 Tagline: When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. Once upon a time in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, a king arose, donned his crown, and went hunting in the wilderness. In a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, trouble is brewing. From the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the darkness beyond, powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences. Winter is coming. Let the Game Of Thrones begin. Storyline: Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue is pervasive. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard, Lord Stark, to serve as Hand of the King, or highest official. Secretly warned that the previous Hand was assassinated, Eddard accepts in order to investigate further. Meanwhile the Queen's family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take power. Across the sea, the last members of the previous and deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also scheming to regain the throne. The friction between the houses Stark, Lannister and Baratheon, and with the remaining great houses Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn, and Tyrell, leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the farthest north. Amidst the war and political confusion, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and icy horrors beyond. Written by Tfilm78 and Cajunman 1.01 Winter Is Coming - Robert Baratheon (King of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros) and his Queen, Cersei Lannister, travel north to make his old friend Eddard "Ned" Stark – Lord of the frozen land of Winterfell – an offer he cannot refuse. Across the narrow sea in Essos, the exiled Prince Viserys Targaryen forges a new alliance to regain the Iron Throne; he will trade his sister Daenerys in marriage to the savage Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo in exchange for Drogo's army. Back in Winterfell, Ned's wife Catelyn receives a clue that may implicate members of the royal family in a murder, and their young son Bran makes a jaw-dropping discovery. -- A Night's Watch deserter is tracked down outside of Winterfell, prompting swift justice by Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark and raising concerns about the dangers in the lawless lands north of the Wall. Returning home, Ned learns from his wife Catelyn that his mentor, Jon Arryn, has died in the Westeros capital of King's Landing, and that King Robert is on his way north to offer Ned Arryn's position as the King's Hand. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea in Pentos, Viserys Targaryen hatches a plan to win back the throne, which entails forging an allegiance with the nomadic Dothraki warriors by giving its leader, Khal Drogo, his lovely sister Daenerys' hand in marriage. Robert arrives at Winterfell with his wife, Queen Cersei, and other members of the Lannister family: her twin brother Jaime, dwarf brother Tyrion and Cersei's son and heir to the throne, 12-year-old Joffrey. Unable to refuse his old friend and king, Ned prepares to leave for King's Landing, as Jon Snow decides to travel north to Castle Black to join the Night's Watch, accompanied by a curious Tyrion. But a startling act of treachery directed at young Bran may postpone their departures. (Disc.1) 1.02 The Kingsroad - Bran's fate remains in doubt. Having agreed to become the King's Hand, Ned leaves Winterfell with daughters Sansa and Arya, while Catelyn stays behind to tend to Bran. Jon Snow heads north to join the brotherhood of the Night's Watch. Tyrion decides to forego the trip south with his family, instead joining Jon in the entourage heading to the Wall. Viserys bides his time in hopes of winning back the throne, while Daenerys focuses her attention on learning how to please her new husband, Drogo. (Disc.1) 1.03 Lord Snow - Ned joins the King's Small Council at King's Landing, capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and learns just how poorly Westeros is being managed. Catelyn decides to go covertly to the south to warn her husband, but is intercepted by an old friend, Councillor Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. Jon struggles to adapt to life on the Wall, as he trains with a number of low-born recruits who are not impressed by his bloodline. Tyrion (the dwarf), also visiting the Wall, is beseeched by the Watch Commander Lord Mormont to plead the King and Queen to send more men to join the Night's Watch, for powerful enemies are massing beyond the Wall. Bran, now awake, is unable to recall how he fell. Daenerys, now possessing no small measure of control as Drogo's "Khaleesi", begins to stand up to Viserys. (Disc.2) 1.04 Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things - Ned searches for clues to the unexplained death of Jon Arryn (the former King's Hand), and in the process uncovers King Robert's illegitimate son. Robert and his guests witness a tournament honoring Ned. Jon takes measures to protect Samwell Tarly, an awkward and friendless boy, from the abuse of the Night's Watchmen; a frustrated Viserys clashes with his newly-empowered sister; Sansa dreams of life as a queen, while Arya envisions a far different future. Catelyn rallies her father's allies to make a point, while Tyrion (the dwarf) finds himself caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Disc.2) 1.05 The Wolf and the Lion - Robert and Ned have an argument over how they should deal with the advance of the Targaryen/Dothraki alliance. Catelyn and Tyrion (the dwarf) arrive at her sister Lysa's home in the Eyrie. News of Tyrion's kidnapping reaches King's Landing where Jaime Lannister, the Queen's twin brother, demands answers from Ned. -- Incensed over news of Daenerys' alliance with the Dothrakis, Robert orders a preemptive strike on the Targaryens that drives a wedge in his relationship with Ned. A captive Tyrion helps Catelyn, but receives a cold reception at the Eyrie from her sister, John Arryn's widow Lysa. Sansa is charmed by the dashing Ser Loras Tyrell, aka the Knight of Flowers. Arya overhears a plot against her father. (Disc.2) 1.06 A Golden Crown - Viserys threatens Daenerys' safety when Drogo refuses to pay his debts. Ned is left in guard of the Iron Throne while the King goes to hunt, and learns the secret left by Jon Arynn. -- Reinstated as the Hand, Ned sits for the King while Robert is on a hunt, and issues a decree that could have long-term consequences throughout the Seven Kingdoms. At the Eyrie, Tyrion confesses to his "crimes," and demands that Lysa give him a trial by combat. Joffrey apologizes to Sansa; Viserys receives his final payment for Daenerys from Drogo. (Disc.3) 1.07 You Win or You Die - Ned confronts Queen Cersei over the truth of Jon Arryn's death as Robert, mortally wounded during his hunting, prepares to name his successor. Jon Snow takes the vows of the Night's Watch. Khal Drogo summons his army to invade Westeros after Robert conspires to poison Daenerys. Robert appoints Ned as Regent of the Iron Throne, who will rule until his heir is of age. Ned brings the King's declaration before Cersei, Joffrey (eldest of the King's children), and the Small Council. Ned asks Baelish to secure the cooperation of the City Watch in removing the Lannisters from the throne – Joffrey is not Robert's son but Jaime's, he reveals, making Stannis Baratheon (Robert's older brother) the true heir. However, the loyalty of Baelish and the City Watch lies with the Lannisters: Ned is swiftly captured, and his men killed. -- Explaining that the future of the Lannisters is at stake, Tywin presses Jaime to "be the man you were meant to be" as they prepare for battle. Ned confronts Cersei about the secrets that killed Jon Arryn. With the fate of the missing Benjen very much on his mind, Jon Snow takes his Night's Watch vows, though not with the assignment he coveted. After Ser Jorah saves Daenerys from treachery, an enraged Drogo vows to lead the Dothraki where they've never gone before. An injured Robert takes pains to ensure an orderly transition at King's Landing. (Disc.4) 1.08 The Pointy End - As the Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks, Ned's eldest son, Robb, rallies his family's allies to war. Sansa pleads with Joffrey to spare her father's life while Ned, still captive in the dungeons, finds an unexpected ally in Councillor Lord Varys. Jon and the Night's Watch confront an ancient evil from beyond the Wall, while across the Narrow Sea, Drogo's army marches west towards the Seven Kingdoms. -- The Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his father's northern allies and heads south to war. (Disc.4) 1.09 Baelor - As the Stark and Lannister armies prepare for their first battle against one another, Tyrion (the dwarf) leads his barbarian allies into battle while Robb and Catelyn bargain for a renegade Lord's help. With Drogo dying from his infected wound, Daenerys goes to desperate measures to save her husband's life by using a witch's blood magic, much to the horror of the Dothraki. At the Wall, a Targaryen reveals himself – and the price of loyalty – to Jon, who worries about events outside of the Wall. In a final bid to save his daughters' lives, Ned falsely confesses to conspiracy and swears fealty to Joffrey as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. To the horror of Ned's daughters – and delight of the assembled crowd- Joffrey has him executed regardless. -- Ned makes a fateful decision; Robb takes a prized prisoner; Daenerys finds her reign imperiled. (Disc.4) 1.10 Fire and Blood - The news of Ned's execution quickly spreads to all corners of the Seven Kingdoms, triggering seismic events for each member of the Stark family. The North secedes from the Seven Kingdoms and proclaims Robb as their King. With Jaime captured by the Starks and Robert's brothers challenging Joffrey's claim to the throne, Lord Tywin Lannister assigns his son Tyrion (the dwarf) as King's Hand to keep Joffrey and Cersei in check. Jon plans to desert his post at the Wall to avenge his father; his friends convince him to stay, and he joins the Night's Watch in an expedition to confront the foes massing beyond the Wall. Daenerys learns to her sorrow that her unborn son is dead and her Drogo has been left in a vegetative state due to the witch's treacherous magic. Unable to bear her husband's ruin, Daenerys ends his life and lights a funeral pyre. She burns the witch alive alongside Drogo's body and her three dragon's eggs, and walks into the flames herself as the fire reaches its peak. When the embers die the following morning, Daenerys rises, unharmed, flanked by three newborn dragons. (Disc.5) ------------------------------Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Kenneth Brown, February 17, 2012 Once upon a time in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, a king arose, donned his crown, and went hunting in the wilderness. Not the king of the Iron Throne, the seat of power so many die trying to acquire in Game of Thrones, but the true king of Westeros: best-selling fantasy author George R.R. Martin. Having grown weary of Hollywood pounding down his door, Martin set his sights on HBO and, as he tells it, HBO alone; in his mind (and, honestly, in reality) the only place a sprawling and faithful adaptation of his "Song of Fire and Ice" book series could be properly nurtured, developed and realized. And the king pursued HBO relentlessly... not that it took much time or much convincing. The ever-daring premium cable network anxiously scooped up the rights to Martin's richly textured, character-driven saga and set out to create a richly textured, character-driven television series unlike anything before it. And, to showrunners D. B. Weiss and David Benioff's tremendous credit, HBO accomplished exactly what Martin hoped they would, delivering a breathtaking, beautifully executed, perfectly cast ten-episode first season that brought uncertain viewers, hard-to-please critics, and skeptical fans of Martin's books to their feet in thunderous applause. Outlining the factions and houses vying for the Iron Throne, though, can be a bit of a challenge, not to mention counter to the essence of the series. Part of the allure and appeal of immersing oneself in Game of Thrones is in unraveling the intricate web of loyalists, conspirators and crown-snatchers in the show's infinitely intriguing cast of characters; each one with his or her own reasons for drawing a sword (or plunging it in someone's back) and entering the fray. From the wintry northern city of Winterfell comes lead protagonist Eddard "Ned" Stark (Sean Bean, summoning all his being), an honorable, judicious but world-weary man of action who travels to the south to serve as the new king's Hand. That new king is Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), a gluttonous womanizer, rebellious usurper and longtime friend of the Starks. His wife, the new Queen of Westeros, is Cersei Lannister, a cold, manipulative shrew whose only desire is to see her young, impetuous son, Joffrey (Jack Gleeson), sit on the throne. Cersei, not to be outdone by Robert's debauchery, is engaged in an incestuous affair with her twin brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a member of the Kingsguard who assassinated the previous king, Aerys II Targaryen, and made it possible for Robert to claim the crown. Which brings us to Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd and Emilia Clarke), Aerys' arrogant son and demure daughter. Viserys pledges his sister to a fierce tribe of nomadic horsemen led by Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), a brute who scoffs at seats of power, craving only power itself. With Daenerys wed to Drogo, Viserys hopes to reclaim Westeros and see the Targaryen banners hoisted high on the castle walls once again. Feeling overwhelmed? Don't. While Game of Thrones is as densely populated as it is densely plotted, Weiss and Benioff weave an inexhaustible yet incredibly accessible tapestry of competing interests. It demands its audience remain vigilant and alert at every twist and turn, lest they be left stranded on the Westeros roadside, and simultaneously ensures there isn't too much information to process at any given time. It's a balancing act, really, and it becomes abundantly clear why Martin refused to condense such a tangled political and psychological epic into a series of bite-sized feature films. The show's writers run a tight ship, thank the gods, and it's apparent from start to finish. A flood of characters are introduced in rapid succession, but never so many that a "Song of Ice and Fire" newcomer won't be able to keep their head above water. Countless schemes, plots and motivations come to a steady boil as well, but the temperature never rises so suddenly as to make soaking in the narrative uncomfortable. We first meet the Starks and the Starks alone -- Ned, his dutiful wife Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) and their children, eldest son Robb (Richard Madden), betrothed Sansa (Sophie Turner), tomboy Arya (Maisie Williams), ten-year-old Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), youngest child Rickon (Art Parkinson), and bastard son Jon Snow (Kit Harington). -- and only then, slowly but surely, do Weiss and Benioff cast their net into greater Westeros. The Targaryen prince and princess, Khal Drogo and the Dothraki people, the conniving Lannister twins and their younger, instantly likable brother Tyrion (Peter Dinklage, stealing scenes and Emmys like they were candy), and a slew of equally fascinating power-players, back-stabbers, politicians, opportunists and humble servants to the king come in quick but digestible succession. Yet none of it ever comes at the expense of the audience; never at the expense of a forging a cohesive tale; never at the expense of luring viewers deeper and deeper into Martin's literal game of thrones. Which brings us to a necessary word of warning: dismissing Game of Thrones as a genre series would be a grave mistake. Like Battlestar Galactica before it, Weiss and Benioff's stunning first arc doesn't play by genre rules. Thrones is no more bound to its fantasy roots than Galactica was bound to its sci-fi trappings. Oh, there are elements in place -- vicious creatures from the northern Wilds, dragon eggs, a Winter of legend that sweeps over the land without warning, supernatural blood rituals, rumors of royalty born with dragon blood and the like -- but nothing that detracts or distracts from the fabric of the story or the clash of the characters. Ned's reluctance to rule is steeped in history, explored and simply sensed, as well as a philosophy that separates him from the other players on the board: "Winter is coming." Contrast that with Robert or the Lannister twins, whose prevailing philosophy focuses on the here and now, as if Winter couldn't possibly descend on their illustrious capital city. Robert denies Winter as readily as he denies his kingdom's bankruptcy; Cersei denies her humanity as readily as she embraces her thirst for revenge; and war and chaos loom ever on the horizon, a fact that seems to escape everyone but Ned. The practicality of Winterfell is in stark opposition to the indulgence of the southern kingdoms (the Starks are, after all, on the front lines of the Wall, an enormous structure that protects Westeros from the beasts of the Wild), and the brutal cultural, political and socioeconomic conflicts that erupt are as intricate and volatile as the physical battles that dominate the landscape. All the while, Weiss and Benioff deconstruct genre convention, offer subtle commentary on a variety of topical issues, and probe themes and ideas that are startlingly relevant (modern even); far more so than you might expect from a swords-n-sorcery television series that dares to mention the word "dragon" after asking to be taken seriously. And by some strange bit of dark magic, every one of the first season's ten episodes goes in for the kill. Unlike most shows that build toward a single season finale, Game of Thrones builds toward whichever end credits are closest. Almost every episode feels like another series' season finale; the game changes that abruptly, the gut punches hit that forcibly, and the story-shattering shocks come that surprisingly. Death lingers around every corner, and it doesn't discriminate. Betrayals lurk within every hall, fortress and shadow, and they don't always come from the party or parties that are most likely to deliver them. Mud, blood and defiance spills on hallowed ground and battlefields alike, and no one is safe from the fallout or consequences. Thrones is as much a game of dominoes as chess, as much a tumultuous political drama as it is an elaborate ensemble piece, as much an expertly crafted saga with exceedingly fine-tuned performances (even from the youngest actors, if you can believe it) as it is an extraordinary production teeming with gorgeous cinematography, stirring music, fantastic costuming, and arresting sets, locations and visual effects. It's a complete package and, for fantasy enthusiasts, a source of legitimacy that proves the once bastard genre (often overlooked or under-produced by television networks) has as much value as any other. And, since I'm already wading dangerously deep in potentially hyperbolic waters, I'll take that one step further: Game of Thrones has far more in common with a lavishly designed, fully realized ten-hour film than a ten-episode fantasy TV series. It breaks the rules, it doesn't play nice, it doesn't give you what you want or expect, only what you'll admit you should have wanted and should have expected. More than one of the best new shows on television (and now Blu-ray), it's one of the best series I've had the pleasure of following. If Season Two is any less than... no. No. That's impossible. I don't even want to consider the possibility. If you have yet to explore every inch of Westeros, don't delay. Pore through the first season and prepare yourself for the next stage of the game, set to air in April. "Winter is coming." So says Eddard Stark, nobleman and ruler, father and husband, warrior and Hand to the king. He says it with a sense of the inevitable, with grief and a heavy heart. And he says it with conviction, something that permeates every aspect of Game of Thrones. More than the best new series of 2011, it's one of the finest shows to grace television, and we're only one season in. If D. B. Weiss and David Benioff can maintain their creative momentum, if the cast continues to excel, if the production design continues to sweep viewers away to Westeros, we're all in for something special. HBO doesn't just put its weight behind its original series, though, it puts its full weight behind its Blu-ray releases as well, and this one doesn't disappoint. With a stunning video presentation, an enveloping DTS-HD Master Audio track, and hours upon hours of excellent extras, Game of Thrones already stands as one of the best releases of 2012. It would take an army of gods and kings to knock it off its throne. Trivia:
IMDb Rating (02/11/15): 9.5/10 from 711,518 users
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