Game of Thrones - Promoting family togetherness...Wait. On second thought, that's not the right way to say this...
If you and (the older members of) your family are gathered around the television on Sunday nights, watching the new episode of HBO's brutally fabulous Game of Thrones, undoubtedly, the second and third most frequently heard phrases are "who is that? and what the heck is going on? Both of those phrases placing behind the show's unsung subtitle Winter is coming, that's not heard that often really, even though it was uttered by Lady Stark last night.
Confusion is rampant because Game of Thrones is a highly complex multi-volume series, currently in its fifth installment, and nowhere near the end. Heck, I'm halfway through book 5 (having started reading the first book, Game of Thrones sometime in 1999) and I don't want to spoil anything for you, but Daenerys isn't even close to getting her now all grown up dragons to Westeros.
Though its subject matter is decidedly adult, crossing all lines of family-friendliness, language, violence and sexual themes/activity in abundance, I believe it can be a great family togetherness tool (okay, okay, no reference to Jaime and Cersei intended). That is, if there is at least a single family member who has read the books. And by the way, two readers in the family would probably be one too many, since there would inevitably be differences of opinions about things that happened, their meanings, etc. One Game of Thrones reader in the family is exactly the right number.
When adapting such a huge work for the screen, big or small, producers have a small number of choices.
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Drastically reduce the number of characters/plot lines, simplifying the story.
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Provide some sort of narrative device, through either a voice telling the parts of the story not dramatized on-screen or (shudder) giving voice to character's thoughts using EQ'd audio of the character' voice. Think the original Dune. Ugh.
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The producers of G.O.T. chose the most difficult third way. Leaving out back-story and letting the viewer learn what he/she needs to know on their own, by reading the books, finding the online fan sites on the web, or calling the family's Dungeons and Dragons nerd up from the basement to fill in the blanks (I can say that because I am that nerd, even though I've never in my life, played Dungeons and Dragons).
This means I have the responsibility to explain what Tyrion is doing as he tells first Maester Pycelle, then Varys and finally Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger) three different destinations he has in mind for Cercei's daughter Myrcella, each representing a different political and military alliance a marriage to the House of Lannister would bring. He was looking to unmask the tattletale by telling each of them NOT to tell the Queen. When his sister chewed him out for wanting to we'd Myrcella to Dorn (which I'm here to tell you, in book 4 does NOT end well) he knew the snitch was Grand Maester Pycelle. Into one of the "black cells" with him. Sucks to be you, Pycelle.
Strategy like that, presented artistically, if confusingly, as it was simply begs explanation. So, the "pause" button is pressed, and explanation given. I have to admit, though, it is pretty cool when you, as the GoT expert get to display that reservoir of knowledge, like when after a sparring match between knights, faces hidden by helmets, the winner stands before Renly and prepares to remove their helmet. "It's going to be a woman," I say, moments before the winner of the bout reveals a face only a mother can love, homely, but clearly feminine. "I wondered when Brienne was going to show up," I say.
Gosh, it's good to feel smart.
So, what if you don't have someone in the family who has read the books? Well, ask around at work, and you're bound to find someone who knows the code. Or, better yet, here's a box set of books 1-4 for just over $20.00 That's a good deal!
The good news is, I don't think we're too far into Book 2, so it won't take long for you to catch up. And then, you'll be the smart one!
But, if you don't opt to read the books, and don't have a Game of Thrones expert in the house, here's my advice as you continue watching the show:
Don't get too attached to any of the characters.
Especially Joffrey. Oh, and if you're mad at Theon for the betrayal he's about to commit. Well...Karma's a b****...Even in...Especially in Westeros.
