What is Valyrian for “great” – My review of the Game of Thrones

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News Service, June 18) – With a cliffhanger ending, Season 5 of the hit TV series “Game of Thrones” leaves the fans begging for more, but alas they must wait for another year before the next season.

When the series started five years before, I felt apprehension. I have read “A Song of Ice and Fire”, the series of novels written by George R. R. Martin. Like many avid readers, there is the fear that the TV series will not be faithful to the source material.

And it was not, and surprisingly, it’s alright with me.

Of course, Martin’s vision will be very hard to translate onscreen and the producers used it as a framing device to create their own story.

And this probably the best way to do it. Since I’ve read all the books, a faithful adaptation will be very dull for me since I already know what will happen. With the TV series varying interpretation – an additional detail here, an exercise of artistic license there and we have a new masterpiece – familiar and mysterious at the same time.

For those who still haven’t watched or even heard of it, the “Game of Thrones” or “GOT”, as its avid fans call it, is named after the first book in Martin’s series. It follows the struggle of several noble families for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms – a political dance – complicated and dangerous. Add a dash of undead armies controlled by the mysterious White Walkers and some dragons, and you are sure that you are in for one big treat!

Five seasons in and GOT still remains as one of the top rating shows in the United States. Even with many controversial portrayals, the series remain strong with die-hard followers.

Now, everybody can’t help but feel a tad excited. The next book in the series have yet to be released which simply means that the next season of the Game of Thrones is going towards uncharted territory – one that fans have not read before. I’ve placed my trust in the producers’ vision of where the story would go and I know that I will not be disappointed.

(ENS, written by Jay Paul Carlos)