Wiki of Westeros

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Wiki of Westeros

Season 1 of Game of Thrones consists of ten episodes, including a re-shot version of the pilot episode originally filmed in October and November 2009, and was otherwise filmed between 23 July and 18 December 2010. Season 1 had a budget of $60 million. Season 1 of Game of Thrones was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States and United Kingdom on 5 March 2012, setting new sales records for first-week sales of a HBO series. On 2 September 2012, the first season of Game of Thrones won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.[1] David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were the executive producers and show runners.

The season premiered on 17 April 2011.

Season 1 is mostly based on A Game of Thrones, the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.

Plot

Season 1 Locations map

A map showing the notable locations of Season 1.

Season 1 spans a period of several months on a world where the seasons last for years at a time. The action begins in the unified Seven Kingdoms of Westeros as the long summer ends and winter draws near. Lord Eddard Stark is asked by his old friend, King Robert Baratheon, to serve as the Hand of the King following the death of the previous incumbent, Eddard's mentor Jon Arryn. Eddard is reluctant, but receives intelligence suggesting that Jon was murdered. Eddard accepts Robert's offer, planning to use his position and authority to investigate the alleged murder.

Meanwhile, on the eastern continent of Essos, the exiled children of House Targaryen, which Robert destroyed to claim the throne, are plotting to return to Westeros and unseat the 'usurper'. To this end, Viserys Targaryen arranges the marriage of his sister Daenerys to Khal Drogo, the leader of 40,000 Dothraki warriors, in return for the use of his warriors in invading Westeros. For her part, Daenerys just wants to find a safe refuge far away from King Robert's assassins and her brother's scheming ambition.

Finally, on the northern-most border of the Seven Kingdoms the sworn brothers of the Night's Watch guard the Wall, a 300-mile-long colossal fortification of ice which has stood for thousands of years. The Watch defends the Wall against the depredations of the lawless wildlings who live beyond, but rumor speaks of a new threat arising in the lands of perpetual winter.

Video recap

Production

Season 1 was mainly filmed on location in Northern Ireland and Malta, with the Paint Hall facility in Belfast being used as the main studio.

Cast

Main article: Season 1 cast

Starring cast

Also starring

Selected guest starring cast

Crew

Producers

Writers

Directors

Deleted scenes

Brandon's execution

Brandon Stark is executed by the Mad King.

Due to limitations of filming time, there was very little shot for the season which was not eventually used. However, a notable scene cut was a flashback scene featuring the execution of Brandon Stark at the hands of the Mad King. Actors were cast for this scene and it was filmed, even appearing in some trailers, but ultimately was not used. The scene did not even appear on DVD or Blu-ray releases of the season.[2]


Episodes

# Image Title Airdate Viewers/Rating
01 Robert Baratheon "Winter is Coming" 17 April 2011 2.2/0.9
Lord Eddard Stark, ruler of the North, is summoned to court by his old friend, King Robert Baratheon, to serve as the King's Hand. Eddard reluctantly agrees after learning of a possible threat to the king's life. Eddard's bastard son Jon Snow must make a painful decision about his own future, while in the distant east Viserys Targaryen plots to reclaim his father's throne, usurped by Robert, by selling his sister in marriage.
02 Ned and Arya "The Kingsroad" 24 April 2011 2.2/1.0
An incident on the Kingsroad threatens Eddard and Robert's friendship. Jon and Tyrion travel to the Wall, where they discover that the reality of the Night's Watch may not match the heroic image of it.
03 Jon and Alliser 1x03 "Lord Snow" 1 May 2011 2.4./1.1
Jon Snow attempts to find his place amongst the Night's Watch. Eddard and his daughters arrive at King's Landing.
04 Tyrion in the inn "Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things" 8 May 2011 2.5/1.1
Tyrion stops at Winterfell on his way home and gets a frosty reception from Robb Stark. Eddard's investigation into the death of his predecessor gets underway.
05 Eddard Jaime Confrontation "The Wolf and the Lion" 15 May 2011 2.6/1.2
Catelyn's actions on the road have repercussions for Eddard. Tyrion enjoys the dubious hospitality of the Eyrie.
06 Goldencrown "A Golden Crown" 22 May 2011 2.4/1.1
Viserys is increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress towards gaining his crown.
07 Cersei & Joffrey 1x07 "You Win or You Die" 29 May 2011 2.4/1.2
Eddard's investigations in King's Landing reach a climax and a dark secret is revealed.
08 Sansa 1x08 "The Pointy End" 5 June 2011 2.7/1.2
Tyrion joins his father's army with unexpected allies. Events in King's Landing take a turn for the worse as Arya's lessons are put to the test.
09 Arya 1x09 "Baelor" 12 June 2011 2.7/1.2
Catelyn must negotiate with the irascible Lord Walder Frey.
10 Daenerys and dragon "Fire and Blood" 19 June 2011 3.0/1.4
Daenerys must realize her destiny. Jaime finds himself in an unfamiliar predicament.

Media release

GoT Season 1 DVD promo

The Season 1 Blu-ray set.

BestBuy S1 DVD

The Season 1 Targaryen and Stark packaging exclusive to Best Buy in the United States.

Game of Thrones Limited Edition Season 1

The limited edition set.

Season 1 of Game of Thrones was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on 5 March 2012, and in the USA a day later. In the United States, Best Buy had exclusive packaging featuring the sigils of House Stark and House Targaryen on the cover, while HMV featured the Stark cover in the UK.

On release, the DVD and Blu-ray became the fastest-selling release in the history of HBO, outselling in its first week box sets of series such as The Sopranos, Band of Brothers and True Blood. It sold over 350,000 copies in its first week on sale, with 57% of those sales on the Blu-ray format. It has also set new HBO records for digital sales on iTunes.[3]

As well as all ten episodes of the first season, the set includes the following extra and special features:

Blu-Ray only

  • Blu-ray Complete Guide to Westeros: An interactive compendium of the noble houses and lands featured in Season One, PLUS 24 exclusive histories of the Seven Kingdoms as told by the characters themselves.
  • Anatomy of an Episode: An in-episode experience that explores the creative minds and colossal efforts behind episode six, “A Golden Crown”.
  • In-Episode Guide: In-episode resource that provides background information about on-screen characters, locations, and relevant histories while each episode plays.
  • Hidden Dragon Eggs: Find the hidden dragon eggs to uncover even more never-before-seen content.

Blu-Ray and DVD

  • Making Game of Thrones: An exclusive 30-minute feature including never-before-seen footage from the set and interview from the cast and crew.
  • Creating the Show Open: An inside look at the creation of the Emmy-winning opening title sequence for Game of Thrones
  • From the Book to the Screen: Executive producers David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, and author George R.R. Martin talk about the challenge of bringing Martin’s epic fantasy novel to life on HBO.
  • Character Profiles: Profiles of 15 major characters as described by the actors portraying them.
  • Audition Tapes: 25 minutes of audition reels and tapes showing how the main actors won their roles.
  • Inside the Night’s Watch: An in-depth look at the unique order of men who patrol and protect the Wall, a 700-foot ice structure that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the darkness beyond.
  • Creating the Dothraki Language: An insightful glance into the comprehensive language created for the Dothraki people in Game of Thrones.
  • Audio Commentaries: Seven audio commentaries with cast and crew.
    • "Winter is Coming": Commentary by producers/writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
    • "The Kingsroad": Commentary by actors Lena Headey, Mark Addy and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
    • "Lord Snow": Commentary by actors Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams and Isaac Hempstead-Wright.
    • "Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things": Commentary by actor Kit Harington and writer Bryan Cogman.
    • "A Golden Crown": Commentary by actors Peter Dinklage, Harry Lloyd and Emilia Clarke, and director Daniel Minahan.
    • "The Pointy End": Commentary by writer/producer/consultant George R.R. Martin.
    • "Fire and Blood": Commentary by producers/writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and director Alan Taylor.

Special Limited Edition

Season 1 was reissued on 20 November 2012 in a special limited edition box set. This set contains the entirety of Season 1 on Blu-ray and DVD (with the accompanying special features), as well as access to digital downloads of the episodes. The set also includings a dragon egg paperweight and a bonus preview disc containing the first episode of Season 2.


Images

See also

  • Season 1 refresher guide

References

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