10 Best Things Learned From Game of Thrones Commentary Tracks: Season 1

by Jim Rohner

We live in a world where DVD and Blu-ray sales are plummeting in direct correlation to the rate at which streaming video viewership is increasing. Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, Hulu and LOVEFiLM are just a few names that have rose to prominence in the last few years thanks to their digital viewing, rental and purchase options and with major networks like NBC, CBS, HBO and BBC offering past TV episodes to viewers through their websites, it's getting hard to convince anyone to stop by Best Buys on Tuesdays to pick up another relic for the DVD rack back home. And while iTunes may offer movie downloads in 1080p and VUDU can get give you access to many great indie titles on VOD the same day as their theatrical release, in my mind, physical media still reigns supreme over streaming media for one vital reason: special features. It's easy enough to find behind-the-scene featurettes for some of your favorite movies scattered across YouTube and HBO subscribers can take advantage of interactive features episode by episode through HBO Go, but for me, having access to all those supplemental features - behind-the-scenes, making ofs, interviews, storyboards, etc. - available at just the click of a remote is well worth the price of admission. Special features aren't just great for helping fans appreciate the art and craft that has gone into creating their favorite films and TV shows, they also offer some of the best insights into the logistical and creative decisions that are par for the course in film and TV production. Nowadays everybody has access to IMDB Trivia and the 24-hour blog cycle, but some of the best insights into the process of making films and TV shows comes from the mouths of those who created them and one of the only ways us non-filmmakers are going to be able to literally hear from those creators is through commentary tracks. George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" tomes are some of the richest and most dense source material out there today, and David Benioff and Dan Weiss will be the first to admit that adapting the world of Westeros into a TV series was no small feat. Those of us who have purchased the best selling TV series on either DVD or Blu-ray may already be privy to some of these fascinating, educational and humorous nuggets from the first season, but for those who are missing out by opting for streaming only viewing, here are 10 of the most valuable things learned from viewing the fantasy epic with commentary tracks. Keep in mind that I have only picked 10 of countless insights into this rich and densely layered drama and that further exploration on your own will reward those who are curious about the challenges and rewards of adapting "Game of Thrones." Fans who have not read the books need not fear - this article is spoiler free.

Contributor
Contributor

I've reached that point in my life where I can comfortably say that if you're not into watching movies, I just really don't want anything to do with you. I'm not saying you need to be able to give me a thesis on gender politics in Michael Haneke films (in fact, if you do, I might punch you in the mouth), but if you've never heard of Groundhog Day, I'm gonna punch you in the mouth. "Kevin Smith is a great filmmaker!" - Guy Getting Punched in the Mouth (By Me)