A thought about Game of Thrones on TV

[Timba]

Mesana,
Good to hear I have more to look forward to. I am actually in the process of changing my provider for TV, my cable has simply gotten too expensive, and part of the intro offer for whichever satelite system I choose will provide 3 free months of HBO. If my timing is good I think this is going to work out beautifully.

Being a pretty typical guy I would have to say they can keep the gratuitous sex and nudity coming but then I suppose that is not surprising

[Marvin]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

I'm hoping they tone down the sex-for-the-hell-of-it a teeny bit in the next season.

Dare I say it (and bring all his adoring fans down upon me) but regarding the above comment - Mr GRRM didnt so why should they?

[Ursa major]

These Q&As are to be found in this interview with Benioff and Weiss:

More sex, less sex, than season 2?
Weiss: It seems about the same. There’s not a checklist. You just have to do what feels right to you and not worry too much about it. [You don't] start counting how many breasts per episode or how many full‑frontal male nudity shots. There are always going to be people who think there’s too much. There will be some who want to see less. One of the benefits of HBO that we can give a more well‑rounded representation of life. And that sex is a part of it and darkness is a part of it, and so is the humor.

Does anybody have a nude scene in season 2 that didn’t have one in season 1?
Weiss: I will say the answer is yes. I can’t say who.

[Mesanna]

Originally Posted by Marvin

Dare I say it (and bring all his adoring fans down upon me) but regarding the above comment - Mr GRRM didnt so why should they?

Fair point. I guess you can gloss over these parts in a book, however they tend to be a bit more in your face on the TV screen.

I'm not adverse to sex scenes when they're relevant to the story. I thought Dany and Drogo's wedding night was well done, even though that's not how it happened in the book. It laid the groundwork for Dany's personal transformation and for the growth in her relationship with Drogo. Renly & Loras's scene also established their relationship and planted seeds for future plots for the throne. I may have watched that scene again once or thrice. Ahem. Moving on ...

The scene with Littlefinger in the brothel was my biggest bugbear. Yeah, it gave him a chance to talk about his history with Cat (something he would never do in the books), but naked women going at it didn't really bring anything extra to the scene. It was sex for the sake of it. I actually wonder if many guys who watched that scene and hadn't read the books would even remember anything of what he said!!

I hope that for every flash of Roz's pink bits, or Hodor's hodor, we get more slurping noises from Loras and Renly. It's only fair after all!!

[Mouse]

Mesanna, I agree with every word you say.

[Mesanna]

Hey Mouse! We start talking about Loras & Renly and up you pop!

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

The scene with Littlefinger in the brothel was my biggest bugbear. Yeah, it gave him a chance to talk about his history with Cat (something he would never do in the books), but naked women going at it didn't really bring anything extra to the scene. It was sex for the sake of it. I actually wonder if many guys who watched that scene and hadn't read the books would even remember anything of what he said!!

Of course they would remember: this scene is the first time we've heard the naked truth from Littlefinger.


(We got a second helping of Lord Baelish describing his ambitions, when he was talking to Varys. If these scenes had been in the books, and knowing how tricksy GRRM is, I'd be wondering what Littlefinger's real ambitions were....)

[JQP]

Originally Posted by Jake Reynolds

Anyone else think that they should have left out Daenerys entirely and had her sections as dvd extras? Characters in the kingdom(s) could have simply mentioned her as it is, and we would have had a lot more screen time with characters that actually have bearing on the story we're watching. Then she could be introduced in season 3, perhaps. Easily done, and then season 1 wouldn't have felt so rushed given that she hasn't any actual bearing on the main storylines until later. Thoughts?

This is how I stayed sane reading the first 3 novels. I skipped the sections about dragon-lady and sword-girl (after she got on a boat, anyway) entirely.

[Tywin]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

I hope that for every flash of Roz's pink bits, or Hodor's hodor, we get more slurping noises from Loras and Renly. It's only fair after all!!

As a straight male whose natural reaction to the Loras/Renly thing was a gut-wrenching "ewwwwwwww", I will admit that I think it was the right thing for the story, and that its addition improved on the original. Those two characters make a lot more sense seen through that lens.

[Timba]

Originally Posted by Tywin

As a straight male whose natural reaction to the Loras/Renly thing was a gut-wrenching "ewwwwwwww", I will admit that I think it was the right thing for the story, and that its addition improved on the original. Those two characters make a lot more sense seen through that lens.

Just viewed that scene yesterday and I would have to agree, not my cup of tea but it seemed "proper" for the characters and the story. Besides, I have been married 20+ years, I can tume out anything I do not want to hear effortlessly.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

Hey Mouse! We start talking about Loras & Renly and up you pop!

But of course!

[Timba]

Getting satelite TV installed today. Looking foward to 2 things. Watching the new season of GOT and calling my current provider and explaining why I no longer wish to buy their service. It is going to be a good day.

[Boaz]

Warning: ACOK and Season Two: Episode One Spoilers.

HBO is far behind Martin in telling the story. So most, if not all, of us are watching while knowing the future of the characters and plotlines. The problem is that we do not also have Benioff's and Weiss' script... so we judge the characters and plots by the books.... which is only natural because it is THE story and it's all we have.

The two sex scenes most recently mentioned in this thread go straight to the heart of the issue. First, there was Baelish lecturing Roz and an unnamed woman on how to properly pleasure a man. Was it gratuitous? Yes... in the best/worst HBO tradition of gratuitous sex. But in the first episode of the second season, we saw Roz now lecturing employees on the presentation and speed of intercourse in order to fully pleasure the client. Without last season's gratuitous sex, Roz's instruction makes less sense. She is obviously being groomed by Baelish because he sees potential in her. And I suspect that Roz will replace Chataya completely...

The other scene featured Renly and Loras. In the books, their relationship is hinted, veiled, and a few times it's obvious gossip. But Martin never put it out there in headline bold type. Renly may have been foolish in some areas, but not in this. He was a master of public perception.... all men wanted to be like him and all women wanted to be with him. He was a great character. I liked Renly... a lot. But I was not thrilled with the inclusion Renly and Loras' scene. Nevertheless, I am trusting that the writers will be able to use the revelation to good effect in the second season.

Speaking for myself (and mayhaps most readers), Martin's ability to set up plots with significant and also seemingly insignificant scenes is tremendous. I don't know how many times I've read a passage and then immediately remembered a previous passage two books ago. He sets up plots well in advance. And that, I hope, is what the show's writers are able to do. I hope they are able to continually prepare plot resolutions with substantial plot beginnings.

[Tywin]

Sorry to distract the discussion from the gratuitous sex scenes that HBO creates, but I just watched episode 1 of season 2 and I have to say that I'm impressed. I find it stirring up all of the emotional rollercoaster that I went through when reading the books. Seeing Robb in action was inspiring... but sad knowing what will become of him. Seeing Theon chant "The King of the North!"... sigh... Damn evil author.

[Timba]

Originally Posted by Tywin

Sorry to distract the discussion from the gratuitous sex scenes that HBO creates, but I just watched episode 1 of season 2 and I have to say that I'm impressed. I find it stirring up all of the emotional rollercoaster that I went through when reading the books. Seeing Robb in action was inspiring... but sad knowing what will become of him. Seeing Theon chant "The King of the North!"... sigh... Damn evil author.

Had the same reactions, particularly to Theon. I am also having the same reacton to Arya in the show that I have with the books.....more please!