Beyond the Wall – A look back at the first season of Game of Thrones

Welcome to Beyond the Wall, a new column here at CliqueClack dedicated to all things Game of Thrones related. Fellow Clacker Bob Degon and I will be examining the series weekly from the perspective of those who have read all of George R. R. Martin‘s novels. So if you haven’t read the series of books that GoT is based on, and you have no desire to know things like what R.W. stands for or exactly how good Tyrion’s aim is with a crossbow then you’re going to want to stay away from this column.

Ivey: OK, Bob, you’re much more familiar with the original source material than I am — what did you think of the first season?

Bob: I was impressed with how well the novel was translated to the screen. Having read the books several years back I never thought that I would see them translated to the screen. Obviously, they were too big for movies, and I didn’t think there was going to be a big enough demand to bring it to television (and clearly, HBO was just about the only network that would be able to produce it). I’m glad I was wrong, because from the writing to the casting to the set design, boy howdy did the producers get this thing right. I feel like even the parts that they left out, changed, or added felt right.

Ivey: Not having read the books prior to the series, I was nervous that this looked like another Pillars of the Earth situation. But I was hooked from the first minute. I was especially impressed of how the show presented this vast world and basically said to the audience, “This is what we’re doing. If you can’t keep up with who’s who, you are on your own.”

A couple of episodes in, I decided to pick up the first book and read concurrently with the series. Then, when I had caught up I continued, telling myself I’d just finish the first book. Before you know it, I’d devoured the whole series (a little too quickly, as you well know). I was impressed at how the narrative wasn’t afraid to follow its own track, not feeling the need to follow regular television storytelling conventions, without alienating the audience.

Bob: I’m thrilled that it found an audience and that we are getting a second season. I’m hoping that more people will discover the show and ensure that we see Storm of Swords brought to life. As you well know, that is when the serious shit hits the fan. I know the producers have said they really wanted to get to the Red Wedding before ending the series. I’m hoping that we go even farther beyond that point. With the big budget (and the fact that Martin still has 2 or more books to write) I’m not sure how much more show we are going to get, but HBO can’t really cancel the show if it keeps getting nominated for Best Drama, can it?

Ivey: “If it keeps getting nominated” is the operative phrase there. There’s a big part of me that doubts we’ll ever see the entire series translated to series. Look at how many times they’ve tried to film The Chronicles of Narnia series. Part of me will be happy if we just get through the third book, which seems to be a likely candidate to separate into two seasons. But just imagine how different the series would look at that point. So many beloved — and hated — characters cast aside, and so many new characters to meet.

Bob: Yeah, I’m torn. It might keep the audience engaged, while keeping the show kind of fresh. My main concern is the complete lack of closure through the third book (and fourth and fifth book at that matter). There is a metric fuckton of story here.

Getting back on track, though, season one kicked ass. I loved seeing the characters come to life, I loved seeing some characters get more developed — such as Varys, Littlefinger, and Pycelle who were never POV characters in the books (yet). Some of the casting was downright eery. In particular Sam, Varys, and Arya were spot on.

Ivey: I agree completely, specifically with the secondary characters. In Martin’s world, though, you never really know when the secondary characters are about to become very important, and I think the casting work showed that. Peter Dinklage‘s turn as Tyrion has received a considerable amount of praise, and it is all deserved. But I appreciate how perfectly cast characters like Jorah and Joer Mormont were.

Bob: Yes. I am definitely looking forward to checking out the newest additions to the cast for season two, though that is fodder for another week.

Ivey: It is indeed. Over the weeks leading up to the April 1^st premiere, we’ll be looking at season two casting, what stories are on tap and how we might see the narrative change as the page is adapted to the small screen. We hope you’ll join us!

Clacked by Ivey West
on Feb 15, 2012 @ 13:30 EST5EDT