So I'm a grump when it comes to TV and movies. Some people say they have golden ears, well I admit to believing I have golden eyes. I love movies and I have strong opinions about them even though I don't watch them as much as I used to and I would never call myself a snob. Discerning, maybe, but not a snob. I get grumpy with pretentious stuff just as much as the commercial fodder and same goes for the stuff I do like.
So I know I'm bucking the national trend here when I say I finally watched the first season of Game of Thrones and I don't get the hype. I used to read fantasy novels so I'm a fan of the genre but not a hardcore fanboy. So it's not that aspect of the show although I barely consider GoT as 'fantasy'.
It's the characters. Man, these are a bunch of really unsympathetic, flat, unengaging people making bad judgement calls for the future of a kingdom or kingdoms that I know nothing about or really care to know anything about. I also hate their names but that's an admittedly petty call. I do like Dinklage but feel like he's hamming it up because he doesn't get what he's doing either. Charles Dance (aka Sardo Numspa) is a personal fave and I think HE nails the show and his character but everyone else? Couldn't care less.
The Dothraki stuff makes my eyes roll with the fake language and subtitles and Cecil B. DeMille-era costumes and acting. The Skinemax sex would have had me trying to find the HBO between channels 2 and 4 when I was 12 to catch some T&A but now seems a little forced. Sean Bean/Ned was a great part but then, well... you know. And I get the feeling that's going to happen alot. Former Mayor Carcetti is a potentially compelling character as brothel lord but I'm guessing his days are numbered.
But I still watch it. Why? Because the production value is top notch and I feel like it's a gateway show for more, better fantasy series in the future. Otherwise I am totally jaded about it.
Why do you guys and gals watch it? What is about the show you find compelling?
