How great is Game Of Thrones? So great that it can have something of a down season, one bogged down by controversy over its depiction of certain scenes, and it still remains one of the best, most epic and entertaining TV series of the year. Coming off the back of Seasons 3 and 4 - the strongest run of the show - and taking half its inspiration from the weakest book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series (A Feast for Crows), maybe we shouldn't be so surprised that Thrones fell a little flatter than normal this year, but then that's the high standards it has set itself. Season 5 brought Ramsay Bolton to the fore, after being a secondary villain previously, and he really stepped-up to show just how much of a monster he is, perhaps surpassing even Joffrey. It introduced us to the High Sparrow, with a battle for power in King's Landing that led to an extremely powerful finale. It finally brought together two of the biggest characters, as Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister met, and their conversations did not disappoint. With Hardhome, it gave us the best television episode of the year, a jaw-dropping spectacle that hardly warrants being called TV. And then, in the final moments, it killed off its biggest hero (even if he will be coming back). Ok, it wasn't the best it has ever been. But it's still Game of Thrones, and still better than the vast majority of other TV shows out there.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.