Real Talk

I Know Nothing About

Game of Thrones: The

Confession (and Questions)

by Anne Marielle Eugenio, February 22, 2019 1:31pm

Art by Dani Elevazo

Real Talk

I Know Nothing About Game of Thrones: The Confession (and Questions)

by Anne Marielle Eugenio, February 22, 2019 1:31pm
Art by Dani Elevazo

Ano? Hindi ka nanonood? Why?!”
“You’re missing out big time!”
“Ay hindi maka-relate. Manood ka na kasi.”
and the most intriguing one yet, “You know nothing.”

These are what I usually hear when I’m in a room full of Game of Thrones fans when I tell them I haven’t watched a single episode of GoT. It’s as if I’ve announced I haven’t vaccinated my fictional kids or some sorts.

It makes me feel like I missed half of my life because I haven’t had an interest in the series. Honestly, I don’t mind if I am being “left out” of the GoT conversation.

Not until its latest teaser-trailer came out.

Game of Thrones released their teaser for the final season (it is the final season, right?). The clip featured a torch-bearing Jon Snow with Arya and Sansa—yes, I know the character names, the main ones at least—as they make their way through a cave. And well, dear reader, you probably already know how the rest of the teaser went.

My office friends (all of them, FYI) are avid Game of Thrones fans, and they squealed before and after watching the short video—one even had goosebumps on her forearms. And there I was, completely lost.

I used to see memes, “Brace Yourselves,” “Winter is Coming,” on Facebook. I laugh at them, never really knowing its real context. I heard about the Iron Throne, Daenerys Targaryen, House Lannister, and House Stark. That’s about it. Is there more I need to know?

MY GoT Background (sort of)

I know there’s only one way to answer this never-ending list of questions: JUST WATCH IT ALREADY! But I still won’t. Should I consider reading the Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin first in this case, then? It’s adapted from a book, right?

For my allies, Game of Thrones has seven seasons (the first season started in 2011) with ten episodes each, except for the 7th, which has seven. Each episode lasts about one hour. Since I am more of a reader than a binge-watcher, I can’t picture myself spending hours in front of a screen.


Based on the title, I have always assumed it is a literal game of thrones—a battle to rule the kingdom. I am also certain it is set in medieval times based on their clothes. But that’s just about it. The rest of my background, I relied on memes and the occasional Google search. And my friends’ never-ending talks about dragons, the Red Wedding, tiny-finger, and Jon Snow’s NSO birth certificate.

Plus, I heard how my friends’ favorite characters die in the middle of the series—or almost everyone dies. I hate a fictional character’s death, especially when I root for him or her. Call me overreacting. I don’t mind. Who wants to invest time and feelings only to watch their beloved character die, anyway? Not me, my emotions are sometimes unstable enough based on non-fiction alone.


I know I shouldn’t jump into conclusions and give GoT a chance. My friends already hyped up the GoT for me, so I’m still finding the “perfect moment” to watch. When winter comes to the Philippines, perhaps? Kidding.

Educate me, please!

Even though I read Game of Thrones articles and synopses online, I can’t grasp its gist. The GoT fans I know tried explaining it, but I end up with a wrinkled forehead and more questions: Did winter already come? What are the Targaryens? What is a white walker? Or is it more apt to say who? How many houses are there? How many colors of weddings are there? Why is a dragon’s death such an issue, aren’t we rooting for humans? Why do we need to brace ourselves? Why does Jon Snow know nothing?


The verdict

So here’s my decision: I want to know everything.

I will watch Game of Thrones and figure it all out, most especially to know why my friends go crazy over a less than two-minute teaser video. And get to understand why people still get the satisfaction of watching despite the death of their favorite characters. I am ready to discover all the houses and meet Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, not just through online memes, but their actual characters.

I am already bracing myself for a lot of pleasant and unpleasant surprises, for my heart to get broken and to gain new knowledge about a different series. I am ready for my emotions to burn, die, and live again. As Cersei Lannister said, “When you play the Game of Thrones, you win, or you die.” Hope I got that reference right.


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