Before 2011, most fans of A Song of Ice and Fire didnt believe that any show based on the fantasy series could possibly live up to their expectations. The books were too intricate, the characters and story too complex to be adequately portrayed on screen. And any hopes of mainstream success seemed way out of the question, as the series refused to adhere to audience expectations of the fantasy genre, or even the basic rules of fiction. There was just no way Game of Thrones could work. Forgive us for not being more optimistic about the show, as we book readers have become cynical after years of abuse from author George R.R. Martin. We should have had more faith in HBO, as Game of Thrones is an excellent adaptation of the novels we love and hate with all our hearts. And we should have had more faith in the general public, as theyve helped turn the show into an absolute phenomenon. (And we should really stop spoiling it for them. Seriously.) In honor of Season 4s premiere, well be counting down and analyzing the ten best episodes of the first three seasons. It wasnt easy to narrow it down, but the following are the best examples of what makes Game of Thrones so great. And brace yourselves. Spoilers are coming. (But only for the show)
J.D. Laney is an aspiring novelist and screenwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. When he isn't trying to write his own material, he is constantly consuming the work of others for analysis and, occasionally, for fun. He has a particular interest in film, literature, and video games.
