Came to 'Game of Thrones' fairly late in the game and due to being so busy the binge-watching was gradual. Have found myself truly loving the show, very quickly becoming one of my favourites. It totally lives up to the hype and not only does it do the brilliant source material justice (a rarity in television) it is on its own merits one of the finest, most addictive and consistently compelling shows in recent years and quality-wise it puts a lot of films in recent years to shame.
"The Kingsroad" is only the second episode and, while the pilot "Winter is Coming" is marginally superior, the quality is just as brilliant as before. Not many shows have their overall quality, tones, themes and characterisations so spot on and well-established when it first starts, but 'Game of Thrones' is one of the strongest exceptions. Really appreciated the more reflective tone here, and actually didn't mind at all that the story was not quite as eventful and slower in pace because the characterisation and overall quality is just so well done.
Visually, "The Kingsroad" looks amazing. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. The visual effects are some of the best of any television programme and are not overused or abused, the scale, the detail and how they actually have character and soul are better than those in a lot of the big-budget blockbusters. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.
One cannot talk about "The Kingsroad" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.
It is hard not to be bowled over by the quality of the writing, outstanding isn't a strong enough adjective to describe how good the writing is. It always has a natural flow, is layered and thought-provoking and demonstrates a wide range of emotions such as suspenseful tension, poignant pathos and witty humour. The story is paced so beautifully, structured with such nuance and attention to coherence, a high emotional level and is done with intelligence and sensitivity. The ending is a genuine shocker, and in a good way.
Not only are the more action-oriented/more dramatic moments done with a lot epic scale, superb staging, excitement and dramatic tension but underneath all the scale and flashy attention to detail there is a lot of heart and a multi-layered one.
"The Kingsroad" is so early on and already the characters are so well developed and as close to real life as one can get despite being in a fantasy world. These characters are not hero and villain archetypes (excepting Joffrey and he is an extremely interesting villain) and have both strengths and flaws and one can understand why they act the way they do.
Sean Bean and Kit Harrington both give some of their best ever work consistently in 'Game of Thrones', that can be seen here. Maisie Williams and Emilia Clarke are affecting, Lena Headey is deliciously manipulative and Peter Dinklage continues to be one of 'Game of Thrones' biggest pleasures. Can't not mention Jack Gleeson, whose Joffrey so early on is one of television's nastiest pieces of work, which Gleeson relishes to perfection, and he's not even at his most evil yet.
In conclusion, brilliant if not quite as good. 10/10 Bethany Cox
"The Kingsroad" is only the second episode and, while the pilot "Winter is Coming" is marginally superior, the quality is just as brilliant as before. Not many shows have their overall quality, tones, themes and characterisations so spot on and well-established when it first starts, but 'Game of Thrones' is one of the strongest exceptions. Really appreciated the more reflective tone here, and actually didn't mind at all that the story was not quite as eventful and slower in pace because the characterisation and overall quality is just so well done.
Visually, "The Kingsroad" looks amazing. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. The visual effects are some of the best of any television programme and are not overused or abused, the scale, the detail and how they actually have character and soul are better than those in a lot of the big-budget blockbusters. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.
One cannot talk about "The Kingsroad" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.
It is hard not to be bowled over by the quality of the writing, outstanding isn't a strong enough adjective to describe how good the writing is. It always has a natural flow, is layered and thought-provoking and demonstrates a wide range of emotions such as suspenseful tension, poignant pathos and witty humour. The story is paced so beautifully, structured with such nuance and attention to coherence, a high emotional level and is done with intelligence and sensitivity. The ending is a genuine shocker, and in a good way.
Not only are the more action-oriented/more dramatic moments done with a lot epic scale, superb staging, excitement and dramatic tension but underneath all the scale and flashy attention to detail there is a lot of heart and a multi-layered one.
"The Kingsroad" is so early on and already the characters are so well developed and as close to real life as one can get despite being in a fantasy world. These characters are not hero and villain archetypes (excepting Joffrey and he is an extremely interesting villain) and have both strengths and flaws and one can understand why they act the way they do.
Sean Bean and Kit Harrington both give some of their best ever work consistently in 'Game of Thrones', that can be seen here. Maisie Williams and Emilia Clarke are affecting, Lena Headey is deliciously manipulative and Peter Dinklage continues to be one of 'Game of Thrones' biggest pleasures. Can't not mention Jack Gleeson, whose Joffrey so early on is one of television's nastiest pieces of work, which Gleeson relishes to perfection, and he's not even at his most evil yet.
In conclusion, brilliant if not quite as good. 10/10 Bethany Cox