Well, though expectations were sort of high, Game of Thrones delivered on basically all levels.
The various previews had demonstrated that this would be a quality series, but I was nevertheless blown away by the picture quality, the different settings, the costumes, the acting. Sean Bean makes a great Ned Stark.
The Dothraki scenes were a bit cheesy and overdone, but other than that I loved everything about this first episode.
And what a way to end it, eh!?! With a brother fucking his sister doggie style and throwing a child off a tower to die. "The things I do for love."
Think the mainstream public will like it??? Time will tell...
When I met GRRM in Montreal during Worldcon, we spoke at length about the HBO series. George explained how he turned down offers for more money because they didn't leave him any control or influence on the final product. Terry Goodkind may have made a bundle, but Legend of the Seeker turned out to be a farce, a travesty (not that the actual SoT saga was high-brow material to begin with).
During the first couple of minutes from Game of Thrones, you realize that the production captured the essence of the prologue from A Game of Thrones almost perfectly, setting the mood for all that is to come. Love the soundtrack as well, and here's to hoping that a CD will be available soon...
Label me excited! =)
Winter isn't coming. It's here! Can't wait for episode two next week!!!
