How GoT still keeps us hooked

As Game of Thrones continues its domination of water-cooler talk, let’s look at the top three reasons why it remains one of television’s most compelling shows. Beware, spoilers await. 3. No sacred cows. It’s at times infuriating and sickening to realize how little regard GoT’s showrunners have for the series’ beloved characters — the death of young princess Shireen Baratheon in Season 5’s ninth episode was particularly devastating — but the producers are keeping with creator George R.R. Martin’s bleak view of human nature and keeping us guessing as to who will survive from scene to scene. Sometimes we hate them for it, but when it works, it really works. 2. Epic scope. Few, if any, series on TV today provide us with as sweeping and majestic a scope as GoT. From the deep sands of Dorne to the whiteout storms beyond the Wall, the environment is a vast and varying feast for the eyes. And when climactic scenes such as the Hardhome massacre take place, the cinematography is as thrilling as any you’ll see on TV or in the movies. They do use computer-generated imagery to a degree, but there’s no over-reliance on it. Everything feels natural and powerful. 1. Depth of character. Despite a monstrous cast that limits the screen time of even the most important characters, GoT has been able to build a rich depth in countless characters by making every frame count. Even things that seem to be throwaway lines become important in retrospect, showing producers’ painstaking efforts to stitch together a cogent storyline from a book series that challenges even the most voracious reader. It’s a tribute to them — and the actors onscreen — that they’re capable of wringing every last drop of intrigue and emotion from the brief lines of dialogue they’re given.