REVIEWING SAGAS: WESTEROS

Once upon a time, in a vast feudal realm "ruled" by an immature pervert and RULED by a clever queen, the throne was suddenly left vacant. And thus, a war broke out between five claimants as unlikely and different from each other as could be: a veteran raider leader...

... an idealistic young separatist ...

... a dashing queer charmer ...

... a stern religious zealot ...

... and a pre-teen sociopath.

Meanwhile, in distant places, the rightful heiress to the throne was raising an army of freedmen (freed slaves) to claim her late father's throne. On her side, she had a secret weapon: three fire-breathing reptiles...

Only one of all these claimants can win the Game of Thrones.

Nowadays, everyone (geek or not) is talking Game of Thrones. This historical fantasy series, based upon the novels by George R. R. Martin, has many a reason to be that popular.

Some people have described it as The Sopranos or Boardwalk Empire in Middle-Earth. No, it isn’t. In fact, Westeros (the characters’ homeworld) is much more similar to our own world than to Tolkien’s. There are queer people making love to each other (Renly and Loras, anyone?), powerful females (from Queen Mother Cersei and Red Priestess Melisandre to swashbuckling tomboys Arya and Brienne), religion plays a more than relevant role (the Red Faith, imposed by Stannis Baratheon with fire and sword, is gradually replacing the Faith of the Seven)... and there is ostensibly no magic at the time the story is set. Dragons are thought to be a thing of the past as well… until dethroned princess Daenerys adopts the three reptiles that hatch from “fossilized” eggs at her khal (nomadic warlord) husband’s funeral pyre. Which marks a turning point in the history of this series with such a large cast.

Anyone can say “I’ll get tangled up with so many characters!” Don’t worry. Each and every one has got at least one quirk. And there are character guides online (though beware if you intend to watch the series: the Net is dark and full of spoilers...).

Power struggle? Romance? Confrontations, whether battles or banters? Dragons? Wolves? Zombies? Eunuchs? Fanaticism? Really wicked villains you love to hate (Viserys, Joffrey, Lord Frey: this is for you!)?

The aim of this series seems to be adapting a narrative that “has everything”, and the creators have certainly succeeded.

Just remember: 

This series has everything.

Any character can die.

The Net is dark and full of spoilers.

And, finally…

Season Four is coming.