Rave reviews as fifth series of Game of Thrones kicks off

The long wait is finally over for Game Of Thrones fans as the fifth season aired to rave reviews last night.

However, the show’s return last night was marred by a leak of the first four episodes online, which HBO announced it was investigating.

A HBO statement said: “Sadly, it seems the leaked four episodes of the upcoming season of Game Of Thrones originated from within a group approved by HBO to receive them. We’re actively assessing how this breach occurred.”

Anyone waiting for the fifth series of the hit HBO show to unfold would do well to avoid the internet, where spoilers abound, but fans are likely to be satisfied, with one major character reportedly being killed off and plenty of trademark dragon-based special effects.

The Irish talent in America’s most watched series of all time come to the fore again in the first new episode with Ciaran Hinds, Aidan Gillan, and Liam Cunningham all featuring.

Time magazine said although the plot deviated from the source books, the A Song Of Fire And Ice series by George RR Martin, it had “started to outgrow its parents”.

“As the series moves past the book on some story-lines and changes others to better suit the screen, for the first time readers are as likely to be surprised by what happens as non-readers,” it said.

“And it is still a magnificent beast: Bold, confident, and venturing off in new directions.”

The New York Times said: “It was a scene-setter episode that was more chatty than bloody, with a couple of exceptions.”

The UK Radio Times, which had seen an advanced screening last month, said: “While there is one major death in the first episode, this first instalment of series five will have fans of the show gripped as we catch up with everyone and prepare to take things forward.

“And though it would probably feel entirely baffling and uneventful to first-timers, my appetite was well and truly whetted.”

However, a review in the Independent sounded a note of disappointment, although it said the writing and production values “remain superb”.

It said: “The show suffers from its own appeal, being so good as to create an appetite in its viewers that is difficult to sate in a 10-episode series. And with more players than your average primary school to give airtime to, it’s no wonder matters feel rather rushed.

“Five seasons into Game Of Thrones, it is no wonder the focus has become rather blurred.”

DISCOVER MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS