Do You Watch Game of Thrones? If so, Why? Why Not?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 07:39:34 -0400

On Sunday (14JUN), the hit HBO show, Game of Thrones, concluded its 5th season with quite the controversial finale. (No spoiler here, but, in typical George RR Martin fashion, an important and well-liked character met their untimely demise...)

Among the many shows currently playing on television, no other show (in my opinion) has reached the heightened level of controversy that this show has. Some come close, but few tread into some of the dark, adult themed, areas that Game of Thrones has.

Likewise, this shows viewership seems to operate on the extremes: either people absolutely love it, or they absolutely don't. Even those that occasionally bicker about direction of story lines (in relation to the book series, etc) and treatment of characters, tend to return for more.

--Do you watch this show? If so, why? Why not?
--Did you watch it at one time, but, then cease watching it, for one reason or another?
--If you do watch it, what turned you onto it? (Complex story line? Characters? Deep exploration of issues, like Power, Loyalty, Betrayal, etc?)

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 18 at 2015 8:06 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:06:03 -0400

I don't have HBO.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 18 at 2015 8:18 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:18:00 -0400

I watched a bit of the first season. I have been reading the books going way back and decided I want to finish reading them all whenever he gets done, then I'll power watch the series on Hulu or Netflix or something.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 8:26 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:26:28 -0400

Yes, I am addicted to it.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jun 18 at 2015 8:29 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:29:10 -0400

Love it. Great combination of story line, acting, drama and action. The struggle for power by all means necessary.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Jun 18 at 2015 9:58 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:58:31 -0400

I do not wish to pay for cable when Netflix will give me most everything I want to watch and I'm not paying for a ton of crap that I will never watch.

Unfortunately, that means no Game of Thrones and I have to wait forever for new seasons of Doctor Who.

In fact, I am still waiting for Firefly season 2...not sure when that is coming...

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 10:22 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:22:23 -0400

I am not watching the next season.
I watched the show because I read the books.
The show has in some story arcs now got ahead of the books, and in many of them completely departed from the books. So because I don't want spoilers for the next books I won't be watching the next seasons until after the book series has been completed.

I still recommend that people watch the first season then read books. As it was the closest overall.
If you like the show you should read the books, or listen to the audiobooks.
Valar morghulis.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 18 at 2015 10:55 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:55:18 -0400

Yes, I'm guilty as charged. It is tough to follow somtimes because there are so many story lines, but my daughters loved it and wanted the series for Christmas. When I watched it at first, I thought no this isn't for me. I got into to the show wathcing it with them and now I'm hooked. It is what it is!

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 18 at 2015 10:59 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:59:29 -0400

GoT is awesome....

Thought the last episode got me thinking of "et tu, Brute"

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 18 at 2015 11:08 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:08:57 -0400

I've pretty much given up on any series. They tend to crap out after 2 seasons with Burn Notice being my last straw. They cease being interesting to watch. But I don't watch "Getting voted off the dancing talent island" stuff either. So what does that leave? I'm a big soccer fan, some news outlets, history, and Sci-fi. Not much TV as I'm too busy outside doing anything but watch TV.

GoT, like Breaking Bad and the Sopranos, have a large fan base because people like the ongoing story line and the clever twists. They are Soap Operas on steroids. Seems like a nuke went off because some popular character got killed off recently. Unfortunately too many people tie their lives too closely to these shows. GET OUTSIDE!

Oh, I will watch Season 3 of Ripper Street just to see if it can hang in there well. It's a Brit series set in Victorian times. I'm a history buff and enjoy watching them try to get the technology right although there have been some busts on stuff showing up 50 years before it was discovered or invented. Look it up on AmFlix. It's on one of them.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jun 18 at 2015 11:14 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:14:52 -0400

have never captured it on TV. don't have HBO.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 18 at 2015 11:28 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:28:54 -0400

Have yet to see a single episode. Why? There hasn't been a television in our house in over three years. Live sports (football) is the only thing I miss.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 12:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 12:41:21 -0400

I love this show, but I am way behind on the episodes.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 18 at 2015 1:03 PM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:03:19 -0400

I watch, never read the books. I enjoy the stories and the twists. The fact that anything can happen keeps me coming back each season.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 19 at 2015 1:10 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 13:10:33 -0400

Reason...well written and entertaining. No one is safe.

For the GOT fan, Yes, I am a bastard of Dorne.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 24 at 2019 10:45 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 10:45:00 -0400

I know I'm late to the party, CPT Private RallyPoint Member, but my wife and I are watching it now (semi binge fashion) and we just started season four. Game of Thrones is simply extraordinary and is one of the best television series I've ever watched! The multiple concurrent stories and are difficult to keep straight, but thus far, we're holding our own. We've got a long way to go, and I've heard many were disappointed in the finale (which we don't know), but we'll continue to watch it to its' conclusion!