboyism, her fondness for the blade – she does a remarkable job – all the Stark family are great, make no mistake – but Arya just leaves you wanting more. The show is practically overflowing with great supporting characters. It’s a hoot to see The Wire’s Mayor Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish.

It’s been a real delight to revel in these 10 remarkable episodes this spring. Was everything perfect? Not always. The creators got a little carried away with the “full frontal” festivities at times – Hodor?!? There were some unnecessarily graphic sex scenes that at times threatened to let the show drift over into Bob Guccione’s Caligula territory. But Game of Thrones has got to be seen as a great success. What the home video release will offer is anyone’s guess – deleted scenes? One can only drool in anticipation. If you missed this on air, all I can say is you’re in for a real treat, as the creators were clearly driven to be as faithful to the book as possible – on that score they did not disappoint. Here’s to even more divine madness in next year’s sophomore season, presumably titled Clash of Kings.