GAME OF THRONES: THE EXHIBITION

NOTE: This post assumes the reader is familiar with the GAME OF THRONES television series, so there will be little or no detailed explanation of the photos in this post. Just so ya know.

On this beautiful first day of April, I made my way into Manhattan to West 57th Street for a touring exhibition of props and costumes from HBO's excellent sex-and-violence-laden GAME OF THRONES, joined there by my friend and fellow THRONES-maniac, Lia. It was free and the fans could get themselves photographed on a replica of the Iron Throne, so why the hell would I not attend and photographically chronicle the whole shebang? (Click on photos to embiggen.)

When I got off the subway I made my way to 57th Street and at first was concerned I wouldn't be able to find the venue. I needn't have worried.

As with any geeky event, especially one that costs nothing to see, the line to get in was long.

I arrived just after noon and ended up waiting on the outdoor line for a little over an hour, with another twenty minutes one the line to get photographed on the Iron Throne when I made it inside. Fortunately, Lia showed up not long after I arrived and she kept me company.

The prize I won for answering a GAME OF THRONES-related trivia question (something about Tyrion Lannister): a shield keychain bearing the sigil of House Stark.

Two fans represent as Khal Drogo and Deanerys Targaryen.

At last, the entrance!

An assortment of artifacts. That severed hand looked amazingly lifelike.

Costume for Ygritte the Wildling.

Dour heartthrob Jon Snow's Night's Watch gear.

Costume for Mance Rayder, the king beyond the Wall.

Tyrion Lannister's armor.

Another look at Tyrion Lannister's armor.

Jaime Lannister's armor.

Cersei Lannister's gown (which unfortunately did not smell of rampant consensual incest.

The royal garb of King Joffrey Baratheon, a literal and figurative bastard if ever there was one.

A severed noggin.

 The crown of Renly Baratheon (L) and that of he who currently sits the Iron Throne of Westeros.

Robert Baratheon's drinking horn (which, if you ask me, should show a hell of a lot more wear).

 Note Davos Seaworth's lucky fingers.

Stannis sez: The banner above the Iron Throne. There was a young couple on line in front of me and they got a shot of their eight-month-old sitting the Throne, looking as happy as could be. The photography staff and those milling about all let out a huge collective "Awwww..." when they saw him.

The replica of the Iron Throne. It was apparently crafted from plastic and/or fiberglass.

 

Your Truly on the Iron Throne. Having learned from previous conventions and photo ops that it's always a good idea to bring my own props and costumes since the show itself may not provide such, I brought my enchanter's horns, a fake fur neck wrap, and my plastic crusader's sword. As I prepared to enter the exhibit, security stopped me and told me in no uncertain terms that I could not enter with a  sword. I unsheathed it and showed them it was a plastic toy — albeit a very realistic-looking one — and after that it was smooth sailing. The photo shoot granted the attendee a 4" x 6" hard copy printout on quality paper, along with a jpeg that the recipient could send to their email address.

Lia on the Iron Throne (I loaned her the shades and sword).

 More assorted artifacts.

Costumes for the Starks of Winterfell.

Need I tell you this is the Targaryen section?

 Dragon eggs.

The latest in Dothraki fashions.

Artifacts from Qarth.

Baby Drogon. Semi-spoiler: He doesn't stay this wee for long...

Assorted armaments. I wanted to abscond with most of this stuff.

Note Jon Snow's sword, Longclaw. (It's the one with the white wolf's head pommel.)

 Love that broadsword! (Sorry about the flash.)

Note Needle and Arya's wooden practice sword.

 Sorry about this blurry shot of Robert Baratheon's war hammer. I hope one of those fantasy weapons replica manufacturers eventually releases that particular item.

Seriously, imagine taking a blow to the face with that fucking thing! You wouldn't imagine anything ever again.

A pair of Dothraki Arakhs, also high on my list of "must have" replicas.

The Hound's helm.

 Gendry's helm.

 A House Lannister shield.

 Assorted Wildling artifacts.

Yours Truly in front of the massive map of Westeros.

All too soon, it was back to reality.

My Iron Throne portrait, with the promotional text untrimmed.