Game Of Thrones Pre-Finale Review

HBO have struck a goldmine with Game of Thrones. No network has ventured seriously into the realm of fantasy; but this first attempt could set a trend for years. Sex, gore, foul mouths and more sex; HBO have stumbled upon the perfect recipe for getting viewers to tune in, and we're just happy they've started a nerdy show guaranteed to last for years.

Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin's award winning series "A Song Of Ice And Fire", is coming to the conclusion of it's second series next week and is one of the most successful shows of recent years. Nominated for 13 Emmy's for it's first season alone, the show has impressed critics and viewers alike. Viewership frequently approaches 4 million for each episode premiere (an outstanding number on cable television) it looks set to run for the full span of the 7 books with ease.

So what's the secret to the show's success? Most say it lies in the raw sexuality and violence of the show, which is currently unmatched by anything on American television. Most notable is it's frequent use of the method of "sexposition" which is when a character gives away vital information and backstory ("juxtaposition") whilst having sex with a lowly prostitute. For some reason (can't tell why) this engages the viewers on a new level that most shows don't. There is always something to look at in game of Thrones, whether it be the outstanding Maltese or Icelandic scenery, the plethora of in-your-face breasts or the spray of blood as another red-shirt bites the dust. It's impossible to look away.

What of the storyline? There is war in the seven kingdoms and everyone and their dog is trying to get their hands (and paws) on the Iron Throne. The story revolves around the 4 main families in the land of Westeros; the noble Stark northeners, the royal but proud Baratheons, the rich and powerhungry Lannisters and the vengeful, hell-bent Targaryens. The game of thrones has begun and it has spiralled out of any one man's control. The show rapidly splits into following many different story lines all running at once. Currently we have the stories of Robb Stark's war in the North, John Snow's travails North of The Wall, Daenerys Targaryen's exploits in the city of Quarth, Theonn Greyjoy's fight to prove his mettle in Winterfell, Bronn Stark' fight for his life in the same city, Tyrion Lannister defending his home of King's Landing, also following Queen Cersei and Sansa Stark inside said walls, and finally Arya Stark as she makes her way through Westoros. And these are just the main characters, not to speak of the tonnes of smaller roles that flit between episodes. It is a testament to the writers (of which Martin himself is a part of) that they manage to tell the stories they do in their 10, 1 hour episodes a season.

The acting is magnificent, Sean Bean may have departed after the first season but Peter Dinklage has filled his shoes considerably and his charcter Tyrion is an enigma, not quite a hero, not quite a villian, and you can tell he doesn't know which he is himself.. The supporting cast is magnificant, with particularly strong performances from Lena Headly and Maisie Williams.

If you aren't watching yet then I strongly recommend you start, and if you're going to then start from the very start or else you'll get very confused, very fast. But at least try, even if you've never entered the genre before, I promise you, you won't regret the spectacle.

Winter is coming.

Over and out.

Essential Listening - Little Green Cars

Bit of a party as you can see.

So for Summer 2011 3 of my friends and I went to Ireland's largest music festival; Oxegen. 4 days of sun, rain, mud, music and madness in a field in Kildare and certainly one of the greatest experiences of my life. During this time we saw all the big acts; Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Weezer and so on, but on Saturday afternoon we walked into one of the small tents and were graced by the presence of Little Green Cars on stage. We hadn't planned to see them but we stayed and listened. And what a show it was, intimate, lyrical and personal, the small crowd gathered and stayed to witness them.

A Dublin based 5-piece band, they draw heavily from acts like Arcade Fire and White Stripes, but with their added magical element of 4 and 5 piece harmony vocals. This choral effect is backed by a rock/folk fusion of semi-acoustics, electrics, excellent use of mixed percussion, and (like White Stripes) knowing when to be silent. All this and more can be heard on the debut single "The John Wayne" which can be heard here.

The band on Other Voices

2012 is set to be their breakout year, following appearances at Oxegen, Electric Picnic and Arthur's Day they have plans for an upcoming album and are headlining gigs of their own. They've appeared on both RTE's The Cafe and Other Voices (which can be seen below). So if you like them then help spread the word and get them into the public's vision. I firmly believe they could grow to be one of Ireland's best exports in years. Their subtlety, lyrical nature and great fusions deserve to be heard and I hope you'll love them as much as I do.



So I leave you with their performance on Other Voices from earlier in the year, doing a great rendition of "Them". Be sure to also check out their songs "Harper Lee" and "Love Took Me Down To The River To Silence Me".

Over and out.

Avengers Review! - Not

Okay I know I should be reviewing Avengers Assemble right now but I'm simply too tired so I thought I'd give you a quick update instead. That review will come soon.

Leaving Cert Construction Studies Day Practical was today, basically a four hour practical exam without power tools and a whole lotta stress. The piece looked simple enough but unfortunately I ran out of time and my project remained unfinished, but in a reasonable state. I found the time constraints to be unreasonable as such a rush seemed inadequate for a delicate piece as which we were making. But I digress, it's done now and it's up to next year's poor bastards to complain.

Looked a bit like this, but then again they look a bit like this every year.

Exams are fast approaching and I think I've just realised that now, updates may become sparse over the next month as I dig in for some hopefully successful cramming, although I suppose my readers will be doing the same. Good luck to you all by the way, it's been hard going and we all need a break, but the rewards will come for our actions now. I just want to see the first one to crack and go bonkers. Offering odds of 2/5 on Mark Ennet ;).

Over and out.