TV GUIDE: Ask Matt: Thrones Unspoiled, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, Orphan Black
Jun 10, 2013
by Matt Roush
Send questions and comments to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow on Twitter!
... Question: So I was watching two shows I really like this week coming to the end of their seasons. The first, Orphan Black, is not so well known, though I expect that is in the process of changing. The other, Game of Thrones, is very well known and discussed. I realized as I watched these shows, how little the first one has any type of spoilers and with the second, as well read and known as it is, that I hadn't had it spoiled for me prior to this episode. I have watched many shows both with and without knowing spoilers, and after watching Thrones, I'm almost convinced that I should never read about shows prior to watching them again. I was completely taken by surprise with the events in the episode and as a result it had a much more visceral impact on me than if I had known some of the things to come. Let's have more non-spoiler columns such as yours. — George
Matt Roush: Well, thanks. I am by nature spoiler-averse, preferring to experience things with the element of surprise — or in the case of Thrones, shock and dismay — intact. (Although with Thrones, I read the first three books years before HBO began filming them, so I knew what was coming — and in writing that weekend's TV roundup, hesitated even calling attention to the episode, but figured putting it in context to pivotal penultimate episodes of past seasons was the way to go.) Knowing in advance that characters (even if unnamed in leaked teasers) are going to die or hook up or whatever seems such a self-defeating way to approach the medium. That said, not every piece of information or reporting about a show should be construed as a spoiler. I don't mind reading set pieces and producer/actor interviews in advance of a season or even season finale if the intention is to put the show and its characters in context as long as they don't give too much away — because then what would be the point of watching? Same goes for reviewing, which is my job as critic. I'm often writing about shows based on advance screeners throughout a season, careful not to spoil crucial events while also giving my opinion when possible of episodes that I feel are particularly "must-see." I'd like to think that enhances the experience rather than spoils it...
Game of Thrones season four premieres Spring 2014 on HBO.
Orphan Black season two premieres in 2014 on BBC America.
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