I actually read and reviewed the first three books in the series (the book series is called A Song of Ice and Fire) in another thread, so once I did, and found out about the TV show, I became really excited for it. And the TV show didn't disappoint. I have five favourite characters: Jon Snow, Ned Stark, Tyrion Lannister (of course!), Arya Stark, and Daenerys Targaryen. But in the TV show, especial praise does have to go to Peter Dinklage as Tyrion. The best part about Dinklage: he acts the role of Tyrion with gravitas and dignity (except where he's joking or snarking, of course), no mean feat for someone of his height. Tyrion's role could have been problematic if cast wrong, but Dinklage IS Tyrion embodied. And Kit Harington as Jon Snow is pretty good for someone I had never heard of.
I have to admit, they found some excellent child actors for the various children. I heard that Jack Gleeson (Joffrey) is actually a nice kid, and that he actually is very reluctant to utter the expletives in the show. And all the other child actors are better than the norm for child actors. They're all more or less believable.
Of course, I am yet to see anything of the second series (based on A Clash of Kings), but I had been disappointed in the book, which seemed to be more of a state of transition rather than of the political infighting and intrigue of A Game of Thrones. It was still a good book, mind, an excellent book, but it was disappointing compared to the first one.
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(No longer a mod)
On sabbatical...