"TV Fan's" Backlash (SOME SPOILERS)

[Perpetual Man]

Something that occurred to me while reading the article, was the claim that TV audiences need to be invested in their characters, and although it is not specifically stated there is the inference that Ned should have been kept around.

Well it depends on what kind of show you are watching. There are other shows around at the moment (and have been in the past) that are connected to other popular works of fiction and to me there are two different types.

There are the 'based on' shows, and as a modern example I'll use The Vampire Diaries. I presume the CW pay a sum of money to the author for the rights to her works and then turn it into a show that has elements of the books, but had no real connection to the novels other than the inclusion of various characters and the core premise of Vampires, Werewolves, witches and romances and whatever, and then run off in their own direction. (At least that's how Mrs Perp sees it, I haven't been lucky enough to read the books.)

Then there is the adaptation, like The Game of Thrones The key word being adaptaion that HBO has been quite happy to use, inferring that the series is directly adapting the books for the visual medium, which to me at least, indicates that they are trying to tell the story that GRRM intended, not changing it for a TV audience.

It seems strange that this has caused a slight stir when other adaptations seem to do what is intended without any serious backlash - (In this instance I'm thinking of the Harry Potter movies, but perhaps the fact that they do not need the so called investment of a TV series so they can get away with daring to stick to the authors story).

Although when changing medium for a story there have to be changes to accommodate a range of different things, from budget, to time, to effects, but the key points have to be met, and as shocking as it is Ned's death is it has to be a key point if not the key point in the first book. Removing it and letting him live, would not only invalidate what GRRM has written, but would change everything that is to come, in which case it would no longer be an adaptation, but 'based on'.

When there adaptations of the classics, there would be an outcry if something was changed simply to please the 'TV crowd', if say Mrs Haversham's death in Great Expectations was changed so she lived.

The title itself of the piece: HBO stands by controversial recent episode of hit series Game of Thrones HBO stands by controversial recent episode of hit series Game of Thrones seems odd, it is not controversial, they are just telling the story as is was intended to be told.

[Coolhand]

Wait a moment, people were surprised by this? With the exception of the Sharpe TV series, has Sean Bean ever taken a role in which his character actually survives to the end of the story? Casting him as a character is shorthand for saying "this dude ain't gonna make the end credits." Bodybag Bean, they call him...

In all seriousness, I can't see how the writers and producers of the series could have changed such a pivotal plot point without laying themselves open to the far worse criticism of playing it safe, and thus suffering a massive loss of dramatic tension. At least this way round, those who didn't know the death was coming are now going to be biting their nails whenever another character they like is in a dangerous situation, and those who've read the books know that the series ain't going to water down GRRM's legendary hard-nosed approach to who lives and who dies.

[Syphon of Oor-Tael]

Imagine the whine-fest that will ensue once those idiots watch the Red Wedding.

[soulsinging]

Originally Posted by Tezz

As a reader of the books i don't see the problem, I dont agree with the arguement TV crowd and Book crowds are completely different. It's disheartening as looking forward at some of the major events coming up in future series god knows how they will be portrayed now on TV if one characters death causes such controversy.

I absolutely agree they're different crowds. Look at reality tv... tv is rarely about story anymore, it's about personality. I'm not remotely surprised that tv viewers were totally blind-sided and flipped out. But I doubt it will affect future seasons very much. I'm a believer in any press is good press, and having everyone talking about this will be good for the show.

[Perpetual Man]

It'll be interesting to see the reaction, following all the fuss about killing Bean off, if they bring another big name star in in season 2 to play someone else, say Stannis.

According to imdb it's going to be Gerard Butler.

[Ursa major]

That imdb entry may have been the result of a prank. At one point, someone** put Stannis in the cast list for 1.10, Fire and Blood, with Butler playing him. As we know, Stannis didn't put in an appearance.

(I'm not sure how closely it's monitored or moderated, but I get the impression that imdb is, like Wiki, full of user-generated content. Obviously, the vast majority of its users would prefer imdb's content to be provided by those in the know.)



** - The perpetrator*** admitted what they'd done in the comments of a Winter is Coming thread.

*** - Assuming this was the perpetrator and not another hoax.

[Perpetual Man]

Fair enough, Ursa, I got caught.

I did have a quick look elsewhere and one of their are names being thrown around, none being Butler...

Did see a former Doctor Who though! (Only mentioned, just in a list of possibles)

[Ursa major]

We shouldn't have too long to wait for solid casting news: they start filming next month.

[Mesanna]

I was, temporarily, well excited at the thought of the hotness that is Gerard Butler playing Stannis, though I always picture Stannis like an old man even though he's younger than Robert. He's just got an old man kind of personality. Needless to say, Gerard Butler is NOT how I picture Stannis, but I could have lived with it. Oh boy, I could have lived with it!!

[Daisy-Boo]

Mesanna, I suddenly have an image of Butler (as Stannis) going all "This is SPARTA!!!" on Westeros.

[I, Brian]

I suspect the hot-blooded Gerard Butler might not be an ideal casting choice for the dour and stiff-necked Stannis.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

We shouldn't have too long to wait for solid casting news: they start filming next month.

According to GRRM's blog, some 6 roles (major and minor) have been cast with final negotiations taking place.

Those roles (likely) up for grabs are:

Stannis
Brienne
Davos
Asha
Melissandre
Balon Greyjoy
Maester Cressen
Mace Tyrell
Margaery Tyrell
Ramsay Snow (Bolton's Bastard)
Jojen and Meera Reed
Jaqen H'ghar
Roose Bolton
Hot Pies
Strong Belwas
Podrick Payne
Thoros of Myr
Arys Oakheart
Jeyne Westerling

[Mouse]

I thought Hot Pie was the fat kid in the last ep? ^

[Lady of Winterfell]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

I was, temporarily, well excited at the thought of the hotness that is Gerard Butler playing Stannis, though I always picture Stannis like an old man even though he's younger than Robert. He's just got an old man kind of personality. Needless to say, Gerard Butler is NOT how I picture Stannis, but I could have lived with it. Oh boy, I could have lived with it!!

I'll second that! I always pictured Stannis that way as well, but I would much prefer Gerard Butler.

[The Imp]

Originally Posted by Lady of Winterfell

I'll second that! I always pictured Stannis that way as well, but I would much prefer Gerard Butler.

SPOILER



















And at least as of right now he hasn't been killed off. I'm laying 2 to 1 that he doean't survive ADWD though