- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Mark Braxton
The colourful and expensive fantasy epic almost grinds to a halt in an episode that’s chunky on exposition but feather-light on action.
Arriving in the capital city, the grim, granite-jawed Lord Stark (Sean Bean) locks horns with the monarch’s advisers — among them the scheming Baelish (Queer as Folk’s Aidan Gillen looking spookily like Gary Oldman). Stark’s situation isn’t improved by the sudden appearance of his wife Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) with news of a further attempt on their son’s life.
With its elaborate sets and carefully carved world, this earthy cousin of Lord of the Rings is a lovely-looking series, anchored by the central performances of Bean and Fairley. But by gum, it’s slow
About this programme
3/10. Ned finally takes up his role at the side of the King, but struggles to deal with the political power games of the monarch's cunning advisers. The weary Lord is asked to organise a tournament, but finds the royal finances in a dire state - and his job is made even harder by troubling news from home. Meanwhile, Tyrion's visit to the Wall reveals the men of the Night's Watch the Wall are in desperate need of reinforcement, and relations between Daenerys and Viserys become increasingly strained. Fantasy drama, starring Sean Bean and Mark Addy.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Lord Eddard `Ned' Stark
- Sean Bean
- King Robert Baratheon
- Mark Addy
- Queen Cersei Lannister
- Lena Headey
- Jaime Lannister
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Tyrion Lannister
- Peter Dinklage
- Jon Snow
- Kit Harington
- Lady Catelyn Stark
- Michelle Fairley
- Robb Stark
- Richard Madden
- Bran Stark
- Isaac Hempstead-Wright
- Sansa Stark
- Sophie Turner
- Arya Stark
- Maisie Williams
- Daenerys Targaryen
- Emilia Clarke
- Viserys Targaryen
- Harry Lloyd
- Khal Drogo
- Jason Momoa
- Illyrio Mopatis
- Roger Allam
- Prince Joffrey Baratheon
- Jack Gleeson
- Petyr `Littlefinger' Baelish
- Aidan Gillen
- Varys
- Conleth Hill
- Grand Maester Pycelle
- Julian Glover
- Benjen Stark
- Joseph Mawle
- Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
- James Cosmo
- Syrio Forel
- Miltos Yerolemou
Crew
- Director
- Brian Kirk
- Writer
- David Benioff
- Writer
- DB Weiss
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