Impin' ain't easy

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

How to blog about HBO's Game of Thrones without sounding like a traditional review? That's the question I asked myself, right before doing a Tyrion Lannister/Daenerys Targaryen 2012 title. But while searching for an image of the greatest imp that ever lived, I stumbled upon the title we're rolling with for this blog post.

I'm still shocked at how few people know about George R.R. Martin or his A Song of Fire and Ice series of books, which have spawned the incredible cable television series. If the first paragraph of this blog post confused you, it's time to hit up Amazon or the local library, because despite there being a television program, the books should be read first.

Somehow the visual recreations of the people, places and events of the books look exactly as I had pictured them while reading. I'm still trying to figure out of it was superb writing or a faithful cast and crew at HBO, but the end result is glorious. It's also a great way to spend a day, as I did Easter Sunday, watching 7 of the 10 episodes in the first season.

It feels kind of weird enjoying AGoT's television adaptation this much after writing a positive review of "White Buffalo" at the Purple Rose Theatre, the latter of which actively went out of it's way to avoid the gritty reality of real life humanity. Martin's story revels in the worst that human behaviour has to offer, which is why this is a great tale for even non-fantasy fans to use as a gateway to the genre, or maybe just a brief pit stop on Flirtation Lane.

Want to comment? Please share your favorite character from the series, and prepare to explain yourself if your answer is something other than Tyrion Lannister.