Game of Thrones

[EasternWest]

Anybody (other than Scraggers ) watching this show?

I started watching it about 6 months ago and within 2 days had watched the first season entirely and am now suffering through the week by week interminable wait for the new episodes to come out. This is only going to get worse as the season is nearly finished and it'll be a year before season 3 is ready!

I've since read all the books, and the depth and complexity of the characters and plotlines is incredible (and TBH sometimes difficult to keep track of) but I'm absolutely loving it.

If you're a fan of medieval fantasy that doesn't follow the typical course, then I'd highly recommend this series. Just ask Scraggers.

[SonofScray]

Re: Game of Thrones

Easily my favourite TV program, ever. I have read the books, up to the 3rd at the moment and love the whole set up. Great balance of political intrigue, violence, mystery and romance, everything is explicit and gruesome. Yet not overly so, it all works.

I like Arthurian type stories but not so much the sorcery aspect but the way magic and dragons etc exist in this world is agreeable with me. Enjoyable show.

The Cold Winds Are Rising.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game of Thrones

I have been at home "sick" and caught nearly upto the latest episode. Such a brilliant story, im not much of a reader so I am looking forward to the twists and turns of every episode.

If I could only say 3 words they would be Gore, Sex and Awesomeness. Love its Medieval theme with an added side of Fantasy. Not hard to enjoy.

[Scraggers]

Re: Game of Thrones

Thanks to EasternWest, I am a newly converted GOT fan !!

Watched the first episode of series one on Wednesday of last week, and immediately bought the whole first series from iTunes.

I am sitting down tonight to watch series 2, episodes 5-7.

Love it ... As has been said already, medieval theme with debauchery. The violence and relations ( ) are not suited for young eyes, but is not out of place (or over the top IMO). The super-natural undertones are extremely intriguing too !!

So looking forward to tonight's viewing, but as EasternWest said, I'm not looking forward to the year-long wait for series 3 !!!

In the words of Molly Meldrum; do yourself a favour !!

[SonofScray]

Re: Game of Thrones

Season 1 we're all "Ned Stark, go you good thing"
Season 2 we're all Imp fan boys.

Cersei is a nasty piece of work, that smirk infuriates me.

[Scraggers]

Re: Game of Thrones

Season 1 we're all "Ned Stark, go you good thing"
Season 2 we're all Imp fan boys.

Cersei is a nasty piece of work, that smirk infuriates me.

Love Tyrion, but am intrigued by Princess Daenerys

[GVGjr]

Re: Game of Thrones

My fav show will have to make do with Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire when season 2 ends love Game of thrones .Also just discovered Blue Mountain State if you love sick laughs.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game of Thrones

Enjoyd season 1 but season 2 hasnt grabbed me... nothing particularly original (although done very well), so when ned stark was outed (spoiler alert for those who havent seen it) the series was left without its best character and screen presence. Ned and Richard Baratheon by far the most impressive characters in season 1. W/o them season 2 feels like watching a bunch of freaks and kids with no centre to it all. Not interested in a season of "dinner with the Lannisters".

[Scraggers]

Re: Game of Thrones

Updated my avatar in honour of thread !!

[SonofScray]

Re: Game of Thrones

Enjoyd season 1 but season 2 hasnt grabbed me... nothing particularly original (although done very well), so when ned stark was outed (spoiler alert for those who havent seen it) the series was left without its best character and screen presence. Ned and Richard Baratheon by far the most impressive characters in season 1. W/o them season 2 feels like watching a bunch of freaks and kids with no centre to it all. Not interested in a season of "dinner with the Lannisters".

S2 has strayed from the book a bit more often. I can understand why but it has not had the same edge of your seat vibe. The whole 'mystery' the characters were working through in S1 where the audience already knew made for great viewing. It was like watching a replay of a car crash.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game of Thrones

S2 has strayed from the book a bit more often. I can understand why but it has not had the same edge of your seat vibe. The whole 'mystery' the characters were working through in S1 where the audience already knew made for great viewing. It was like watching a replay of a car crash.

Exactly.. cant believe I'm saying this but it was getting a bit boring. The Thalgarian storyline was just taking waaay to long to unfold, Stannis doesnt have the screen presence of his brother, the Starks and Greyjoys are kids, there's a bit too much gratuitous weirdness (infanticide? Mass incest?), and that Geoffrey kid, while very well cast, just gives me too much of the irates.. kid deserves a farking punch in the scrotum.

George Martin was struggling with the whole storyline anyway long before the tv series started.. lots of his fans have been cross for a while with the books getting more convoluted and erratic and the series not ending.

[EasternWest]

Re: Game of Thrones

Double post.

[EasternWest]

Re: Game of Thrones

Season 1 we're all "Ned Stark, go you good thing"
Season 2 we're all Imp fan boys.

Cersei is a nasty piece of work, that smirk infuriates me.

Actually, I'm glad Ned Stark is.... ahem... no longer with the show. At first I'll admit I felt a bit of outrage, but when I thought about it it made sense to me. Although it's a fantasy series, the character development has tried to remain "earthy" (I can't think of a better word). So instead of the protagonist hero riding to the rescue on a white horse, we get what we got with Ned. In a dirty, murky world with ambitious people everywhere, virtue and nobility aren't necessarily the traits that will see you.... make it through the first book.

I'd say Tyrion is also my favourite character, though Jon Snow is a close second. I also have a soft spot for Sandor Clegane (the Hound). I guess you could say I like conflicted characters.

Enjoyd season 1 but season 2 hasnt grabbed me... nothing particularly original (although done very well), so when ned stark was outed (spoiler alert for those who havent seen it) the series was left without its best character and screen presence. Ned and Richard Baratheon by far the most impressive characters in season 1. W/o them season 2 feels like watching a bunch of freaks and kids with no centre to it all. Not interested in a season of "dinner with the Lannisters".

I certainly agree that season 2 lacks the punch of season 1, but it's still bloody good IMO. I do feel quite strongly about the Tywin/Arya thing though (I'm assuming that's what you mean by the dinner with the Lannisters thing?). I can't say much without giving anything away, so if anyone wants an explanation of what I mean, PM me (but be warned, spoilers ahead).

Exactly.. cant believe I'm saying this but it was getting a bit boring. The Thalgarian storyline was just taking waaay to long to unfold, Stannis doesnt have the screen presence of his brother, the Starks and Greyjoys are kids, there's a bit too much gratuitous weirdness (infanticide? Mass incest?), and that Geoffrey kid, while very well cast, just gives me too much of the irates.. kid deserves a farking punch in the scrotum.

George Martin was struggling with the whole storyline anyway long before the tv series started.. lots of his fans have been cross for a while with the books getting more convoluted and erratic and the series not ending.

I agree and disagree with that post. There's a lot more to the Targaryen storyline than the show can fit in (and truth be told it's subtle nuances escaped me when I read the books, and it's only through internet discussions that I pieced it together - do NOT go to any A Song of Ice and Fire forums unless you're up to date with the books, for much will be ruined for you) and as a result it suffers a bit. Also, whilst Daenarys is an interesting plot arc, it takes a looooong time to get anywhere in the books so I think they're doing a reasonable job to move it along in the show.

And the Starks and the Greyjoys are kids so I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that. Bit surprised you say Joffrey is well cast then say "just gives me too much of the irates.. kid deserves a farking punch in the scrotum." (which I agree with BTW). Surely that means it's a job well done? I agree with you on Stannis, but Mark Addy (who played King Robert) was magnificent so it's a tough comparison. Still, your point re Stannis is fair enough.

The one thing I will say (and I can't believe I'm going to say this but here goes), there's a bit too much unnecessary nudity for my liking. There, I said it.

The show isn't perfect, but it is damn good, and the main cast is turning in stellar performances. Some of the fringe performances are a bit shit (hello Lancel), but the money only goes so far.

And as for fans being cross with Martin, I'm going to quote Neil Gaiman: George Martin is not your bitch (I don't mean yours specifically Lantern, that's the quote). It takes him a long time to write the books because of the infinitesimal attention to detail that must require hours upon hours of plain old research (it's no accident that despite his love of describing every food eaten in the books, there's no mention of potatoes whatsoever).

I'll admit that I'd of course prefer the books to come out faster, but I'm comfortable in the knowledge that shaking my fist and shouting "hurry up, George" is a caloric waste more futile than trying to fly after a push from Jaime Lannister. Given George's appearance, there is of course the risk of being Robert Jordan'ed, but that's what you get for choosing to become immersed in the world created by an author. He writes, I read. Getting frustrated won't get me anywhere.

I will say (and apologies to any people reading, though I am not giving any plot away), I found the fourth book extremely difficult to read due to its meandering pace, but the fifth was infinitely better.

For its faults, I still love it and eagerly await each new episode. And book. (Shakes tiny fist, "hurry up, George").

[EasternWest]

Re: Game of Thrones

Oh, and one other thing: the terrific opening credits, something I found interesting. If you watch next time, there's a little tale of the history of Westeros written in it.

The very first scene shows a band of gold with a dragon (Targaryen sigil) rotating around the comet, indicating the rule of the Targaryens. After a moment it is eclipsed by two other gold bands, one with a stag (Baratheon sigil) and one with a direwolf (Stark sigil) coming together to indicate Robert Baratheon's rebellion. When the cast names come up, the actors all have the sigil that represents their allegiances beside them, and the castles and buildings that rise from the map change each episode to reflect where the action takes place in that episode.

The final band of gold that comes before the end title shows a stag in the centre with all the other sigil animals to either side of it, each with their heads inclined.

There's also some terrific artwork online (but I wouldn't google that either unless you are up to date with the books), one of my favourite of which is this (no spoilers):



It's of the battle at the Trident where Robert meets Prince Rhaegar. That's Robert with the hammer.

Yes, I am a nerd. Yes, I need a life.

[1eyedog]

Re: Game of Thrones

I'm a medieval fantasy nerd from way back playing AD&D in the class room portables in 85, so this show is a natural progression for me. The best series I have seen in the last 25 years.