Anybody enjoying Game of Thrones? (HBO TV series)

[econ21]

Spoiler free post - please use spoiler tags for anything in the books, not yet shown on TV

I'm coming a bit late to this subject, but can't see a thread on it. I've been avidly watching Game of Thrones on BBC TV. Anyone else liking it?

It's been described as the Sopranos meets the Lord of the Rings, which sounds about right. With a "low" fantasy medieval setting, it features quite a large and vivid cast of characters, plotting against each other (playing the game of winning the throne). The first TV season apparently covers the first book (A Song of Fire and Ice by George RR Martin) in a series of five with more to come. The second season has already been approved.

I was inspired by the TV series to buy the book and have been impressed by how faithful it is - the dialogue is mainly straight out of the book, which is written in a very contemporary and accessible style. (Although I find the constant alternating of character viewpoint from chapter to chapter very de-motivating for reading.) The plot seems quite intricate and involved - I love story lines that stretch over many seasons. The production values are of cinema standard - as you can see from a fairly jaw dropping opening clip (no spoilers - it's just the opening 15 minutes):

http://www.hbo.com/video/video.html/?autoplay=true&vid=1170886&filter=game-of-thrones&view=null

One of the best things about the show is the casting and acting. Sean Bean is just Sean Bean, but reading his lines in the books, it is hard to see anyone playing the straight man role so convincingly. The Lannister twins are delicious - suavely malign. My favorite characters are Tyrion, the erudite sardonic dwarf, and Arya, the twelve year old tomboy. Even Mark Addy, the fat bloke from the Full Monty and the Tesco adds, does well as the king. The only false note may be the exiled young king in waiting, but then I think he's supposed to be rather absurd and ridiculous.

It seems another instance of American TV producing amazingly good stuff - far superior to what British TV or even Hollywood can manage. Quite a reversal of what was true 30 years ago. I wonder what has changed? I guess in part it's down to the rise of HBO (The Wire, True Blood, Rome, Band of Brothers etc.), but it does not seem confined to them (Lost, Battlestar Galactica, 24 etc all had their moments).

[gaelic cowboy]

I have never read the books but I was aware of them, I have to say that even some of my friends who don't like fantasy are giving the nod to this one.

Love the mix of humour and serious and also the fact they are just getting on with the story and not bothering wasting entire episode explaining back story like so many lazy shows do.

[Scienter]

I love this show!!! I've been a huge fan of the books for years, so I was really excited to hear that HBO was making a series of Game of Thrones. HBO's shows have always had really high production value. I think the casting was really well done, especially the actor they chose for Jaime Lannister. He has the perfect combination of sarcasm, ego, and smarminess that the character has in the books. Tyrion is one of my favorite characters in the book, so I'm glad to see Peter Dinklage do such an awesome job with him. It will be interesting to see how they deal with how complicated the series gets. For those who haven't read the books, each chapter is from the point of view of a character. The books have so many characters, my guess is that HBO will have to make some of the less important ones into composites to not confuse viewers. I'm happy they've already renewed it for a second season!

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I really enjoyed the first two episodes but I couldn't stand waiting for more so I started reading the books. Now I'm at the beginning of the third book in the series. :P

[Lemur]

I really enjoyed the first two episodes but I couldn't stand waiting for more so I started reading the books.
Same here. My girlfriend warned me that I would ruin the TV show for myself by reading, but my feeling is that I want to know where the story is going, not so much the show.

Anyway, the TV series is fantastic so far. Yeah, we do seem to be living in some sort of golden age. Doubtless it's some confluence of economics and artistic momentum, but astonishingly good TV seems to be coming out much more frequently than anything equivalent in film. Sopranos, BSG, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, etcetera. Got to enjoy this moment.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I'm enjoying it as well.

The casting is great, and I especially enjoyed the fact that Sam Tarly has a neckbeard. It fits so well.

CR

[GeneralHankerchief]

Two of my roommates this past year were major fans of the book and were very excited by the series. I started watching with them and, like a lot of posters here, decided to take the plunge soon afterwards. I do enjoy the series - I think HBO was the perfect medium for something this complex. It's very faithful to the canon as well. I hear that GRRM himself has actually written one of the season's later episodes.

[The Stranger]

epic series. really beautiful as well. i like it, considering to read the books, but im not sure if i want to know the story while i watch the series. kinda the wrong way around perhaps but the series are good so...

[Centurion1]

i refuse to watch until the sob actually writes the next book ive been waiting since i was a little kid almost.

[GeneralHankerchief]

i refuse to watch until the sob actually writes the next book ive been waiting since i was a little kid almost.

You know he's finished and it's coming out in July, right?

[Kagemusha]

Im loving the series. It is great that now there is fantasy series finally with large enough budget, good writers and cood cast. I cant wait to see the next episode.

[Centurion1]

You know he's finished and it's coming out in July, right?

then i will watch in july.

[Greyblades]

I gotta say, I dont remember the books being so blunt about renley and loras. Littlefinger isnt exactly very subtle either. Out of all the things it gets right this series cant seem to get foreshadowing very well.

[Strike For The South]

bewbs and violence

It's deffintely watchable

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I gotta say, I dont remember the books being so blunt about renley and loras. Littlefinger isnt exactly very subtle either. Out of all the things it gets right this series cant seem to get foreshadowing very well.
Yeah, I felt like the last episode went a bit far in condensing things (plus I didn't even pick up on Loras-Renly in the books at all).

[Crazed Rabbit]

I gotta say, I dont remember the books being so blunt about renley and loras. Littlefinger isnt exactly very subtle either. Out of all the things it gets right this series cant seem to get foreshadowing very well.

The books weren't. But they never showed anything from those character's perspectives. I was a bit more surprised by Littlefinger's lack of subtlety - it seems like that wouldn't be information you imply publicly if it's a secret.

My problem was with how the actor who plays Loras has no muscle and is just skin and bones. It suspends disbelief a bit when someone says they've been sword fighting their whole life looks like they've never done anything athletic.

CR

[Centurion1]

The books weren't. But they never showed anything from those character's perspectives. I was a bit more surprised by Littlefinger's lack of subtlety - it seems like that wouldn't be information you imply publicly if it's a secret.

My problem was with how the actor who plays Loras has no muscle and is just skin and bones. It suspends disbelief a bit when someone says they've been sword fighting their whole life looks like they've never done anything athletic.

CR

Yeah Loras is a pretty boy but Im sure it would have been a sinewy strength seen through Martin's eyes. At the very least they should all probably have wrists the size of my neck to be accurate haha.

[Greyblades]

Little finger starting off a scene(twice) staring at the iron throne (which my the way looks way too safe for a throne that can kill the sitter if he isnt careful) seems really blatant.

[CountArach]

Little finger starting off a scene(twice) staring at the iron throne (which my the way looks way too safe for a throne that can kill the sitter if he isnt careful) seems really blatant.
No spoilers please, for those who haven't read or seen it.

I've been really excited about watching this, it has been incredible. I'm a huge fan of the books and have started re-reading them because of this show. I'm also getting my girlfriend into the show, even though it isn't really her sort of thing. She justloves the actors and is getting into it more and more. Something for everyone in it.

[A Nerd]

Please provide spoilers for sensitive material.

Thank you! :)

[Ituralde]

I think this is the best that can happen to any Fantasy saga or even just book series out there. What HBO does with the source material is really incredible.

I'm glad to hear some info from people that have not read the books as it's hard for me to watch the show without all the background knowledge I have in my head. I immediatelly recognized some of the dialogue that was taken from the book and a lot stems of course from knowing how it'll turn out in the long run. It will be interesting to see if they can keep the complexity of the book and still make it understandable for all viewers.

So far it seems they have achieved their goal. I really hope HBO can finish this all the way through to season 5 or 6. Would really like watching it all.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Yeah Loras is a pretty boy but Im sure it would have been a sinewy strength seen through Martin's eyes. At the very least they should all probably have wrists the size of my neck to be accurate haha.

I'm not saying it couldn't be a sinewy strength. But cross country runners look really muscular compared to that actor.

CR

[Scienter]

I'm really excited about this week's episode! Spoiler for people who haven't read the books:

I think this is the episode where Viserys dies!! I love to hate him, his death scene should be fun! The actor is doing such a great job with Viserys, though. He's got the right combination of haughtiness and looking like a weasel. He adds more depth to the character than was provided in the books.

[Greyblades]

Oh yeah, I cant wait till he gets "crowned"

[Hooahguy]

I need to start watching this show. It looks interesting.

[tibilicus]

Quite simply fantastic. The high-level show you expect from HBO all thrown into a fantasy setting. Again, simply fantastic.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I'm really excited about this week's episode! Spoiler for people who haven't read the books:

I've been looking forward to this scene since I started watching the series.

CR

[CountArach]

I've been looking forward to this scene since I started watching the series.

CR
That will be great. Also (again scene for people having read the books only)...
I can't wait for Ned's death scene. I hope they maintain the way that it looks from Arya's point of view, because that could be really intense if it is shot correctly.

[Centurion1]

I'm not saying it couldn't be a sinewy strength. But cross country runners look really muscular compared to that actor.

CR

No I'm agreeing with you the Loras actor looks more like a flower girl at a wedding than the knight of flowers.

[The Stranger]

deadwood and boardwalk empire are quality shows too!

[Hooahguy]

Just watched the first two episodes.
Really quite a smash!
I also just ordered the first four of the books on Amazon.

[CountArach]

deadwood and boardwalk empire are quality shows too!
I enjoyed the first two episodes of Boardwalk Empire but it just went downhill so fast from there.

[GeneralHankerchief]

I'm really excited about this week's episode! Spoiler for people who haven't read the books:

I think this is the episode where Viserys dies!! I love to hate him, his death scene should be fun! The actor is doing such a great job with Viserys, though. He's got the right combination of haughtiness and looking like a weasel. He adds more depth to the character than was provided in the books.

Going by the title of the episode, I think you're going to get your wish.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

It is known.

[Hooahguy]

Ok, who saw last nights episode?

It was amazing. I loved it.

As others have suggested, Viserys has an amazing death in the episode!

[econ21]

This thread is going to degenerate into a mass of spoiler tags, so it will be hard to participate without risking reading something much further on in the story. I suggest that we use spoilers for anything in the books that has not yet appeared on TV but are free to discuss the latest episodes without them. [I clicked on Hooahguy's spoiler to get his reaction to last nights episode, which was fine, but then was emboldened to click on CountArach's spoiler which I regret reading. Entirely my own fault, but if we don't differentiate between the two kinds of spoiler, others may make the same mistake.]

I will edit my first post to suggest this convention on spoilers.

Back on topic, I am still greatly enjoying the series - the plot, in particular, is very satisfying. It is like watching a slow motion train wreck - things are all going to hell. But there are enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.

[Hooahguy]

My favorite characters are Tyrion, the erudite sardonic dwarf, and Arya, the twelve year old tomboy.

I will totally agree with you there. Those two characters are superb. Tyrion, while you want to see him as this evil character and you want to hate, you just cant. While he is a Lannister, and the twins I really hate, this one I just love because he is often wise and really quite funny.

Arya is just awesome. Nuff said.

[Centurion1]

I will totally agree with you there. Those two characters are superb. Tyrion, while you want to see him as this evil character and you want to hate, you just cant. While he is a Lannister, and the twins I really hate, this one I just love because he is often wise and really quite funny.

Arya is just awesome. Nuff said.

Tyrion isn't evil. And surprise surprise a vast majority of book readers love him as well. As well as Arya. This is incredibly heartening to see that the some of the books more beloved characters are loved in this series as well.

Do people like Jaime as well? And Jon also.

[Hooahguy]

Tyrion isn't evil. And surprise surprise a vast majority of book readers love him as well. As well as Arya. This is incredibly heartening to see that the some of the books more beloved characters are loved in this series as well.

Do people like Jaime as well? And Jon also.
I never said he was evil, but, if I can speak for the population, people want to see him as an evil person because Ned and the Starks are commonly seen as the "good guys" in all this, and because they are opposed to the Lannisters. But when people see more of Tyrion, they see that he is quite the opposite of their expectations.

I like Jon. I feel that a lot of what he does is a sense of regret for his personal struggles.

And I just hate Jaime. No way do I identify with him at all, hes just a jerk.

[econ21]

Do people like Jaime as well?

Well, Jaime has not really done anything likeable in the TV series. As a so far pretty evil character, I think he (and his sister) are superb. Someone said that the actor looked like he had walked in from another series (maybe Dynasty or some other glossy 1980s US drama) but that this was actually just right for the part. Urbane, charming, formiddable and utterly amoral, he makes an impression. I am also rather in awe of the actress playing Cersei. Halfway through the first book, I can see that original source material accounts for much of the strength of the TV drama. But she has added a lot to her part - fleshing it out, to make her character appear both more thoughtful and more emotionally intelligent than in the book. The twins certainly make excellent antagonists for the rougher hewn and straight talking Starks.


And Jon also.

I regard him as the "everyman" character in the TV show and perhaps the one through whose eyes we are supposed to see the world. An outsider with a kinder sensibility than most, he has a youthful innocence and doleful curiosity. I'm not sure how much we will see of the Wall and what's beyond - I suspect they are going to be revealed in a very long story arc - but they are a very intriguing setting.

[Hooahguy]

I actually think that Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays Jaime, looks a lot like Aaron Eckhart.

Also, what do people think of Daenerys? I really like her, great character.

[econ21]

Also, what do people think of Daenerys? I really like her, great character.

I agree - another of several strong female parts in the series. But part of me thinks King Robert's instincts about her were right.

[Centurion1]

Ugh you guys have to read the books your all killing me.

Seriously these are probably the deepest most refined fantasy novels I have ever read. I have been waiting for Martin to write the next one forever. Your opinions of people will change so much as you learn more and read more you will be shocked and amazed at the crafting. Also and this doesn't really ruin anytihng because you will likely never see any of this coming Martin is not afraid to kill off major characters even those whose eyes we read the books through.

[Ituralde]

I don't know whether that last sentence should be put into spoilers or not. I know that it's one of the things that surprised me the most about the books, even infuriated me at times.

It took me all the way to the Red Wedding to realize that NO ONE, ABSOLUETELY NO ONE is safe from getting killed in these books.

Also, I love the cast. All major characters have been spot on for me so far. The only thing that I always imagined different are the places. I didn't picture King's Landing to be so warm or the Eyre looking the way it does. The Sky Cells are spot on for example, but I imagined the rest differently. And no reading could prepare me just how massive the Great Wall is, also it wouldn't make sense any other way.

[Lemur]

One thing that is unavoidable, I suppose, is how much smaller each scene seems to be compared to the books. The tourney, for example. In the books it's a multi-day affair with hundreds of knights competing, but why waste the time and money to show that? Instead we see two whole jousts. Not complaining, mind you, could be worse; I'm old enough to remember the BBC I, Caludius (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ubRQc1HTVk&feature=related), where a suspicious number of scenes were framed as, Just before we witness that massive event, let's pause in this stairway to discuss matters of state.

Likewise, the infamous crown of gold scene. In the TV show it takes place in a tent about the size of a living room. In the books, as I recall, it occurred at a giant feast of the horse lords, with hundreds drinking and singing. Hence the dragon prince's difficulty in finding his sister, which made little-to-no sense in a living room.

Look, the cast is perfect, and the adaptation is excellent. I just wish they had an infinite budget and schedule so they could make every scene as epic as it ought to be. Idle grousing.

And Tyrion is one of the best characters ever created.

[Ituralde]

You always have to condense it, but they stay admirably close to the books.

Except for the Loras/Renley interlude or is my memory failing me here? Is a relationship between them ever described explicitly in the book or are there just hints? Seems like I do have to read the books again.

[Lemur]

Except for the Loras/Renley interlude or is my memory failing me here? Is a relationship between them ever described explicitly in the book or are there just hints? Seems like I do have to read the books again.
The TV show makes explicit a relationship that was implicit in the books. There are several times when maidens and wenches sigh over the Knight of Flowers, and various characters snicker about how unfulfilled those women will be. Likewise, Loras was Renley's page (or maybe the other way around? I forget), and their relationship is described as close. There's also the issue of whether or not Renley's eventual wife stays a virgin, which has plot implications, but several people think she is, for reasons left unsaid.

Anyway, both Loras and Renley are implied to be gay. No scene of them shaving one another, though; that's an addition from the show. There are two explicit lesbian scenes in the books that I remember, but no hot man-on-man action.

Like I said, I'm not complaining, just idly grousing about the semi-epic rendition of an epic. Could be worse. I'd love to see a big-budget remake of I, Claudius in my lifetime. That still stands as the high-water mark for a low-budget rendition of a massive story. Sure, a great script and fantastic actors made up the difference, but it's hard to see a black-box theatrical take on a story as big as Lord of the Rings.

[Hooahguy]

Hence the dragon prince's difficulty in finding his sister, which made little-to-no sense in a living room.


I just thought he had trouble finding her because he was drunk.

But mind you, Im only on page 103 of the first book...

[Beskar]

Great series.


And Tyrion is one of the best characters ever created.

Definitely and without doubt.

[PanzerJaeger]

I watched the first one largely because of this thread and almost didn't bother with the second. It seemed like an hour long episode of Xena, absent the warrior princess (if that makes any sense.)

After the second, though, I was hooked. The characters are dynamic and the plot lines are quite intricate. Fun stuff.

[Centurion1]

everybody read the books! i dont care hopw good the episodes are and how old this cliche is the books are always better.

[Beskar]

Already the books were quite cheap, so I ordered them all and pre-ordered the new one coming out in July.

However, the TV series is very good and probably will do the books a lot of justice.

[Centurion1]

From what I hear the series is so far good stuff. I wont be watching it until Martin releases his next novel in protest (so like this fall). Also I do not have HBO so I will wait for the discs which I prefer anyway.

But the novels will blow you away. Imagine the series not limited by budget constraints and real world physics. Simply amazing in thier depth intrigue and grandeur

[econ21]

From what I hear the series is so far good stuff. I wont be watching it until Martin releases his next novel in protest (so like this fall).

I think you will love the series. I've been reading the first book as I watch the TV series and it is very faithful. Yes, stuff gets cut but most of the good dialogue is straight out of the books and it seems extremely faithful to it. The acting and production values are so good that some of the deviations from the book are improvements. For example, the opening to the TV series with the White Walkers that I linked to in the first post. And the more nuanced characterisation of Cersei that I've mentioned before. But also some smaller things - for example, this week there was a nice little exchange between Ned, Arya and Sansa about why Sansa should not marry the odious little prince Joffrey.

Ned reassures Sansa: "I will find you someone brave, kind and strong to marry..."

Sansa exclaims petulantly: "I don't want to marry someone brave, kind and strong - I want Joffrey!"

Ned and Arya then exchange a lovely little private father-daughter look. I didn't pick it up the irony of Sansa's outburst in the book, but those two actors are so good, it was a delight.

[Greyblades]

I'm realy fond of the opening with the clockwork map, I hope they can make some sort of model out of it, I'd love to have even one of those cities.

[Hooahguy]

Already the books were quite cheap, so I ordered them all and pre-ordered the new one coming out in July.


Yeah, they are very cheap. I got the first four in a pack for around $20.

I wont be watching it until Martin releases his next novel in protest (so like this fall).
Amazon says that it will be released on July 12. Dont know if thats true.

I'm realy fond of the opening with the clockwork map, I hope they can make some sort of model out of it, I'd love to have even one of those cities.
Same! I would love a replica of Winterfell!

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Finished all the books. Man did A Feast for Crows suck. :/

[GeneralHankerchief]

Finished all the books. Man did A Feast for Crows suck. :/

About to start it myself. That's what I've heard so far but at this point I'm too hooked to even consider skipping it.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

By all means press on; it's not half bad, objectively. But I found myself slogging through it for the second-hand glimpses about people and characters I actually care about.

Also, the Blackfish is my favorite character.

[Centurion1]

theres nothing wrong with feast of crows? it isnt as strong as the others but its still good.

[Greyblades]

I thought it was worth it if only for jamie's parts

[Lemur]

What's with the hating on Feast for Crows? I didn't think it was extraordinarily different from the other books in style, tone or plot. Admittedly, the story now has so many active characters, you can feel like you're slogging through to find out what happened with the cliffhanger four hundred pages ago, but that's a function of the size of the story more than anything else.

My main beef was a severe lack of Tyrion, but he'll be all over the next book. In fact, here's a preview Tyrion chapter (http://web.archive.org/web/20061107150652/http://www.georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html) for your amusement.

[Greyblades]

I think the problem is with Brienne and Circie's storylines, Brienne goes around the kingdom looking for arya or sansa stark and accomplishes nothing beyond causing Jamie to lose his sword hand and finding out Catelyn is now undead. Cercie, the big bad for about 3 books, is now portrayed as a paraniod shrew who is slowly digging her own grave, I dont have a problem with that, it makes sense to me but it would seem a little annoying that we traded Tyrion or John Snow's storyline for those two.
Edit: gah I forgot to spoiler it.
Edit 2: Gah wrong button.

[Beskar]

What's with the hating on Feast for Crows? I didn't think it was extraordinarily different from the other books in style, tone or plot. Admittedly, the story now has so many active characters, you can feel like you're slogging through to find out what happened with the cliffhanger four hundred pages ago, but that's a function of the size of the story more than anything else.

My main beef was a severe lack of Tyrion, but he'll be all over the next book. In fact, here's a preview Tyrion chapter (http://web.archive.org/web/20061107150652/http://www.georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html) for your amusement.

So that was where Ser Clegane got his name from, the books!

[Hooahguy]

I always found it interesting that instead of "Sir" he spells it "Ser" for a seemingly identical word.

[Centurion1]

eh he probably likes how it fits into the setting better.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

My problems with AFFC may be largely due to me being a die-hard Stark supporter, but let me lay them out...


* Nobody cares about Dhorne, not even the Dhornishmen
* I want all the Ironborn dead so them singing songs around the campfire at Wyke just makes me want to know more about the crannogmen fighting them - those are people I want to know more about
* I'm bored of the Lannister twins
* Not much actually happens at the Eyrie; the Vale wasn't doing anything before and it still isn't
* Arya is great but she should be stabbin' fools, not messing around with hokey religions

[Centurion1]

its dorne. and i bet they play a greater role next book and the ironborn get stuck back in their islands. and the starks have a resurgence under the banne rof rickard or maybe even bran

EDot: oh shoot. Its not too revealing but I hope nobody read that. thank goodness i never sleep anymore.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Spoilers, man!

CR

[Greyblades]

Oh man... I knew it was coming but... I hoped maybe, just maybe, the director or the writer would screw up and do things differently and then... God I wish Eddard wasnt so bloody honorable.

[GeneralHankerchief]

And keep in mind that George R. R. Martin himself is writing the next episode (Episode 8). It's going to be delicious.

[Centurion1]

Oh man... I knew it was coming but... I hoped maybe, just maybe, the director or the writer would screw up and do things differently and then... God I wish Eddard wasnt so bloody honorable.

We all saw it coming and it all depressed us.

The starks are definitely one of my most beloved fantasy houses of all time.

[Warluster]

I hate you all... I am now addicted to Game of Thrones. After watching the first episode, I immediatly started the second, and then didn't stop for several hours. The insane mix of political drama with interesting characters and crazy storylines has me hooked. Some good television.

Have to agree though, the Starks are great. I'm only up to the sixth episode at the moment and have some slight suspicions as to where it is heading (Having never read the books, yet).


I have two suspicions as to future plot points - that the Stark boy is possessed somewhat? Obviously there's more to the wolves then they're letting on for now, but I'm lost as to how they tie in. Which leads me to my second suspicion, and that when the Wintermonster things, from beyond the Wall, killed the mother dire wolf they possessed the clear white dire wolf just like the small child at the start of the show? As when one of the Stark children picked up the lone wolf it had red eyes and was straight white... I love the way they haven't let on about the wolves yet, though.


Lord Snow is my favourite semi-Stark, though. I hope he goes far in the Watch and we get to see him rise in the order during the series. Any news on more seasons?

[Centurion1]

gosh darn i love these books i started reading again.

and btw guys is there any website i could see the shows like hulu on my computer id rent disks but it obviously isnt out.

[Crazed Rabbit]

If you subscribe to HBO, you can watch it online.

CR

[Centurion1]

but for moniez per month!

[Greyblades]

Oh for the love of... here (http://watchseries.eu/serie/game_of_thrones), I'm sure you can figure it out.

[gaelic cowboy]

Any news on more seasons?

Season 2 was greenlighted after the first episode fact

[Hooahguy]

Just saw the current episode.
My god, Cersci is such a :daisy:.

The ending wasnt so surprising though. I mean, we all saw it coming.

[Greyblades]

And we wont see any retribution for at least 2 years :sigh:
Still, we've got Barristan Selmy's lambasting of the kingsguard to look forward to next season.
Oh and we'll probably end up seeing Syrio Forell get cut down next week, I'm kinda hoping they will keep it ambiguous on whether he survives or not like in the books, but It's probably best not to get my hopes up.

[Hooahguy]

Do people think that each season will be a book? Like season 1 will cover the first book, the 2nd season will cover the 2nd book, and so forth.

I think so, but I think its going to be iffy. Right now, at the end of episode 7, they are at around page 450-500-ish. I think. Im not up to there yet but I think thats where episode 7 ends.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Supposedly A Storm of Swords (Book 3) is going to be split into two seasons. This makes a lot of sense, as that book is really friggin' long (IIRC, right around the length of the entire Lord of the Rings set).

[econ21]

[EDIT: replying to Hooahguy; GH got in before me!]Yeah, at the end of episode 7, we are on page 510 out of 780. That's 65%, close enough to 7/10, so I reckon we will see one book each season. However, it will be quite an achievement if a TV series of this expensive kind can sustain enough seasons to see the story through. Other series with long story arcs have started to sputter around the third or fourth season (I am thinking of things like Lost, the Wire, the West Wing, Babylon 5). They may decide to accelerate towards the end if that happens. This is all assuming the writer finishes the story, but then again, having a TV series following him might be the best possible incentive for him to bring things to a conclusion.

[Greyblades]

God I hope not; if he's got a deadline that is more than a request from his publisher he might end up rushing it, I'd hate to see ths series end with a half finished book.

[Centurion1]

at this point............... you know how long we have been waiting for storm of swords...... its depressing. Im pretty sure it used to be called dances with dragons

[Greyblades]

...Storm of swords is the third book. it's been out for years.

[Hooahguy]

at this point............... you know how long we have been waiting for storm of swords...... its depressing. Im pretty sure it used to be called dances with dragons

Uh, the new book is called A Dance with Dragons.

EDIT: Beaten to it.

[Centurion1]

thats what i thought! damn another reason to reread it...... yes! and anyway you know what i meant.

plus i didnt realize storm of swords was that long. and he said dances with dragons was so long it may need two books

[Greyblades]

It did, the first half is allready out; A feast for crows.

[Centurion1]

i meant on top of that..............

[Greyblades]

I doubt it, dancing with dragons is already running with only half content, I dont think he will have to split in two again. But then again it's two months away, anything could happen.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Well, just finished A Feast For Crows. Time to go look through all of the spoiler posts from earlier. :book:

My opinion on Book #4:
I think the main reason it has its reputation (aside from the lack of Tyrion/Dany/Jon Snow) is that it doesn't have a real signature "holy *#%!" moment like the other three. I mean, A Game of Thrones had Ned Stark's execution, A Clash of Kings had the entire Battle of King's Landing (which I really want to see put to film next year), and A Storm of Swords had roughly 3 or 4, but most notably the Red Wedding. I mean sure, Cersei's fall and everything that went with it and Doran Martell revealing his long-running gambit are fine, but they're just not the same in comparison to the above.

[Hooahguy]

Just finished the first book, onto the second!

[The Stranger]

i couldnt wait any longer so i just ordered book 1-4 XD

[Greyblades]

Yay! They left it ambiguous, syrio forell might not have died.

[Xiahou]

i refuse to watch until the sob actually writes the next book ive been waiting since i was a little kid almost.I refused to read AFFC until Dance with Dragons came out. They were both supposed to be one book originally, but the publisher forced Martin to split it and he seemed to peter out on the ensuing re-write.

As I've said, I haven't read AFFC yet, but I think a big part of the reason people think it's slow going is because it's really just half of a book as it was originally envisioned. However, now that ADWD seems to be a sure thing, I might finally sink my teeth into AFFC.

Edit: Oh yeah, the series... The three episodes I've seen are all pretty good- but like Lemur, I think some off the grandeur has been lost in translation. Also, going by memory, I think HBO has placed more emphasis on the T&A than was in the books- but hey, it's HBO so I'd expect no less. :shrug:

[Centurion1]

haha start reading a affc adwd comes out in about a month or so.

[johnhughthom]

Just finished the first book, onto the second!

Just a wee bit behind you, 100 pages to go. I'm really seeing why people said Dragon Age:Origins was influenced by the series, not just the Sers and the like, so many incidental details make me think of DA:O. I am enjoying it but I don't think it's quite as good as made out. Tyrion is awesome though, I haven't been so intrigued by a character in a book in a long time.

[Centurion1]

was DA really influenced by it? I didnt really think so.

[Hooahguy]

Episode 8 was fantastic. Loved how they portrayed Barristan Selmy's indignation to his dismissal.
Though I worry how they will finish everything in two more episodes. Theres a lot more to the story, and I dont feel that episode 8 covered enough "ground" if you know what I mean.
[/spoil]
I mean, there are two battles to be fought still. Thats a lot.[/spoil]

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Edit: Oh yeah, the series... The three episodes I've seen are all pretty good- but like Lemur, I think some off the grandeur has been lost in translation. Also, going by memory, I think HBO has placed more emphasis on the T&A than was in the books- but hey, it's HBO so I'd expect no less. :shrug:
I think they've had maybe two more scenes of notable T&A&boning that weren't in the book so far.

However, they've had to cram more and more into each episode as it goes on and it's only going to become more difficult. My head would be spinning from the latest one if I hadn't read the books.

[Hooahguy]

I think they've had maybe two more scenes of notable T&A&boning that weren't in the book so far.


Yea, I think its two. One is when Theon was doing it with that prostitute, the other when Littlefinger was telling those two girls who about him and Cat.

[Centurion1]

no the two i really know aren't in the books are the renly and loras one which disgusted me (as it would most men) and also shocked me for being so grossly vulgar and the theon one like you said. Im not sure about the littlefinger one but it at least is totally more believable. Also viserys one may be extra (i tihnk thats danys brother?)

HBO has to fill its sex and nudity quota anyway.

anyway i need to reread them all names and places are starting to blur. i have all of them but am waiting on the library for game of thrones since i cant find it since we moved.

[Hooahguy]

no the two i really know aren't in the books are the renly and loras one which disgusted me (as it would most men) and also shocked me for being so grossly vulgar and the theon one like you said. Im not sure about the littlefinger one but it at least is totally more believable. Also viserys one may be extra (i tihnk thats danys brother?)


Oh yeah, forgot about those two.

So that brings it up to four.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

no the two i really know aren't in the books are the renly and loras one which disgusted me (as it would most men) and also shocked me for being so grossly vulgar
Eh, I view it as a useful shortcut for the whole Renly + Loras thing that was never explicit in the books. The show simply doesn't have the time for outright subtly, so they use the explicit scene to convey information that becomes more important much later on.

I guess the Visarys one is also non-canon, though I thought it was clear Vis did a lot of whoring with Dothraki slaves, including at least one of Dany's servants.

EDIT: They also didn't show Ned and Cat going at it which is in like the first or second of one of their POV chapters, so the show is also one short. :D

[Centurion1]

i never thought the renly loras thing was that blatant!

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

It wasn't, but they don't have the time to just hint at it for four seasons...

[econ21]

renly and loras one which disgusted me (as it would most men) and also shocked me for being so grossly vulgar ...

Maybe I was not paying attention or maybe I am just not "most men", but I don't recall anything memorable about that scene except that the Loras got his shirt off and appalled Crazed Rabbit at his apparent state of under-nutrition. :laugh4:

I'm continuing to read the first book after watching the show and continue to be impressed at the adaption. The additions to the book are nearly always understandable ways of explaining the story - for example, I liked the Tywin/Jaime deer-skinning scene. The Littlefinger girl-on-girl action was a little over the top though and seemed the only false note so far. And dramatically, his betrayal would have been better coming more out of left field (still caught me by surprise though). The subtractions from the book are usually judicious, although I regret we did not get the Sansa/Hound scene where he explained how he got his scars. Those are two interesting characters that are a little under-used so far and the scene would have added to them. We did find out about the scars third hand and get a small Sansa/Hound scene yesterday, but it was not as good as the original.

My favorite exchange of last night's episode was not in the book, but showed the strengths of the pithy TV adaption. Ned was in chains in the dungeon, visited by Varys.

Ned: "Who do you really serve?"

Varys: "The realm, of course - someone has to."

For a moment, Varys morphed into Sir Humphrey from "Yes, Minister".

[Centurion1]

i lve the hound.

anyway im just going to put it on the table econ............. he gave him a blowjob. it wasn't subtly implied it was blatant.

[Greyblades]

Maybe I was not paying attention or maybe I am just not "most men", but I don't recall anything memorable about that scene except that the Loras got his shirt off and appalled Crazed Rabbit at his apparent state of under-nutrition. :laugh4:

I'm continuing to read the first book after watching the show and continue to be impressed at the adaption. The additions to the book are nearly always understandable ways of explaining the story - for example, I liked the Tywin/Jaime deer-skinning scene. The Littlefinger girl-on-girl action was a little over the top though and seemed the only false note so far. And dramatically, his betrayal would have been better coming more out of left field (still caught me by surprise though). The subtractions from the book are usually judicious, although I regret we did not get the Sansa/Hound scene where he explained how he got his scars. Those are two interesting characters that are a little under-used so far and the scene would have added to them. We did find out about the scars third hand and get a small Sansa/Hound scene yesterday, but it was not as good as the original.

My favorite exchange of last night's episode was not in the book, but showed the strengths of the pithy TV adaption. Ned was in chains in the dungeon, visited by Varys.

Ned: "Who do you really serve?"

Varys: "The realm, of course - someone has to."

For a moment, Varys morphed into Sir Humphrey from "Yes, Minister".

I'm pretty sure that bit was in the book, maybe abit more fleshed out but it was there.

[PanzerJaeger]

i lve the hound.

anyway im just going to put it on the table econ............. he gave him a blowjob. it wasn't subtly implied it was blatant.

I didn't mind the scene at all, but I don't think it was there just to show that they were banging. Wasn't it made pretty clear during the earlier tournament scene that the two were together? I think it was more about establishing the power dynamic between the two (I won't begin to try and remember their names), with the non-noble one pushing the less ambitious potential heir to try and take the throne.

The girl on girl scene was a bit more problematic, only because my roommate's mother happened to stop by to visit while he was out and decided to wait on him to return. She walked in right before the scene and after some small talk she noticed that I had the show paused. She asked me about it and I told her how well done it was and how much I liked it and she told me to start it up and she would watch it with me while she waited. Longest. Scene. Evar. :no:

She pretended that she needed to collect his dirty laundry in his room to do a wash and left near the end of it. (He does his own laundry.)

[Centurion1]

they are both noble. Loras the young "pretty boy" is the son of one of the most powerful houses in westeros.

i didnt mind the scene so much because it was gay. such a scene would have bothered me the same if it was heterosexual. i just dont like sex in my movies and tv because it can make things awkward and i feel it is often tasteless and for horndogs watching or shock appeal. sex is sometimes needed to be shown but it can be done more tastefully.

[Strike For The South]

I
The girl on girl scene was a bit more problematic,

Take it back



i didnt mind the scene so much because it was gay. such a scene would have bothered me the same if it was heterosexual. i just dont like sex in my movies and tv because it can make things awkward and i feel it is often tasteless and for horndogs watching or shock appeal. sex is sometimes needed to be shown but it can be done more tastefully.


Meh, reality>tastefully done IMO

[Centurion1]

reality does not equal pornographic hbo sex............

[Strike For The South]

It was in the books, it's certainly not a deviant act, etc

All I'm going to say as the thread doesn't need to go in this direction

[Centurion1]

lol no it was not in the books.

[Strike For The South]

lol no it was not in the books.

Well played sir, well played

[Centurion1]

lol i understand your point though. i just dont enjoy it personally. For example i would love to watch this with my father or mother but obviously doing so would be absurdly awkward because of the nudity.

[PanzerJaeger]

they are both noble. Loras the young "pretty boy" is the son of one of the most powerful houses in westeros.



The other one is the king's brother, right? So only he could have a valid claim to the throne after the king's death... err, at least more valid than the other. To me, it seemed like Loras was playing the other one to become more powerful himself - sort of a twist on the whole wife pulling the strings behind her husband cliché. I haven't read the books so I don't know if that is how it will play out, though.

[Centurion1]

eh its all fabricated so none of us will have any idea how it will play out in that specific dynamic except for what martin tells us in the books which as has been stated is very very vague and not necessarily even true

[econ21]

anyway im just going to put it on the table econ............. .

Eeek, where is the blushing smilie?

:embarassed:

OK, I was not paying attention.

Still, not a big deal to me. If an old codger like me can sleep through it, it can't have been too bad. PJs ordeal sounds excruciating though.

BTW, moving away from the more carnal subject matter: did the show miss out Sansa warning the Queen of Ned's plan to evacuate his children? Or did I sleep through that too?

[naut]

It seems another instance of American TV producing amazingly good stuff - far superior to what British TV or even Hollywood can manage. Quite a reversal of what was true 30 years ago. I wonder what has changed? I guess in part it's down to the rise of HBO (The Wire, True Blood, Rome, Band of Brothers etc.), but it does not seem confined to them (Lost, Battlestar Galactica, 24 etc all had their moments).
I think that you're being slightly unfair here. Both the US and Britain make some great and poor shows. I do agree that the production values means that epic series like Band of Brothers are only ever going to come from the US. However, recent British shows have been very good, the original Life on Mars and the Office, Ashes to Ashes, Extras, first 2 seasons of Skins, Mighty Boosh, reincarnation of Dr Who, etc.

Both have their specialities though, the US excels in making larger than life shows (Boardwalk Empire for example) Britain has a knack for panel shows (Qi, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, 8 out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, Would I Lie to You?, etc)

[Lemur]

[M]y roommate's mother happened to stop by [...] right before the [lesbian] scene and after some small talk she noticed that I had the show paused. She asked me about it and I told her how well done it was and how much I liked it and she told me to start it up and she would watch it with me while she waited. Longest. Scene. Evar. :no:

She pretended that she needed to collect his dirty laundry in his room to do a wash and left near the end of it. (He does his own laundry.)
This gave me a long and hearty LOL at 6:50 in the morning. Well played, good sir. I also thought the hot girl-on-girl action was pretty much there to satisfy Strike and little else. We already knew Littlefinger ran brothels; it was established in both dialogue and action.

Dunno what the advantage is of showing the (dead) king's bro and the Knight of Flowers grooming each other. Maybe to make the countless women who fall in love with them more comic/tragic?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

BTW, moving away from the more carnal subject matter: did the show miss out Sansa warning the Queen of Ned's plan to evacuate his children? Or did I sleep through that too?
I think they did, but Ned also spoke to Cersei directly in the books. It was kind of superfluous in the books, in hindsight.

[Xiahou]

I think they did, but Ned also spoke to Cersei directly in the books. It was kind of superfluous in the books, in hindsight.It's been awhile since I read it, but I don't think so. Sansa blew the specific plans- like how and when Ned was going to get his family out of the city. Cersei knew from Ned himself that she'd have to deal with him, but Sansa gave it all away. :shrug:

[TinCow]

As I've said, I haven't read AFFC yet, but I think a big part of the reason people think it's slow going is because it's really just half of a book as it was originally envisioned. However, now that ADWD seems to be a sure thing, I might finally sink my teeth into AFFC.

AFFC is certainly the runt of the litter so far, but it's got a few interesting arcs. Comments below are non-spoilery for people who who have read 1-3 but not 4, but possibly spoilery for people who have not read 1-3, as they discuss people who are still alive in book 4, and thus not killed off earlier :laugh4::

Specifically, Arya and Jaime. Arya is moves in a very interesting direction and her path becomes much, much different from all other POV characters. After her chapters in AFFC, she's one of the characters I am the most interested in. Jaime becomes pure awesome in AFFC. His arc in AFFC continues on what was start in books 2 and 3, which was giving a lot more insight and depth to a character that used to be a stock 'badguy', and is actively becoming one of the main 'goodguys'. Jaime's chapters, particularly in the latter half of AFFC, are superb.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

It's been awhile since I read it, but I don't think so. Sansa blew the specific plans- like how and when Ned was going to get his family out of the city. Cersei knew from Ned himself that she'd have to deal with him, but Sansa gave it all away. :shrug:

I could be wrong; it's only been like a month since I read GoT but it feels like ages lol.

[Crazed Rabbit]

It's been awhile since I read it, but I don't think so. Sansa blew the specific plans- like how and when Ned was going to get his family out of the city. Cersei knew from Ned himself that she'd have to deal with him, but Sansa gave it all away. :shrug:

Indeed, that's the impression I got - and probably why I didn't like the Sansa character for most of the series of books.


appalled Crazed Rabbit at his apparent state of under-nutrition.

Nope, it was actually at his lack of any type of athletic strength. :snobby:

As for unnecessary scenes, the one with Littlefinger in his brothel is probably the top - though of a short list.

One thing I love is the huge variety of realistic armor. Better than most, nearly all likely, films.

CR

[Centurion1]

lannisters armor is excessive in my eyes.

and yeah i didnt like sansa either thought she was such a stupid little girl as compared to arya who is a little hellion.

[johnhughthom]

Who on earth would like Sansa?

[The Stranger]

my books have arrived!!!

[Hooahguy]

Question: Do you guys think the show will still be called Game of Thrones after this season, or will it take on the name of the 2nd book, Clash of Kings?
I think they should have called the show A Song of Ice and Fire.

[johnhughthom]

Question: Do you guys think the show will still be called Game of Thrones after this season, or will it take on the name of the 2nd book, Clash of Kings?
I think they should have called the show A Song of Ice and Fire.

They were probably waiting to see how the first show did, if they called it A Song of Fire and Ice it would imply they intended to do them all and if it didn't make money it would have been a failure. Calling it Game of Thrones gave them the option to stop after the first series without it being seen as cancelling it.

[Hooahguy]

Well, considering they renewed the show after episode 1...

[johnhughthom]

Well, considering they renewed the show after episode 1...

Yes, after episode 1...

[The Stranger]

children, you dabble over such petty things as names. cant you see the winter is coming? and grave matters are about to happen...

[Hooahguy]

Yes, after episode 1...

The fact that it was renewed so quickly must mean that they knew they would renew it far beforehand.

[Hooahguy]

Also, just finished the 2nd book. I dare say it was as good as the first...
Though I sorely missed Ned. Also, Bran bored me in this one, as did Dany. Dany paled in comparison to the first book, glad there were only a few chapters on her. I like how Sansa is growing up, now shes actually likable. Tyrion is as always, a character that I really like. He is just so awesome in this book. Cat is also awesome. It was so touching to see how she dealt with Ned's death and tried to get past it so she can help others in their struggles. Arya, as usual, is amazing. Her story was, IMO, the best in the book. Also, I liked Davos. I wonder what became of him.
And I hate Theon. With all my heart.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Dany gets far more interesting in SoS, Bran somewhat (but not much)

[Centurion1]

eh bran is overall one of the more boring characters though his story arc is going somewhere quite interesting imo. Dany does get far more interesting. Arya is fascinating and enjoyable but at the end of the last one she slowed down a little bit as she began her training. tyrion should be going somewhere good now and jaime is now absolutely fascinating. sansa is sort of boring.

[johnhughthom]

Also, just finished the 2nd book. I dare say it was as good as the first...
Though I sorely missed Ned. Also, Bran bored me in this one, as did Dany. Dany paled in comparison to the first book, glad there were only a few chapters on her. I like how Sansa is growing up, now shes actually likable. Tyrion is as always, a character that I really like. He is just so awesome in this book. Cat is also awesome. It was so touching to see how she dealt with Ned's death and tried to get past it so she can help others in their struggles. Arya, as usual, is amazing. Her story was, IMO, the best in the book. Also, I liked Davos. I wonder what became of him.
And I hate Theon. With all my heart.

I thought it was much better myself, a large part of that was probably what you disliked though.

[Hooahguy]

Ive also noticed as Im going through the 3rd book (Im around 200 pages in) that some things from the 3rd book are in the HBO series. For instance, the scene when Jaime tells Cersci that he will go to war with Ned and Robert and the rest of them for her. Its only described in the 3rd book, yet it happens in the HBO series.
Just something interesting I noticed.

[Ice]

That was an intense ending tonight. I have a feeling that little SOB is in for an nasty surprise.

[Centurion1]

You should have all been watching the NBA finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but anyway is anyone's image of the locations sort of different. I think the eyrie is spot on but I always imagined The capital slightly differently its giving me more of a Cair Paravel image. Winterfell however I imagined radically differently! I saw in my minds eye a more traditional European castle look craggy and cold like the north all sharp lines and realistic looking rather than fantastical. It also seems a little...... big for me. And yes, i realize its the capitol of all the north.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I want to murder Joffrey SO HARD.

[The Stranger]

till halfway i thought this episode sucked then it turned to one of the most awesome till now XD

[Scienter]

I want to murder Joffrey SO HARD.

The actor does such a great job playing Joffrey! He can definitely pull off immature brat with a cruel streak and a touch of The Crazy. I wanted to murder him when I read the books. Seeing him brought to life makes me want to murder him even more.

Re: Loras + Renly, I didn't remember that either. I just finished rereading book 3, and there definitely some references to it.

[PanzerJaeger]

I'm glad I didn't read ahead. What a surprise. I think I'm starting to like Joffrey. He might have the makings of a king after all. :grin:

I'm kind of worried that the show will not be the same without Sean Bean. He was by far the best actor on there.

[GeneralHankerchief]

The one thing I was kind of disappointed about was how they copped out about the minor battle from Tyrion's perspective by having him be knocked out before it started. Understandable as to why they did it, but still.

(Spoiler for those who haven't finished Book 2):
Hopefully they don't do the same for the Battle of King's Landing/Blackwater next year...

[Hooahguy]

I'm kind of worried that the show will not be the same without Sean Bean. He was by far the best actor on there.
Agreed, in a way. I will miss Sean Bean, but even without Ned the 2nd, and so far the 3rd, books have been fantastic, so I dont think it will be bad at all.


The one thing I was kind of disappointed about was how they copped out about the minor battle from Tyrion's perspective by having him be knocked out before it started. Understandable as to why they did it, but still.

(Spoiler for those who haven't finished Book 2):
Hopefully they don't do the same for the Battle of King's Landing/Blackwater next year...

I was also disappointed by this, but due to obvious time constraints they had to cut it. At least they did it in a really hilarious way. When the hammer hit him I cracked up.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I'm glad I didn't read ahead. What a surprise. I think I'm starting to like Joffrey. He might have the makings of a king after all. :grin:

I'm kind of worried that the show will not be the same without Sean Bean. He was by far the best actor on there.
I dunno, he was kinda typecast for the role. And I think you're selling Peter Dinklage short...


The one thing I was kind of disappointed about was how they copped out about the minor battle from Tyrion's perspective by having him be knocked out before it started. Understandable as to why they did it, but still.

(Spoiler for those who haven't finished Book 2):
Hopefully they don't do the same for the Battle of King's Landing/Blackwater next year...
I think they're saving up the majority of their budget for it.

[Ice]

You should have all been watching the NBA finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate pro basketball so Game of Thrones was a much better choice.

[Hooahguy]

Watching Tyrion get hit by a mallet beats watching some guys run around on a court.

Also I cant say Im pleased with the girl they got for Shae. She is supposed to be younger, I think. And the scene where they play the games never happens. And Tyrion doesnt tell Shae about Tysha until much later.

[econ21]

And the scene where they play the games never happens.

Yet another case where the TV series improves on the book, IMO - I loved the interchange.

It's hard to imagine a foil who could stop Tyrion completely stealing every scene he's in, but Bronn somehow manages it. They have a bit of Blackadder/Baldrick thing going.
e.g. asked where he found Shae, Bronn says "lord, whats his name, ginger :daisy: three tents down."

I'd inadvertently been spoiled out the last scene of the penultimate episode, but it hit me hard nonetheless. I will now be ordering the other books. No way I'm waiting years to continue this great story.

[The Stranger]

Watching Tyrion get hit by a mallet beats watching some guys run around on a court.

Also I cant say Im pleased with the girl they got for Shae. She is supposed to be younger, I think. And the scene where they play the games never happens. And Tyrion doesnt tell Shae about Tysha until much later.

yaya... everyone is always supposed to be younger... and some of the old ones even older. winter is coming. grab some ale and a wench and enjoy yourself man.

[The Stranger]

ive caught up reading with the show, i guess there is only 1 episode left judging by how many pages i have left :P sad... its been a good few months!

starting with californication, then spartacus the prequel. had to wait a bit for borgias and camelot. borgias is totally awesome, camelot is friggin bad. and the game of thrones was cherry on top. but nothing to fill the gap. i think we have to wait till next season :S

[Sarmatian]

A question, are they filming second season already or are they're going to start at a later date?

[Lemur]

A question, are they filming second season already or are they're going to start at a later date?
Second season is not in production yet, and no word on when it will be. But it's been renewed (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/hbo-orders-a-second-season-of-game-of-thrones/), so it's definitely going to happen.

[Greyblades]

Bronn becoming a popular character was pretty inevitable; he works with tyrion alot and ends up being the only character in the whole series that actually has some success in life outside of john and denarys.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Well, so far.

[Centurion1]

so it appears there are people who are so pissed about the latest events

ned stark is executed

that they are asking why it happened and what hbo was thinking killing off such a good character.

Idiots.

[johnhughthom]

Bronn becoming a popular character was pretty inevitable; he works with tyrion alot

So long as the two of them don't start singing Unchained Melody, though I suppose Up on the Roof may have been quite an apt tune in the Eyrie.

[econ21]

so it appears there are people who are so pissed about the latest events

I read that author watched the scene on TV and exclaimed "What kind of sick writer does that to poor nospoiler?!" and then remembered "Oh, I did that."

My collection of books arrived today but I was aggrieved to note that I had apparently bought a book 3 which was just a part 1. So apparently there is a book 3 part 2. Grrrr. What kind of a writer writes a book 3 part 2 rather than a book 4?! A successful one, I wager. Publishers would not indulge other kinds.

[Centurion1]

No I am annoyed that people are mad at hbo haha. Its not their fault that they had to kill off Stark. If anything be mad at Martin but why? The fact that the man has no fear to kill off his main characters and keeps the line between good and evil so fuzzy you have absolutely no idea whats going to happen next i would be absolutely not be shocked if the books end with the lannisters being victorious or tyrion riding at the head of danys army or stannis being king of all westeros or hell bran being king of an independent north.


So you lose one very good character played by a good actor people weren't pissed when boromir dies in the first movie.

Warning huge spoilers inside unless you read all of the books. Anyways the best parts of the books are coming for the arya character so im excited for that too we will have to wait for the next season.

[GeneralHankerchief]

My collection of books arrived today but I was aggrieved to note that I had apparently bought a book 3 which was just a part 1. So apparently there is a book 3 part 2. Grrrr. What kind of a writer writes a book 3 part 2 rather than a book 4?! A successful one, I wager. Publishers would not indulge other kinds.

If it's any consolation, that was a publisher's decision, not George R. R. Martin's. In the US it was released all in one part, and in France it was split up into four. ~:eek:

[Hooahguy]

If it's any consolation, that was a publisher's decision, not George R. R. Martin's. In the US it was released all in one part, and in France it was split up into four. ~:eek:
4 300 page books? That seems like a waste to me.

Also, an article on season 2:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/06/as-game-of-thrones-nears-its-finale-showrunners-david-benioff-and-dan-weiss-talk-about-season-two.html

[Scienter]

If people are upset about
Ned Stark getting executed

how are they going to deal with the fact that
GRRM has no qualms at all about killing off tons of very significant characters throughout his books?

[Hooahguy]

All those people who are getting upset clearly need to stick to Harry Potter and the ilk.

A Song of Ice and Fire is for big boys.

[rajpoot]

Someone made a video about what Hitler's reaction might've been after finding out the big news; Found it on a blog.
It's very funny, I laughed until my stomach ached. (Although people who know German might not find it funny).
Warning, there is heavy swearing.

Edit : Am removing the embedded video, just keeping the link...better this way I think.

Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kLSYTHQbm4&feature=player_embedded#at=155)

[The Stranger]

If people are upset about
Ned Stark getting executed

how are they going to deal with the fact that
GRRM has no qualms at all about killing off tons of very significant characters throughout his books?

i like all the twists and turns in book 2

but when when a shadow killed renly, that was a twist too far imo... cmon, i liked the fact that there was no real magic in the book apart from the mystical powers, and then some redhaired serpent has to come and wack off people with shadowswords...

[johnhughthom]

i like all the twists and turns in book 2

but when when a shadow killed renly, that was a twist too far imo... cmon, i liked the fact that there was no real magic in the book apart from the mystical powers, and then some redhaired serpent has to come and wack off people with shadowswords...

Totally agree with that, book two is better imo apart from that one part. I read half of book three in one sitting, it's even better. Two and a half books still to go and a new one next month, I think we timed starting to read this series well.

I have no idea where any of the story arcs are going, I've even started to feel a little sympathy for Sansa and I've got a bad feeling abut those Tyrell wenches.

[The Stranger]

i dont know... sansa parts are most boring of the starks for most of the time, but somehow i find bran the most annoying... but perhaps that will change when he is no longer whining about his wings...

[Centurion1]

i dont know... sansa parts are most boring of the starks for most of the time, but somehow i find bran the most annoying... but perhaps that will change when he is no longer whining about his wings...

yeah bran annoys me too. i hate that mystical bull. i just attributed the shadow too the power of the gods which makes it better for me.

[Hooahguy]

I dont know about you guys, but I think Sansa got much better once Ned died. I liked how in the second book she was struggling with Joff, and now she is struggling with Tyrion. Truly excellent. Arya is also awesome, as usual, even though I thought her story ac was going south, like Bran's did.
And why is everyone making a fuss about the shadow suff? If there can be dragons, the undead, and stuff, then there for sure can be shadow killers.

[The Stranger]

you can kill dragons and even burn undead... you cant kill a shadow. also its just a cheap way to get rid of someone lol. i was just dissapointed that the presumed clash of brothers ended in such fashion... he just died and thats it...

[Ice]

Last episode was rather boring and left me wanting more; it failed to meet expectations.

(btw... I'm liking this new forum upgrade!)

[Centurion1]

yeah its nice.

well off to watch it though it unfortunately seems like last episode may have actually been a better finale.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Nope, it was just fine.

[naut]

If people are upset about
Ned Stark getting executed

how are they going to deal with the fact that
GRRM has no qualms at all about killing off tons of very significant characters throughout his books?
Yep. Without divulging spoilers certain characters living or dying makes sense in both in the context of the plot and their personalities.

For example, someone like Bronn is too smart and without scruples to die. Whereas Eddard's honour caused his death and Viserys death suits the plot. No-one is spared based on who they are, they live due their own merit.

[Centurion1]

everybody loves bronn. I personally choose to adore him.

Also we all know that certain characters are simply too plot central to kill......... yet.

key word being yet.

[The Stranger]

i hate catelyn... she ruins everything for the king in the north -_-

[al Roumi]

There used to be a Game of thrones/song of ice and fire mod for Mount and blade... I think it died a death before M&B was ever released but it provided me with a bit more indulgence.

I really like the world Martin has created. On the face of it, it has the usual corny fantasy tropes (animal companions, dragons, undead, mystical quests, discovering new powers, prophesies, coming of age stories) but the way he works them in as the book(s) progress makes them more believable. Undoubtedly, the real success of the story though is how bleak the characters fates are -you really get the sense that there are no easy choices and that there are consequences to everything. My only concern is that the scope of the story (by the end of book 4) is ballooning as the fantasy stuff becomes more apparent. No wonder he's been struggling with the 5th book for so many years! -although at least it's coming out in July at last...

I'm glad HBO have done a high quality TV adaptation. It's not perfect but it has covered all the bases (and uncovered alot of flesh) IMO.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Fire and blood.

[johnhughthom]

There used to be a Game of thrones/song of ice and fire mod for Mount and blade... I think it died a death before M&B was ever released but it provided me with a bit more indulgence.


I believe there is a PC game released later this year, an RTS I think.

[Centurion1]

ironically if you look on panzers page we had a conversation just abut how well a mount and blade type game would be for this series. The engine is so fantastic it would be absolutely superb.

an rts sounds meh in comparison tbh.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

i hate catelyn... she ruins everything for the king in the north -_-
She ruins one thing. I mean, it's kind of a big deal, but it's not even that critical for Robb.

[Hooahguy]

Trailer for the RTS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XHGU0qHGI8)

Anyhow, saw the finale.

It was stupendous. The scene with Dany and the pyre was amazing and chilling at the same time. And the first 20 or so minutes was really sad, I almost cried, especially the scene with Cat and Robb.

And people are overthinking Cat.
She ruins very little, except Jaime. But without her freeing Jaime, then he wouldnt have lost his hand, and we wouldnt have gotten anything interesting with him.

[Greyblades]

There's a SOIAF mod for Medieval 2 total war but its not exactly special, just character names, some portraits and afew pallet swaps for the factions, Map's OK though.

[Centurion1]

Trailer for the RTS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XHGU0qHGI8)

Anyhow, saw the finale.

It was stupendous. The scene with Dany and the pyre was amazing and chilling at the same time. And the first 20 or so minutes was really sad, I almost cried, especially the scene with Cat and Robb.

And people are overthinking Cat.
She ruins very little, except Jaime. But without her freeing Jaime, then he wouldnt have lost his hand, and we wouldnt have gotten anything interesting with him.

that game looks retarded

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

A Crusader Kings 2 mod would be sick nasty

[Hooahguy]

There's a SOIAF mod for Medieval 2 total war but its not exactly special, just character names, some portraits and afew pallet swaps for the factions, Map's OK though.
I saw that too. Its called Westoros:TW. As you said, all it really is is character names and new factions. No dragons, last I checked.
Oh well.
It would be awesome though if CA made a SOIAF:TW.

[Kagemusha]

Aargh now the wait starts.Have to wonder do we have to wait for next spring before the second season will start airing.

[Hooahguy]

Aargh now the wait starts.Have to wonder do we have to wait for next spring before the second season will start airing.
Yeah I cant believe season 2 isnt airing until Spring of 2012...

[al Roumi]

ironically if you look on panzers page we had a conversation just abut how well a mount and blade type game would be for this series. The engine is so fantastic it would be absolutely superb.

Here's a link to the mod. It was dumped at M&B v 9.03
http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/26115-asoiaf-mount-and-blade-mod/

It's a real shame no-one picked it up after the main author dumped it. I haven't played it in ages and i remember it being a little rough round the edges wrt some characters and plot wise, but that would take a massive mod.


an rts sounds meh in comparison tbh.
Yeah, I totally agree. It's got to be one of the lamest things to do with the IP.

[The Stranger]

She runs one thing. I mean, it's kind of a big deal, but it's not even that critical for Robb.

pretty critical if u ask me... not that he didnt do anything stupid himself but still. and dunno, shes alot more unpleasant in the books than in the series.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOoA1OtcNjM&feature=related

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Ultimately it wouldn't have changed anything if it had gone the other way.

[Centurion1]

pretty critical if u ask me... not that he didnt do anything stupid himself but still. and dunno, shes alot more unpleasant in the books than in the series.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOoA1OtcNjM&feature=related

That actually put me in a bad mood. Eddard stark isnt even a main character for gods sakes. Will people just get the hell over it.

[The Stranger]

i think hes joking. hes too calm to actually be so mad as he tries to seem.

[Centurion1]

maybe so but it annoys me because i know there are people (mostly very stupid people) who ARE that mad.

[Kagemusha]

I guess then i will have to read the books while wating for the second season.

[Hooahguy]

Almost done with the third book. I truly think its the best of the first four so far.
There were times I wanted to cry, laugh, yell in anger, and shout for joy. And I still have another 100 pages to go.

[johnhughthom]

Almost done with the third book. I truly think its the best of the first four so far.
There were times I wanted to cry, laugh, yell in anger, and shout for joy. And I still have another 100 pages to go.

Both parts, or just the first? I'm about 150 pages from the end of part two.

I have to say the Red Wedding was a shock, even though I saw it coming a million miles off, as I'm sure everybody else did. I'm hoping to get some chapters from viewpoints we haven't seen before, specifically Tywin, I keep changing my mind on how much he knew about certain things.

[Centurion1]

Both parts, or just the first? I'm about 150 pages from the end of part two.

I have to say the Red Wedding was a shock, even though I saw it coming a million miles off, as I'm sure everybody else did. I'm hoping to get some chapters from viewpoints we haven't seen before, specifically Tywin, I keep changing my mind on how much he knew about certain things.

Its depressing aint it.

And also a spoiler for you to NOT look at John (like seriously dont look at this until you finish all the books he has released so far MAJOR SPOILER).

who wants to see johnhughthoms face when he reads tyrion killing off tywin? lol. ]

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I think by then you should be accustomed to that sort of thing. Plus, if the previous "holy crap" moments angered you, that one will make you feel a bit better.

I was depressed for two weeks after reading the red wedding. I'm also dumb, and I was hoping all the warning signs leading up to it were red herrings / not going to be *that bad*.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Plus, if the previous "holy crap" moments angered you, that one will make you feel a bit better.

Intentional usage of "holy crap" there when describing the Tywin death scene?

[johnhughthom]

Just got to that part, to be honest that's probably the only death that's actually annoyed me. If there was any character who's motivations and background I wanted to know more about, Tywin was the guy. I just hope Tyrion's words to his brother don't come back to haunt him, the truth about Tysha was probably the saddest thing in the books so far, as if we needed more reason to sympathise with Tyrion though...

[Centurion1]

Just got to that part, to be honest that's probably the only death that's actually annoyed me. If there was any character who's motivations and background I wanted to know more about, Tywin was the guy. I just hope Tyrion's words to his brother don't come back to haunt him, the truth about Tysha was probably the saddest thing in the books so far, as if we needed more reason to sympathise with Tyrion though...

Its quite ironic how we all love a character who committed such a grievous misdeed as patricide, no?

[Hooahguy]

Both parts, or just the first? I'm about 150 pages from the end of part two.

I have to say the Red Wedding was a shock, even though I saw it coming a million miles off, as I'm sure everybody else did. I'm hoping to get some chapters from viewpoints we haven't seen before, specifically Tywin, I keep changing my mind on how much he knew about certain things.

I was lucky enough to get my copy of Storm of Swords all in one book, and Im loving all of it, all 1200+ pages of it.

I cant say that I saw the Red Wedding 'a mile away.' Yes, I knew that Frey would try to do something, but I had no idea it would be that extreme.

[johnhughthom]

Its quite ironic how we all love a character who committed such a grievous misdeed as patricide, no?

Imagine what an opinion we would have of Tyrion though if we only saw his actions through the eyes of the people around him, like we do Tywin. He would probably appear even more of a monster than his father. Jaime is a character most people probably hate, until we actually get to see thing from his point of view when he becomes likeable. I'm not saying Tywin would suddenly become a nice chap, just misunderstood, it's just frustrating that we never really get to know somebody so central to the events of the story. Probably the only person who becomes (slightly) less objectionable without have their own chapters is Sandor Clegane.

I have to say, the epilogue of book three was probably the biggest WTF moment yet. I can just imagine the author thinking "Okay, I've killed off a load of characters, who would people least like me to bring back? I'll show them..."

[Centurion1]

Imagine what an opinion we would have of Tyrion though if we only saw his actions through the eyes of the people around him, like we do Tywin. He would probably appear even more of a monster than his father. Jaime is a character most people probably hate, until we actually get to see thing from his point of view when he becomes likeable. I'm not saying Tywin would suddenly become a nice chap, just misunderstood, it's just frustrating that we never really get to know somebody so central to the events of the story. Probably the only person who becomes (slightly) less objectionable without have their own chapters is Sandor Clegane.

I have to say, the epilogue of book three was probably the biggest WTF moment yet. I can just imagine the author thinking "Okay, I've killed off a load of characters, who would people least like me to bring back? I'll show them..."

No kidding i loath catelyn shes an imbecile. I want either robb back or brann + legs. Robb was an under discussed character i would have enjoyed reading from the pov though he seems a bit too pure. Then again he appeared to be a military genius and a formidable warrior. And bran with legs would create and interesting power dynamic up north.

[johnhughthom]

No kidding i loath catelyn shes an imbecile. I want either robb back or brann + legs. Robb was an under discussed character i would have enjoyed reading from the pov though he seems a bit too pure. Then again he appeared to be a military genius and a formidable warrior. And bran with legs would create and interesting power dynamic up north.

It always seemed obvious to me Robb and Joffrey would be killed off, otherwise why didn't the story focus on them more? Robb's another character I didn't feel we got to know at all, he comes across as the Richard the Lionheart of the tale, but he's treated like a secondary character while we get Sansa moping around court and Catelyn... you know I don't even remember what she was doing. I guess it's the boring chapters that make those involving the interesting characters that much better. I just wish he'd stop teasing us, making us think Arya's going to find her wolf again...

Anyway, it's nearly 3:30 am, I should go to bed as I start work in 3 1/2 hours, but I'm thinking that time would be better spent reading the start of Feast for Crows than sleeping...

[Centurion1]

john the things you say just make me lol and lol. Come talk to me when you have read all of it and we will have a nice little chuckle!

[Hooahguy]

I just finished book 3, and I really dont get all the hate for Catelyn. I think shes a great character.

She is someone who is trying to subdue her grief so she can be the best mother/advisor to Robb that she can be.

I find her releasing Jaime an interesting thing. Yes, strategically it was dumb, but when you think about it, its not so bad. She thought that her only hope for getting her girls back was releasing him.
Now think of this: you lost your husband, and (or so you thought) your two youngest boys. Your eldest son is a general, and he could die in battle. Where does that leave you? With two daughters. The problem is, one of them is in Kings Landing, the other is MIA.
If I was in Catelyn's position, I would do anything possible to get Sansa back, at the very least.

[Centurion1]

I just finished book 3, and I really dont get all the hate for Catelyn. I think shes a great character.

She is someone who is trying to subdue her grief so she can be the best mother/advisor to Robb that she can be.

I find her releasing Jaime an interesting thing. Yes, strategically it was dumb, but when you think about it, its not so bad. She thought that her only hope for getting her girls back was releasing him.
Now think of this: you lost your husband, and (or so you thought) your two youngest boys. Your eldest son is a general, and he could die in battle. Where does that leave you? With two daughters. The problem is, one of them is in Kings Landing, the other is MIA.
If I was in Catelyn's position, I would do anything possible to get Sansa back, at the very least.

she was the spark that lit off the powder keg of war.

[Hooahguy]

she was the spark that lit off the powder keg of war.
Do you blame her? She got what she thought was credible information on who ordered the attempted murder of Bran, and she acted on it.
I would do the same. She had no idea that it would lead to the War of the Five Kings.

[Centurion1]

tbh. no. no i would not. Not if i was essentially the most powerful woman in the entire north of the kingdom of westeros the daughter of the river lord and the sister of the widow of the eyrie. And then to add on top of that my husband is the hand of the king with my two daughters in the capital with only a hundred or so loyal retainers. No i would think about the rest of my family and consider the fates of all the people under my control. barring that i would at least take care of tyrion properly rather than botch it completely.

[johnhughthom]

A Crusader Kings 2 mod would be sick nasty

CK Mod. (http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?491197-Westeros-Mod-War-of-the-Usurper)

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

tbh. no. no i would not. Not if i was essentially the most powerful woman in the entire north of the kingdom of westeros the daughter of the river lord and the sister of the widow of the eyrie. And then to add on top of that my husband is the hand of the king with my two daughters in the capital with only a hundred or so loyal retainers. No i would think about the rest of my family and consider the fates of all the people under my control. barring that i would at least take care of tyrion properly rather than botch it completely.
A war was brewing anyway. You're being too harsh on Cat. Her actions weren't always laden with forethought, but the negatives are ultimately pretty trivial and she made a lot of good calls in assisting Edmure and Robb (though they didn't always listen to her).

EDIT: @johnhughthom
If I wasn't too lazy to get CK working I'd play that. :3 Instead I'll wait for CK2...

[econ21]

I have only read the first book but the TV series seems to take Catelyn in a somewhat different direction in the end. Maybe I missed something in the book or maybe it will come in season 2 of the series, but was Catelyn's "We will kill them all" line to Robb added? In the end of book 1, she tries to push for peace. In the book, she also recognises her error in trying to seize Tyrion and precipitating war. I don't recall her almost braining Jaime with a rock either.

I think Catelyn's a rather interesting character regardless - a good person who makes some bad choices and is constrained by her honour, rather like her husband. It was quite an unusual plot mechanic that she would cause things to go to hell by her action in seizing Tyrion. Typically, in stories, it's the evil people who precipitate the chaos. (Although no doubt things would have turned bad sooner or later regardless, with Ned's investigation into House Baratheon and the poisonous nature of the Lannisters.)

[The Stranger]

I have only read the first book but the TV series seems to take Catelyn in a somewhat different direction in the end. Maybe I missed something in the book or maybe it will come in season 2 of the series, but was Catelyn's "We will kill them all" line to Robb added? In the end of book 1, she tries to push for peace. In the book, she also recognises her error in trying to seize Tyrion and precipitating war. I don't recall her almost braining Jaime with a rock either.

I think Catelyn's a rather interesting character regardless - a good person who makes some bad choices and is constrained by her honour, rather like her husband. It was quite an unusual plot mechanic that she would cause things to go to hell by her action in seizing Tyrion. Typically, in stories, it's the evil people who precipitate the chaos. (Although no doubt things would have turned bad sooner or later regardless, with Ned's investigation into House Baratheon and the poisonous nature of the Lannisters.)

in the finale of season one they put in some, or quite alot of stuff that actually happens in book 2. so i think thats why u dont recall. you probably havent read it yet.

everything catelyn does goes against her, but tbh i think that if she thought it through a bit more she couldve foreseen half of those things. setting free the kingslayer, seizing tyrion (though it was more her sister who messed up there). sad thing is that whenever she does have a good idea, the other people dont listen XD

[The Stranger]

No kidding i loath catelyn shes an imbecile. I want either robb back or brann + legs. Robb was an under discussed character i would have enjoyed reading from the pov though he seems a bit too pure. Then again he appeared to be a military genius and a formidable warrior. And bran with legs would create and interesting power dynamic up north.

i think that the author has to either A) kill off loads of POV characters or B) not introduce any new ones, because the style of his writing. A) he needs to do to keep the scale of the story down. B) would have the same effect but it would also mean nothing bad could happen to the POV characters or your story would end. There is also option C) and that is increase the size of the story, like Feist has done. he uses a similar POV style but for him its not so bad if in a book some of the characters dont get a prominent role because the size of the story is so big.

[johnhughthom]

There is only one thing I want from future series' of Game of Thrones.

"A bear there was, a bear, a bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair!
The bear, the bear!"

The entire song set to music.

Hopefully better than this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QyaN-QFNmc

[Hooahguy]

There is only one thing I want from future series' of Game of Thrones.

"A bear there was, a bear, a bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair!
The bear, the bear!"

The entire song set to music.

Hopefully better than this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QyaN-QFNmc

Agreed. I keep trying to think of a good tune for that song but I cant think of anything so far.

[johnhughthom]

Just finished book four. I can see where the differing opinions come from, I struggled to get into it for the first few hundred pages, after that it flowed as well as the first few books. I can imagine now how people who read it six years ago have been frustrated waiting for the next book, only five years overdue...

I'm off now to start again, if I time it right I should be finished in time for book five.

[Hooahguy]

There really needs to be a M&B:W mod for ASOIAF.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I think you mean the other way around. :P Though I'd still read it. Would the Starks be Rhodock or Swadian?

[Hooahguy]

Haha sorry, I meant the other way around. Silly me.

The Rhodocks remind me of the Starks, the Swadians remind me of Lannister.

[Centurion1]

goodness gracious this conversation again.....................

[johnhughthom]

Wonder if I could grow a beard in 3 days? Auditions for extras for series two are being held on Monday, quite literally around the corner from me. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13974887)

[Centurion1]

me = jealous.

[Hooahguy]

The GoT soundtrack is out.
I got it and its awesome.

[johnhughthom]

My copy of A Dance with Dragons has been posted, hopefully get it for Monday.

[johnhughthom]

Saw this over at TWC, meet Brienne.

http://pics.livejournal.com/grrm/pic/000gx6d3

[Centurion1]

Saw this over at TWC, meet Brienne.

http://pics.livejournal.com/grrm/pic/000gx6d3

I'd Smash.

She needs much bluer eyes though. She is the daughter of the star of evenfall and catelyn stark remarks that she had stunning blue eyes in a clash of kings. Also martin states that he believes Brienne is well over 6 ft tall but not close to seven and significantly heavier than renly or jaime

[Greyblades]

...While that isnt exactly model materiel, I cant realy say briene's actor is anywhere near as ugly as I expect the character to be.

[Hooahguy]

I expect the character to be uglier than the actor.

[econ21]

I expect the character to be uglier than the actor.

Yeah, there was an amusing newspaper article showing the actresses playing Ugly Betty in about 20 different countries[1]. They were all good looking.



[1]I was amazed so many countries had their own version of the show.

[Centurion1]

lets all be honest that woman is attractive. she is legitimately attractive though her forehead is a little big. but we all know that they will make her up and if she is not huge as brienne is supposed to be they will cast her at angles and tr yto keep her in armor with a closed face helm whenever possible.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Saw this over at TWC, meet Brienne.


Surely I can't have been the only one thinking someone more like actress Dot Jones; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427963/
6'3", 15 time world arm wrestling champion.

That woman looks like a waif, and only 'ugly' in Hollywood.

CR

[johnhughthom]

She's actually 6' 3 as well, supposedly GRRM himself said they auditioned "20 actresses and one Brienne" (the picture above being her).

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

If GRRM is satisfied I think makeup will take care of the rest.

[TinCow]

Surely I can't have been the only one thinking someone more like actress Dot Jones; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427963/
6'3", 15 time world arm wrestling champion.

That woman looks like a waif, and only 'ugly' in Hollywood.

CR

She's not a small girl.

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00034/howwemet_brownlee_34968t.jpg

[Hooahguy]

Wow, what long legs she has.

[Crazed Rabbit]

She's not a small girl.

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00034/howwemet_brownlee_34968t.jpg

In my defense, that was before I had any other info than that picture. It does seem like she's right for the role;
(This is a music video of a bad song notable only because it has the actress in it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSQ0BDgxes

CR

[Tratorix]

Now I'm hoping for a Brienne and Tyrion scene, just to see them try and get her and Peter Dinklage in the same shot. :laugh4:

[Hooahguy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSQ0BDgxes

CR
Wow that is bad.

[Centurion1]

that was so bad i couldnt even watch it. the music video was stupid too

[The Stranger]

i hate catelyn even more now she is a zombie

[johnhughthom]

i hate catelyn even more now she is a zombie

I'm very curious as to where he is going with that one, I see an epic meeting with one of the kids she thought was dead, probably Rickon, in the future.

Loving ADWD so far, I'm sure nobody was too upset with the first character killed off!

[GeneralHankerchief]

I finished up ADWD last night. Loved it.

Also, I'm pretty sure GRRM just set a record for "most cliffhangers to end a series installment with".