Cinematic Point Of View

I have a confession to make. I’ve never watched ‘Game of Thrones.’ It’s not a badge of pride or anything like that. It’s a series that came out during a time I didn’t have HBO and well, I’ve just never gotten around to watching it.

That said, a friend of mine kept pushing me to watch the first episode of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.’ I told him I’ve never seen any GoT and he told me this is a show for people who don’t watch GoT. So, I finally gave in and watched it.

It’s fantastic. The basic premise is a young man named Duncan, takes up his dead mentor’s arms and rides off into the world to seek work and enter a tournament. Dunk pretends to be a knight and takes in a young boy named Egg as his squire.

How did his master die? What’s Dunk’s real history? Who is the brave young boy named Egg? Lots of mysteries to unfold.

There is some really great deadpan humor. I love how Dunk talks to his horse. In a world where you’re primarily alone, it makes perfect sense you would talk to your animals. I mean I talk to my cats. All of the the characters are very human and relatable. The tone reminds me a bit of the first act in ‘Dances with Wolves;’ where most people are slightly mad and miserable, while the main character is simple and kind at heart.

There is a scene early on where Dunk visits a tavern that I loved. Nothing much happens, but it sold me on the feel of the show. The tavern is empty and quiet. Just some other miserable, drunk patron and a tired but kind barmaid. I don’t know. There was something about it that was perfect. I’m a big fan of fantasy taverns. My favorite has always been the tavern in the opening chapters of “Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.” This place reminded me of that one, if it was done in a realistic manner.

Later on there is the exact opposite, where Dunk is invited into a tent for a drink and an all night party. Once there he runs into Lyonel, aka The Laughing Storm. It’s a moment that could have easily gone sideways, but through Dunk’s innocence, the two hit it off. As the night wears on, it’s another scene, like the tavern, where I felt completely swept away into a real location and moment. Pretty magical.

Maybe this is what GoT is like? I know it’s always been hugely popular, but I figured it was for the sex and violence. Maybe I’ve just been missing out?

Anyway, I’m excited to see what happens next. Sadly, now I have to wait a week for episode 2 just like the good ole days of TV. That’s probably a good thing.