033: Game of Thrones S1 - Winter is Coming

08/28/20 • 30 min

This is a series with a mini-plot, multiple characters that each pursue their own storyline but come together for a larger story arc. In this first season of Game of Thrones you’ll see multiple storylines weaving together. But the value at stake is power - the clue is in the name: the Game of Thrones. This is closely linked to the action genre with its values of life and death. And you’ll see other genres laced throughout which we will share in our shownotes.

One sentence review from the editors?

Randall: This is really one of my favorite series, and the screenwriters did such a great job with the first season. It’s a great example of how to write a screenplay from a really excellently written book series. And the author (George R. R. Martin) did such a great job connecting the plotlines throughout the books/ seasons. This had to take so much planning, Harry Potter level planning.

Mel: Awesome fantasy story masterpiece with very deep, three dimensional characters, an amazing story and throughout plotline, as well as the best title music and video.

Parul: It is Society Genre combined Action at its best, everybody wants power and everybody will die.

To read all the show notes and get access to downloadable 6 core question files go to www.storygrid.com or www.sgshowrunners.com

One sentence review from the editors?

Mel: Awesome fantasy story masterpiece with very deep, three dimensional characters, an amazing story and throughout plotline, as well as the best title music and video.

Parul: It is Society Genre combined Action at its best, everybody wants power and everybody will die.

To read all the show notes and get access to downloadable 6 core question files go to www.storygrid.com or www.sgshowrunners.com

Previous Episode

032: Ozark Season 3 - It just gets better

Randall: I totally understand the hype on this series, I can’ believe it took this long for me to watch it. It just keeps getting better.

Parul: This show is getting darker and more complex. It’s riveting.

Randall: I think this is really what makes a good thriller, the ability to have compelling subplots/ red herrings that also have equally life/ death repercussions, but at the same time reminding the viewer/ reader who the real villain is. The cartel is involved throughout the season, as Helen is present in just about every episode, but we never forget that they are the most dangerous player at the table in Marty and Wendy’s lives - they kidnap Marty, they seem to know everything that is going on, they manipulate Wendy (with the horse farm purchase). At the same time, Frank Jr. and the mob are mad at Marty, the other cartel is a danger to Marty (he could get caught in the crossfire), Darlene is becoming more dangerous with every episode, the FBI is hot on Marty’s tail - all of these have life and death endings and they are just as engaging as the main battle between Marty and the cartel. The story would have been so water-downed if these sub-plots weren’t there and not so deadly if it had just been Marty vs. the Navarro cartel.

Compare this to Killing Eve - we keep losing sight of the threat of the 12 and there aren’t many other threats to keep the characters occupied.

Read all the show notes at www.storygrid.com or www.sgshowrunners.com

Next Episode

034: Game of Thrones S2 - How to write a successful book series

Editor Reactions:

Randall: The intertwining storylines are so intriguing. Great setup.

Mel: The Game of Thrones has officially started in this season with everyone wanting to be the next king, no matter who has a right to it and who does not.

Parul: The hungry for power in Season 1 (society genre) has continued and kicked off a war.

What's the Global Genre?

In a multi-plotted saga like Game of Thrones, how do you work out the genre and why should you? So why we dissect it is to help us understand why we love it, and why it’s compelling. By analyzing this masterwork, we come to understand how stories are constructed and we might be inspired for our own stories.

How do we determine the genre? One method is to look at the core event of the season. What is the big showdown that happens towards the end of the series? We have a big battle scene, which is the core event for a war story. But we also have an attempted revolution - Stannis tries and fails to overcome the Lannisters but fails. This is the Society genre. Power battles still rein within the Lannister households and amongst every house

We have a range of values that run through the season from victory to defeat.

Of course, there are other storylines going on alongside these:

Horror (core series storyline): White walkers emerge ready for battle () (life/death)

Action: The Stark children are on the run to save their lives. Jon is beyond the wall (against nature - cold, against time - missing uncle, against the state - wildlings)

Love: A twisted power/ love game between Melisandre and Stannis Baratheon. Robb Stark falls for Talisa Maegyr, culminating in their secret marriage.

See complete show notes at www.storygrid.com or www.sgshowrunners.com