The one hundred tenth TV show: #891 Game of Thrones
As it was getting closer, it made sense to discuss this show as the final episode aired. As a reader of the books before I started watching - almost making a point of that - I probably watched it differently than most, down to questioning some characters more than others might have done (and so being less surprised at certain later decisions). I saw some of the shocking moments coming, and was able to speculate on them before the show only viewers did, and for me it enhanced the series.
It's hard to argue that the show was uneven in places - a few characters might have turned out a bit miscast, but so many others, especially the younger, grew so much more than we expected. The later's seasons rush to get through felt unnecessary, but the series delight in taking time with its characters, exploring them and explaining what they want and what they're like was delightful. Sure, there's some good action, but in the end that's not where this show excels. The verbal jousting, especially with some of the heavyweight actors, stands out, and in part that's because they feel like such fully realized characters.
The show doesn't, for me, focus just on the amazing moments - there are some there and I didn't see all of them coming - but works because it takes its time to explore what happens after, faltering when it doesn't take that time, and that's the lesson more shows should take from it.