These characters are frighteningly trite and uninteresting, not to mention the strained dialogue. The acting has not been strong, especially Matt Smith, but that may have more to do with direction than anything else.

The king is a relatively nice guy who wants a male heir. The queen is dutiful and feels guilty. The princess is a cardboard cut-out "royal teen" that makes every scene she is in cringeworthy. The brother "prince" is a villainous scamp!

Just typing this stuff out makes me want to change my rating to a one!

The show has failed to interest me, and that's killing me as a fan of the novels and GOT.