Game of Thrones: Why is it loved so much?

[Thanatos5150]

... so the plot and characters really aren't what I'm wondering about.

See, I'm confused, here, because you seem to not care about roughly 80% of roughly any story.

What do you want? Setting?
High-Magic, low Magic Saturation fantasy - all the dragons are dead at the ebgining of the stor and have been for years, set in a world that does not follow seasons like ours does, with a long and colourful history involving noble houses and a stunning track record of deceit and murder.

Writing Style?
Well, it's not in iambic pentameter or anything like that, but the George RR Martin juggles multiple points of view/personalities well

 

[Milanezi]

I guess people like it because it is pretty good, and it's a fantasy story without the softness the genre usually carries. The characters are interesting and the story is strongly centered around politics rather than the usual fantasy adventure. My main criticism: as with most HBO series it has a much larger amount of PORN than it would be necessary, and I get it, people like it but wake up, it means you'll spend 20 minutes watching porn when they could be using this time to advance the story itself, instead of giving you another damn cliffhanger; sadly, nowadays they always find a way to consume show time with stupidity...
All in all, I enjoy Game of Thrones, I'm buying the show as they release it on Apple TV, BUT... Even though the story gives an impression of complexity, it is actually pretty shallow, and most characters (with a few exceptions) are more "cool and interesting" than actually deep and complex, as in, you'll hardly feel sad for somebody's death or really feel for someone else's love interested not working out.
I believe what calls the public the most is that it seems filled o the brim with those "jaw dropping tv show events" that somehow always trigger some inner instinct inside us even if we don't care about what happens, things like the massive and unexpected slap to the face a villain might get, or the impending raid to a given village filmed with some epic scale.

That's all based on the series, I didn't read any of the books, maybe I will someday but I don't think so, I'm too entertained by many other books and barely have time for them, including some classics I SHOULD have read by now (Dark Tower, Pratchet...); I know this is piss poor judgement, but the tv show is good enough for me but failed to be SO good as to convince me to go for the books, meaning "I'll enjoy the show instead of reading the book, it's faster"

 

[someonehairy-ish]

I started reading the first book for something to do on the plane whilst going on holiday with my girlfriend and ended up so glued to it that she accused me of neglecting her over the next day or so while I polished it off...

Stop being a cynical arse and go actually read them.

 

[Yeager942]

Try the first book. I know I read all ~600 or so pages in 3 sittings or so. I was fucking glued to it. It really all comes down to characters, as they are hilariously fun to watch and see what they do.

I will say this however. G.R.R. Martin is absolute balls at plot pacing. 5 books in and for all the claims that winter is coming, we're 3000 or so pages into the story and Winter has only just arrived.

Eventually you realize everything in the story is actually in the most dynamic equilibrium of all time, like a supernova in a box or something, and it will never end.

Then you realize you don't give a fuck because why would you want it to end?

Spoiler

Because I want Dany to come to Westeros with her army of Unsullied, freed slaves, and Dragons and burn what ever is left of the Lanisters/Tyrells/Boltons/Freys, and finally see her do something other then piddle around on the other end of the narrow sea.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

snip

I watched the first episode. Literally the only things I liked were the makeup, special effects, props, and costumes. The characters and story didn't interest me and it felt like it drug on forever.

snip

When I watched it, I saw none of this amazing plot and brilliant characters people keep going on about. Its was all so meh.

snip

Cause random prostitutes are integral to the plot.

 

[Grape_Bullion]

... so the plot and characters really aren't what I'm wondering about.

See, I'm confused, here, because you seem to not care about roughly 80% of roughly any story.

What do you want? Setting?
High-Magic, low Magic Saturation fantasy - all the dragons are dead at the ebgining of the stor and have been for years, set in a world that does not follow seasons like ours does, with a long and colourful history involving noble houses and a stunning track record of deceit and murder.

Writing Style?
Well, it's not in iambic pentameter or anything like that, but the George RR Martin juggles multiple points of view/personalities well

Okay, I guess I'll clarify since a few people have brought this up. I don't dislike the plot or characters, I don't know anything about them. I'm perfectly content with people saying "the characters and the plot are wonderful", because I'm sure it's a great plot filled with great characters. I just wanted to know why people love it so much and clearly the plot and characters are big reasons why Game of Thrones is loved.

 

[PureChaos]

Blood and boobies. That's what it has to offer.

If that's what you want, Spartacus: Blood and Sand has more of both.

I don't get why GoT is as praised as it is. Don't get me wrong, I like it and when the season 2 DVD arrives I'll be cracking straight on with it but the first series wasn't as great as it had been made out to be.

Though it is probably technically better than the Spartacus series in the way it's written, deeper plot etc etc but Spartacus was far more entertaining.

 

[Kenbo Slice]

Blood and boobies. That's what it has to offer.

If that's what you want, Spartacus: Blood and Sand has more of both.

I don't get why GoT is as praised as it is. Don't get me wrong, I like it and when the season 2 DVD arrives I'll be cracking straight on with it but the first series wasn't as great as it had been made out to be.

Though it is probably technically better than the Spartacus series in the way it's written, deeper plot etc etc but Spartacus was far more entertaining.

I don't like Spartacus. The whole 300 style gets old really fast.

 

[Oly J]

I'll start by saying I have never read any of the books or watched an episode of the television series. I really have no interest in it, so the plot and characters really aren't what I'm wondering about. I am wondering, why is it loved so much? What does it offer its fans that makes it so loved?

obviously you do have some degree of interest in it or you wouldn't be asking the question in the first place,

Personally for me it's the characters, it took me a while to get into, and I had to watch it multiple times to fully appreciate it, then I started reading the books and liked it a whole lot more because I knew what was going on.

basically, if you invest the time and attention into it it's awesome, superbly written stories, characters and their arcs, world-building at it's finest, and of course sex and violence, you come for the sex and the violence but you stay for everything else

Blood and boobies. That's what it has to offer.

If that's what you want, Spartacus: Blood and Sand has more of both.

I don't get why GoT is as praised as it is. Don't get me wrong, I like it and when the season 2 DVD arrives I'll be cracking straight on with it but the first series wasn't as great as it had been made out to be.

Though it is probably technically better than the Spartacus series in the way it's written, deeper plot etc etc but Spartacus was far more entertaining.

I don't like Spartacus. The whole 300 style gets old really fast.

now y'see I love both shows, and I'm both excited and saddened for the end of Spartacus next week

as for season 1 of GoT not being as good as it's cracked up to be, originally I thought so too...then I watched it again...try watching it again if you haven't already you WILL like it better I promise you.

 

[RaikuFA]

I think a lot of people are in it for the tits. I liked the props and costumes, but everything else was meh to me. Also, WHY DO YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE TO SHOW SOME RANDOM WOMAN'S TITS?

From what I'vge seen, it's just another show that advertises itself as some epic mid evil saga yet it's just talking and nudity.

Basically, it's popular because of fanservice. And yet people hate Anime for doing the same thing.

I don't think (most) people will sit through a 50+ minute episode for, at the most, maybe a minute or two of a topless woman. Moreover, the majority of the women who bare themselves on camera are prostitutes. So, y'know. They're gonna be naked sometimes. It's far less often than some would have you believe.

The appeal of the show, very simply, is the plot. You might come to it for whatever other reason, but the reason you stay is the plot, and the characters involved in it. (Also, Raiku, while much of the show is a lot of dialogue [a staple in the drama genre], there's a fair bit of action to be had as well.)

I saw an episode and it was just talking. Nothing was happening. I watch a lot of crime dramas, Breaking Bad and stuff and stuff happens there. Yet it was just "Blah blah blah royalty."

 

[DarkSpectre]

I've been watching it from the beginning and it seems sort of interesting I just have yet to encounter a character I actually could relate to. It has nobody for which there is worth in rooting. They are either smart and degenerate or stupid and decent. Maybe I've missed them but I've yet to see a single character that isn't self centred.

 

[Amaror]

snip

I watched the first episode. Literally the only things I liked were the makeup, special effects, props, and costumes. The characters and story didn't interest me and it felt like it drug on forever.

One Tip: Try the second episode.
Just watch it through and see what happens. I personally got hocked only after second episode. It simply takes quite a bit of time to get into the characters, plus the story needs a while to get rolling.

 

[TheRookie8]

A plot centered around past grudges, political intrigue, backstabbing and greed.

A cast of characters with a surprising amount of depth (sometimes beyond the books they are based off of) and with unique flaws which prevent them from achieving their goals.

A cinematic tone that is not often seen on television shows.

Dark, turgid violence with the obligatory scenes of nudity for which HBO is known for.

All I can tell you is, once you start watching, it becomes difficult to stop.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

snip

I watched the first episode. Literally the only things I liked were the makeup, special effects, props, and costumes. The characters and story didn't interest me and it felt like it drug on forever.

One Tip: Try the second episode.
Just watch it through and see what happens. I personally got hocked only after second episode. It simply takes quite a bit of time to get into the characters, plus the story needs a while to get rolling.

Maybe I will. I don't really think it will be any time soon, though. I seldom try to get into something that I'm not interested in for obvious reasons.

 

[Vigormortis]

Blood and boobies. That's what it has to offer.

Pretty much this.

Sure, it's interesting character drama, political intrigue, etc, etc. And I've been part of many a discussion on the finer details of the plotting.

But really? In the end most discussions on the show involve people gushing about the blood and the titties. Well...that and two other things:

The cast (Peter Dinklage, etc) or loving to hate Joffrey.

Though, I guess being one of, if not the, only good sword 'n sorcery fantasy show on television helps a bit.

Still, R. R. Martin's books are fantastic. Regardless of the show.

 

[Da Orky Man]

As I live in a relatively rural area of Wales, there is no way for me to watch the TV shows without resorting to piracy, and so far my conscience has steadfastly held its ground. I have recently bought the kindle edition of Game of Thrones though, and am looking forward to getting into it.

 

[DugMachine]

I'm seriously confused here. I've watched every episode available and I don't see that much nudity in the show. Sure, there are a few sex scenes here and there but I don't get where people are coming from with the argument "blood and boobies".

I've watched through season 1 and 2 twice and I still don't even remember the sex scenes, let alone let them bother me. Reading the books, I realized there was going to be sex because y'know, there's quite a few sex scenes in the book as well.

It's like people are 12 and still get uncomfortable with porn. It's just sex.

 

[Remus]

I see more sex in Orphan Black than your average episode of Game of Thrones. The only time there might be more than average boobage is in scenes taking place in Little Finger's brothel, like when he's teaching the fine art of politics to Roz. But beyond that, no, not much. I like the political intrigue. It adds a bit more depth to the battle scenes when they come up. I like that everyone has flaws and there is no definite hero. That way when some truly despicable people show a bit of compassion it can catch you offguard without taking you completely out of the show. This very thing is why I'm looking forward to next week. I want to know what Hound will do next. (see it, not ya know, read it)

 

[Vegosiux]

In the end it simply falls down to de gustibus non est disputandum, I suppose.

From what I've seen of the series, I don't see what's so great about it. But maybe that's because I'm a bit of a snob and don't see lack of plot armor and "anyone can die" as "good", but as "good enough". And...what can I say, "political intrigue" gets bland very fast.

I mean, I simply saw nothing in it that would set it apart from other similar stuff, aside from the blockbuster marketing (at least around my place), but then again, I've never actually been one for TV series, and it's really hard for me to get hooked on one.

Hmm, maybe I just don't like over the top stuff altogether. Or stuff that never ends. As Yahtzee says, a good story is like a good bowel movement. It feels best once you're done with it. So yeah, snob.

 

[The_Echo]

snip

Cause random prostitutes are integral to the plot.

Well, when you have a major character who runs a brothel, and a particular employee of his who plays a secondary role, yeah, they may not be integral per se, but they are used to support the world and characters.

(Also, seeing as you only watched the first episode of a pretty complex plot, obviously you won't be seeing the best of the plot and characters. I mean, really, did you expect to?)