Game of Thrones

The great families of Westeros compete for position in a kingdom whose apparent stability depends on fragile loyalties. Farther north, a threat dismissed by much of the political world is becoming harder to ignore. Across the sea, the surviving Targaryens live in exile.

Game of Thrones adapts George R. R. Martin's novels into an enormous ensemble drama. Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke and Natalie Dormer are among the performers who make its negotiations, family arguments and shifting allegiances as absorbing as the spectacle.

I think it is an outstanding show. Its best scenes make power personal: people need affection, recognition and security as well as a seat at the table. The later storytelling can move too quickly for some of its decisions, but that does not erase the scale of what works.

The original series runs for eight seasons. Rome is an excellent companion for its family politics, while House of the Dragon returns to an earlier period of Targaryen history. Read my full review.