I'VE come late to the phenomena that is Game of Thrones, not being part of the Sky TV family.

As such, I was told that launching myself straight into Series Three of such a rich and character-deep programme, would very likely cause my head to explode.

As it turned out, not only did I find myself immediately drawn in, but I felt I could easily go back and watch Season One and Two without feeling like the experience had been spoilt.

Epic doesn't do this fantasy drama saga justice - the money thrown at it by HBO must be almost incalculable. The opening credits alone must have taken forever and a day to complete.

Add to that the fantastic costumes, stunning locations and the sheer number of characters and extras therein and it begins to make Cecil B DeMille's classics look a little shabby by comparison.

Season Three sees the Lannisters struggling to hold onto power after naval onslaught from Stannis Baratheon, while stirrings in the north threaten the balance of power. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targayen - reunited with her three dragons - attempts to raise an army to sail with her from Essos, in the hope of claiming the Iron Throne.

It's unashamedly violent and full of sex, but all of it is in context with the storyline and is not just thrown in for titillation.

If you watched on TV waiting for each episode must have seemed like an age, buy the DVD and you can, like me, view one after the other. Roll on Season Four.