By Sean Smith
“Game of Thrones” is a series of 5 books created by George RR Martin. The books became popular in 2011 by being transformed into one of the most popular TV shows of all time. The final season of Game of Thrones started on Sunday, April 14.
Not only is this the show’s season finale, but it has outlasted the storyline of the books that it is supposed to follow. Viewers have been waiting in anticipation for almost two years for the finale, and now that time has come.
George RR Martin has informed the directors and producers of the show how he anticipates to finish the books. For the first time yet, the show will tell the story instead of basing it off a pre-existing storyline.
The objective of this article is to either recap the previous seven seasons for current viewers of the show, or to get non-viewers up to speed on major events and key points so everyone is able to watch season eight.
“You never know what will happen next,” said Tyler Cornwell, an FCC student. “The main character died in the first season.”
The story takes places in Westeros, a continent split up into seven different kingdoms.
Ned Stark, warden of the north, is visited by Robert Baratheon from Kings Landing. After Baratheon’s right-hand man dies, Stark and his two daughters follow them back to Kings Landing, just to find the kingdom in disarray.
When Baratheon is fatally wounded in a hunting accident, Stark is named protector of the realm until Robert Baratheon and his bride, Cersei Lannisters’, son Joffery is old enough to take over. Stark gets betrayed and is ordered to death by Joffery in the last episode of the first season.
“All I know is that the craziest episode involves a wedding,” says Stephane Kamdem.
The red wedding is considered one of the most famous and most graphic fight scenes on TV.
Robb Stark is set to marry Roslin Frey in hopes to create a Frey-Stark alliance. The father of Roslin Frey, Lord Walder Frey, springs a trap to have Robb Stark killed after he finds out that Stark is in love with another woman. Frey has Stark, his “mistress” Talisa, as well as the rest of the people that came to support him, killed in horrific fashion. This episode sets a tone for future seasons.
“Brothers and sisters hooking up?” says Christina Foundas, “I do not think this is my type of show.”
In the early seasons of Game of Thrones, the sex appeal is what distanced this show from other shows.
Since the show is on HBO, the restrictions for what they can show and say is nonexistent. Other shows on networks such as ABC or NBC have to follow guidelines and cannot do or show certain graphic material.
“Game of Thrones” goes well beyond what the other networks allow, from incestuous sibling intercourse, to wives killing husbands, to dragons. The possibilities are endless when there are not limited restrictions on what you are able to put on TV.
“Sansa Stark has to be the one that ends up on the iron throne,” Says Drew O’Donnell, another FCC student.
The only question that is being asked in regards to the upcoming season is “Who will sit on the iron throne at the end of the series?”.
All 7 seasons have led up to the fights and betrayals that are about to happen in season eight. The Night King, Cersei, and Bran Stark are some of the names that could end up on the iron throne. The cast has come out and said that the audience is not going to expect what happens in regards to the iron throne. Las Vegas oddsmakers have even released betting odds for people to bet on to see who takes rule over Westeros.
Game of Thrones is the most watched show on HBO, a network that is famous for having multiple hit TV shows. People of any race, gender, or age can be entertained by the wildly successful show. Women can enjoy watching how powerful the women of Westeros are. An older person may enjoy the politics of the show. Nobody is safe from being backstabbed which leads to a good storyline. The show seems relatable to so many people because, many times, a person perceived as a commoner finds themselves in a position of power.
The new season continues next Sunday, and one thing is for certain: winter is coming.
