If
Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow seem unfamiliar to you, then
you are probably one of the few people who have no keen interest in Game of
Thrones. For starters, it is a TV drama currently in its penultimate season
with a huge fan following who can’t wait for their rationed quota of 10
episodes served to them each year on the telly (or Tube, if you prefer). Full
of characters, sub plots and further sub-sub plots, it is the most interesting
and grand show to be produced and telecast worldwide currently. With all the
makings of a Mahabharat-esque epic, it could well go down in history as the
most watched TV show ever.
Based
on a series of books written (and currently being written) by George R R Martin
under similar sounding titles, it takes you to a medieval age full of Horseback
warriors, Direwolves, slaves and of course Dragons. What is the big deal, you may ask? The big
deal lies in the details and the plot of the show with as many twists and turns
as Ved Vyas would have been proud of had he written Mahabharata in the modern
times. Each character has a story of his own, a mission or agenda of his own
with the final objective being The Iron Throne (Hastinapur, anyone?).
With
a variety of options to choose for the television audience worldwide, keeping
audiences hooked on to a single story for more than 6 years is no mean
achievement. No wonder then that this magnum opus is shot on an extensive
budget with majority of sequences shot outdoors. With production designed sets
being replaced by real castles in locations such as Northern Ireland, Morocco,
Croatia and Iceland, the locations themselves are turning into pilgrimage spots
for audiences worldwide and the countries wouldn’t mind the boost to tourism. Not
to forget the audience which is going berserk scouting each little smirk or
smile enacted in the drama for hints on the future course of events.
The
scale on which this epic is shot is eye popping. A video showcasing the casting
where they created an artificial 3-D map of the Seven kingdoms and other nearby
places exhibits how the minutest of details have been taken care of. The
production of Episode 9 of Season 6 involving a “Battle of the Bastards” took
25 days, 500 extras, 160 tonnes of gravel, 600 crew members, four camera crews,
65 stunt people and 70 odd horses to complete a battle scene with almost 15
minutes of combat run time and nearly no dialogues. Respect comes naturally for
the producers for pulling it off with aplomb and style. Some were surprised (others
were relieved) with the outcome of the battle where Good prevailed over evil as
the show is known to spring last minute surprises and not being too kind on the
protagonists anyhow. Time and again, the writers have packed off popular
characters to keep the viewers at the edge of their seats. As on date, viewers
have arguments and debates about who is the front-runner to the throne with no
clear favourite in sight till date. Some might think Mr. Martin is the only
person who knows how the show is going to end, but the wily old man has another
ace up his sleeve. In an interview somewhere he mentioned he had already told
the producers about how he wanted the show to end, just in case he didn’t live
long enough to take it to the end.
As
an avid fan, I can only hope Mr. Martin and the producers keep up their good
work and keep providing us the entertainment we all have been craving for. In
the clutter of modern day television, it is soothing to be transported to a
medieval age with no cell phones, guns or internet. Where ravens carry long
distance messages (thankfully, without the over dramatic songs egging the bird
on its journey) and battles are won with a Sword fight. Where Knights abound
and traverse the lands where castles keep people safe and sound. Where horse-back
riding is not a hobby, but the fastest mode of transport. Where dragons spar
the sky and the unburnt dead become ghost fighters (White Walkers). Respect the team for putting together an epic and
taking us on a journey through time. The television audience couldn’t be more
indebted for the service than they already are. I look forward to many an epic
battle yet to come on the show.
