With the premiere episode of its third season, Game of Thrones is still the crown to HBO’s patented style of entertainment, known for featuring grandiose plots and gratuitous sex scenes.

The season opener did little to shock or awe audience members, but instead continued the slow march toward what will hopefully be a huge payoff for die-hard viewers as the season progresses.

There is really nothing else like Thrones on TV right now. Its fantasy setting is truly unparalleled. HBO continues to spare no expense when it comes to the production of Thrones, and it paid off in this episode with several great special effects including giants and a demon child.

The world they create through those effects and amazing set pieces is extremely impressive, which is also greatly helped by fantastic costumes and makeup.

As far as opening episodes go, this one was satisfyingly average. The series creators have been working hard to keep the integrity of the book series, but they may need to re-examine how the storylines drag-out on screen before a good series goes stale.

Thrones juggles so many plots that some main characters were not even mentioned in the episode–here’s looking at you, Arya–while most just received a single scene to move their storyline along.

The creators of the show are no fools, though. They made sure to give plenty of screen time to the two most magnetic characters, Daenerys and Tyrion.

Peter Dinklage continues to own every scene he is in as Tyrion.  His ongoing conflict with his family gives the actor no shortage of great material to work with. Emilia Clarke shines as Daenerys, who is still the bright light in this dark series. Her quest to regain her family’s kingdom remains one of the strongest plot points.

This makes it feel like storylines are creeping forward, but because the series is based off a popular series of novels, viewers can rest assured that the quality of the storyline won’t fade like in some original series where writers run out of ideas.