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A few years ago, I was really looking forward to this epic fantasy series. Until the end of Season 4, I more or less enjoyed it, but then came a turning point. The writers started increasingly ignoring logic, and my favorite series was gradually turning into a farce, which often made me shake my head in disbelief. I hope I live to see the day when George R. R. Martin writes the ending so that I can read it, but I’m not counting on it... (2019.08.15)

My impression of Season 1 is positive especially because I don't mind shows that are heavy on dialogue. The problem is that a lot of the dialogue was about nothing, which could have been solved by a greater involvement of Varys (an awesome character) and Tywin Lannister. As far as I've noticed, they always talk to the point. What annoys me about HBO is the ever-present soft porn in their shows. I certainly don’t mind an occasional naked nerdy girl, but the sheer number of nude scenes makes it almost boring. I applaud the intrigue and manipulation, it just needs more work on the action and atmosphere. (2017.12.08)

After a long break, I'm diving back into Game of Thrones to catch up before starting the seventh season. The first episode has a solid pace and great atmosphere. The creators quickly introduce us to the characters (or at least a small subset of them) and give a rough outline of the dynamics in Westeros. The ending spices things up with a dramatic twist that deepens the rift between the houses. (2017.12.07)

The pace slows down a bit compared to the pilot, but the creators did a great job of highlighting the differences between the Stark and Lannister families. We get our first real taste of intrigue and manipulation. Surprisingly, the hired assassin adds some life to the Winterfell scenes, and Cersei’s conversation with her son sheds light on her motivations. I was also reminded of how annoying I found Lady Catelyn back in the day, and my opinion of her hasn't changed a bit. (2017.12.07)

Ned Stark starts a private investigation into the death of his predecessor as the Hand of the King and uncovers an unexpected secret. The rest of the plot takes a backseat to highlight two main events: the knight's tournament and the arrest of Tyrion Lannister. This episode was a step up from the previous one, delivering more intrigue and excitement. (2017.12.07)

An excellently crafted episode that delivered everything I wanted: great atmosphere, tension, intrigue, and even quality action. I was thoroughly entertained throughout. I found the different characters' approaches to the potential Dothraki invasion fascinating — while the king wants Daenerys dead, the Mountain is already preparing supplies for the raiders. The only thing that turned me off was the obligatory gay scene. I think HBO would be better off ditching the soft porn they seem to include in all their series. If viewers want that, they can find plenty on the internet. (2017.12.07)

If I tried really hard, I might find something to criticize, but honestly, I don’t feel like it. The episode had a dense atmosphere, delivered quality action, and featured perfectly dry humor thanks to Tyrion Lannister. I've heard countless times that pregnant women have peculiar cravings, but Daenerys exceeded all my expectations. (2017.12.08)

Another fantastic episode! The intrigue and manipulation are in full swing, and trust is a rare commodity — those who do trust quickly regret it. This is exactly the kind of drama I love. Plus, casting Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister was a brilliant move. Seeing him on screen was a real treat. (2017.12.08)

Not as gripping as the previous one, but it still ranks among the better episodes. The highlight for me was the intense conversation between Ned Stark and Varys in the cell. Cersei's manipulative tactics were highly entertaining, though the storyline in the North felt a bit weaker. (2017.12.08)

*Another solid episode that offers plenty of character insights and includes a second visit from Lord Varys to Ned’s cell, which was just as intriguing as the first. The creators showcased a wicked sense of humor and a knack for budget-saving by keeping both battles off-screen. How sneaky of them. (2017.12.08)

The season finale was anything but conclusive. Instead of wrapping things up, it clearly sets the stage for more to come. I thoroughly enjoy the conversations between Tywin and Tyrion, but the interactions between Tyrion and Shae are pure torture for me. Daenerys' storyline didn’t captivate me much throughout, yet ironically, her final scene was one of the most intriguing moments of the entire season. (2017.12.08)

As a whole, I found Season 2 more interesting than the first season. I think a lot of it has to do with a greater involvement of Varys. Especially his conversations with Tyrion are a treat. One thing I like about this season is that the creators finally decided to let the audience watch some of the battles and not just observe gear being collected after it's over. I was annoyed by the endless wandering through the desert (Daenerys) or snow (Jon), and the character of Shae was extremely irritating, but despite these reservations I was pretty satisfied. (2017.12.10)

The second season kicks off with a death in combat followed by some wineboarding, quickly establishing that it won't be a walk in the park. Stannis Baratheon and his entourage make an intriguing debut, while the storyline with Daenerys and the remnants of Drogo's khalasar feels a bit stagnant. Overall, though, the episode works brilliantly. (2017.12.09)

The pace slowed down a bit in this episode, with a lot of filler conversations and not much happening, aside from the biblical-level massacre of innocents. Tyrion was the highlight for me, as usual; even when he's off-topic, he's still entertaining. Daenerys’ storyline continues to drag, literally wandering through the desert for two episodes now. (2017.12.09)

*So, what did the third episode bring us? A fantastic conversation between Tyrion and Varys, a few solid dialogues featuring Tyrion, some more semi-naked women (again), and two particularly unpleasant characters who got as much screen time as Theon (though he didn’t make much of it). Honestly, I wasn't bored, but I wasn’t exactly thrilled either. (2017.12.09)

The creators kicked off the episode with an epic battle — too bad they didn't show it. The first time they pulled this trick, it was funny, but now, not so much. On the bright side, Daenerys finally made it across the desert. The HBO softcore scenes seem to have turned into some sadomasochistic stuff. I appreciated the clever torture scenes, Tyrion’s sharp dialogue, and Tywin’s assessment of the situation. (2017.12.09)

This episode hit me more favorably than the previous one. Even though Daenerys’ storyline remains quite dull, the events in Westeros picked up the slack. Arya made her first choice from the three, and the Baratheons were at each other's throats. It wasn't mind-blowing, but overall, I enjoyed it. (2017.12.09)

The sixth episode was packed with intense moments, making it a highly enjoyable watch. The storyline spanned from beyond the Wall to King's Landing, including Daenerys' arc. It felt a bit too short, and I found myself wishing it lingered longer in some places. (2017.12.10)

A bit weaker than the previous episode, mainly because there was too much focus on Jon's icy journey, which felt rather uneventful. On the upside, I enjoyed Jaime's escape attempt, the conversation between Tywin and Arya, and found Sansa's storyline highly amusing. Her first period and the room's bustling activity were quite a scene, even the Hound stopped by. (2017.12.10)

A bit of a letdown. The storyline beyond the Wall felt mostly dull, and Shae is incredibly irritating; there's no character that annoys me more. The overall plot didn't really grab me, but then, Tyrion and Varys had a conversation with such dry humor that they bumped it up to four stars for me. (2017.12.10)