Game Of Thrones Season 4 Mere Weeks Away - Here's 5 Reasons Why We Love HBO's Hit Series
Season 4 of Game Of Thrones is due to air on April 17th and the build-up has just begun. Some fans of the show were lucky enough to catch a sneak preview of the first episode at a special event at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
Kit Harrington stars in Game of Thrones as Jon Snow.
Thousands of the aforementioned fans were greeted to a preview of the premiere episode and were surprised by the arrival of a number of the show's actors; the writer George R.R. Martin; and a marching band performing the theme song. The Huffington Post reports fans also indulged in "Game of Thrones Beer"; sat on the Iron Throne; and coveted the costumes of some of their favourite characters.
Watch the Game of Thrones Season 4 Trailer:
The actors who appeared for a special Q&A session included Masie Williams (Arya Stark), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Kristian Nairn (Hodor), Sibel Kekilli (Shae) and writer George R.R. Martin. Fans were invited to ask questions and Williams showed just how much she understands her character Arya. When questioned who out of Arya's kill list she felt Arya would take care of first, Williams felt it would be Joffrey. The fan probed further and asked how Arya would likely to it, to which Williams replied: "Stick him with the pointy end! I'm kidding. Arya would kill Joffrey in the most humiliating way possible and sticking him with the pointy end seems like the really easy way out. Something like, when people find him he's in a really embarrassing position, naked. That would be hilarious I think." For anyone who's read the books George R.R. Martin has other plans!
See more pictures from the New York premiere of Game of Thrones Season 4.
Although the fans at the Brooklyn Center saw the whole first episode! Sadly the rest of us have to wait another two weeks but in the meantime here are five reasons why we love Game Of Thrones...
1) The Cast of Colourful Characters
A sexually deviant alcoholic dwarf; a sadistic child King; a man who changes faces; and a woman who worships a red god and gives birth to shadows - just some of the many characters one comes across when watching (or reading) this unusual series. There are so many characters and so many motives for gaining the Iron Throne and an assortment of other prizes that there's really never a dull moment!
Peter Dinklage stars as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones.
2) Dragons!
It's impossible not to love dragons - we want to train them to scourge our enemies; guard our gold; and carry us around in style. We're all jealous of Daenerys Targaryen's three baby dragons with their mini bursts of smoky flames and coiling tails. Unfortunately, they're not going to stay tiny for long and we may find ourselves reconsidering our position on Daenerys' pets.
On the subject of dragons, during a question and answer section at the GoT event at the Barclays Center, one fan asked writer George R.R. Martin if dragons have any weaknesses. Martin replied, as The Huffington Post reports, "It remains to be seen if anything can kill a dragon, except perhaps, another dragon. Dragons do have a pretty good record of killing each other, so, there is that."
Maisie Williams and Joe Dempsie who star in GoT with a dragon's head at the Tower of London.
3) Peter Dinklage, Lena Headley, Ciaran Hinds, Et Al
It may be the prospect of playing such weird and wonderful characters which has actors queuing round the block to appear on Game of Thrones. But whatever it is, there's definitely something which attracts an impressive range of actors to the show. These include the likes of Ciaran Hinds and Diana Rigg who made an appearance in the last season as, respectively Mance Rayder and Lady Olenna Tyrell, in addition to child actors who comprise a large proportion of the cast. The performances are, excuse the colloquialism, pretty darn good!
4) The Blood, Guts and Zombies
There's a smattering of horror in GoT which definitely adds to the experience of watching. Whether it's a beheading, a sword fight or a wight burning, the characters are killed off with such little warning that you're often left in shock for several minutes. It's not a show for the faint hearted as you're likely to lose your favourite character and it could happen at any time - without warning!
Who will be next to go on Game of Thrones?
5) The Title Sequence
The opening sequence to the show with its clockwork cities and kingdoms is a stroke of pure genius and has been justly rewarded. There's also the rousing music which will, on April 17th, send shivers down the spines of eagerly awaiting fans. In addition to the levels of detail which ensure it's an enjoyable part of the show and not something - quite the novelty - you want to TiVo through!