Game of Thrones, Big Bang Theory, and How I Met Your Mother took the top spots in the the list of the season’s most illegally downloaded television shows. Interestingly, three of the top five shows were network shows, with only two cable shows making an appearance on the list: Thrones (HBO) and The Walking Dead (AMC).
This episode we take a look back at the good, bad, and Dany of season 3. The topic of race also pops up, but overall how does this season compare with the prior seasons and the books, which we vaguely talk about with no book spoilers, but of course, there are spoilers for the TV show ahead.
HBO’s Game of Thrones enjoyed monster ratings for the show’s third season finale. The season’s total overall viewer numbers rank the show second all-time for HBO, behind only the fifth season of The Sopranos. Thrones unseated current HBO drama True Blood for the second spot, bringing in an average viewership of 13.6 million viewers.
HBO’s Game of Thrones ends their third season with a surprisingly weak episode, one that elevates plot over characterization. While we see all of our favorites (Arya, Dany, Jaime, Brienne, Bran, Jon, Tyrion, Cersei, etc.) one last time, the episode is strangely sterile and devoid of emotion.
Game of Thrones finally gives fans The Red Wedding, during which several people loose their lives, as one family is betrayed. Dany finally takes control of Yunkai, while Bran discovers his destiny, and Jon betrays the Wildings in the penultimate episode of season three.
Game of Thrones producers are thinking about ending the show after it reaches seven seasons. The HBO show, which is based on George RR Martin’s book series, would match the book series in length, as the novels are expected to end after seven are published. However, as there are still two more books to be written, the show may run out of story before it reaches seven seasons.
Game of Thrones eighth episode of the season, “Second Sons,” introduces us to the devilishly smooth and handsome Daario, gives Sam a chance to be a hero, allows Gendry to meet his not so pleasant fate, and shows us the wedding between Tyrion and Sansa – much to the dismay of both. As the show moves toward its final end game, Dany is getting stronger and Westeros is becoming more and more mired in war and intrigue.
The season’s seventh episode, written by George R.R. Martin, is light on plot development, but includes a battle with a bear. Jaime and Brienne succeed in escaping the clutches of Locke, while Shae and Tyrion reach an impasse in their relationship in light of his impending wedding to Sansa, and Theon loses something very important to him.
Climbing – both physical and social – was the theme of “The Climb.” Jon Snow and Ygritte climbed The Wall, while Olenna, Tywin, Varys, and Littlefinger jockeyed for position within King’s Landing. Ros was lost, as Joffrey killed her with his crossbow, and Sansa, Loras, Tyrion, and Cersei were forced into marriages they don’t want.
HBO favorite Game of Thrones and the new comedy Veep both set record numbers in ratings this past Sunday. HBO is certainly setting distinguishing itself from other networks in terms of great entertainment.
