[quote=@PlatinumSkink]
Can someone explain the appeal of [u]Game of Thrones[/u]? Song of Ice and Fire?

The only thing I've heard about it is that people die a lot in it, when people least expect it. Why would I willingly get myself into a journey where I know that people I'll start liking will get killed off left and right? What's the point in that? It feels like I would be subjecting myself to torture. What's the appeal in that?
[/quote]


You're right. It is basically because people die constantly. The fact that the author, the show-runners, etc, refuse to pander to their audience for any "fan favorites" and the like is, indeed, a small part of the series' popularity. They give zero fucks about their audience's preferences...and instead are simply out there to create an interesting story, whatever the consequences. Its popularity also stems from its ability, its desire, its mandate really, to be realistic. Too often in fantasy settings, things get whitewashed. People are poor but happy. The protagonists are just and wise. The kingdom is, if a little dysfunctional, then benevolent in its intentions. The world of Westeros is, at the core, none of those things. It is a dark, dangerous, place where people are not saved by the mystical powers of Plot Armor simply because they are the hero of the tale. They will die because the world is by its nature a dangerous place and sharp pointy things don't give two shits if you're the King of X or the Prince of Y or if you're a righteous soul. Righteousness doesn't protect you from anything.

In a word, it is popular because it's so damned refreshing to a lot of folks who have grown up on the idealized fantasy setting where everything is in black and white. By that same token, the lack of clear lines of good and evil are appealing to so many folks. The universe exists in shades of grey, and GRR Martin does a rather fine job of allowing everyone to have some depth and dimension to it, some noble and redeeming quality that helps make all of the cruelty they willingly and gleefully inflict upon each other all the more bearable and understandable. Thus, whenever someone dies, anyone...people care. Even if a character is the genocidal love-child of Hitler and Stalin, raised by Pol Pot...someone's gonna love the character because he has a fondness for refreshing white wines, fishing, warm fireplaces, horses, or once gave a kitten a ball of yarn to play with.

Oh, and there's also the food-porn in the books. And the casual sexual depravity in both the books and series.