Game of Thrones

[Blueferret]

It's fascinating to see the perspective of folks that haven't read the books popping up here. And sometimes hard to hold back on the spoilers, but all I can say if you enjoyed it is: Buckle up! This series barely plays -any- of the "standard fantasy cliches" straight...if any at all.

I was thinking the same thing. It's going to be hard to contribute to this thread without sounding like an "I know whats coming and you don't" ass because I've read the books.

[Blueferret]

I love Howard's Conan books and have read most of his stories about the barbarian. I would definitely say that Game of Thrones borrows from Conan more than anything else. A lot of fantasy novels seem to want to be another Lord of the Rings, but this one makes no apologies in it's brutalness.

If anything, this series resembles The War of the Roses more than anything else.

[Blueferret]

Where was Theon in the first episode? Was he the one who was going to kill the Direwolves? If so, they missed the opportunity to explain why he was in Winterfell with the execution scene.


That said, Theon's an ass but I like him.

[Alex]

I've read two comments that make me want to provide spoilers so hardcore. Damn adaptations to hell!!!

[Blueferret]

I've read two comments that make me want to provide spoilers so hardcore. Damn adaptations to hell!!!

Yep. I'm thinking of making a thread in the book forum for those who have read the series

[Conn Seanery]

Where was Theon is the first episode? Was he the one who was going to kill the Direwolves? If so, they missed the opportunity to explain why he was in Winterfell with the execution scene.


That said, Theon's an ass but I like him.

It's not important to the story, better to focus on the Starks and the royal family in Winterfell at the start I would think.

[Blueferret]

It's not important to the story, better to focus on the Starks and the royal family in Winterfell at the start I would think.

True, but it would set up the groundwork of politics in Westeros. Maybe they'll work it in during future episodes.

[Winterwolf]

I really enjoyed the first episode myself. I have no real complaints either. I didn't even mind Danny and Drogo's "rape" scene.

I thought it was done well considering neither spoke each others language nor have known each other for more than a few hours. Drogo was more gentle than I would have expected considering the Dothraki have no problems just taking a woman whenever and wherever they please.

I think if they had more time per episode they could have then expanded on that scene, but they don't. Plus if done badly it could seem corny that Badass Barbarian king/leader with a culture of the strong taking from the weak with very little sympathy to those they conquer suddenly has a tender or soft side for a girl he barely know.

Either way I really enjoyed it and can't wait for next week.

Oh one small grip...I didn't notice Maester Luwin wearing a chain.

[Conn Seanery]

True, but it would set up the groundwork of politics in Westeros. Maybe they'll work it in during future episodes.

I'm sure they will, it's just not important for the first episode.

[Werehunter]

Where was Theon in the first episode? Was he the one who was going to kill the Direwolves? If so, they missed the opportunity to explain why he was in Winterfell with the execution scene.


That said, Theon's an ass but I like him.

Yeah that was him, or at least I think it was. His role will likely be expanded in future episodes, but I think it was important to introduce the other characters before Theon. While he plays an important role in the larger story, it doesn't happen until a ways in. They have to introduce the earlier players before Theon.

[Kaim]

Yeah that was him, or at least I think it was.

I agree. I think he was also seen when Jon and Robb were getting their shaves, and generally around and running errands. I thought he was Jory up until that scene, when I realized who another teenager joking around with the Stark boys would be. I agree with others saying there are more important things to take care of in the first episode, though.

Oh one small grip...I didn't notice Maester Luwin wearing a chain.

He was, though it was substantially bigger than I expected - huge links, and almost down to his waist! The top portion was kind of obscured by his clothing.

[Jared]

One of the clips from a making of special showed Theon talking to woman (perhaps another whore?) about his station. I'm guessing it will be in the next episode or two.

I thought they really changed Drogo's character with the consumation scene as well. In the book, you're terrified of what's about to happen to her, based on what we've read of Dothraki culture...then he acts like a patient, tender gentleman. The way the scene plays, it's as if Daneryes is much more of a victim, any feelings she develops for Drogo later could seem like Stockholme Syndrome. The TV scene loses the reason he was saying "No". Of course, in the book Daeneryes was younger, only 13 or 14 I believe. THAT would never have worked on TV.

I thought they should have included the bit from the prologue where the Watchmen actually duels one of the Others until it makes a strange sound and shatters his sword. It attributed much more intelligence to the threat.

Actually, I don't think they were ever referred to as "The Others", not even with Robert using it as a curse ("The Others take your eyes!"). Perhaps the show will just stick with "White Walkers" to avoid Lost comparisons.

As I may have mentioned before, Lady Stark is not at all like I pictured her, but the actress is winning me over. Lena Headey is good actress, she's fine Cersi, though ironically she's who I pictured as Lady Stark.

Robert Baratheon and John Snow are almost exactly what I pictured from the book. Basically the next best thing to de-aging Brian Blessed. John Snow is also an eerie match, only he's slightly older looking than I envisioned.

Wasn't Ice (Ned's sword) supposed to have a black blade?

I hated Sansa in the book and wished truly awful things upon her, I wonder if the show will make her more likeable.

[Kaim]

I thought they really changed Drogo's character with the consumation scene as well. In the book, you're terrified of what's about to happen to her, based on what we've read of Dothraki culture...then he acts like a patient, tender gentleman. The way the scene plays, it's as if Daneryes is much more of a victim, any feelings she develops for Drogo later could seem like Stockholme Syndrome. The TV scene loses the reason he was saying "No".

Of course, in the book Daeneryes was younger, only 13 or 14 I believe. THAT would never have worked on TV.

I think the time constraints and lack of an omniscient narrator make it really, really difficult to convey the tenderness of the scene as it appeared in the book. Instead, we have an indication that Drogo isn't quite the savage he's made out to be, and can expect to see both the warrior side of him and the husband side fleshed out over the course of the next few episodes. It's harder to show than to tell, after all.

[Conn Seanery]

Yeah, I'd say the reasons behind the "no" were changed, not discarded. Like when he brushes away a tear on her face, that was a "don't cry" no.

[Jared]

I think the time constraints and lack of an omniscient narrator make it really, really difficult to convey the tenderness of the scene as it appeared in the book. Instead, we have an indication that Drogo isn't quite the savage he's made out to be, and can expect to see both the warrior side of him and the husband side fleshed out over the course of the next few episodes. It's harder to show than to tell, after all.

I don't think time constraints are that big a deal on HBO, as there are no commercial break considerations. One episode might be 55 minutes, another might be 61. It just has to be about an hour.

And really, if time is a concern they could have conveyed Drogo being tender to her in other than the book's description. They key thing is that he keeps saying "no?" until she says "yes." Without that, he seems like a rapist. A culturally sanctioned one, sure, but a rapist by our standards nonetheless.