All of this discussion concerning “Mad Men” versus “Boardwalk Empire” has overshadowed the darkest and most-crestfallen horse in the derby — “Game of Thrones.”
When the series premiered earlier this year, fans and critics alike were wondering how Emmy voters would respond to HBO’s riskiest show in years. Would the medieval world of Westeros keep TV academy voters at arm’s length? Or would they embrace this opportunity to be taken to a realm unlike anything previously seen on television?
When Emmy nominations were announced on July 14, “Game of Thrones” reaped an impressive 13 bids. Sure, the snubs for Art Direction and Main Title Music were widely-felt, but few found these exclusions as a sign of things to come. Seems we should have.
Of the nine Creative Arts Emmy categories where “Game of Thrones” contended, it won just one — Main Title Design. And while that win was greatly deserved, several of the eight losses were inexplicable. To lose Prosthetic Makeup to the zombies of “The Walking Dead” is one thing but to fall short in the Special Visual Effects race to “Boardwalk Empire” is another matter entirely.
On Sunday, “Game of Thrones” contends for Best Drama Series, Supporting Drama Actor (Peter Dinklage) and both writing and directing awards. It is not favored to win any of these races.
