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Winter never became my thing.
I say that without fully grasping what that means, even though I know it holds significance for fans of “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.”
Bring on the fire-breathing dragons, as I’m prepared to face judgment for what I’m about to say. I get fandoms—I’m an entertainment reporter by profession and passion.
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A scene from "House of the Dragon." |
And let’s acknowledge the massive success these shows have been for HBO, which shares a parent company with—
I admit to experiencing FOMO when others dive deep into pop culture obsessions; I want in too! And people adore “Game of Thrones.” Like, seriously adore it.
From the get-go, pop culture has been in my blood, especially TV shows. As a kid, hand me a book or plunk me in front of a TV if you wanted me quiet, especially if it involved historical fiction.
So, naturally, “Game of Thrones” seemed right up my alley, based on George R.R. Martin’s hugely popular “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. Seeing the promo photos before the 2011 series debut, I immediately thought, “medieval drama!” and was ready to dive in, starting with the novels.
The struggle began with the first book. I’m one of those people who HAS to read the book before seeing the adaptation (and strictly in order, too, but I digress).
Titled “A Game of Thrones,” the book clocked in at a hefty 694 pages, and I settled in, expecting to be enthralled. I even poured my favorite drink into my chalice goblet to set the mood for what promised to be a gripping saga of Westeros and Essos.
But things didn’t go as planned.
Despite Martin’s talent, I just couldn’t connect with the book.
“Maybe I should try listening to it,” I thought, so I downloaded it on Audible.
Dear reader, it became the first audiobook to lull me to sleep.
By the time the series premiered, my expectations were low. I watched a few episodes, but they felt too dark—not just thematically. The cinematography was so dim that at times, I struggled to make out the characters.
It all seemed… bleak. And as an empath, I couldn’t handle the beheadings, so I opted out.
“Succession” with swords
The show quickly dominated my social media feeds, and that’s when the FOMO kicked in.
I tried to pinpoint why “GOT” didn’t resonate with me.
Was it because I’m not a huge fantasy fan? No, I loved “Lord of the Rings” and “Shadow and Bone.”
Was it the violence? Maybe, but anyone who knows me (or follows my writing and social media) knows I’m a huge fan of mob movies. I even wrote an essay inspired by my weekly rewatch of Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” (the sanitized TV version, mind you).
The closest I can figure is that “Game of Thrones” characters aren’t exactly lovable. Even the handsome Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) couldn’t change that.
As my editor Megan Thomas pointed out, it’s like “Succession” with swords. Almost every character has an agenda, and they’re not people you’d want as friends.
“Succession,” another HBO hit, follows a similar pattern.
Ultimately, for someone who enjoys mob stories, “Game of Thrones”—with its themes of rape, war, and incest—felt too brutal.
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Adam Elkus summed it up well in his 2015 Medium piece, “Why Game of Thrones Is Making Us Stupid.”
“It is a form of power pornography where viewers watch human beings degrade, hurt, betray, abuse, and destroy each other,” he writes, “and then compulsively compete to see who can make the cleverest gif or Imgur image out of such depravity.”
Heavy, right?
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Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon." |
With the premiere of the second season of the “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon” this weekend, I decided to give it another shot. This is where I should probably say something profound about how I’ve evolved over the years, having survived the pandemic or some such thing.
The truth is, my friend, actress LaNisa Renee Frederick, has been chronicling her first-time experience watching “Game of Thrones” on Instagram. Her hilarious comments like “These people seriously need baths,” “Is he going to die soon?” and “Is he Black? Are there Black people in this?” have kept me entertained.
Armed with my remote and snacks, I attempted to binge-watch “GOT” again… and still, it’s a no-go for me.
Before you suggest I skip straight to “House of the Dragon” and abandon its predecessor, remember my compulsive need to experience things in chronological order. That applies to watching too. Even though “House of the Dragon” is technically a prequel, the thought of jumping ahead feels like disrupting the natural order of things. (Yes, I know that’s a Star Wars reference, but I’m trying to appeal to the fantasy fans who might come after me.)
Besides, these days I’m in search of things that uplift me. So, sorry “House of the Dragon,” it seems we’re just not meant to be.
Don’t pity me for missing out on the excitement of a highly anticipated second season. I’m perfectly fine with it. And if anyone tries to shame you for feeling the same or expresses disbelief that anyone could not love “GOT” or “HOTD,” share this piece with them. Let them know it was my choice.
Editor’s Note: This is part of an occasional series, “I Just Don’t Get It,” a safe space for not sharing in the enthusiasm for a popular person, thing, activity, or cultural phenomenon. Other things we just don’t get: Taylor Swift, hot dogs, watching sports.
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