I'd say maybe read general summaries of each episode or watch like a good hour-long summary video on YouTube if you don't feel like seeing every single episode. And then watch the last 4-5 episodes of the most recent season. Otherwise, it's whatever, haha
I have no problem with you checking out the show and consuming it however you want. I'm more so curious about the decision to consume the show in the manner you're doing so and then taking the time to discuss it the way you did above on a fan forum. It's totally cool to not be into the Joffrey storyline. Like we've all said, it's not enjoyable and it's really hard to watch. But to respond to the notion that it serves a purpose with, "Eh, I don't really care, I'm not going to be emotionally invested in the show either way"—what's the point?
By season 2 it’s already pretty well established how sociopathic Joffrey is. I agree that after a point it’s not fun to watch in the sense of “We fucking get it,” like there’s nothing that’s added because of it. It’s just torture porn. Same with the incessant nudity and sex scenes up through s3(?)
The I don’t really care was about Joffrey specifically. I mentioned that he wasn’t fun to watch and it was a chore to get through, and the response was that hating him was one of the best things about the show. It doesn’t serve that purpose for me. A lot of the rest of it has been enjoyable enough to just watch instead of analyzing it. Then he shows up and it’s just a slog. I had mentioned before when I started a rewatch that part of why I hadn’t gotten through it before was that I always felt like I needed to pay incredibly close attention to every second and rewatch every episode before I move on. Trying it this time I’m realizing that I have enough issues with the show overall that I can’t watch it like that where I’m trying to throw myself into the world. Just watching it as a show and not some major investment to force myself into has been way better.
I'd say don't give up on watching it for summaries yet....Season 3 and 4 are prob the two best seasons and outside of some sputtering in Season 5, the action and story moves pretty fast from there. That being said, I really really love Season 2 and I tend to be in the minority there. I feel like it's constantly rated as the 2nd 'worst' season just ahead of Season 5. But the centering on Tyrion, his relationship with Bronn and Pod and navigation of the Kings Landing intrigue, the Arya/Tywin scenes are off the charts fantastic, The northerners fucking shit up in the Westerlands, etc. I wasn't a huge fan of Dany's Season 2 story, but the payoff at the end was worth it (though I wish they had the budget and time/patience to do the House of the Undying scene like the book...some of those 'visions' would have been awesome on screen). I suppose Jon's Season 2 story isn't the most interesting now in hindsight but a lot of necessary moves and development there. Cat, Brienne, and the Baratheon brothers was pretty good too. I was really hopeful Renly and/or Stannis were going to fuck Joffery and the Lannisters up...this was back before I really realized what the show was lol
The consensus here being that three and four are where it really picks up has definitely been a motivator. I also read some articles that mentioned they did try to undo some of the more problematic issues later in the series, which I hope holds true.
I always forget about Renly. In hindsight he was more of just a plot point for other characters (Brienne, Stannis, the Tyrells)
I always forget that he dies SO fast. I find him interesting every time I go through and every time I also forget that he’s only in it for a hot second. I remember all of the other major deaths I think, but that one catches me every time.
Yep...but back in the day, I remember being very excited about a Renly-led 100,000 deep army that would be friendly with Robb haha. God I was such a sweet summer child back then...
I’m dreading that. I remember the huge controversy about him and I know I will be livid at everyone involved. It’s pretty far into the show right?
screw renly, what made him think that he had a legitimate claim on the throne over his brother? what an opportunist, im glad stannins snuffed him out.
People yelled at me when I suggested that perhaps someone shouldn’t suffer through 60+ hours of a show they don’t really like that much just to see how it ends.
My point has been that I want to actually know what’s going on so I can have some fun watching the internet explode every week instead of seeing it happen from afar. I already know a fair bit just from cultural osmosis, but just seeing the last season not knowing any real context or story wouldn’t be enjoyable at all, just confusing. Except for the Joffrey stuff being awful, watching it as just a silly show that looks pretty has been much more fun.
I just finished the show for the first time myself and I actually found that the "Previously On..." segments really helped me fill in some gaps that I missed in some episodes. I usually skip those when I'm watching a show but I always paid total attention every time for GOT
I think this time I actually understand what’s going on, luckily. I don’t skip them when they come up though. I hate when previously ons give away spoilers that a character is returning or something, so I’m also a fan of skipping for some shows.