Games People Play

It all started with Ned Stark. He was the original crusader for justice, the do-gooder who had the world rooting for him. However, honour has no place in the high-fantasy world created by George RR Martin, as fans of the books and series soon discovered, and it wasn’t long before their dreams to see Ned emerge victorious were quickly chopped off (pun intended).

And thus began the world’s obsession with the big-budget series. It wasn’t so much the brutality of his death than that a lead character could be killed off — as simple as that. With the more honourable characters dropping like flies, it’s getting increasingly difficult to predict who will finally rest on the intimidating, albeit uncomfortable-looking, Iron Throne. However, that does not mean we can’t try.

“I haven’t read the book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, so Game of Thrones (GoT) always managed to surprise me,” says Yousif Al Shihaby, a Bahrain nat-ional who resides in Dubai. “GoT taught me not to get too attached to a character. With all sides closing in on the throne, it seems like a rat race at this point. I think Arya Stark is most likely to win, although I’m rooting for Tyrion Lannister. As long as Stannis Baratheorn doesn’t wear the crown, I’m happy.”

He isn’t the only one rooting for Tyrion Lannister.

Popularly known as The Imp, the character played by Peter Dinklage has managed to generate quite the fan foll-owing. “It is Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister that make &GoT so interesting,” says Sumaira Shahed, a Dubai-based homemaker. “Both have been abandoned by society, but still prove themselves with their leadership abilities. As to who will win — I think it should be Sansa. Her future lies in politics, and she knows how to play the game!”

“Game of Thrones is like Shakespeare meets The Lord of the Rings, minus the Orcs, though, of course, GoT has its share of foul beasts,” says Alex Broun, an Australian playwright living in Dubai.

“The epic sweep of kings, queens and commoners is classic Shakespeare, while the dialogue in many scenes is delivered with a cutting edge cynicism straight out of House of Cards. Also, for those who haven’t read the books (like me), the series has a never-ending coterie of surprises.” He says he’s siding with the House of Lannisters. “I would love Jaime or Tyrion to end up on the throne. But I have a sneaking suspicion it will be the beautiful Daenerys Targaryen who ‘breaks the wheel’.”

There are others voting for Daenerys Targaryen, played by the lovely Emilia Clarke, too.

“I hope the Khaleesi wins in the end,” says Ashita Gopinath, an Indian expat living in Dubai. “It’s tough in the beginning for many to follow, but once you catch on and start recognising and relating to the characters, it changes the game. Most &importantly, the plot so far has been phenomenal with a surprise and shock at every corner. And at the end of every season, all I can think is ‘Oh no, another year’s wait!’”

Well, lucky for us, the season is only getting started. Let the games begin! 

janice@khaleejtimes.com