If you’re anything like me you’re probably sick of watching TV Shows and Movies with so called drama that once you’re a half hour into you can perfectly predict the entire plot lines. The good guys are all going to win and the bad guys are all going to lose. There’s no repercussions, hard moral decisions, true danger with the protection of plot armor. In this video by Will Schroder, he examines one of the most popular and prevalent examples of the contrary- HBO’s Game of Thrones (Thrones) based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin.

Martin in his writing repeatedly keeps his audience guessing, hitting them with surprises and masterfully stretching tension to a breaking point. Examples such as The Red Wedding, or Ned Stark’s death where a solution seems to have been found that will save the perceived protagonist, only for them to be stockily murdered. It goes strictly against the conventional narrative sequence and because it is so gritty and different to what else you’ve seen- it gets you. The audience is constantly alert and on their toes and has to remember that no one is safe.

Similarly, Game of Thrones operates very well in a level of grey where characters are neither truly horrible or perfect. The Lannisters, while cruel, care deeply for their family, a trait that we all appreciate and is the driving force often behind some of their worst actions. Meanwhile, good natured characters, such as the Starks, often have imperfections or are let down by their kindness. Catelyn treats Jon horribly, Ned is unable to seize power for himself or Renly so places his faith in Littlefinger, leading to his death. Robb falls in love and breaks his promise to the Frey’s igniting their plot to kill him. This complexity, especially in a genre that is typically cookie cutter in its characters, adds incredibly depth and deep moral questions and true societal issues to what on the surface seems like just another fantasy story. The ever presence role of death, just like in the real world, grounds the importance of everything we do have in this world; because it is finite. As Syrio Forel says ” We cannot beat the god of death, but simply say ‘not today.'”