Episode 1 – Winter Is Coming – New Viewer Recap

So Game of Thrones has aired and millions of new viewers are now left wondering what this awesome show is all about and where the story will go from here. Winter-Is-Coming.net wants to welcome these folks to this site and to help with that we have asked a new viewer, unfamiliar with the books, to recap each episode and allow Thrones virgins a chance to discuss what they’ve seen and what may come next. Our newbie recapper, in the naming tradition of WiCnet has adopted the moniker, We Do Not Sow. And here are his thoughts on the first episode of Game of Thrones:

Spoiler note: This post is intended for new viewers ONLY (book fans can discuss the show here). We ask all the series veterans to refrain from posting spoilers in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand, so please be respectful of your new, fellow fans. Thank you!

We Do Not Sow: I was asked to give my opinion of the new HBO original series Game of Thrones based on never reading any part of the book series. I even withheld from watching the behind the scenes, the making of, and promotional content so I could come into the season premiere all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I was not sure what to expect, I was told it was a hybrid between, the Lord of the Rings and The Sopranos, two of my all time favorites so the bar seemed high. I lowered my expectations and was actually expecting the production value to be similar to the Showtime series The Tudors, and hopefully the story would be able to save mediocre set design, wardrobe and fight sequences. Very quickly I found out I was way wrong, the production was stellar. The set design, outdoor locations and even the smallest stable or kitchen was stunning. It makes it so much easier to dive into a new series when the world around it is so well thought out.

I really enjoyed the first episode, it was like being the new kid to the party, I had a great time but I’m not sure if I will remember everyone’s name in the morning. They really hit the ground running with the night watch and it grabbed my attention quickly. I am not sure who or what the white walkers are but it was the first of many questions to be raised. The introduction of the Stark family was pretty easily grasped but it also brings up questions about Jon Snow and the background there. I can only image what kind of plot twist awaits me as Ed Stark goes south with the king. The last few minutes of the show really did shock me. To be honest I expected Bran to fall, I felt that was set up earlier in the show, but for him to see what he did and the way he fell gave me a shock and a jolt of excitement to learn more about this world. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t enjoy watching children get thrown from great heights, but what it told me was this show is going to shock and surprise me around each corner. I for one am jealous of those who have read the series and know whats ahead, since I will be waiting patiently for each Sunday night to come. But for once I am very pleased to sit with my popcorn and watch the story unfold and not draw judgments from a previous experience.

I am not sure what else to say but I will be re-watching this episode later in the week and am very eagerly waiting for each Sunday to come. If you want my two cents, it looks like we have seven kingdoms, seven houses, one throne and and some great adventures ahead.

• Published on 04/18/2011 at 9:11 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 6:04 PM CDT