'Game of Thrones': Impressions of a First-Time Viewer, From Dragon Deaths to Sibling Sex

(Spoiler alert: Please don’t read on if you haven’t watched Sunday’s episode of “Game of Thrones”)

You may not believe it, but there are people in the world who don’t watch “Game of Thrones,” and until yesterday, I was one of them.

Even though practically everyone I know is into it, I personally had never watched the show. Last night, though, I finally joined the ranks of civilized society and cast off my former heathen, non-“Thrones”-watching ways.

Also Read: Gendry's Hammer References a Legendary 'Game of Thrones' Battle

First, allow me to explain why I had never watched “GoT”:

I was already paying for Netflix and Spotify Premium and didn’t want to tack on an extra $15/month to get the HBO streaming app.
I told myself I wanted to read the books before watching the show. Even though I bought the first book of the series a while ago, I still haven’t read it.

Poor excuses, I know. I went to a “Game of Thrones” watch party Sunday night to catch Episode 5 titled “Eastwatch,” and I had a lot of feelings about it.

Here are my impressions on “GoT,” from the perspective of a first-time viewer.

Also Read: 'Game of Thrones': Here's Why Jon Snow's Moment With Drogon Is Super Important

The main thought that crossed my mind was that the cinematography was really nice. I liked seeing shots of the sunny plains of King’s Landing contrasted with cushy, green hills and the icy hellscape of Whitewalker-land.

While I had never watched, I knew basic information about the characters: like that Daenerys Targaryen is the last member of her family and can control dragons. Jon Snow is now King of the North and related to Daenerys (but doesn’t know it). Arya Stark has killed a lot of people. Cersei and Jaime Lannister are twins but are also in an incestuous relationship. And Cersei currently sits atop the Iron Throne.

Knowing this, I could follow along well enough, but I was confused by some parts. Like when that guy Gendry showed up, all the people I was with started cheering, but I had no idea who he was. Apparently, he hadn’t been around since the early seasons. I also didn’t know who the guy was who claimed to be Dany’s friend. Or the disease for which he had magically found a cure.

Also Read: 'Game of Thrones': How That Marriage Annulment Gilly Discovered Is a Huge Development for Jon Snow

Of all the Lannisters, Tyrion seemed like the most reasonable. That’s an accomplishment, considering his siblings have intercourse with one another.

I was really disappointed that Dany’s dragon incinerated people at the start of the episode. I had always gotten the impression that she was more just and honorable than all the others and didn’t want to kill people. But I guess she did what she had to do to clear her path to the Iron Throne.

Speaking of the Iron Throne, I quickly learned that anytime one of the characters did something cruel or outrageous, it was because they wanted to sit on the Iron Throne. After all, the show is called “Game of Thrones.”

Also Read: Kit Harington Shares Ridiculous 'Game of Thrones' Fan Theory (Video)

The relationship between Sansa and Arya Stark seemed … strained. It seemed like Arya wanted to kill people, but Sansa was in charge and wouldn’t let her. Then Arya found a mysterious note that made Sansa look like a villain. This should be interesting.

Also, Sansa’s outfit was fire!! (Well maybe “fire” isn’t the right word, since she lives in the snowy north, but that outfit was fabulous.)

Cersei’s pregnant with her brother’s lovechild (again???). Ew. And then Jon Snow and a bunch of guys stepped out into Whitewalker-land, and that was it. The episode had ended, but I wasn’t ready for it to end. I felt like the pacing was really fast … yet really slow. Even though it ended on an appropriate cliffhanger, I wanted to see more.

Now, even though I’m still confused on some plot points, I want to watch more “Game of Thrones.” I definitely understand why people love this show, because I love it, too.

'Game of Thrones' 16 Most Memorable Sex Scenes (Photos)

There have been plenty of times when characters got down and dirty during the last six seasons of "Game of Thrones," although it hasn't always been pleasant. Here's your fully safe for work look at some of the most memorable sex scenes in the show, including at least one that involved leeches. (Note: Spoilers ahead!)
Jaime & Cersei: Season 1, Ep. 1

This scene set the tone for much of the show when the twins were caught committing incest by Bran Stark. From its setting in abandoned broken tower to its ending with attempted murder, the whole thing is pretty gross.
HBO
Tyrion & Ros: Season 1, Ep. 1

We got introduced to the Imp in memorable fashion during this brothel scene. The lovable sex worker Ros was also a part of the moment, before she went on to bigger and better things in King's Landing.
HBO
Daenerys & Drogo: Season 1, Ep. 2

A key turning point in Daenerys taking control of her situation is when she takes control in bed with Khal Drogo. This scene also marks a turning point in their relationship, from arranged marriage to actual love affair.
HBO
Theon & Ros: Season 1, Ep. 5

Long before he became Reek, Theon snuck the ever-present sex worker Ros into Winterfell for this steamy encounter. The stories that Theon was a pretty great lover were part of what led Ramsay to take his "favorite toy" away from him.
HBO
Renly & Loras: Season 2, Ep. 3

The secret lovers faced some turmoil when they argued over Renly's marriage to Loras' sister, Margaery. But it's clear they care for each other, which makes everything that follows so much harder for Loras to bear.
HBO
Stannis & Melisandre: Season 2, Ep. 2

The blood magic the Red Woman, Melisandre, utilizes often has some gross but sexy requirements. The tryst between her and Stannis is necessary to create a ghostly shadow that murders his brother Renly, adding a whole extra level of creepy.
HBO
Robb & Talisa: Season 2, Ep. 8

Robb Stark's downfall began when he broke his engagement to the daughter of Walder Frey in favor of Volantis-born nurse, Talisa. The pair's love isn't enough to save them from betrayal at the Red Wedding, unfortunately.
HBO
Podrick and various sex workers: Season 3, Ep. 3

Podrick proved to be quite the ladies' man when several sex workers refused to take his money -- apparently because he was so good in bed. Bronn and Tyrion demanded details but whatever tips Pod had, they were revealed offscreen.
HBO
Jon & Ygritte: Season 3, Ep. 5

The tender moment in the cave, in which Jon Snow breaks his vows to the Night's Watch, shows real feelings between Jon and Ygritte, despite him being a Crow and her being a Wildling. This is the one moment of happiness the two share before their different worlds tear them apart, with tragic consequences.
HBO
Theon, Myranda & Violet: Season 3, Ep. 7

In this torturous scene, Myranda, Ramsay Bolton's girlfriend, and a second woman, Violet, come to Theon in the torture chamber. He has just enough time to feel like a person again, and for the scene to get hot, before the horrible truth is revealed about Ramsay's plans for Theon.
HBO
Melisandre & Gendry (and leeches): Season 3, Ep. 8

More sexy blood magic times with Melisandre, this time with her seducing the bastard son of Robert Baratheon, Gendry. After the act, she puts leeches on him -- the King's Blood they suck out of Gendry allows Melisandre to see the future. Creepy though that may be, it wasn't a wholly bad deal for Gendry.
HBO
Oberyn & Ellaria: Season 4, Ep. 1

Oberyn and Ellaria not only had each other but several other women and men at the same time at Littlefinger's brothel. The Dornish have fewer hangups than the rest of Westeros, that's for sure.
HBO
Daario & Daenerys: Season 4, Ep. 7

Daenerys took her first lover since Drogo when she slept with sexy sellsword Daario Naharis. The pair had something of a relationship from then on, but Daenerys broke it off when she sailed for Westeros -- and was surprised that doing so didn't really bother her.
HBO
Ramsay & Myranda: Season 5, Ep. 5

Ramsay was creepy enough on his own. But then you add in Myranda, his girlfriend and the daughter of his kennelmaster. Myranda's just as sick as Ramsay when it comes to sadism, and their sexy moment oscillates between pleasure and pain pretty easily.
HBO
Missandei & Grey Worm: Season 7, Ep. 2

The tension between Daenerys' former slaves turned trusted advisers has been ramping up for what seems like forever. Finally, Missandei and Grey Worm had their moment together. The Unsullied are famously eunuchs, but Grey Worm and Missandei found ways to be intimate that got around his limitation.
HBO
Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, Season 7, Ep. 7

After teasing romance between Jon and Dany all through the season, it finally happened on the boat from Dragonstone to White Harbor. It wasn't the most ridiculous sex scene of the show, but it was one fans have been waiting for throughout Season 7 -- and for fans who predicted this might happen long ago, years.
If you liked this gallery, check out our list of "Game of Thrones" power rankings.
And refresh yourself on important characters who are no more with our gallery of dead supporting characters you've forgotten.

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TheWrap takes a mostly-clothed, SFW look at some of the steamiest moments from the HBO series across the last seven seasons

There have been plenty of times when characters got down and dirty during the last six seasons of "Game of Thrones," although it hasn't always been pleasant. Here's your fully safe for work look at some of the most memorable sex scenes in the show, including at least one that involved leeches. (Note: Spoilers ahead!)

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'Game of Thrones' 16 Most Memorable Sex Scenes (Photos)

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