from GeekChicDaily:
In most fantasy, an ancient evil returns with new power to take over the land. Only an unlikely commoner with hidden heritage (call him Prince Frodo Skywalker XVIII) can wield a magic weapon to become The Chosen One.
Not in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Good and bad, black and white; all give way to shades of gray. It’s The Sopranos with swords as families vie for ultimate power. They can be tough to keep straight, what with all the multi-syllabic made-up names. Before you watch, check our geek-friendly primer:
1. Boromir Bean — That’s LOTR’s Sean Bean as Lord Eddard Stark, the closest thing to a good guy. How do we know this? He feels remorse after beheading people.
2. Sparta’s Shame — 300’s Lena Headey leads the Lannister clan, who behave like actual historical royal families: they’re arrogant, inbred, and enjoy pushing children out of windows.
3. What’s a Dothraki? — Think Klingons with swords, but WAY more naked.
4. Ground Fighter — Dwarves in fantasy are generally gruff warriors; Peter Dinklage’s Tyrion is simply a human with dwarfism. His power? He gets all the best lines.
Learn the other players in this Game this Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.