While we’re the first to fess up to the fact that when we initially started watching GAME OF THRONES we spent an inordinate amount of time rewinding and wikipediaing in an effort to keep pace with the ever-expanding universe that is the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, there is no doubt in our mind that the “hard work” we put into the show ended up contributing to our overall enjoyment of the complex and complicated world imagined by George R.R. Martin. And don’t even get us started on our appreciation of the ever-evolving opening credits.
Despite the fact that our jaw may-or-may-not still be smarting from the moment it dropped to the floor near the end of GAME OF THRONES’ first season that saw the series do — what at the time — seemed like the unthinkable, we wouldn’t trade the shocking death of you-know-who for anything. After-all, not only was it the kind of series-defining moment that cemented our infatuation with the show, it now has us salivating from week-to-week in anticipation of expecting the unexpected.
Note to all current and future Showrunners: The type of wise-beyond-their-years performances consistently delivered by the Stark children (Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner and Isaac Hempstead Wright) and the sadistic Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) means that we will no longer forgive you for forcing us to endure the likes of Leo (SMASH), Tyler (V), among many, many others.
If Peter Dinklage’s Tyrion Lannister has taught us anything, well aside from the fact that a Lannister always pays their debts, it’s that size doesn’t matter. And while there’s no denying that HBO spared very little expense when it came to bringing the remarkable world of GAME OF THRONES to life, we’re willing to bet that some of the cost controlling measures imposed by Network bean counters have more than likely contributed to some of co-creator’s David Benioff and D.B. Weiss most scintillating and imaginative scenes.
Since the only thing modern-day television Networks seem to eschew more than competition from the internet is change, we’re under no illusion that this last point will come to fruition. That said, as our love affair with cable continues to grow, so to does our belief that less is in fact more. Which is to say, we’d much prefer 10-13 perfectly plotted episodes of a season that leave us clamoring for more versus 22 episodes that leaves us somewhat underwhelmed after a roomful of writers best idea to pad out the middle section of a season involved snaring one of their main characters in a cougar trap! 
GAME OF THRONES airs Sundays at 9PM on HBO (HBO Canada) Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv