Game of Thrones on HBO

[DaddyTorgo]

THAT IS AWESOME!!

Where from? I need to send it to someone.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Right-click, copy image URL

Not "from" anywhere as far as I can tell.

[ISiddiqui]

LOL! That is quite amusing!

[DaddyTorgo]

Oh yeah. Duhhh.

Brain broken today apparently.

[JPhillips]

Really funny.

[Groundhog]

Finally caught up last night. Episode 4 was definitely the best of the 2nd season so far IMO. I can't believe we are nearly halfway through the season though.

I like Baelish too, in that the actor suceeds in making me dislike him as much in the show as I do in the books. Joffrey, even more so.

[terpkristin]

HODOR.

Also, did anyone see South Park's GoT reference last night? There was a bit where Mr. Garrison starts describing the world and kingdoms in Game of Thrones. Cute interjection into the episode..

Boneritus (Season 16, Episode 7) - Video Clips - South Park Studios

Cartman Finds Love
Get More: SOUTH
PARKEric Cartman,Token Black,more...

/tk

[MrBug708]

I love jaqen h'ghar

[whomario]

The scenery north of the wall was breathtaking last episode, those location scouts sure know what they are doing (not that you can ever go wrong with Iceland, but still)

I thought that the shadow was the first really forced/selfserving bit of magic imo, felt awfully like Martin was thinking "oh wait, i can´t have theese 2 have a long standoff, i´ll never get ahead in the sory that way and it´ll take long enough as it is" and took a short cut.

I heard a couple of people complaining that there are no big battle scenes and would like to totally disagree. I don´t see the point of theese at all in the concept of the story. Who cares how a side won or lost ? It happened and they tell me, that´s all i need. I´d rather have them continue to spent fight time on smaller stand-offs between character and or small parties of characters.

One complaint i have (so far) is basically anything to do with Daenerys, i just don´t "buy" her motivation and also the way the actress is portraying them. I dunno, but her angry "i´ll burn you all" speach felt really weak.

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I love jaqen h'ghar

me too, even with how many character there are in it anyway, i think it´s fun to have theese relative "outsiders" come into the story as well to sort of remind us that there actually is a world outside of Westeros and outside of the civil war going on, like Arya´s instructor in season 1.

I must shamefully admit to have never read the books despite being a decently avid Fantasy reader. Actually i tried multiple times but didn´t get into it really and stopped. So it´s a huge compliment for the show when i say that i love it, to me the story seems almost better suited for this format than for a book. It seem they are shortening it just enough by getting rid of some "unimportant" stuff for me to enjoy it immensely now I realize they stay really close to the material, what i mean is more in the way it´s presented, much more direct with less going round-about the point)

I am having a super tough time not reading ahead now though (bought the books for the kindle half a year ago), i will try my hardest to resist that urge as this series is just so enjoyable and i have few enough story-drive shows i like that i don´t want to spoil this one for myself.

Is season 2 going to finish in line with the book btw ? (complete book 2 = complete season2?)

[DaddyTorgo]

I was talking about this with my dad earlier this past week - the pacing of the TV show is really great. They're able to cut out/compress a lot of things in the book that took pages and pages, and really move things along.

I'm sure there's places where it will harm them, but so far I think it's been great.

As far as your question at the end about S2=book 2...the answer is "more or less" basically. There are a few things that are reshuffled/accelerated/etc, but more or less.

[jeff061]

I didn't think the actress that portrayed Daenerys was particulary strong in season 1. I think she's doing better, but that's likely just a combination of the material and a bar already set too low.

That said, she isn't ruining it for me, she's just the weakest in a very strong lineup. Peter Dinklage is amazing.

[jeff061]

dola,

I also loved Jaqen H'Ghar, though more so in the book.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by jeff061

she's just the weakest in a very strong lineup

Book Spoiler/Opinion

Spoiler

Story of the whole series IMO

[Simbo Klice]

I'm glad for all you guys who like the streamlining, but it's killing me. There's multiple people who I'm waiting for to show up. That being said, The Arya/Tywin scene, which is quite a divergance from the book, is incredible.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Simbo Klice

I'm glad for all you guys who like the streamlining, but it's killing me. There's multiple people who I'm waiting for to show up. That being said, The Arya/Tywin scene, which is quite a divergance from the book, is incredible.

Well yeah - there are people I miss, that's for sure. It's not a replacement for the books in that sense. But I mean...in the sense of like...telling the main storyline it's an improvement.

You do definitely miss a bunch of the peripheral characters though, I agree. And I miss some of them (and expect to miss a bunch more as it continues).

[ISiddiqui]

Well I do think (just watching season 1) that they did cut out a lot of backstory that may come and harm them. Not necessarily characters, but stuff that happened during Robert's Rebellion... like stuff about Rhaegar that may be important.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Well I do think (just watching season 1) that they did cut out a lot of backstory that may come and harm them. Not necessarily characters, but stuff that happened during Robert's Rebellion... like stuff about Rhaegar that may be important.

I don't see the issue with them incorporating this information when it becomes relevant.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Well I do think (just watching season 1) that they did cut out a lot of backstory that may come and harm them. Not necessarily characters, but stuff that happened during Robert's Rebellion... like stuff about Rhaegar that may be important.

you can allways have character go back and tell those stories i suppose. Of course, most guys directly involved have now died one way or another, so that might be a problem But i suppose a well-read character like Tyrion (or even Sam) could take that role.
Personally, not having read much of the books i actually can´t imagine it to be that important. It was a rebellion long ago, the main protagonists from that are mostly dead and we allready know how all the houses feel about each other.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Simbo Klice

I'm glad for all you guys who like the streamlining, but it's killing me. There's multiple people who I'm waiting for to show up. That being said, The Arya/Tywin scene, which is quite a divergance from the book, is incredible.

There's a difference between liking the streamlining and understanding the necessity of it. They only have 10 hours within which to pack the entirety of a massive book with hundreds of characters. It's simply not possible. Cuts and streamlining have to be made.

I really see the TV show and books as two separate entities to be enjoyed in their own way. Sure, if the show deviates wildly from the book in some way I would be annoyed, but so far it's stuck very true to the main source while being different. I am totally fine with this.

Slavishly sticking to a book in making a movie based on it is rarely the best course of action.

[Barkeep49]

Reading this thread just reinforces my decision to watch the show first and then do the book. I think that the show is a great piece of entertainment in its own right and without knowing about the book I don't recall ever thinking that I was missing something (except perhaps the battle scenes).

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by whomario

I heard a couple of people complaining that there are no big battle scenes and would like to totally disagree. I don´t see the point of theese at all in the concept of the story.

Not too mention, they are wildly expensive and there's no way they are able to pay for them in their budget. Rome only had 2 battle scenes that I can think of, and both of those were close up "in" the battle so there wasn't a need for a lot of people or scenery. The major ones were simply talked about.

GoT could get away with a few of those "close up, in the battle" type scenes. But you're not going to get Braveheart like battles scenes in an HBO tv series. Not one where a lot of money needs to be spent on creating sets, costumes and CGI dragons and wolves.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I know there is going to be at least on sizable battle scene this season. I am goin to be interested to see how well they pull it off.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by sabotai

Not too mention, they are wildly expensive and there's no way they are able to pay for them in their budget. Rome only had 2 battle scenes that I can think of, and both of those were close up "in" the battle so there wasn't a need for a lot of people or scenery. The major ones were simply talked about.

GoT could get away with a few of those "close up, in the battle" type scenes. But you're not going to get Braveheart like battles scenes in an HBO tv series. Not one where a lot of money needs to be spent on creating sets, costumes and CGI dragons and wolves.

and the books skip a lot of the battle scenes as well. I think I'll be able to survive without them

[Landshark44]

Could any of you give an example of character missing from the TV series? Its been a year since I read "clash of kings" and I can't think of anyone absent...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Landshark44

Could any of you give an example of character missing from the TV series? Its been a year since I read "clash of kings" and I can't think of anyone absent...

Spoiler

Jojen and Meera Reed are the first that leap to mind. There are no Tullys other that Catelyn. So, no Blackfish or Edmure Tully. Other, smaller characters, like Big Walder and Little Walder. They cut out the entire Storm's End plot, so no Edrick Storm, one of Robert's bastards or Ser Courney Penrose, who the second shadow baby-thing killed. Those are just a few.

[Landshark44]

Oh... thanks. My memory is getting bad. I barely remember reading those things....

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Spoiler

Jojen and Meera Reed are the first that leap to mind. There are no Tullys other that Catelyn. So, no Blackfish or Edmure Tully. Other, smaller characters, like Big Walder and Little Walder. They cut out the entire Storm's End plot, so no Edrick Storm, one of Robert's bastards or Ser Courney Penrose, who the second shadow baby-thing killed. Those are just a few.

I don't really think any of those characters are really necessary the way they are telling the story in TV except for the first two, and they can still be introduced.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I don't really think any of those characters are really necessary the way they are telling the story in TV except for the first two, and they can still be introduced.

Spoiler

While none of them are necessary at the moment, they certainly will change things considerably and have future implications. If you don't have Reek/Ramsay, how does Theon lose Winterfell? Does Roose Bolton make it back North and take that roll? Edmure Tully is a very important character. His wedding was the Red One. I think they will introduce the Tullys next season. May even do the same with the Reeds, but given that they've already given Jojen's green dreams to Bran, perhaps not. There are work arounds to most of these characters but it will start to have ripple effects down the road.

[bronconick]

I kind of wonder if HBO has a rough draft of how the story ends and remaining major plot points. It'd make knowing what to cut infinitely easier. The early Harry Potter movies ran into a similar issue when they started before the series finished. Rowling had to step in once or twice and say "Yeah, don't do that."

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Spoiler

Jojen and Meera Reed are the first that leap to mind. There are no Tullys other that Catelyn. So, no Blackfish or Edmure Tully. Other, smaller characters, like Big Walder and Little Walder. They cut out the entire Storm's End plot, so no Edrick Storm, one of Robert's bastards or Ser Courney Penrose, who the second shadow baby-thing killed. Those are just a few.

Spoiler

I want to say that all of the characters that you just mentioned could still be introduced and haven't been skipped yet (outside of the Blackfish, who I'm sad isn't around). Isn't Edrick Storm/Courtnay Penrose the next step for Stannis and his new army before they march on King's Landing? And the Reeds and Big/Little Walder don't come into play until they are sent to Winterfell, and I'm almost positive that doesn't happen until right around now. Same with Reek/Ramsay - we've only just been introduced to Roose, if I remember correctly, and I don't know that I remember Ramsay being anything at all involved in the plot until later.

I think perhaps the Reeds should have been introduced a few episodes back...I can't imagine they're being omitted completely, but I guess Osha could play a more prominent role for longer. That being said, the books played up the Howland Reed/Eddard Stark relationship so much that I just can't imagine Jojen and Meera not being in the book.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Spoiler

I want to say that all of the characters that you just mentioned could still be introduced and haven't been skipped yet (outside of the Blackfish, who I'm sad isn't around). Isn't Edrick Storm/Courtnay Penrose the next step for Stannis and his new army before they march on King's Landing? And the Reeds and Big/Little Walder don't come into play until they are sent to Winterfell, and I'm almost positive that doesn't happen until right around now. Same with Reek/Ramsay - we've only just been introduced to Roose, if I remember correctly, and I don't know that I remember Ramsay being anything at all involved in the plot until later.

I think perhaps the Reeds should have been introduced a few episodes back...I can't imagine they're being omitted completely, but I guess Osha could play a more prominent role for longer. That being said, the books played up the Howland Reed/Eddard Stark relationship so much that I just can't imagine Jojen and Meera not being in the book.

Spoiler

I think they will introduce some of these characters later one, especially the Tullys. Just based on casting news, I know that none of these characters appear in this season. I think they are going to skip the whole Storms End bit.

Jojen and Meera, as well as the Walders, would have already been introduce by now if they were following the books. The Walders as wards weren't even mentioned as part of Robb's deal with the Freys in the first season, so they are pretty much out. Not a big deal. They could have Jojen and Meera meet up with Bran later on. But if they aren't there, then I would suspect that Osha, Bran, Rickon and Hodor head north. Not sure who they would have go with Rickon if not Osha.

I think they are going to have Osha play a more prominent role. Everyone has been really happy with how she's been portrayed in the show. GRRM said she was one character who he might actually write slightly differently after seeing her on screen.

Reek/Ramsay could still be introduced this season, but I don't think he's been cast, so I don't think he'll be there.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by bronconick

I kind of wonder if HBO has a rough draft of how the story ends and remaining major plot points. It'd make knowing what to cut infinitely easier. The early Harry Potter movies ran into a similar issue when they started before the series finished. Rowling had to step in once or twice and say "Yeah, don't do that."

I would say they don't have a draft or anything close, but Martin is there and would probably stop them if they are going too far from how expects the series to end (that is, if he is just not sort of thinking of changing the series ending by what the television show does. Quite possible with him, though he'd never admit it).

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Spoiler

Not sure who they would have go with Rickon if not Osha.

Spoiler

Maester Luwin? Nothing says he has to die in the Winterfell attack.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Well, they mentioned one of those guys tonight, so seems like he'll be there.

Loved the episode tonight. I'm really, really enjoying the Tywin-Arya scenes.

[cschex]

There were a lot of changes in tonight's ep, but I honestly thought they worked fairly well, especially the Winterfell scenes and at Harrenhal. Poor Dany, her story still feels like filler in this season just like in the book.

[BrianD]

I have a question about episode 5 (one before last night), but it is in comparison to the books so I will spoiler it.

Spoiler

In the books, wasn't the wildfire scheme totally Tyrion's? I remember thinking it a very clever, though dangerous plot. It surprised me to see the plot belonging to Joffrey in the series. This seems way too clever for him.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Re: BrianD

Spoiler

I think the show got it mostly right IIRC. Cersei's plan was to catapult the wildfire but Tyrion knew that was a bad idea, so he loads the barges with most of it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Well, they mentioned one of those guys tonight, so seems like he'll be there.

Loved the episode tonight. I'm really, really enjoying the Tywin-Arya scenes.

Yes, I liked they mentioned him. Hopefully he'll be in it.

[lordscarlet]

Book related question:

Spoiler

Is my memory terrible, or were the dragons not taken in the book? I watched the show with 2 people that don't remember that happening, and got a text from a third. Not only do I not remember them being taken in Qarth, I don't remember them being taken at all. However, I have a terrible memory.

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

Book related question:

Spoiler

Is my memory terrible, or were the dragons not taken in the book? I watched the show with 2 people that don't remember that happening, and got a text from a third. Not only do I not remember them being taken in Qarth, I don't remember them being taken at all. However, I have a terrible memory.

Spoiler

I don't remember them being taken in the book either. I'm pretty sure they weren't.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by whomario

you can allways have character go back and tell those stories i suppose. Of course, most guys directly involved have now died one way or another, so that might be a problem But i suppose a well-read character like Tyrion (or even Sam) could take that role.
Personally, not having read much of the books i actually can´t imagine it to be that important. It was a rebellion long ago, the main protagonists from that are mostly dead and we allready know how all the houses feel about each other.

It has... ramifications, which are very important. It may seem too jarring to go back and "fill in" the backstory (almost deus ex machina like).

Spoiler

I am, of course, speaking of Jon's potential parenthood of Rheagar and Lyanna - of which only Ned remembered what Lyanna said when she died, which is revealed in the book in Ned's POV chapters, but was omitted in the series & of Aegon Targaryen.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

Book related question:

Spoiler

Is my memory terrible, or were the dragons not taken in the book? I watched the show with 2 people that don't remember that happening, and got a text from a third. Not only do I not remember them being taken in Qarth, I don't remember them being taken at all. However, I have a terrible memory.

Spoiler

They weren't. Never happened in the books. They are trying to make Dany's storyline in Qarth a little more interesting, since all she does there in the books is talk to people, go to the House of the Undying, almost get assassinated, meets Baristan Selmy and Strong Belwas and then leaves.

[spleen1015]

Does anyone know of a good website that compares the show to the books week by week?

[DaddyTorgo]

I read something somewhere that was like "Don't view the show as a literal transcription of the books or it'll drive you mad. Think of it as another series of looks at the events of the same time - some of which are familiar from the books and others of which are new."

Things like that make me feel better about stuff like say...the dragon-napping last night. I just try to think to myself "well maybe that happened but we didn't get it in the book" sorta.

[cschex]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Does anyone know of a good website that compares the show to the books week by week?

westeros.org does a book to screen analysis with a detailed list of changes after each episode.

[Pyser]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I would say they don't have a draft or anything close, but Martin is there and would probably stop them if they are going too far from how expects the series to end (that is, if he is just not sort of thinking of changing the series ending by what the television show does. Quite possible with him, though he'd never admit it).

i could be wrong but i thought i read that martin told the producers how the series will end in case anything happens to him.

[Pyser]

dola:

According to an interview Martin gave last year with Entertainment Weekly, he has already told the ending of the series to the producers of the TV show "in case I get hit by a truck."

[Grover]

Anyone else expecting Finchy to crack a dick joke and have a laugh rather than talking about the Iron Price?

[Draft Dodger]

just finished reading a Storm of Swords. not only is it my favorite of the series (so far) I think it might be the most interesting to see on the screen.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

just finished reading a Storm of Swords. not only is it my favorite of the series (so far) I think it might be the most interesting to see on the screen.

I agree.