Game of Thrones

[broadbill]

I think the TV series is even BETTER than the books.

There are some EPIC scenes in the books though. The end of book 4 is incredible. You can't help but love the Imp!

I tried to read book 5, but it was so slow I had to put it down. I'll pick it up again after this season on TV.

When is book 6 due out?

+1 to this...I have only read the first book, but I thought it draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaged. Boring.

The show on the other hand...Peter Dinklage makes the show by and by although I really like the guy who plays the kingslayer. I'm in season three and had to stop reading this thread

 

[dobe12]

Premier was solid and enjoyable. Seeing Arya win back Needle and help take out the Tickler and Polliver was both enjoyable and disturbing. An 8-year old girl killing people will do that though.

Couldn't agree more. That last 5-10min was great. The dynamic that continues to build and evolve between Arya and the Hound is so interesting to watch. I didn't read any of the books (not a genre I enjoy reading) so the show is completely it's own entity for me. I take some joy in not having any idea what's going to happen.

 

[Darwin18]

The HBO series does a very nice job making it accessible to non-readers. My wife read the prologue to Book #1 and dropped it. She does like the HBO series, although she thinks Dany's character is named "Khalessi"....

You can also take joy in knowing that non-readers will find out how the series ends at least 1 - 2 years before the last book comes out. No, I'm not bitter. Not at all.

 

[Homercidal]

The HBO series does a very nice job making it accessible to non-readers. My wife read the prologue to Book #1 and dropped it. She does like the HBO series, although she thinks Dany's character is named "Khalessi"....

You can also take joy in knowing that non-readers will find out how the series ends at least 1 - 2 years before the last book comes out. No, I'm not bitter. Not at all.

They use the term so much in both the show and the book that it's easy to make that assumption.

As far as the tv show vs the book, I'm not sure if Martin will be able to write the books before the show starts telling it's own story. So far there have been minor differences. They started out by skipping a good amount of the story, but I think I read that they are starting to slow down and plan to make each season approximately 1/2 worth of a book.

I only know that Martin is going to have to start getting some words on page if we want to see a conclusion before he dies!

 

[Darwin18]

If you want see fanboys at their worst, there are daily topics about the shows overtaking the books at www.westeros.org . FWIW, Martin has all but admitted that the shows will overtake the book series as he's not even at the halfway point for Winds of Winter, and he's had three years since Dance with Dragons came out....

I've come to terms that the TV series will show the ending that Martin intends for the books. I'm not happy about it, but it's what it is. No one has chained Martin to his desk....yet.

HBO series are usually 7 - 8 seasons in length. It's hard to think that HBO would drag the series past 7 - 8 seasons given the following:

A) Costs for filming each season are exorbitant compared to other HBO series.
B) The cast is aging at a pace not matched in the books. At the end of Dance, Arya is still 8 years old....
and; most importantly and sadly
C) There is no way to guarantee another season or two would give Martin time to finish his books. One might have thought when he signed onto the series in 2011 that he would have more than enough time AND motivation to get two books finished by 2016 or 2017, but sadly that's not the case. In the three years since Dance has been published, he's still working on Winds with a 2015 release date unlikely and a 2016 release date optimistic. I hope to god that I'm wrong as I am a HUGE fan of the books but I'm pessimistic. I started reading this series in high school and will probably be in my 40's by the time Dream of Spring is released.

 

[BigPicture]

There is no guarantee that the HBO series will follow the books. Based on what we've read so far, do you think Martin is going to be telling the directors what will actually happen? Do you think the directors are glued to all his plots. $$$ talks.

The character development is great. I think it's even more interesting in the show than in the books. But I'll admit I look forward to scenes on TV with anticipation being that I already know what should happen. Well ...................... I have fond memories of parts the books & hate other parts. I'll agree that some of the folks on westeros.org & YouTube are just nuts with it!

But then again, this is the INTERNET after all.

 

[krenshaw]

well they signed the show up to at least 2 more seasons.. and i did hear rumors about a possible movie being the final book once it comes out.. though it would have to be on par with a couple LOTR type lengths to make it worth while.. martin did confirm that he told hbo producers about the plans for the end of the series.. would find it hard that they would actually end it before the story ended, don't think martin would like that too much, may cut into his book sales..

as somebody who has read the books i am very excited for this season and love the reactions of my wife for seeing the story the first time..

big fan of the hound/arya relationship as well

 

[Darwin18]

There is no guarantee that the HBO series will follow the books. Based on what we've read so far, do you think Martin is going to be telling the directors what will actually happen? Do you think the directors are glued to all his plots. $$$ talks.

Martin writes an episode screen play each season for the HBO series, and I'm fairly his contract with HBO wouldn't allow for them to deviate substantially from the plot. So far, the HBO series has remained fairly faithful to the books with a few minor exceptions. When it comes to "big picture" the HBO series is still following the books.

well they signed the show up to at least 2 more seasons.. and i did hear rumors about a possible movie being the final book once it comes out.. though it would have to be on par with a couple LOTR type lengths to make it worth while.. martin did confirm that he told hbo producers about the plans for the end of the series.. would find it hard that they would actually end it before the story ended, don't think martin would like that too much, may cut into his book sales...

I heard the movie rumors as well, but I think that's wishful thinking on Martin's part. The younger members of the cast are going to be too old by the time a potential movie starts filming which would be several years from now. I would like to think that HBO wouldn't end the series before the last book comes out, but HBO doesn't work for Martin. They have a contract and it's not their responsibility to get the books published - that's on Martin. I have read that the producers have been briefed on Martin's intended ending and I suspect that they'll stick to it given how closely they've followed the books so far.

 

[Homercidal]

Either way is fine with me. If they deviate, it's only more good stuff. They've done very well with only changing minor things. I'm fine with characters being just a bit older. It's just the way it is when you are making shows and movies like this.

I just can't wait for my wife to see some of the things that are coming up for some of the characters. Character development is one highlight to this story/show. How they evolve and put up with the horrific events that seem to happen to them all.

 

[Darwin18]

Agreed. I'm a big fan of the actor playing Tyrion. At this point in the storyline Tyrion's character is likable and sarcastic, although starting to lose grip on power. It will be interesting to see how the actor plays him when Tyrion stops being so likable and sarcastic, and becomes darker.

 

[krenshaw]

the actor for Tyrion has to be one of the best ever.. can't think of a better character in any tv show i've seen in quite a while.. i love the daenerys story line as well.. wasnt' a big fan of how he only focused on half the stories in the 2 books.. i'm hoping that they follow the actual timeline in the tv show

 

[neilpcraven]

 

[BigPicture]

I do love Dragons.

My only complaint with the books is how Martin will develop a character in 4 whole books just to kill 'em in 2 lines.

 

[krenshaw]

My only complaint with the books is how Martin will develop a character in 4 whole books just to kill 'em in 2 lines.

i love that, since that's when you don't see it coming.. watching the first season (before i started reading the books) i was on pins and needles in those slow motion sections while neds head was on the block wondering how on earth a main character could die.. i was thinking something/someone will most definitely step in at the last second...

i think that's what makes the story so good, and you need a lot of main characters for that to actually work in the story

 

[Darwin18]

If you thought the Red Wedding was interesting just wait until we get to the Purple Wedding.

 

[Homercidal]

Kind of disappointed that they didn't use REAL pigs in the dwarf performance. The fun continues.

 

[Darwin18]

It might have been bit difficult and expensive to train a pig for one scene.

Still I agree though, jousting on a pig and dog would have been awesome to see.

 

[DrunkleJon]

I played the first episode for a friend this weekend. It was hilarious watching his often appalled reactions at events and figuring things out like who is related (and sleeping) with who, and not to mention the final scene. He professed after it was over that he would not be watching the show. I am sure I can get him to watch a few more episodes and then he will be hooked. I really wish I had a camera going to get the reaction shots.

 

[Quadrupled]

From reading the books I knew it was coming, but the Frey's and the Red Wedding left me thoroughly pissed when watching the series. The Purple Wedding was way underwhelming - not nearly as enjoyable as I had hoped. Still, I'm happy that they seem to put in some subtleties of the Q of T participating.

 

[BigPicture]

If I hadn't already read the books.................................... so much was not even hinted at on the TV.

I enjoy watching how people react now, knowing what they'll do later.

It's very nice

 

[Homercidal]

I tease my wife about what's coming up later.

For instance, last night I calmly stated, "At least Sansa has escaped Joffery's evil clutches and is going to be ferreted away to live happily ever after!"

And she didn't buy it for one second.

 

[Darwin18]

My wife was also upset about poor Ser Dontos. Looking forward to seeing how they depict Tyrion's trial.

 

[Homercidal]

My wife was also upset about poor Ser Dontos. Looking forward to seeing how they depict Tyrion's trial.

Yes. Although I feel Dontos did not get enough time previously to really build up how awful this was. In the book you hear a LOT more about him. In the show, you see him a couple of times.

Loving The Hound's change of character...

 

[Darwin18]

Wondering why the Hound is still around and talking about Braavos....

 

[Homercidal]

Wondering why the Hound is still around and talking about Braavos....

I won't say much, but it sets up future events. One of my favorite substories in the series so far.

 

[ColoHox]

I won't say much, but it sets up future events. One of my favorite substories in the series so far.

That is one of my favorite aspects of the show. While the TV storyline may not follow the books exactly, the use of dialog to set up or introduce future storylines is perfect and allows the show to flow very smoothly.

 

[krenshaw]

the jaime/brienne relationship is just as fun as the arya/hound relationship..

on another note there are so many lists online.. here is one of them.. that talk about interesting fact about the characters and such.. among my favorites are:
- the actress that plays sansa adopted her "wolf"
- only 2 characters have actually read the whole series so far for 1) genuine reactions and 2) so they don't know how long they will be in the show
- the "heart" that daenerys eats is actually like a giant gummy bear
- peter dinklage is actually 5 feet tall, they just do a great job with camera angles (ok, that's a lie, just seeing if you are paying attention).. :cross:

 

[GrogNerd]

seems like Arya's relationships with other characters are the best parts

Arya & Ned, Arya & Syrio, Arya & Tywin and Arya & the Hound + Gendry, Hot Pie & Jaqen H'ghar

interesting that IMDB lists her 4th in the credits, behind only Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke but in front of more seasoned actors

 

[Darwin18]

Arya's storyline gets way more interesting once she ends up in the House of Black and White.

 

[GrogNerd]

Arya's storyline gets way more interesting once she ends up in the House of Black and White.

yes... I'm slogging thru Dance with Dragons now. ponderous