Game of Thrones

[Jo]

…or Boobs & Dragons to give it it’s correct name ;)
So who watched it and what did you think?

Also… one of the men in the cage – Liam Neeson or not? I spotted him straight away and thought it was, but the internet seems divided on whether it’s him or not since it’s been neither confirmed nor denied by the GoT/B&D people.

Topic

[Jo]

Arlene’s link led me to this: http://grrm.livejournal.com/ George R.R. Martin’s regularly updated Blog! I’ve not seen any on my quick scan through, but there may be spoilers within, so be careful!

[peas_and_corn]

He’s also known for writing really long posts.

[Jonathan Capps]

Ok, so I was intending to save reading the second book until I’d seen season 2, but… I failed. It was triggered by comments from one of the show’s Producers saying they’re going to be diverging more and more from the books, so it should be fresh enough to me anyway. Also, the second season is AGES away.

So, a couple of chapters in, and my initial non-spoilery thoughts:

• Joffrey is the BIGGEST SHIT
• Sansa’s not boring me as much as the first book
• Ayra’s still ace, obviously
• Tyrion is obviously also ace, and I really like the story that’s been set up for him
• I really hope Caitlin doesn’t bore the arse off me again
• Very interesting overarching ‘thing’ set up right at the start of the book

THAT IS ALL.

[Arlene Rimmer BSc SSc]

Clash of Kings is probably Tyrion Lannister’s finest hour in the series so far, and the book that cemented his place in my personal list of The Best Characters Ever. That said, a bit of warning, in as not-spoilery a way as I can possibly express it: I’m working through Storm of Swords, which comes after, and, well…Tywin Lannister is the biggest fucking asshole, is all I’ll say of it.

For what it’s worth, however, in the second book Catelyn does actually go and do stuff. Also: You meet Stannis yet? He’s pretty assholish too, although not much more than about .6 Joffreys on the Song of Ice and Fire Assholishness Scale that is totally serious and which I really didn’t just now make up.

[Jonathan Capps]

Yeah, I’ve had a good dose of Stannis already. That story’s started out in a way I didn’t really expect, too. Looking forward to seeing what Dany’s up to.

[ChrisM]

New Game of Thrones RPG.:

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6579356/game-of-thrones-rpg

Well… sort of.

[Jonathan Capps]

That’s excellent!

There is a proper RPG that’s going to come out at some point, I think, after they’ve done the RTS. LOOKING FORWARD TO.

[Ridley]

[Jonathan Capps]

Just to keep you updated, I’m now starting the fourth book. I can’t even believe I intended to stop at A Game of Thrones.

I know there’s likely more to come, but I see now what Arlene and Chris meant about Jaime. In fact, he’s the perfect example of why I love GRRM’s character work – he’s been expanded and explained but his past actions are never forgotten in a way that devalues what’s gone before. I know it’s a cliché, but so many characters are different shades of grey; see also Sandor Clegane and, to a lesser extent, even Dany.

I think so far the third book is my favourite of the ones I’ve read. It’s so bloody massive that every story has great room to breath and a LOT of shit goes down in very satisfying but mainly horrifying ways. The producers say that this book won’t be a single season and I can see why and I’m glad they’re not going to try and squeeze it too much and lose some important stuff.

Oh, and Jon Snow is probably my favourite character at the moment. Arya runs him close, but I have a few small issues with her story in the third book that I can’t really go into without spoilering.

[Ridley]

Oh, and Jon Snow is probably my favourite character at the moment. Arya runs him close, but I have a few small issues with her story in the third book that I can’t really go into without spoilering.

NO SPOILERS EVEN KNOWING TYRION IS ALIVE IN THE FIFTH BOOK IS A SPOILER THANK YOU.

:'(

[Jonathan Capps]

For all you know, the storyline I didn’t like was Arya’s horrible death!

[Ridley]

I know I’m on the second book though. ;)

[Jonathan Capps]

It’s a fair cop.

[Arlene Rimmer BSc SSc]

And now I expect you see what I meant by Tywin Lannister being the biggest fucking asshole, right? I mean, I know Sansa’s kind of a twit (after all, she’s a teenager), but nevertheless…neither party in that arrangement deserved what happened to them. And that’s not even the most important one of its kind in the book!

On the bright side, however, his final scene, with Tyrion–not to spoil things for others, but I suppose you could call it “gut-wrenching”, huh?

[Jonathan Capps]

First clips from season 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE12H1HorUU

Very impressed with Renly’s new look. They’ve managed to make him look the image of a young Robert. Also, I have a feeling I’m really not going to get on with Natalie Dormer’s face, but she definitely looks like a Tyrell.

Excitement!

[Jonathan Capps]

Also, several months late (slightly spoilery)

And now I expect you see what I meant by Tywin Lannister being the biggest fucking asshole, right?

In all honestly, when it comes to his family I’ve not seen him do anything that’s *too* far removed from what any great Lord would do. I have more issues with how he conducts his wars :-S

I mean, I know Sansa’s kind of a twit (after all, she’s a teenager), but nevertheless…neither party in that arrangement deserved what happened to them. And that’s not even the most important one of its kind in the book!

Without wanting to utter any spoilers from the fifth book, let alone the second, as far as Sansa and Tyrion’s problems go, I’d say both of them are currently in worse positions.

On the bright side, however, his final scene, with Tyrion—not to spoil things for others, but I suppose you could call it “gut-wrenching”, huh?

Where *do* whores go?

[Jonathan Capps]

EXCITING:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBrsM_WlfV8&feature=youtu.be

Dillane sounds like he’s going to be an excellent Stannis, but in my mind he still should look like Christopher Eccleston.

[Jonathan Capps]

I realise discussion of this had ground to a halt, but A PROPER TRAILER! EXCITING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOzXsqoJhtE

Varys and Tyrion are going to steal the show this year, clearly.

[Bob Loblaw]

That looks bloody fantastic. Although it will be strange putting new faces to characters. I’d always imagined Stannis as Christopher Eccleston, and from that decided Renly would be David Tennant. Even my imagination is lazy.

[Jonathan Capps]

In the first season, Renly was quite different from his descriptions in the book but from what we’ve seen of his new look, they’ve done a much better job of making him look like a young Robert.

Stannis looks good to me, but that could be because I’d seen Stephen Dillane had been cast before I read the second book so it’s always been his face in my mind.

[UncreativeUserName]

Reading the first book after watching the pretty damn amazing series.
Joffrey really is the most hatable fuck ever.

[pfm]

It looks soooo good, doesn’t it??! Emilia Clarke may be a little old for book Daenerys but she’s pretty perfect all the same. And the girl they cast as Arya…just so right! All the cast are bang on really. Tyrion and Varys yeah…an immense double act! I also can’t wait for those Tyrion/Cersei scenes.

Just read the first 200 pages of A Storm of Swords… it just gets better :D

[Jonathan Capps]

Oh man, Storm of Swords superb. I hope the rumours about them splitting it into two seasons (shot back-to-back) are true, because it’s the only way to do everything that happens in that book justice. Conversely, they could easily squeeze A Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons into one season.

[Jonathan Capps]

By the way, anyone listened to the new Roy Dotrice audiobook for A Feast for Crows? It seems he’s plain forgotten most of his original voices…

[pfm]

> Conversely, they could easily squeeze A Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons into one season.

Wow. I know they supposedly drag but…two massive books crammed into one season??

Incidentally, I love how right this moment my life choices consist of – reading two more chapters of Storm of Swords or watching episodes 3 & 4 of Alcatraz. So, Bullseye on Challenge it is then… ;P

[Jonathan Capps]

> Wow. I know they supposedly drag but…two massive books crammed into one season??

Well, that’s perhaps an exaggeration on my part. There’s tonnes of stuff I love in those books, but I get the feeling by the time we get there on TV, there’s going to be plenty of reasons and opportunities for some severe re-working / cutting.

[Jonathan Capps]

PROPER SEASON 2 PHOTOS:

http://winteriscoming.net/2012/02/the-first-publicity-photos-from-season-two/

Brienne looks *perfect*, as does… well, everyone else. Davos especially looks like he’s going to the best thing on telly ever.

[Ridley]

[Arlene Rimmer BSc SSc]

:-D

Hodor, hodor ^_~ .

[Bob Loblaw]

A few bits and pieces:

New trailer (with contemporary music and everything!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVkr9oYsIbo

The young actors singing the theme tune on one of the commentaries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t92ukx0A2fk

The Simpsons GoT intro: http://io9.com/5890410/watch-the-simpsons-game-of-thrones-intro

[Danny Stephenson]

HAHAHA…… i dont’ get any of these references :P

[Jonathan Capps]

Excellent recap of season 1 / preview of season 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Dku_Uya8Ygc

I AM EXCITED.

[UncreativeUserName]

I haven’t been this fucking excited for a show since Back To Earth.

[Jonathan Capps]

Everything I’ve seen suggests this is going to be amazing and even better than what they did in season 1. It also helps that it’s based on my favourite of the books.

[Jonathan Capps]

Anyone watch episode 1 yet? I bloody loved that. The TV writers really seem to have nailed the skill of compressing the book’s story, keeping the good stuff and adding its own scenes to deal with the necessary exposition.

Was massively impressed with the CG, too. The dragon and direwolves looked amazing for a TV show. On top of that the matte paintings are beyond brilliant. King’s Landing seems so much bigger this season with those establishing shots, and they did a great job to show the vast wilderness the Night’s Watch are currently trudging through.

[ori-STUDFARM]

I spent most of the episode trying to remember who was who….Can’t believe how shoddy my memory has become…

But yeah. Really enjoyed it. Although I now just want giant dragons and more direwolves. The direwolves actually looked so much more than standard wolves this episode.

[Ridley]

I’d rather they kept real dogs considering how more CGI will be needed as the show goes on. Plus the eyeline with Drogon was off.

Nice to get an expanded map:

http://i.cdn.hbo.com/custom-assets/enrichments/series/game-of-thrones/r3/images/map/s2/maps/worldview_regular.jpg

[pfm]

> I spent most of the episode trying to remember who was who

I’m so glad I’ve been reading the books, otherwise I know I would’ve been ‘who the hell are they talking about??’ some of the time.

I reckon they got Craster and his daughters exactly right. Beyond the Wall is gonna be awesome this and, indeed, next series! The Dragonstone scenes weren’t how I imagined though. I’m not sure of Stannis and Melissandre’s casting. It should have been a strong, dramatic opening to the episode like how it opens the Clash of Kings book.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I’d rather they kept real dogs considering how more CGI will be needed as the show goes on.

Well, they need to deal with the fact that they’re now getting very big and will soon be bigger than any actual wolf. I think even though it’s obviously very difficult and expensive to use CG and green screen for the wolves now, at least it means they know any big important scenes can be done exactly as they want, rather than dealing with live animals.

> The Dragonstone scenes weren’t how I imagined though. I’m not sure of Stannis and Melissandre’s casting. It should have been a strong, dramatic opening to the episode like how it opens the Clash of Kings book.

Yeah, I was amazed how flat the Burning of the Seven was. It really wasn’t portrayed as being as big a thing as it is, and Cressen was really mishandled. Still, I’ve got a feel Stannis and Mel are going to be awesome this season, so I’m not too worried about them botching the introduction.

[Jonathan Capps]

Second episode was GOOD. Ghost looked awesome but it’s a shame we’ve not seen him with Jon. Ghost should be either off hunting or basically stuck to Jon’s side, but I guess it’s just as hard to CG a wolf into every scene than it is to include a real one. It’s a shame for the second episode running we only have a token Dany scene, too, but presumably that will change soon.

Only big problem I’m having is the Dragonstone story. First they completely fuck up Maester Cressen’s story in episode 1 and now they’ve locked Queen Selyse in a tower and are explicitly showing Stannis and Mel fucking. I suppose it’s probably too much to ask HBO to be too subtle when it comes to anything to do with sex.

[ori-STUDFARM]

You leave the HBO sex policy alone! I’m fine with how it is :)

[pfm]

> It’s a shame for the second episode running we only have a token Dany scene, too, but presumably that will change soon.

I was hoping they were gonna bring forward some of her story from Storm of Swords (book 3) into this season (she has so little going on in Clash of Kings) but it doesn’t look like that’ll be the case…

[Jonathan Capps]

> I was hoping they were gonna bring forward some of her story from Storm of Swords (book 3) into this season (she has so little going on in Clash of Kings) but it doesn’t look like that’ll be the case…

Yeah, she should really be at her next proper destination by now, especially since her actions aren’t particularly tied to the Westeros timeline at this point so there should be plenty of room to compress as they want.

In other unsurprising news season 3 has been announced and GRRM has said it will cover roughly the first half of Storm of Swords. Excellent news that they’re giving that book two whole seasons, because it really is tremendous.

[Ridley]

She’s the Jon Snow of Season 2.

If the show gets that far, presumably Seasons 5-8 would be books four and five merged?

[pfm]

Surely it needs to be split in two, otherwise the series is gonna catch up with Martin’s writing too quickly! I reckon we can now guess what the last shot of season 3 will be…

I think an idea, to pad things out a bit if needed, would be to shoot some flashbacks of the last days of the Mad King, with younger cast as Rhaegar, Jaime, Robert and Ned Stark. Heck, the Battle of the Trident is film-worthy.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Surely it needs to be split in two, otherwise the series is gonna catch up with Martin’s writing too quickly!

I think after A Storm of Swords that’ll be where the TV show will start diverging more drastically from the books because while I love A Feast for Crows it’s got *so* much in it that I can see them cutting. They can probably almost entirely dispense of Dorne (even though I love that story).

> I reckon we can now guess what the last shot of season 3 will be…

The great thing about ASoS is that it has so many big events that there’s more than enough to share between two seasons. I believe the event you’re referring to happens about half way through the book, too, so it makes sense to have that at the end of season 3.

> I think an idea, to pad things out a bit if needed, would be to shoot some flashbacks of the last days of the Mad King, with younger cast as Rhaegar, Jaime, Robert and Ned Stark. Heck, the Battle of the Trident is film-worthy.

Love this idea. One of the big draws of this series for me is the history and it’s a shame that most of it has been relegated to the odd mention in the show. They could definitely get a lot of mileage of having an episode or two (or more?) of pure flashback to Robert’s Rebellion because you’ve got The Battle of the Trident, the Siege of Storm’s End, the Iron Island Rebellion AND the mysterious events that took place in the Tower of Joy in Dorne.

Aside from that, though, I really want a Dunk & Egg mini-series.

[Jonathan Capps]

Really looking forward to tonight’s episode. Everyone who’s seen the first 4 episodes as part of the press pack have said it’s their favourite.

In the meantime, this is awesome:

http://www.gameofthronesmap.org/

It keeps track of all the characters positions as per the TV show. I think it might’ve been updated since episode was shown last night in the states, but I can’t see anything spoilery in there aside from characters bios for some people we’ve not met yet.

[Jonathan Capps]

BRILLIANT EPISODE. I’d really like to see more of Bran and Winterfell, though, because the brief scene in this episode was probably my favourite. You had another Bran / Summer moment and Maester Luwin talking to Bran about magic was really nice.

Also, Yoren was fucking ace in that final scene. But now he’s dead.

[TheLeen]

I set my alarm to 6:30 Monday morning so I could watch this before work. I really love it.

What scares me is that we’re only at the beginning of vol. 2 and it’s already so many characters that many of them only get a few minutes screen time (if that); and the trend continues, yes? My friend said that GRRM keeps throwing more people at her while she’s really most interested in what happens to the people from the first book. I think that’ll be a problem for the tv show before long.

That being said, so far I haven’t had any problems keeping up with the who’s and when’s and what’s.

[ori-STUDFARM]

I must admit, I really am struggling to remember who’s who. I’m currently subscribed to a podcast for the recaps they give in a hope that this helps.

[Author]

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