Game of Thrones is exactly what you're not expecting

I must admit that I was behind the times when I first experienced “Game of Thrones,” the HBO adaptation of the thriving “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series. While the fantasy setting has always been a favorite of mine, George R. R. Martin’s universe failed to grab my attention initially.

Skepticism set in due in part to the success of the series. However, when my roommate brought the first season of “Game of Thrones” on blu-ray to our apartment, I decided to give it a chance. Allowing myself to think that I had a choice in the matter, I sat down to endure the latest book-to-screen phenomenon.

Three days later, I found myself combing through Internet rumors in an attempt to discern the release date of season two on blu-ray. I was hooked.

As someone who really enjoyed the “Lord of the Rings” movies, I had suspicions that “Game of Thrones” was going to recycle archetypes and story lines in order to cash in on the genre. While “Lord of the Rings” certainly isn’t intended for children, “Game of Thrones” makes it look like a child’s cartoon.

“Game of Thrones” is very, very mature. While it has fantastical elements of grand adventures and noble sacrifice, the series at its core is one of political intrigue and mystery. There is little “good vs. evil” to be found.

You will hate some characters more than you’ve hated any real person before, and curse the screen when their treachery is revealed.

Likewise, you will connect with the likeable characters and feel devastated should their fate be decided earlier than you have come to expect from Hollywood. Most importantly, you will come to admire characters that once seemed detestable and loathe others that once seemed noble.

Adding to the mature nature of this series, sex plays a major role in the series. While depicted sometimes in graphic detail, the theme of sex itself throughout the series is extremely important. In an age when the right to rule was passed through bloodlines, the intimate relationships of the noble class were as important as our elections are to us today.

If you are the type of person that does not like movies, shows or some books because you can guess every single plot twist, George R. R. Martin’s fantasy series is exactly what you have been waiting for. The rest of you have no excuse if you’ve yet to dive into this series in either book or TV show form.