Soooo... What'd Everybody Think?

[I, Brian]

As mentioned in Ep 2 thread, am enjoying this series a lot.

I think what those of us who have read the books easily fail to realise is just how much material needs to be covered - all those details covered in the book through internal exposition, and background stories - and yet it's so far holding together nicely as a TV series in its own right.

I think one of the best things the TV series has so far shown is that there are no good guys and bad guys - every single character is flawed and self-absorbed to some degree, which holds up a sense of unpredictability as necessary.

I've never come across a book that adapted in full detail to film, but so long as the spirit of the writing is conveyed in the TV series, I'm happy.

[Lady of Winterfell]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I've never come across a book that adapted in full detail to film, but so long as the spirit of the writing is conveyed in the TV series, I'm happy.

I would agree, and I think they've done a VERY good job so far. As a lover of the books, I am obviously going to be disappointed they left some things out, but I am also realistic and realise this is necessary. But the spirit of the writing is definately there.

[TK-421]

Amen, Brian and Lady!! Praise the Seven!!!

In other words, I agree 200%

[CBellenis]

I've not read the books and am still having serious trouble telling some characters apart. I'm sure it would have been better if I'd known a bit beforehand.
I'm loving it though and waiting for Ep 3 soon in England

[The Imp]

Originally Posted by CBellenis

I've not read the books and am still having serious trouble telling some characters apart. I'm sure it would have been better if I'd known a bit beforehand.
I'm loving it though and waiting for Ep 3 soon in England

You're probably having trouble distinguishing between Roob Stark, Theon Greyjoy and Jon Snow.

Jon was on his way to The Wall in espisode 2 and will be there in episode 3. You are not likely to see any scenes with him, Robb and Theon and time soon unless something is thrown into the series that isn't in the books. That leaves being able to tell Robb and Theon apart. This is Robb



this is Theon.

[Conor]

Originally Posted by CBellenis

I've not read the books and am still having serious trouble telling some characters apart. I'm sure it would have been better if I'd known a bit beforehand.
I'm loving it though and waiting for Ep 3 soon in England

I hope you have HBO on demand in England or hbo.com can show you alot. On the on demand channel there are several short vignettes telling about the Starks, Lannisters and other tid bits, I suggest you watch those or look on line.

I hope you read the first book in between seasons and hear more from you then too.

[CBellenis]

Thank you for the pics Imp - he was one of the ones who'd not registered properly! And for the advice Conor, I'll head over to hbo.com while I've got a bit of time now.

[mr kite]

Brilliant

Any pics of Daenerys ?

[TK-421]

Here you are



With Ser Jorah Mormont

[Peeves]

he probably wanted the naked one....

[svalbard]

I have just watched the first two episodes back to back and my first impressions are in the positive. I can see the characters from the book, which I think is important. I thought episode 2 was much better than the first. The actor playing the Hound looks a bit old. I always put him in his middle to late twenties for some reason.

The production values are great, as you would expect from HBO. On the negative I find the Dothraki scenes a bit camp and contrived. Although Iain Glen makes a very good Ser Jorah.

Having watched them I am left wondering how they are going to fit all of Book 1 into the series. Not wanting to reveal any spoilers, but the key moment on the book is the not the end of it. Looking at the pacing of the series it would take 10 episodes to get to that 'key moment'.

[Caledfwlch]

Originally Posted by svalbard

I have just watched the first two episodes back to back and my first impressions are in the positive. I can see the characters from the book, which I think is important. I thought episode 2 was much better than the first. The actor playing the Hound looks a bit old. I always put him in his middle to late twenties for some reason.

The production values are great, as you would expect from HBO. On the negative I find the Dothraki scenes a bit camp and contrived. Although Iain Glen makes a very good Ser Jorah.

Having watched them I am left wondering how they are going to fit all of Book 1 into the series. Not wanting to reveal any spoilers, but the key moment on the book is the not the end of it. Looking at the pacing of the series it would take 10 episodes to get to that 'key moment'.

I get the impression from reading around, that with George Martin's Blessing (and he has written the script for Episode 8 in S1!!) they are being fairly liberal with plot layout. He says that his episode is one of the most Gory of S1, and I guess they have a game plan - much the same way Peter Jackson took massive books, and managed to present them in 3 hours, with LOTR.

The Guardian Newspaper had a nice little interview with George a week or 2 ago, and he certainly comes across as really pleased with how Game of Thrones has been built as a series

George RR Martin: Barbarians at the gate | Books | The Guardian

[The Imp]

The more I see the opening sequence the more I like it. Really amazing.

The first scene with Ned and the "messenger" spoke volumes about who Ned is and the differences between the North and the South. Bean's acting is terrific.

I liked the scene between Jaime and Ned. Jaime is establisked as the Kinglsayer. "You served him well, when serving was safe" (BTW folks, they are now pronouncing Jaime and Cersei as Roy reads them in the books)

For the fans of the audiobooks, GM Pycelle is played by Roy.

Varys is sufficiently slimy.

Renly isn't flamboyant enough yet, but I'm sure he'll be fine

I loved the scene in the brothel. Plot lines are being established really well

The end scene with Syrio was breathtaking

Although there wasn't a lot of action in epi3 there was a LOT going on and a lot of character establishment. i loved it.

[mr kite]

Originally Posted by KiwiBird

he probably wanted the naked one....

A mind reader !

But seriously

I am very supprised of the amount of English actors that are in the show.
And how well the North of England accents come across .
I have become addicted to it already and I think I will explore a book shop soon


Oh , and Ta for the pics TK - 421

[JenJen]

Hello everyone!

I speak as a complete newbie. I haven't read the books and I knew nothing about the series before it started. My partner (who's read all the books) introduced it to me, and with a series going under the banner of HBO (The Wire is my favourite show of alltime), I jumped on it.

The intro sequence is fantastic!

The costume design is inspiring! I absolutely -love- the costumes of all the different characters.

However, both me and my partner have to be drunk to watch the show. If you take a sip whenever there is a scene with (or talk of): sex, brothels, whores, incest, tits, nudity... You're going to be wasted by the end of it. I was last night(!)

The Wire had a lot of sex in it, but it was handled differently. I can't put my finger on how, but it was handled in a way that made it interesting and exciting and relevant to the story every single time it was on the screen. With Game of Thrones, I was just rolling my eyes when a naked woman was scurrying past the camera for the 4890238293th time. Maybe it's like that in the book?

Another reason why I can't watch this show with a sober eye is the characters. I'm obsessed with characters. If they are only there to further a plotline or if they feel flat, I'm not in any way connected to the story.
Out of all the characters (and bloody hell, there are a lot of them), I can honestly say that I'm only vaguely interested in seeing what happens to that young girl with the sword. And maybe the blonde lady with the horse-lord.

Won't go into too much detail unless people want me to, because I could probably sit and babble about the (lack of) character for a long time.

All in all: Disappointed, but loving the costumes.