Game of Thrones is set in the fictional land of Westeros, which is divided into seven kingdoms governed by several noble families and depicts the power struggle that erupts for the right to sit on the realm’s Iron Throne.

King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy)currently occupies that position, but his right hand man has been murdered and he senses the unrest that he is sure will bring a war for his position.

He rides to the North Territory to enlist the help of his good friend Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) who reluctantly agrees to travel south with the King to become his new right hand man.

Episode two sees the pain that Stark’s decision to leave his wife and family to fight for the King brings to his household and those around him. His youngest son Bran is in a coma having been pushed from the tower of Winterfell after witnessing a dangerous secret at the end of episode one.

With Stark preparing to leave with the King, his bastard son Jon Snow is also heading away to fight on the Wall. Hated by Catelyn but loved by his father and half brothers and sisters, Snow is determined to make something of himself.

Once at the Wall, Snow soon discovers the cold reality of life away from the comforts of home and you can feel his uneasiness with the company that he will keep for his duration in this strange place.

Game of Thrones is fantastic drama, utterly absorbing and by the end of this episode the viewer will already be aware of who some of the good guys are, although it has to be said that even the good guys are bad!

Sexual content and vulgar language were a surprise to see and hear and make this an adult only fantasy, but the author of the original books defends its inclusion by saying:

“Sexuality is an important part of the books, and the violence is uncompromising because the Middle Ages on which these were based were violent and brutal.”

Game of Thrones Game

It’s a bit late now, but you can take part in the Game of Thrones game on Sky Atlantic’s Facebook page, with the chance to win great prizes. The bad news is the game closes tomorrow April 26th!

Watch Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic HD Monday nights at 9pm

Based on the first of George RR Martin’s bestselling A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Game of Thrones is set in the fictional land of Westeros and its expansive Seven Kingdoms and follows the power struggle that erupts between several noble families fighting for the right to sit on the realm’s Iron Throne.

Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) is the hard but fair Warden of the North who is requested to move south to become the current reigning monarch’s right hand man, following the death of his previous keeper.

Reluctantly Stark accepts the King’s wish ever aware that he is walking into a vipers nest of political in-fighting and treachery.

The spellbinding first episode introduces the Stark family in an uncertain, violent and ruthless world where sex can be as powerful as the sword and fantasy and supernatural evil lurk in the forest.

A world away from traditional fantasy, Game of Thrones dispenses with typical good versus evil morality to deliver a more adult take on the genre, with multi layered characters whose motivations are deeply complex and compelling.

Featuring a galaxy of top actors Game of Thrones will enthral the casual viewer as well as the author’s legion of die hard fans with a masterful adaption that explores the intricacies of human nature with sensational twists and turns in the plot.

The unmissable new series of Game of Thrones will premiere on Sky Atlantic HD tonight April 18th at 9pm in the UK, don’t miss the superb opening sequence that will have you hooked in no time and an ending that will leave you hungry for the next episode!

But Hannah Montana Forever, the latest in the Hannah Montana series, looks set to become one of the most popular among fans of the character with a famous double life.

For those of you that have never seen Hannah Montana, the show’s based on the idea of a girl (Hannah) played by Miley Cyrus, who leads two rather separate lives. Not only is Hannah Miley Stewart by day – a young teenager facing all the trials and tribulations at high school – she’s also a world-famous pop star.

Unlike many pop stars, though, Hannah leads a double life as no-one at her school knows that Miley Stewart is really Hannah Montana. By day Miley will be worrying about her French homework or her latest crush, while by night she’ll be performing in front of thousands of adoring fans.

Hannah Montana has struck a chord with audiences in the US as many kids know what it’s like to go to school all day and dream of being a pop star at night: the important difference, of course, is that Miley doesn’t dream it, she lives it, and that’s part of her huge appeal.

Part of the show’s popularity is the funny and interesting characters that feature, starting with Miley/Hannah. Many of the personalities have been around for the first three series and will continue to make appearances in the fourth. So, who’s who in the world of Hannah Montana?

Robby Stewart is Miley’s dad, who’s not only a single parent but also Miley’s manager. As her mother died from cancer when Miley was just two, Robby has to be both a mother and father figure. As you’d expect, they are very close. It probably wasn’t that hard for Miley Cyrus to play Robby’s daughter as he’s played by her real-life father Billy Ray Cyrus.

Believe it or not, Billy is also Miley’s manager in real life; talk about art imitating life! They enjoy a great relationship on the show although like any father with a young daughter, Robby is always keeping a watchful eye over Miley, making sure she’s doing as well at school as she is on stage.

Jackson Stewart is Miley’s laid-back, somewhat lazy and slightly dim older teenage brother. Although Jackson and Miley often argue, they have a real love for one another and are always there when needed.

Lilly Truscott is Miley’s best friend and was a huge fan of Hannah Montana before she even found out it was Miley. Now she knows the truth, Lilly attends Hannah’s concerts and is part of her entourage. To help keep Miley’s secret safe, Lilly attends Hannah’s concerts in disguise as her alter-ego Lola Luftnagle.

Lilly is an excitable sporty type who loves skateboarding, surfing and cheerleading. When Lilly gets excited she’s prone to doing the odd cartwheel and although her and Miley sometimes argue and occasionally fall out, they always make up and remain best friends.

Oliver Oken is Miley’s closest guy friend and also knows the secret of her really being Hanna Montana. Oliver is funny and confident, although some would call it cocky, and after a series of on/off girlfriends began dating Lilly.

Oliver also created an alter-ego called Mike Standley so he too can attend Hannah’s concerts without giving her secret away.

Rico Suave is the manager of Rico’s Surf Shop where Miley’s brother Jackson works, and is anything but a best friend. Unlike the rest of the main characters, Rico doesn’t know Miley’s secret, which is probably a good job as it’s not certain that he can always be trusted.

Another character who features prominently is Jake Ryan; a famous television actor and Miley’s on-screen love interest.

Hannah Montana is as famous for its songs as its characters; after all, with Hannah being played by Miley Cyrus you’d expect her to be able to sing the odd song or two.

The Hannah Montana theme song, The Best of Both Worlds, has been a hit in several countries and made the charts in the UK.

Disney has pulled out all the stops with the associated website, which is full of great interactive features and Hannah Montana games that you can spend hours enjoying.

There are games such as Hannah Montana dress up, where you have to help get Hannah ready for her concert by dressing her in the right style. There’s also roomy room re-do, which involves giving Hannah’s bedroom a serious makeover.

If you’re into music and fancy yourself as something of a producer then the sound board mix up game gives you the chance to fill in for Robby Stewart and help Hannah to produce a hit single.

All the interactive features on the website mean that you can get to know more about Hannah Montana if you’re something of a newbie to her world, or if you’re an avid fan you can put that knowledge to good use. There’s a quiz on the site to test your Hannah Montana knowledge as well as various pictures and Hannah Montana wallpapers to add to your collection.

Disney has stated that series four will be the final one for Hannah Montana, so now is the last chance you’ll have to see just what happens in the double life of one of America’s most famous teens.

If you’ve never seen Hannah Montana then it’s a good idea to try and watch series one to three or maybe even Hannah Montana: The Movie. The film, which was released last year, went to the top of the US film charts as the number one box office hit, which should give you some idea of just how popular Hannah Montana has become.

The new series of Hannah Montana Forever is shown on Mondays at 17:00 on the Disney Channel. If you’ve often daydreamed about becoming a pop star, it’s well worth checking out!

true blood soundtrack

‘True Blood – Music from the HBO Original Series‘ will be released on October 26th through Atlantic Records, featuring tracks from the first series of True Blood including the sultry theme tune Bad Things performed by Jace Everett.

The show which is in its second series in the US has only recently premiered in the UK, Channel 4 launched the first series on October 7th, and according the the Guardian is ‘destined to become ten times bigger than everything else on TV.’

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery, and humor, True Blood takes place in the not-too-distant future, when vampires have come out of the coffin, thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood that means they no longer need humans to get their fix.

Set in a backwoods Louisiana town, the show follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse ,played by Anna Paquin, who won an Oscar at the age of eleven for her role in The Piano and winner of a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Sookie, who can read minds, and 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton, played by British actor Stephen Moyer.

True Blood – Music from the HBO Original Series features songs performed by a wide-range of Louisiana natives, reflecting the series’ steamy backwoods setting of the American bible-belt where the liberal minded are thin on the ground.

The artists span Louisiana’s distinctive musical heritage, from three-time Grammy award winner Lucinda Williams, Slim Harpo, and Lee Dorsey to Allen Toussaint and the legendary Dr. John.  This eclectic soundtrack of country, rock and blues also includes Bleed 2 Feed, an exclusive new song written expressly for the series by Lafayette-based swamp rocker CC Adcock.

Full tracklisting for the album:

1.      Jace Everett – “Bad Things”

2.      CC Adcock – “Bleed 2 Feed”

3.      Lucinda Williams – “Lake Charles”

4.      Lee Dorsey – “Give It Up”

5.      Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers – “Swampblood”

6.      Cobra Verde – “Play With Fire”

7.      The Watson Twins – “Just Like Heaven”

8.      The Flying Burrito Brothers – “Christine’s Tune (A.K.A. Devil In Disguise)”

9.      Ryan Adams – “Two”

10.  Slim Harpo – “Strange Love”

11.  Allen Toussaint – “From A Whisper To A Wind”

12.  Dr. John – “I Don’t Wanna Know”

13.  John Doe Featuring Kathleen Edwards – “The Golden State”

14.  Little Big Town – “Bones”

It was good to see a more grown-up Micah return to Heroes in this episode. I had my suspicions that he was Rebel, considering his powers, but thought maybe he was another character that had just disapeared without explanation like his cousin Monica or Molly.

We also saw the end of another of the Ali Larter triplets when a frozen Tracey Strauss got blasted into ice cubes by Danko. Wonder when Barbara will make an appearance – and will she be good or bad (and sleep with Nathan Petrelli)? Speaking of whom, I wonder where Nathan has taken refuge now that Danko has discovered his ability? Does this mean he will be forced back into the hero’s gang with his brother Peter?

It’s strange seeing Angela forced into exile and great to see Peter rescuing her at the end. I am still wondering what Angela’s role in the current series is, and if Noah is actually working with her or against her. As usual Noah’s character is very grey, is he good/bad, is his behaviour just a cover for his true intentions etc etc…

I wonder if Peter will retrieve his powers by touching Sylar or by being touched by ‘baby touch and go’ Matt Parkman? I’m still hoping the writers will allow Sylar to save the day and become a hero at last. He is definitely one of my favourite characters and I love the ticking that accompanies him on screen. Will we still get to see the future Sylar with his son Noah? I hope so….

‘The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham’

More of our Lost questions get answered as we finally find out how Jeremy Bentham aka John Locke came to be dead!

As series 5 creeps on we are being fed more and more information that points toward Charles Widmore not being the villain that Ben has always made him out to be. In fact, Benjamin Linus is looking increasingly like the real ‘bad guy’ of the show. But, as always, I am forced to withhold judgement for now as these pesky writers do try and lead us avid Lost fans astray with their storylines.

We already knew that Ben’s scheeming and ruthlessness knew no bounds, even down to killing his own father, but I for one had assumed that it was his devotion to the Island and protecting it from enemies (particularly Charles Widmore) that fuelled this behaviour. In fact the reason he left the Island was to protect it and if he (Ben) is the evil one then wouldn’t Richard Alpert and the rest of the others have dealt with him by now?

In last nights show it was Widmore who appeared to be protecting John and helping him with his mission while Ben strangely saved John from hanging himself…..only to murder him!!! And when we see Locke trying to work out how he had returned to the Island at the end of the show, we find out that the Oceanic survivors (including Locke) all magically transported to the Island in the flash of white light while the others on-board flight 817 (including Ben) only made it to the Island by crashing into it! Hmmm….

One final act of evilness that I hope Ben hasn’t committed is killing Penny Widmore and possibly little Charlie but the end of episode 6 seemed to point to just that. As it stands at the moment – Widmore’s only crime is sending the soldiers to find the Island and get Ben (although why didn’t he go with them if he wanted to return to the Island?) while Ben is a rampant serial killer and conman…..hmmmm again!

Now all the survivors are back hopefully future episodes will concentrate on the Island and start revealing a few more of it’s mysteries….oh damn I forgot about Desmond maybe there are a few on/off episodes left to come!

Oh dear, ITV just can’t make family sci-fi shows as good as BBC One can it?

It was a sad goodbye to Charlie Boorman on Sunday as he finally reached his destination in Ireland to Sydney by Any Means. Great show but I did miss the banter he and Ewan usually share on their escapades.

Two new shows I am perservering with are the completely over-hyped Fringe on Sky 1, Sunday 9pm and Sanctuary on ITV4, Monday 9pm.

They are both the type of show I usually enjoy but I’m finding it very hard to warm to them. The formats are okay, if a little unoriginal, and the effects are good but the characters seem a little shallow.

Unfortunately for them the shows they are trying to emulate are just too excellent to match.

New Star Trek movie aside, I think Lost creator JJ Abram’s will find it very hard to repeat the success he has with the cult show.

With 2008 disappearing faster than our high street banks!….I’m eagerly awaiting news on the return of any of my favourite shows and it looks like the Sky 1 website has just the thing…photo’s of the new series of Torchwood currently being filmed in Cardiff. Click on the link to get your fix!

At last a decent series to replace Doctor Who, Primeval and all the other Saturday primetime shows that we enjoy watching with the family.

Knowing how rubbish some of these shows turn out to be, I tuned in to Merlin on Saturday with low expectations…..low and behold we all sat glued to the screen and enjoyed every minute of it.  One of the reasons it was so enjoyable was probably down to the brilliant CGI which was created by the Doctor Who special effects team.

We also took great pleasure in ‘character spotting’ ……that is seeing how many characters from our other favourite TV shows popped up this week and no doubt others will follow.  Tony Head who played a scarey Headmaster in Doctor Who was the first and soon followed by Eve Myles, who isn’t very scarey in Torchwood, but had us hiding behind our cushions as the very creepy witch trying to avenge her sons’ death.

This looks set to become a firm favourite in our household so I hope the rest of the series is as good.

All of my favourite shows seem to be disappearing off of the screen; Lost, Inbetweeners, Desperate Housewives (disappearing mid-season really is poor!),Torchwood, Bionic Woman and I hear that this season of Brothers & Sisters will be the last – thank goodness we still have Heroes and a few episodes of Doctor Who left to fill the summer void!!

If I enjoyed the soaps or reality TV then my viewing schedule would be overflowing but alas, British soaps are far too depressing and the majority of DIY, reality, do-up-your house, sell-your-house-and-make-lots-of-money, go-live-abroad-disaster-that-turns-out-ok! shows have been so overdone that watching them is predictable and boring.

I watch TV for entertainment, to escape reality and maybe to learn something new and interesting – so what will be dominating our primetime viewing for the next 13 weeks – BB9!!!

For those of you who get the extra channels, ITV3 are screening the whole first series of Primeval on Saturday starting at 2.15pm. It will be followed at 8.15pm with ‘Primeval – Behind the Scenes’, unfortunately there is nothing of interest to fill the Pushing Daisies void or indeed the Lost void on Sunday, unless you have been watching Greek, BBC3, 9pm, I haven’t watched it so I can’t comment on it’s entertainment value. If you are missing Pushing Daisies then visit the ITV.com site to view a ‘magic unseen’ episode called ‘Dummy‘.

Does anyone watch a great show that they could recommend? Please just drop me a line in the comment box below.

It looks like I might have some time on my hands, time to get on my bike, get the gardening done, hopefully we will have a long hot summer…..!