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I also admit to some FOMO when others are all in on pop culture obsessions, because I want to play too! And people love them some “Game of Thrones.” Like seriously love it.

My mom will tell you that pop culture has been in my blood almost since the beginning, especially television shows. If you wanted to keep me quiet as a kid, you either handed me a book or you plopped me in front of a television. Especially anything having to do with historical fiction.

So it would make sense that “Game of Thrones” would be my jam since it’s based on the incredibly popular “A Song of Fire and Ice” fantasy book series by George R. R. Martin. Upon seeing the promotional photos before the series debuted in 2011, I immediately thought “medieval drama!” and was ready to be all in, starting with the novels.

The struggle began when I was reading the first book in the series. I am that annoying type of person who MUST read the book before the thing it’s based on comes out. (I also have to read book series in strict order, but I digress).

The first book is titled “A Game of Thrones” and I settled in fully expecting to be engrossed by all 694 pages. I even poured my favorite beverage in my chalice goblet to set the mood for what I had heard was a powerful tale of the inhabitants of the fictitious lands of Westeros and Essos.

Things didn’t go as planned.

I just couldn’t seem to connect with the book, despite Martin being a fine writer.

“Maybe I just can’t read it,” I thought, and downloaded it on Audible to listen instead.

Dear reader, it became the first audiobook I have ever fallen asleep to while listening.

So my expectations were already low when the series debuted. I tried to watch the first few episodes and they seemed too dark to me — and I’m not just talking about the subject matter. The cinematography seemed so dark, at times I felt like I was struggling to make out the characters.

It all felt so…bleak. Add the fact that, as an empath, I really can’t do beheadings, and I decided to tap out.

“Succession” with swords

The show very quickly began to take over my social media feeds and thus began my feelings of being left out of what plenty of people appeared to be enjoying.

I tried to sort out why exactly I wasn’t vibing with the “GOT” franchise.

Was it because I’m not the biggest fantasy fan? No, I loved “Lord of the Rings” and “Shadow and Bone.”

Was it the violence? Perhaps, though anyone who knows me (or followed either my writing and/or my social media) knows that I am a huge mob movies fan. I even wrote an essay inspired by the fact that I rewatch Martin Scorsese’s classic “Goodfellas” at least once a week even though, in fairness, I watch a sanitized version that I recorded off of television so it’s not as violent as the original.

The closest explanation I’ve been able to come up with centers on the fact that “The Game of Thrones” characters aren’t the greatest people, and even the incredibly handsome visage of Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) doesn’t change that fact.

As my editor Megan Thomas pointed out, it really is like “Succession” with swords. Almost every character has an angle, and most of them aren’t people you’d want as friends in real life.

“Succession” is another hit HBO show by the way, so make of that pattern what you will.

When it comes right down to it, even for someone who enjoys watching any and all things having to do with the mafia, “Game of Thrones” which includes storylines of rape, war and incest felt way too brutal to me.

Solace can often be found in community and I feel like Adam Elkus nailed it in his 2015 Medium piece titled “Why Game of Thrones Is Making Us Stupid.”

“It is a form of power pornography in which viwers [sic] watch human beings degrade, hurt, betray, abuse, and destroy each other and then compulsively compete to see how can make the most clever gif or Imgur image out of such depravity,” he writes.

Heavy, right?

Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon." 

Wih this weekend’s premiere of the second season of the “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon” I decided to try again. This is the part where I should write something noble about how I feel like a different person or that I am in a different place years later, having survived the pandemic or something like that.

The truth is my friend actress LaNisa Renee Frederick has been documenting watching “Game of Thrones” for the first time on her Instagram account and cracking me up with her comments like “These people need baths,” “Is he gonna die soon,” and “Is he Black? Are there Black people in this?”

With remote and snacks in hand I tried again to binge watch “GOT” and … nope. Still not for me.

Before you suggest that I jump straight to watching “House of the Dragon” and abandon all hopes of its predecessor, scroll back to the portion where I mentioned my obsessive need to read things in order. That goes for watching things in order as well, and while it’s technically a prequel, just thinking about doubling back like that feels like I would be disturbing something in the force. (I know that’s a Star Wars reference but, I’m really trying to placate the fantasy fans who might feel tempted to come for my head.)

Plus, these days I’m searching for as many things as possible to feel good about. So sorry “House of the Dragon,” it doesn’t appear we’re meant to be.

Don’t feel sad for me that I’m missing out on all the action of the second season of a show that’s eagerly awaited because I’m cool with it. And should anyone try to shame you for the same or express that they can’t believe that anyone wouldn’t love “GOT” or “HOTD,” share this piece with them. I want them to know it was me.

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Curtain up: Ariana DeBose, channelling Tina Turner in coruscating vintage Bob Mackie, holds up a newspaper reading “SHE’S BACK” in big, bold letters before kicking off the 77th Annual Tony Awards. This year’s Tonys took place at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, the longtime home of the New York City Ballet—but on Sunday night, pointe shoes and tutus were replaced by scantily clad Cabaret dancers, pinball wizards, a buff gaggle of greasers, and a logo-clad Alicia Keys (plus: Jay-Z!).

After The Outsiders accepted the final award of the night, for best new musical, the ceremony came to an end—and the rush of after-parties began. Experts at quick changes, many of the night’s performers and attendees slipped into outfits more suitable for dancing; after all, if there is one night of the week when Broadway stars know how to let loose, it’s on a Sunday.

Ahead of the fête-chase, a crowd flowed out of the Koch Theater and across Lincoln Center Plaza to David Geffen Hall for food, bubbles, and portable chargers. When Appropriate star Sarah Paulson was asked for her ticket to enter, a friend cried, “It’s a Tony!” holding up Paulson’s new statuette. Security let her in.

Below, more highlights from Broadway’s biggest—and longest—night.

Kelli O’Hara and Arian Moayed Hosted the Party at the Pebble Bar

A 132-year-old institution, the Pebble Bar is known for its annual Tonys fête, and this year Kelli O’Hara and Arian Moayed stepped up as co-hosts. As guests poured in, their Tonys Playbills tucked under sleeves and jutting out of clutches, the bar quickly opened its third and fourth floors to accommodate all the revelry, supplying fresh slices from Fini Pizza (topped with Petrossian Caviar) to the hungry crowd. O’Hara, a 2015 Tony winner for her leading role in The King and I, donned a pink peplum gown and emerald earrings, while Moayed, a two-time Tony nominee himself (though he is perhaps better known these days as Stewy from Succession), opted for a taupe pinstripe suit. Sarah Paulson was the comedic tonic of the night, laughing over a silly photo op with friends and sharing a giggle with her former Appropriate co-star Elle Fanning as they noshed on pizza. Billy Porter and his sister, Mary Martha Ford, made it a family affair, getting cozy on the couch as if in their own home. (Indeed, one can rather easily imagine Porter lounging in a diamond-encrusted cape in his downtime.)

Old Friends” and New Celebrate Merrily We Roll Along at Ascent Lounge

Fresh off his win for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical, Jonathan Groff held court on the corner of Broadway and West 60th Street. The first-time Tony winner was barely able to enter his own party without being stopped by a barrage of well-wishers, many of whom he graciously offered a photo op (and the chance to hold his Tony). Upstairs, the creative team indulged in a bountiful charcuterie board and some serious dancing (“Gasolina” was a crowd-pleaser at this party), while a photo booth mimicking the show’s promotional imagery had guests merrily lined up for their turn.

Rick Miramontez and John Gore Kept the Night Alive With Their Party at the Carlyle

The Carlyle after-party is one of the more exclusive events of the night. While award winners glided right past the velvet rope and into the hotel’s gleaming lobby, party-hoppers had no hope but to try their luck at the “Who do you know here?” game. Upstairs, where the space was scented with freshly seasoned fries and pulsed with the sounds of ABBA, Billy Porter (and his sparkly cape) ordered a glass of champagne, toasting the night with a flute in one hand and a Tony in the other; Sarah Paulson could also be found posing for pictures with friends (and her own new Tony).

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Welcome back, my liege lords! It’s been nearly two years since House of the Dragon debuted its first season, and I couldn’t be happier to dive back into Westeros. In retrospect, the first season of the Game of Thrones prequel had its ups and downs. The pacing was a bit rushed, there were three too many bloody childbirth scenes, and the time skips recast actors so fast that we barely understood who anyone was anymore. After watching the first episode of season 2, I can safely say that those problems are behind us.

Over the past two weeks, I reentered everything there is to know about House of the Dragon and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood novel into my brain. Now I’m a walking encyclopedia of a fictional fantasy realm and its sibling-marrying, dragon-riding royal family. With season 2’s big premiere finally here, I can say without a shed of regret that it was completely worth it. This season will contain some of the most shocking events you’ve ever seen on television. Given that we’re talking about the Game of Thrones–verse, you know you’re really in for something.

To start, let’s recap a tiny bit. Season 2 seems to pick up just a few days after the events of the season 1 finale, which set up the rest of the series. The most important thing to remember is that King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) is dead. His council conspired to place his grandson Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) on the Iron Throne instead of the king’s chosen heir: his daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy). Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke)—Rhaenyra’s former friend (and later stepmother)—believes that Viserys spoke Aegon’s name right before he died. She interpreted his final breath to mean that he wished for Aegon to ascend the Iron Throne instead of Rhaenrya. Whether that was right or wrong, she would secure her family’s legacy. Escaping to Dragonstone, Rhaenyra assembles an army to fight back and retake her throne.

We start season 2 with Rhaenya’s son, Jacaerys (Harry Collett). He flies north of Winterfell to make an ally out of Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) at the Wall. Yes, the Starks have returned! Cregan warns Jacaerys about the whole "Winter is coming" thing, but he agrees to support Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne nonetheless. The Northern fighters are a great addition to her army. Sadly, there’s no time to celebrate. Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) murdered Jacaerys’ brother, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), in the season 1 finale—and Jacaerys hears the news for the first time.

Back at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra is in mourning. Daemon (Matt Smith) seeks immediate revenger at King’s Landing, but Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon hold him back. “A raven has told Rhaenyra that her son is dead,” she reminds him. “She needs to know it for certain.” Rhaenyra later finds Lucerys’s clothes and a torn-off dragon wing down by the beach. It’s unwise to attack with a vengeful impulse at a time of impending war, but Daemon is ready to take “a son for a son.” He tells Rhaenys that none of this would have happened had she killed Aegon II when she crashed his coronation. “If you had acted when you had the chance, Aegon’s line would be extinguished,” he says. Agreed! Her appearance at episode 9’s coronation is easily one of the largest differences from the book, and I can’t say it isn’t fair to blame her for everything that happens from here on out.

Meanwhile, Rhaenys and her husband, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), hold a naval blockade to protect Dragonstone and Driftmark. Corlys is the commander of the royal fleet and the former Master of Ships, but he sided against the crown. Oh, and he’s also recovering from a random battle with pirates in season 1 that occurred entirely offscreen. Reportedly, he was rescued by a member of his crew named Alyn (Abubakar Salim), whom we’re meeting now. He presents Corlys with a sword hilt that he commissioned for Lucerys before his death, as Lucerys was named heir of Driftmark last season. Remember that whole arc when Corlys’s brother, Vaemond (Wil Johnson), challenged Lucerys’s claim and then Daemon killed Vaemond in front of everyone? That was insane.

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 The federal government also confirmed via a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that federal courts will be closed on Juneteenth.

U.S. courts will be closed June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday," read the U.S. Court's Juneteenth post on X. "E-filing will be available. Contact your local federal court for more info."