1.10 Game of Thrones - Fire and Blood

[Yog-Sothoth]

Originally Posted by digs

For me that's part of the genius of the story. Largely due to Daeny and her misplaced trust, Drogo died a passive, shameful death instead of the warrior's death he would have wanted. It's a bad way for Drogo to go, but it's a necessary lesson for Daeny, who is forced to become much harder - and make some tough decisions - as a result. Drogo's weakness also meant that most of the khalasar left: this is when Daeny's forced to come into her own as a ruler. She can't just inherit power any more - from her father or Viserys or Drogo - she has to take it for herself.

True, in hindsight he died a slow death from the moment he fell of his horse all the way to his vegetative state, and suffocation. I never saw that coming, since he, in a earlier episode, boasted to his subjects that he would cross the Narrow Sea and lay waste to the Seven Kingdoms, I kinda pictured that happening.

I also thought this was a great episode. After having my doubts about Sansa, I now have high hopes for her. Robb was good too. I won't bother mentioning the others cos they've always been pretty great.

Definitely, I loved her comeback to Joffrey when he promised he would behead her older siblings. Something along the lines of; "Maybe he will give me your head"

Also a big LOL at the old guy stretching and dancing; is his public display as a fragile old man just a charade, and is he much more agile then he reveals?

[Mouse]

I don't remember Dany's hair being burnt in the book at all, so I'm glad it wasn't in the show. I think she would've looked daft. The baby dragons were cool. I don't remember much about the episode, other than actually thinking 'go Sansa!'

[Lofwyr]

Great episode. Did everything very well. I thought the dragons looked excellent: their movements, coloration and sound. I'm not personally a fan of the wyvern look (legs and hand/wings) compared to the more standard western dragon look (4 limbs + wings) but that's a design choice I can live with as long as the quality of CG remains. I honestly think that kind of decision might be in the same vein as the choice for cartoon characters with 3 fingers instead of 4. Cost of always rendering 2 extra limbs/dragon would add up to too much as seasons go on.

The Pycelle thing was weird to me too. I thought he was the frail old man he appeared to be in the books...should be fun to see if/how they change him up.

I thought the "There is only me" line was delivered pretty well. I'm excited to see some of the other locations that will come into focus next season. And I want to see Jaqen! I'm guessing they don't have an actor chosen for him yet which is why we didn't see his face.

[I, Brian]

Really enjoyed the episode - a fitting dramatic end to a dramatic series.

The dragons looked really effective - dreaded cheap CGI but didn't look it.

And the rangers are riding!

For the second season I just hope HBO stop trying to put tits and ass in to - the story doesn't need it, and it's insulting to viewers IMO. But, otherwise, very well done, and no doubt some intentional stirring of things in how they've done things.

[svalbard]

This was another great episode. I loved all of the things mentioned already. The scene where Robb was declared King in the North gave me goosebumps.

The scene between Pycelle and Roz had me laughing out loud. Nothing and on one is how they seem in GRRM'S world and this was a great way to show it to the viewer.

Littlefinger and Varys sparring again. As posted earlier I cannot wait until next season when Tryion is thrown into that mix. The three of them will steal every scene they are in.

Joffery is a .... , similar to what Tyrion called his Father. A line that was brilliantly delivered.

[Lady of Winterfell]

Originally Posted by Mouse

I don't remember Dany's hair being burnt in the book at all, so I'm glad it wasn't in the show. I think she would've looked daft. The baby dragons were cool. I don't remember much about the episode, other than actually thinking 'go Sansa!'

In the book it says 'She was naked, covered with soot, her clothes turned to ash, her beautiful hair all crisped away...yet she was unhurt'. But I'm glad as well that they left her hair for the show, she would have looked a bit silly bald.

And I have to say Ser Jorah has become one of my favorite characters in the show. That was an outstanding casting job.

[I, Brian]

Ditto on that - the Mormonts are played by great actors who carry their roles perfectly.

[Culhwch]

I just hope that crazy-looking woman who cackled during the Greatjon's speech isn't supposed to be Maege Mormont, or that will be a serious miss-hit in casting after the superb job they did with Jeor and Jorah.

[digs]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

I just hope that crazy-looking woman who cackled during the Greatjon's speech isn't supposed to be Maege Mormont, or that will be a serious miss-hit in casting after the superb job they did with Jeor and Jorah.

I thought that too! I don't see why they'd have cast her yet, though, if they haven't really cast the other newbies from season 2.

[Diggler]

Originally Posted by Slyde

I wish there were at least 20 episodes. They could almost do one episode per chapter and then it wouldn't feel like a Reader' Digest version.

It's sad they they are leaving out so much of GRRM's brilliant story.

That is why I have not read the books. I already have an unread copy of the first book, and I just bought a second for my Wife. We are now going to read this book and enjoy it. After the second season, we will read the second book.

Comparing a book to a series or film is like comparing apples and oranges. The book will generally always be better, because the book invokes your own vision of what it will look like, rather than someone else's. It is also an issue covering every conceivable aspect of the book into a mere 9 or so hours. So some things inevitably have to be dropped to keep pace and cohesion within the series. I was lucky that I hadn't read any of this series, so it was all new to me.

As far as the series goes, from the view of an initiate, it has been absolutely brilliant! We have been waiting with angst, from week to week, to see the next episode. I even even avoided all the forums on SFF Chronicles, that would have content about Game of Thrones, for the past 3 months while watching the series so nothing would be given away.

I also have to say, I hope that little bugger Joffrey, has his head on a stick in the next season!

[Conor]

Diggler-
One thing we also miss in the translation fron book to screen is that we don't get to hear the charachter's thoughts. In the case of Song of Ice and Fire, we miss Tyrion and Jamie's thought's which can be quite humourous. I laughed out loud quite a few times while redaing the books and think Martin has a wonderful sense of humour.

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by digs

I thought that too! I don't see why they'd have cast her yet, though, if they haven't really cast the other newbies from season 2.

That was Maege Mormont and the actor speaking before the Greatjon is cast as Galbart Glover. I do not know who the other dark haired character is supposed to be. His name does not appear on any of the credits, but at a guess it could be Rickard Karstark?

[Diggler]

Originally Posted by Conor

Diggler-
One thing we also miss in the translation fron book to screen is that we don't get to hear the charachter's thoughts. In the case of Song of Ice and Fire, we miss Tyrion and Jamie's thought's which can be quite humourous. I laughed out loud quite a few times while redaing the books and think Martin has a wonderful sense of humour.

I'm looking forward to reading the book, in light of there being so much missing from the series. You have also peaked my interest with the extra humour from Tyrion, who happens to be my favourite character from the series.

The only downside is the book is huge. It takes me forever to read novels half it's size, so I should have it finished by the time the next season starts

[vanslyke]

Originally Posted by Yog-Sothoth

If you have an extra $60 million, then 10 more episodes could be produced. Let's just hope they made lots of profit with the first season, as that will translate in the executives at HBO upping the budget considerably for next season and fingers crossed; beyond.

I agree however, I've heard that at least for season 2 they are going to stick with 10-12 episodes. Of course 24 would be phenomenal.

[surgical111]

Originally Posted by Wiggum

It isn't sad, and a Reader's Digest version isn't a fair assessment.

It's a bang-up job, with a fair amount of money behind it, wonderful production values, and great casting and acting.

It is also a wonderfully done, and fully realized adaptation, of lengthy source material considering both financial and time constraints.

But, in the end, it is a television show.

It's never going to be the books

I agree with your assessment of the series, I was absolutely in love with it. I went through the book at speed years ago and I think this the best we could have expected. Miles above other adaptions I've seen in recent years.