Influential TV critics Dan Feinberg and Alan Sepinwall of HitFix.com have released their latest podcast, entitled (coincidentally enough) Firewall & Iceberg, where they talk for 20 minutes about Game of Thrones. The verdict? They loved it. Feinberg has read the first book and part of the second, however Sepinwall, despite pressure from fellow critics such as Mo Ryan and James Poniewozik, decided to not read the book so he could better review the show. So his viewpoint is particularly heartening as he is someone who has a large reading audience and is reviewing the show as just a TV viewer and not a book fan. Game of Thrones box set

They talk about the show in glowing terms, comparing it to The Sopranos and The Wire. They say that outside of Lord of the Rings, this show contains one of the most fully realized fantasy worlds on screen. They say that the acting is stellar across the board, with particular stand-outs being Maisie Williams, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, and Mark Addy. They say…. well, I could go on and on about all the good things they say, but it’s easier if you just listen!

The Maester’s Path: Final reward

For those of you who have not only bested the five challenges, but also gathered five novices: the final reward is awaiting you at the Citadel, as you are ordained maesters. A video, no less … different than before, and you will be able to chose a house to serve and swear allegiance to it. Lots of goodies await, explore!