This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bentley chapter.

With 10.3 million views per episode, HBO’s Game of Thrones has become an enormous hit across the world. Based on George R.R. Martin’s bestselling fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, the TV adaption follows the stories of several families who are competing for the throne of Westeros. If you haven’t already been swept up by the fantasy series, here are five reasons why you should definitely begin watching:

1. The Plot

The series follows the fight for the throne of Westeros. The Starks of Winterfell, led by Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark (Sean Bean) are content in their northern home, far away from the busyness of the King’s Landing. Lord Stark’s world is turned upside down when he is summoned by his longtime friend, King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), to be his closest advisor. With his children in tow, Stark travels south to King’s Landing and soon begins to uncover the secrets that surround the Iron Throne. Tempers rise, secrets are revealed, and soon the entire country is turned upside down as several powerful families begin to fight to claim the throne.

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2. The Women leaders

No one would ever claim that the Game of Thrones lacks strong female leads. Lady Catelyn (Michelle Fairley), the matriarch of the Stark family, can be seen defending her family and fighting her enemies at every turn. Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), the exiled ex-princess of Westeros, bans together a group of nomadic warriors in order to win back what is rightfully hers (with the help of her dragons). Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) would do anything for the one she loves, even if it means threatening the stability of her kingdom in the process. Knight Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) transcends all gender stereotypes and fights her way into becoming a member of the King’s Guard, a place that has always been traditionally filled by men. These fierce women are only a few of the strong females that appear throughout the series and together they show the men that women can rule, too.

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3. The Men

In a world of swords and chivalry, the men in Westeros are more than capable of defending what is theirs. And not only that, but they’re attractive too. Knight Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) looks like a prince in a classic fairytale and Ned Stark’s illegitimate son Jon Snow’s (Kit Harington) brooding, sexually innocent character has the power to make all the girls swoon. The dark and exotic nomad warrior Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) fights fiercely in the defense of his wife and his people, while Robb Stark (Richard Madden), the eldest of the five Stark children, steps into the role of a leader with a sexy confidence that all the girls admire. The European accents definitely help, too.

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4. The Magic

The land of Westeros, although very similar to our medieval time, differs in one very large aspect – the presence of magic. It is a world where summers can last decades and winters can last lifetimes, where the mythological dead called the “White Walkers” can be found gathering their numbers, and where dragons are born and raised to fight. Don’t let the presence of magic scare you away from the show, as the existence of it does not overpower the realism and drama of what is happening. Watch as the world balances enchantments with swords, and spells with brute strength.

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5. The Fandom

The arrival of the Game of Thrones has swept up people from around the world, and celebrities have not been immune. Stars such as Ed Sheeran, Mindy Kaling, Anna Kendrick, Kevin McHale, and Seth Rogan are among the many who have tweeted their love of the show.

There are many more reasons to watch this amazing series but instead of letting me tell you, go see for yourself!

Disclaimer: If you’re wary of blood, death, fighting, and scenes of a sexual nature, Game of Thrones may not be for you. Recommended for a mature audience only, as the scenes are not appropriate for younger viewers. Also a suggestion: Do not watch with your parents. It could get awkward really quickly.

Trailer for first season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpJYNVhGf1s

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/

www.twitter.com

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