TV: Game of Thrones Finale

For those of us following Game of Thrones, you will know that the season definitely ended off ... interesting. I've still yet to make up my mind on if the show's first season ended off as successful as it began, but I can say that the writers definitively tried to shake things up!

"I can't move, this armor is too heavy!"

Season One Finale Spoilers: You've Been Warned! 

As fans will remember, in the second to last episode of Game of Thrones titled "Baelor", our hero and apparent lead Ned Stark, played by Sean Bean (LoTR), was unexpectedly and gruesomely beheaded in a twist that only those who read the book could expect. This feat brought controversy left and right for the show, as many fans 

publicly protested the move; as can be seen from this hilariously 

accurate portrayal by Downfall's Hitler:

This brings us to the series finale"Fire and Blood", which, after watching, can be seen as an episode that's main goal is to set up all the plot lines for next season's story. If the next season was coming in September or October, I would have probably enjoyed this episode more then I believe I have, as opposed to its scheduled Spring 2012 release. This is because I felt that there was too much setting up taking place, and not enough closure on the major plot lines from the first season. 

As the writers are almost directly adapting the series from the books, they are forced to abide by the book's pacing, and because the book was written in a way that Book 1 (Season 1) and Book 2 (Season 2) should be considered simply part 1 and 2 of a much larger book, there are no conclusions at the end of book 1, and in turn, no real conclusions in the TV series.

"I can't hold off all this hate!"

I guess it comes with the turf, but because of this issue, I felt that the finale was one of the more weaker episodes in the first season. Joffrey bringing Sansa to see her father's head - We already know she's angry. Robb Stark learning of his father's death - definitely 

necessary but expected. The Lannister army retreating - Kind of a disappointment, you'd think there would be some sort of epic battle. The wise old man lord dude goes to the brothel and is really flexible - Rather not have seen that. 

I would say that there were three highlights in the episodes, that of Arya 'becoming' a boy to escape north, the Nightwatch going on the offensive, and finally the Drogo burning scene and the birth of the dragon brood.

"Check out my ride!"

All in all, a decent end to a great show. Hopefully the creators keep the quality up in the second season, and that the wait is not too long.

• Do you watch the show?
• If so, did you like the finale?
• What did you think about Ned's death in the previous episode?
• High expectations for the second season?

Let me know in the comments below!