Why 'Game Of Thrones' Has Become A Global Cult

In Oxford, there is a pub where the warrior Cromwell once paid his troops and two English professors often went to share a pint. The professors were named J. R. R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. We can only imagine the conversations that took place between the creators of two of the largest imaginative worlds ever created: “Lord Of The Rings” and “Narnia” are billion dollar franchises. 

(And, in case you happen to be in England this Summer, that Oxford pub is The Eagle and Child, located on St. Giles Street.)

The worlds that Tolkien and Lewis created provide a backdrop behind HBO's thunderclap epic “Game Of Thrones.” Starting its seventh season this weekend, the fantasy epic drags in millions of viewers globally, including more than a few who might otherwise sniff at a world filled with incest, whorehouses and dragon ladies.

Some background. When “Game Of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin first published his lumpy saga, the books filled several imaginary continents and six volumes that weighed in at about 1000-pages each. (Disclaimer: After the first season, I couldn’t wait a year for the next episode and so plunged headlong into the next 5,000 pages.)

As regular viewers already know, the storyline has more streams and tributaries than a River delta, flowing along separate paths, all moving generally in the same direction. Critics have claimed (accurately) that the plot line dissolves under the weight of characters who have been killed off.

Novelist Martin—and screenwriters David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (many other writers are also credited), willfully slay our favorite characters, from chums Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon to Robb and Catelyn Stark. Then Martin bets our emotions on smaller figures (like Petyr Baelish and sniveler Theon Greyjoy) whom we care less about, but, unfortunately, they are the only characters left.

Nevertheless, GOT (yes, every hit needs an acronym) pushes forward. “Game Of Thrones” has become a Sunday night ritual more popular than Cards Against Humanity.

Why? The reason behind GOT’s fantastical success is amazing story ingredients that hook us at our emotional core and drag us in, achieving cult-like status.

Here they are.

Each of the Seven Kingdoms has an origin myth. R.R. Martin devotes many pages to the telling differences between Westeros, Riverrun, Braavos, King’s Landing, and the people beyond the northern Wall. (We’ll spare you the details.)

These kingdoms and their families have their own motto or Creed: “A Lannister pays their debts.” Or as Emilia Clarke, who plays the wickedly beautiful Daenerys Targaryen declares, “All men must die. But we are not men.”

Memorable icons. The series has repeatedly (and rightfully) earned awards for Outstanding Special and Visual Effects, Costuming, Art Direction and Prosthetic Makeup that create the transformative world viewers instantly drop into and become a part of.

Disbelief is suspended as easily as dragons.

The creators’ iconic imprints include castles, an icy North Wall, an icy queen, dire wolves, dragons, Melisandre the red sorceress, a blade called “Needle” and, of course, a Throne that is physically and emotionally hard to sit upon.

Every world has Rituals. These community rites declare what these worlds celebrate and hold important. In GOT these include tournaments, war, rebellion, jousts, endless sword fighting, sending people to the Wall, sex, feasting, and more sex.

Create your own lexicon. There is an entire lexicon that GOT newcomers learn as they become immersed in this fantasy world. Words like “Westeros,” “Valryian steel” and “The Hound” once sounded strange to our ear, but today seem as simple to understand as “Hodor Hodor Hodor.” Every viewer worth their salt knows that the “Skyhole” is no place to be, don’t mess with “White Walkers” (GOT’s own species of zombie) and who doesn’t want to one day find their own "Sun and Stars”?

I swear upon the gods old and new, that if you don’t know what we mean, you’ll just have to watch.

No spoilers here.

Every writer who has attended Robert McKee's story conference knows that drama requires conflict. The potboiler story arc may include plot twists and cliffhangers, or there may be inner conflict. “Game Of Thrones” is filled with each, from Bran and Arya Stark’s slow evolution to Bronn’s steadfast loyalty. Peter Dinklage, who plays one of the series’ most engaging and endearing characters as Tyrion Lannister, is a prime example of a character that has survived pitfalls and grown large.

All communities, even fantasy ones, have a counter-community of villains, haters, and opponents. In GOT’s world, these opponents go from stealthy politicos to flat-out sword-wielding enemies (and don't forget the dragons). Symbolic icons like ice and fire, blood and water, and the iconic North Wall (is Trump watching, too?!!) mix in a melting pot that excites our primal imaginations. 

In fact, the overarching plot of GOT is the exacting rivalry between clans and kingdoms, and the political machinery of war.

Between the myriad Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, and Mother of Dragons, GOT is an industry of viewership worth billions. “The Sopranos” launched HBO onto the global stage: “Game Of Thrones” has given HBO management another step up that ladder. Running through the spine of this powerful series is a strategic brand narrative that includes creation myth, creed, icons, ritual and rites of passage, lexicon, nonbelievers and a powerful group of leaders battling to see who will usurp them all.

The outcome is that “Game Of Thrones” has become a global entertainment engine akin to “Star Wars.” The series has received 110 Emmy Award nominations and many wins. It thrives on a Brand community that (like “Lord Of The Rings” and “Narnia” before it) numbers millions of fans. Put in perspective this audience has never been more important: In today’s splintered channels media environment, GOT’s 23 million viewers is a landslide—but back in 1983, with only three channels to choose from, the series finale of M*A*S*H tuned in an eye-popping125 million people.

Back to 2017. Today, GOT's compelling hooks drive narrative and grab eyeballs. What it lacks (in the novel version, anyway)—and hopefully will resolve this season—is the dramatic plot twist and resolution that makes seven years in the waiting and millions of dollars in the making worth the wait.

Cue the dragons.

(NOTE: A similar article appeared in Forbes. This version has been updated.)