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Now that school is winding down, it’s time to start catching up on TV shows. I have the perfect suggestion for you. This show has just as much action as “NCIS” or “How to Get Away with Murder.” It’s as mysterious as “Criminal Minds” or “Riverdale” and as dramatic as “This is Us” or “Downton Abbey.” Viewers can even count on good comedy on par with “The Office” or “The Good Place.” “Game of Thrones” is the show for you.

The Emmy, Golden Globe, Hugo, TCA, PGAA, SAGA, and Critics’ Choice award-winning TV series, “Game of Thrones,” made its debut on HBO in April of 2011. The show is based off the best-selling book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” written by George R.R. Martin. Until about two months ago, I was a part of the one percent that didn’t watch “Game of Thrones.” Thanks to the memes on social media, the only thing I knew about the show was that winter was apparently coming. Being from the Midwest, I didn’t understand why they couldn’t just buy a shovel and get over it like the rest of us.

After running out of shows to watch, my best friend suggested I watch the show before the final season debuts on April 14. Little did I know, I had been missing out for years.

I was hesitant about watching this show. For one, I thought the show was for old people. Also, I’m not a history person at all, so I didn’t think I would be interested in a show set in medieval times. Therefore, I figured this show was going to be boring. However, I am not a quitter. And once I start something, even something as simple as a TV show, I have to finish it no matter how long the series is or how uninteresting it may be. I need closure. Not to mention, I don’t have an HBO subscription, and as a college student, I didn’t want to spend my money on one.

Even though “Game of Thrones” is set in a medieval time period, it’s not about your typical knights and castles. The show takes place within a fictional world. The main two continents are Westeros and Essos. There are seven kingdoms that make up Westeros, and it is a constant battle between the kingdoms to see who will sit on the Iron Throne and rule. Besides the cliché battle, the show consists of a witch, a dwarf, dragons, zombie dragons (I bet you’ve never heard of one those), giants, bastards, magic (sort of), incest and nudity, pregnancy, castrations, prostitution, rape, kidnappings, arranged marriages and weddings, homicide, suicide, beheading, poisoning, patricide, matricide, slavery, zombies, generations of messed up families and so much more.

Although technically, the show has been classified as an American fantasy drama, this show does not simply fit into one category. “Game of Thrones” has a little bit of every genre in it, which makes it the perfect show for anyone.

Word of advice: brace yourself for anything to happen, and pay attention to detail. This is not a show that you can multitask while watching. Usually, I am all for scrolling through social media or doing homework while binge watching. However, the slightest things can reveal a lot in this show. Also, beware that the first season might be a little confusing, but you should avoid going online for answers. I made the mistake of turning to Google and spoiled several things for myself. I recommend watching with a friend who already watches the show or sending your questions their way.

Besides the juicy storyline and crazy plot twists, “Game of Thrones” is known for its character developments. If you thought “Grey’s Anatomy” was bad for killing off your favorite characters, “Game of Thrones” has it beat. When I started watching this show, I told myself not to get attached to anyone. If you want to avoid becoming pissed off at your TV or avoid heartbreak, I advise you train your brain to think the same way. There are obvious fan favorites and other characters you will truly despise, but they’re all equally likely to end up dead.

Don’t let this discouraging fact dissuade you from watching the show. The intricate character development makes it worth it. Throughout the episodes, you connect with the characters and feel as if you have known them forever. Without giving away too many spoilers, viewers will see all the main characters grow and find their true selves. Even when the characters try to fight it, the viewers can tell early on if that character is going to become a total badass or an asshole.

This show can also be binged watched. Unfortunately, it is only on HBO, and a subscription is typically $14.99 per month, but subscribers will get seven days of free streaming and can cancel anytime. As long as you have an HBO subscription, you will have unlimited access to all the episodes. And because the show is already several seasons old, you won’t have to wait each week for a new episode. This makes it easy to catch up and prepare for the final season.

The final season will begin on April 14 and conclude on May 19 on HBO. According to “Entertainment Weekly,” there will only be six episodes that will range from 54–80 minutes long. The total runtime will be approximately the length of four feature films. I anticipate a lot of deaths (probably of my favorite characters), the Iron Throne to finally have its ruler (probably someone who isn’t deserving of it) and a new romance between the characters (but hopefully no more incest). Winter is coming, my friends.