Spring has finally arrived, or so it seems, but “Game of Thrones” fans are preparing to dive head first back into winter (it’s coming).
Tonight, the fourth season of “Game of Thrones” begins on HBO, and after the viral explosion that was the red wedding of last season, the show has reached a new level of popularity.
Before we all return to Westeros, we thought we’d take a moment to help out the newcomers, with some tips to prepare for the emotional journey that comes with being a fan of this show:
- Don’t get too attached to anyone. Seriously, the moment you come up with a fun nickname for your favorite character, they will die. It doesn’t matter if they’re a Stark, Lannister, Targaryan, or Baratheon, they will still die.
- This is nothing like “The Lord of the Rings.” The only similarities between the “Game of Thrones” universe and the Middle Earth are the swords and extreme terrain.
- Strike that, it’s just like “The Lord of the Rings” if Tolkien had killed off Frodo, Bilbo, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Arwen, Elrond, Legolas, Gimli, Éowyn, Boromir, Galadriel, Éomer, Théoden, all of the Rohirrim, the entire population of Hobbiton, and Gandalf (permanently). Clearly Samwise would be the one to survive it all.
- Yes, what’s her face, what’s his face, and that guy were all on “Downton Abbey,” this is definitely nothing like “Downton Abbey.”
- Just expect to be appalled, grossed out, and downright uncomfortable watching half of what happens on this show. It’s part of the emotional arc. Tyrion, Arya, and Samwell make it worth it.
- Be prepared for some rough Mondays. There is nothing quite like having to go to work after witnessing the cold-blooded murder of a third of the remaining Stark family.
If you just keep these few simple rules in mind, then no one will get hurt…well at least on your side of the screen.
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…bi-daily smile…
