Reactions to the trailer

We’re 18 hours removed from when HBO unveiled the latest trailer (one might call it the first real trailer) for Game Of Thrones. As you might imagine, this trailer has caused much more reaction amongst the mainstream media and general public than the previous two, mostly fan-service, teasers. A sample of some of what they are saying:

HBO stumbled a little this fall with their much ballyhooed but ultimately underwhelming Boardwalk Empire, meant to be the new jewel to fit into the Sopranos-sized hole in the crown, but in Thrones they might have a second chance at recapturing old must-see-TV glory.
Richard Lawson, Gawker

This minute-long trailer looks very promising, focusing on provincial nobleman Ned Stark, the character through whom the audience initially encounters the story’s intrigues. And to my eye it has the right dirty, lived in look for a series that will challenge some viewers’ ideas of what fantasy looks like on the screen—more swords than sorcery, played out in a society where magic is mostly a legacy of the distant past. (Or so its people believe.)
James Poniewozik, Time Magazine

A new trailer for Game of Thrones, HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s best-selling series, has hit, and whether or not you’re familiar with the tome, it looks intriguing.
Mandi Bierly, Entertainment Weekly

Winter is coming, and we have never been more excited to freeze our butts off. If you were watching HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” last night, you were already treated to these two awesome sneak peeks at “Game of Thrones” but if you missed them then grab some tissues because you’re about to drool all over yourself. Can you handle the Dinklage?
Terri Schwartz, MTV.com

With both “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Walking Dead” ending their respective seasons this Sunday, what’s a cable-series junkie left to watch? The answer: HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” which debuts in 2011.
Wall Street Journal

Nerd alert overdrive! HBO has released a new teaser trailer for Game of Thrones, and I am totally on board. The drama is based on the adult fantasy series from renowned author George R.R. Martin, and makes The Lord of the Rings look like a pillow fight between 40-pound toddlers.
Tim Surette, TV.com

For my money, HBO is the best producer of original programming out there right now. While their hit-to-miss ratio might not be as good as AMC’s (which has managed to go 3.5 for 4, earning the second seating after NBC), they have the advantage of time and more shows under their belt. However, the one thing HBO hasn’t tackled yet is the fantasy genre. And it looks like Game of Thrones is their answer to that.
Sam Morgan, Hollywood.com

In recent weeks we’ve been getting our first tastes of what the HBO series will bring to the table, and while I’ve remained skeptical that it could be done justice, I have to admit what’s been shown so far is promising. Images of Peter Dinklage as Tyrion are pure perfection. Now we have the second trailer for the series from HBO, giving us a clearer look at what this fantasy epic is all about.

You can watch the trailer for yourself below. Then marvel at how this is shaping up to be to television fantasy what Lord of the Rings was to film.
Steve West, Television Blend

• Published on 11/29/2010 at 2:51 PM CDT
• Last updated on 11/29/2010 at 4:44 PM CDT