Game of Thrones was originally the first book in the fantasy series 'A Song of Fire and Ice' by George R.R. Martin. I feel really guilty for not having finished it yet, but there's so many books I still have to read (and as I already mentioned a couple of days ago, I'm re-reading all the Harry Potter books before the last film is released).
The TV-series follow the book quite closely, for as far as I've read it and can tell. Most characters are exactly as I'd imagined them and I love that they cast Sean Bean for the role of Ned Stark. It's very hard to make a short summary, because so many things happen in only ten episodes, but I'll give it a try (without spoiling anything, obviously).
The story is mainly about four houses, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Targaryen (there are more, though). In the beginning all seems to be well, but soon problems arise and suspicion drives the Starks, the Baratheons and the Lannisters apart. In the meanwhile, Viserys Targaryen forces his sister Daenerys to marry Khal Drogo, the ruler of the Dothraki riders; in exchange he wants the khal to help him become king.
One of the best intros ever, IMO:
It's really hard to write more without spoiling anything, so you'll just have to find out for yourself and watch a couple of episodes.
The story is amazing and very different from most fantasy books/series, in a good way. There's lots of conspiracies and unexpected twists, so the series are thrilling until the very last episode. There's so many aspects to this plot that sometimes even turn out to be interconnected and sometimes not, so you never really know what will come next.
Every character has his or her own story and secrets and you can't help but love every single one, one more than another, of course. In the beginning it might be difficult to tell them apart, because there's so many, but every single one plays his or her part in this epic story. I especially loved the Targaryen storyline, it's amazing to see Daenarys change and 'become' herself.
The final episode was incredible, too. I can't imagine I'll have to wait so long to see what happens next , so maybe I'll have to read the books anyway, when I find the time.
If you like fantasy, thrillers or are simply looking for a good series, I can definitely recommend Game of Thrones. The characters are great and complex, there's drama, fantasy, sex and violence, conspiracies and also some humour every now and then, provided especially by Tyrion Lannister, the dwarf. I can't wait for the next season.
Ned and Arya Stark
King Robert, his wife Cersei and their son Joffrey
Daenarys and Viserys
Arya and her teacher
Jon Snow and Bran Stark
Sansa Stark and Joffrey