Dragons and Kings: a visit to the Game of Thrones Exhibit

I had not followed Game of Thrones the past 3 years. However, when I got to reading the first book, I was hooked. The first few chapters required much concentration as there were so many characters to keep track of. But after that, I simply couldn’t put the book down. I’m currently reading the fifth book and have completed the first three seasons on DVD.  It does get confusing at times for me since the series has not been consistent with the book. But, needless to say, I loved it! Got Hubby hooked on it as well.

Imagine our excitement when one of my very good friends managed to get tickets to the internationally-touring GOT exhibit at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, just before it got sold out?! The exhibit toured only 8 cities this year and what luck that they would stop by Toronto! Hooray! 

Our tickets indicated 4:30-5pm, which was actually the line-up time. Once inside the exhibit, you could stay on for as long as you pleased.  Though the queue was so long, we managed to get in at a little before 5pm.  

The exhibit featured 100 original artifacts, costumes and weaponry from the three seasons, plus some pieces from the fourth season of this epic fantasy series. We checked out some photos and storyboards displayed right outside the main exhibit as well. I should have warned Hubby not to look at some stuff, but it was too late. As he had not finished Season 3 at the time we went to the exhibit, the wall that featured the Red Wedding served as a spoiler for him. 

Red Wedding @ GOT exhibit

The costumes were awesome. The exhibit was divided into several sets—Daenerys and her dragon, Arya and the Hound, Jamie and Brienne, King’s Landing, Stannis and Melissandre, Jon Snow and the wildlings, and so on. You get the point. 

Daenerys--Mother of Dragons

Jon and Ygritte--wildling costumes

After checking out the costumes and blurbs on each section, we went to line up at the “Ascend the Wall” experience. Folks strapped on an Oculus Rift (virtual reality headset) to simulate ascending the 700ft wall by “elevator.” It was realistic enough for me to hold on to the rail as I truly felt I was zooming up the wall. It was mind-blowing to be on top of that wall of ice and look out beyond. The whole thing lasted for all of a couple of minutes but this 4D experience was super cool! 

Ascend the Wall @ GOT exhibit

After that, we went outside for everyone’s favorite photo-op: posing on the replica of the Iron Throne.

Iron Throne

 The exhibit made the book and series come alive. We spent a good hour or so  checking out various props and costumes. It was well worth the line-up to any fan. And outside, the gift shop sold merchandise, of course! 

Dragon eggs

 

I wanted to end with Valar Morghulis, but I feel it’s too morbid (even if it is not truly negative in essence). The series, books, and exhibit are game-changing indeed if they get wildlings like us speaking High Valyrian!