Game of Thrones S1

Around 2015 I watched the first episode. Some months ago I watched the first three. I was hooked, like I never am with TV, and I wouldn't let myself continue. Now, winter coming, I caved. That my season matched the show's was a coincidence: I think this is just my season for escapism, and maybe some broader season of my life spurred me on. Whatever it was, Game of Thrones haunted me and I craved something like it to match my season -- primarily it itself.

The first three episodes passed as remembered: excellent development. The next few were rushed. Meaningful things passed too fast to process. Storylines I cherished pivoted like they were penultimate to the season ending, but this was mid-season when I still needed to be building my understanding. I needed to comprehend the context, then relish the pivot, then process the consequences. I know Game of Thrones is brutal on the viewer; more on that later. The mid-season kept pulling the rug from under me; maybe this feels honest and satisfying to the writers, but it ruined the investment I'd built in the show. Which seems counterproductive for showrunners.

Then there are the last two episodes, escalating the trend. So much of my dear investment ripped out. What can propel me to next season if not the Stark arc with Ned at the helm? He was the heart. And that's not the only curtain rent. Several deaths felt like hasty anticlimax, ruining anticipative arcs. I can imagine a theory there that I respect: fidelity to history or to the novel, maybe deliberate destruction of the viewer's micro-expectations to divert their attention to greater arcs. But it objectively damped my excitement for season 2, which I may now avoid without too much fuss.

Was it worthwhile to the writers? I understand sacrifice of core elements for a higher cause, but it happened repeatedly and, more importantly, too fast. One gives up. They may have lost my viewership for it.

What could keep me on? No house's struggle. Just two things: winter and dragons. The lord at the wall was right: when winter comes it won't matter who's on the throne. That's a stark symbol for our own lives.

Ideas that struck me:

• trusty right-hand man
• sense of home in Winterfell
• loyalty to family and country
• it all ends

Fight for family and honor, but don't expect it to last. Relish beauty; expect transience.

Recent music

Slow Train Coming, Saved, Shot of Love (Bob Dylan): It was a tough few years, yet capped by a decent album in Shot of Love. I like a good half of that album.

Bach's Cello Suites (Yo-Yo Ma): In a world hooked on hooks, I can see why people nevertheless know Yo-Yo Ma and the cello suites. Was anything sophisticated ever so sunny? It's a balm.

Birds in the Trap, Astroworld, Utopia (Travis Scott): I like the sound, but as far as I can tell there's nothing unique about it. I'm pretty easy to please as far as hip hop, though hard to impress. I can enjoy most hip hop as a soundtrack to any slice of life, but usually I listen to music with more focus, and Travis Scott doesn't satisfy such scrutiny. His sound could elevate many an activity though.

Bach's Goldberg Variations (Glenn Gould): This is perfect for me. What a blend of logic and feeling, purely distilled onto the piano.

Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (directed by Benjamin Britten): as a primarily solo performer throughout my life, I can empathize much better with Glenn Gould's and Yo-Yo Ma's solo performances above. I have less appreciation for good orchestration and good orchestras. It sounded more like cheesy baroque to me. But it's a consummate confrontation of the period that I should revisit.