Who's Excited for Game of Thrones?

by Kellyann Zuzulo
I am! I am!
Game of Thrones, the HBO series based on George R.R. Martin's epic novels (A Song of Ice and Fire series), returns for Season 3 this Sunday, March 31st. Is it coincidental that this also happens to be Easter Sunday when potential new viewers will be lying around recovering from roast lamb and chocolate egg hangovers? Probably not. However, there is also a loyal following for this stunningly raw and well-crafted mythical historical soap operatic saga. If you haven't seen any episodes, you can sort of catch up with this clever "precap" from The Daily Beast.
"Wars, dragons, and beards...so many beards." 




Or you could read the series of novels that are even more engrossing, but take longer to go through. If you do, I think you'll find that you'll quickly align to certain characters. I have a certain unexplainable affinity for Stannis Baratheon. He's hard, cold, emotionless, and has a haggy nag of a wife, Selyse Baratheon, but he's so committed to his goal of reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his...the Iron Throne (and, technically, it is his)...that he gives it all he's got.

Stannis Baratheon

I also enjoy a crowd favorite, Peter Dinklage, as Tyrion Lannister. In my opinion, he's probably one of the best written of Martin's characters from this menagerie of knaves, knights, and malevolent lackeys. Tyrion has all the best lines, ascerbic but witty, smart and scheming, and sensitive when he needs to be.

I can't stand the character of Sansa Stark, a weak-willed, whiny wimp, but that's the way that Martin wrote her. And you have to have some characters that grate on your nerves to make the story more dimensional.

Ser Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones

Martin also does a wonderful job of making certain heinous characters somewhat likable in their own malicious way. Is Cersei Lannister really a conniving, incestuous shrew or just a loving mother who would do anything for her children. Is her brother Jaime Lannister a ruthless, brutal, amoral warrior or just a guy who wants to be loved? I will say that I think Jaime is the character who struggles the hardest for redemption. Who wouldn't want to get behind that?

There are a ton more characters (literally), and sometimes it's hard to keep track of them. But when they're onscreen, you're completely engrossed in what they're doing and why they're doing it. If you want to catch up on who you'll see in this season's line-up, check out IMDb's Season 3 cast.

So break out the sweet plum wine and Dothraki Blood Pie and settle in for another stunning season. (and check out this cool blog on some of the best food from The Game of Thrones or get the official cookbook.)

And tell me, who will you be rooting for as the dragons stir and treachery abounds from Astapor to Winterfell?

Best Wishes,

Kellyann Zuzulo

Look for my new series called One Hundred and One Nights

from Boroughs Publishing Group.