What is Game of Thrones about?

Game of Thrones is an immensely popular dark and gritty fantasy series aired on HBO is based on George R. R. Martin’s, also immensely popular, fantasy book series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. It is set in a sprawling map and follows a large number of characters as they face numerous challenges in a European medieval setting, albeit with a bit of magic and dragons sprinkled in it. Game of Thrones takes place in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. One of the unique elements of the continent is that the seasons last so long that they last for decades. The story begins with the threat of decade long winter coming and follows two families, at least initially, The Starks and Lannisters as they battle for dominance of "Iron Throne" which is the ultimate seat of power in the continent. The show is unique in that no character is truly safe as they battle each other both politically and militarily.