A thought about Game of Thrones on TV

[I, Brian]

Another big pointer on the TV series - it's trying to stay as faithful to the books as possible. No big gratuitious detours into unfamiliar plot lines.

[The Imp]

Originally Posted by mtzGr

SPOILERS
I don't think it would work out the same as cutting/changing parts of Arya's story for brevity, because there is still story to be told, and in fact too much of it to be able to fit it all in (which is exactly why they are forced to cut minor plot, as you said). But in Dany's case, I'd argue there is not enough story. Basically for two seasons, Dany will be playing at being Queen and talking to people in a royal capacity, and not much else; so for seasons 5 and 6, her story is going to progress very little, if at all, generally speaking in terms of returning to Westeros. Cutting parts of her story in Mereen out, basically means she is not going to see very much screen time, which may not be a huge deal as long as the rest of the stories are engaging, but as Culhwch said, it may turn some people off.

As of right now I still think they will succeed in putting everything together, but it is something that they will probably have to consider.

A thought: They could tell the other side of the story in Mereen, focusing on the Royal Houses (not sure if this would pan out for better or worse).

I think we're in agreement that major parts of ADWD (relating to Dany) can be left out. I hope you're wrong about telling Meereense's side of the story. I personally couldn't car less, and IMo, the less we see of Meereen in the TV show, the better.

[mtzGr]

Originally Posted by The Imp

I think we're in agreement that major parts of ADWD (relating to Dany) can be left out. I hope you're wrong about telling Meereense's side of the story. I personally couldn't car less, and IMo, the less we see of Meereen in the TV show, the better.

Haha, I sympathize with your feelings.

[Mesanna]

I'm having grave doubts about the future appearance of Jojen & Meera Reed. They're definitely not in Season Two, and I'm starting to wonder about Season Three. Due to time and budget constraints, the TV guys are cutting out as many extraneous plots and characters as they can. What do Jojen and Meera bring that couldn't be incorporated into another character like Osha? Jojen explains to Bran about green dreams and the three-eyed crow, but I'm sure Osha could recount some Wildling folklore that could explain everything the viewer needs to know. There were hints of this already in this week's episode. And GRRM has already mentioned how much he likes Osha and was hinting about beefing up her role (though I know the final decision is not his). I could easily see Osha accompanying Bran beyond the wall instead of the Reeds. The only question mark is what happens to Rickon, but since he's had such a tiny role so far, I could imagine him being sent off with some random Northerner. It's true that Rickon may well come back into play nearer the end of the series, but Davos is going to fetch him, so it would be easy to have the scenes played from Davos's POV.

So, if you're the TV producer, apart from the connection to Howland Reed (who may never appear in person in the books), why do we need the Reeds? How do they justify their roles (and salaries)?

[Marvin]

I enjoyed this episode and after reading some previous comments agree that the compacted time line makes for good tv.
However it's the small changes that didn't need to be that irk. As a previous poster mentioned Renly's death; from memory didn't he get it in the neck, right through a steel gorget, all of which added to the supernatural, making some doubt Brienne's involvement, as no normal cut could have done it. The way it happened on tv, she's guilty, end of!
Seems odd to change stuff unnecessarily?

But all in all good stuff - gotta love that little dragon

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Marvin

But all in all good stuff - gotta love that little dragon

Oh, yes - that was brilliantly done! Looked so real and not obviously CGI'ed at all!

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

I'm having grave doubts about the future appearance of Jojen & Meera Reed. They're definitely not in Season Two, and I'm starting to wonder about Season Three. Due to time and budget constraints, the TV guys are cutting out as many extraneous plots and characters as they can. What do Jojen and Meera bring that couldn't be incorporated into another character like Osha? Jojen explains to Bran about green dreams and the three-eyed crow, but I'm sure Osha could recount some Wildling folklore that could explain everything the viewer needs to know. There were hints of this already in this week's episode. And GRRM has already mentioned how much he likes Osha and was hinting about beefing up her role (though I know the final decision is not his). I could easily see Osha accompanying Bran beyond the wall instead of the Reeds. The only question mark is what happens to Rickon, but since he's had such a tiny role so far, I could imagine him being sent off with some random Northerner. It's true that Rickon may well come back into play nearer the end of the series, but Davos is going to fetch him, so it would be easy to have the scenes played from Davos's POV.

So, if you're the TV producer, apart from the connection to Howland Reed (who may never appear in person in the books), why do we need the Reeds? How do they justify their roles (and salaries)?

I would tend to agree with you on the appearance of the Reeds in the TV series. The TOJ scene was cut in the first series, and with it the back story of Lyanna and Rhaegar. As of this point I cannot see any reason for the inclusion of the Reeds in the TV series apart from confusing the viewers.

[Tywin]

Originally Posted by svalbard

I would tend to agree with you on the appearance of the Reeds in the TV series. The TOJ scene was cut in the first series, and with it the back story of Lyanna and Rhaegar. As of this point I cannot see any reason for the inclusion of the Reeds in the TV series apart from confusing the viewers.

The Lyanna and Rhaegar backstory was in the first series. It was the central point to Robert's character.

[svalbard]

Yes it was and then it got cut with no follow on. Ask any non-reader of the book who Lyanna is or even Rhaegar they will struggle for an answer. I believe there will be numerous changes in the TV series with much of the history of the Starks, Baratheons, Targareyons and Lannistars glossed over or left out.

[Ursa major]

The trouble with the Lyanna-Rhaegar business is that it's very tenuous, with little scraps of information (some of it false?) dropped in here and there. Some readers will know about it, but that's about all.

In the show, we've seen a couple of scenes that indicate Jon's mother's identity is a secret. That's probably enough to be going on with (if only to keep the later narrative honest). But if a big deal were to be made of Lyanna-Rhaegar in a later season. I'd expect the build up to occur in that season, so that all the viewers would be on board and up to speed.

I doubt viewers would be happy with "but this was covered in a couple of scenes three seasons back" type excuses of why they didn't know what was going on. And I expect other viewers would complain if we got one a or scenes a season about this; they'd wonder why an apparent side issue was brought up only to vanish for another season.

Remember, doubts have been cast**, even in the context of the books, about Dany's chapters, because they appear to be so divorced from the rest of the action. At least on the TV, her storyline provides extra spectacle. A ToJ scene in season one might have done this, but it would seemingly lead precisely nowhere.


** - I've no idea which actors got the rôles.

[Mesanna]

Even if they decide to cast Howland Reed at some point down the line and work in R+L=J at that point, this still doesn't bode well for the junior Reeds appearing in Season Three.

[mtzGr]

Originally Posted by Mesanna

Even if they decide to cast Howland Reed at some point down the line and work in R+L=J at that point, this still doesn't bode well for the junior Reeds appearing in Season Three.

How much of an impact to the story do you think they might have post-ADWD? I don't like to see them go, but with so many characters and so little time, eventually somethings gotta give.

[The Imp]

Originally Posted by mtzGr

How much of an impact to the story do you think they might have post-ADWD? I don't like to see them go, but with so many characters and so little time, eventually somethings gotta give.

ADWD SPOILER below






I think the more interesting question is how do you get Bran from Winterfell to the cave north of The Wall without the Reeds? Heck, how do you even get him to the Wall?

[Keebs411]

Spoiler alert!!!!!!!!!











Maybe they will keep measter alive to take rickon in one direction while osha take hordor n bran? I know the measter diea but hia death is not needed you could easily keep him alive for that reason. How ever i would prefer them to keep the reeds involved!

[The Imp]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

The trouble with the Lyanna-Rhaegar business is that it's very tenuous, with little scraps of information (some of it false?) dropped in here and there. Some readers will know about it, but that's about all.

In the show, we've seen a couple of scenes that indicate Jon's mother's identity is a secret. That's probably enough to be going on with (if only to keep the later narrative honest). But if a big deal were to be made of Lyanna-Rhaegar in a later season. I'd expect the build up to occur in that season, so that all the viewers would be on board and up to speed.

I doubt viewers would be happy with "but this was covered in a couple of scenes three seasons back" type excuses of why they didn't know what was going on. And I expect other viewers would complain if we got one a or scenes a season about this; they'd wonder why an apparent side issue was brought up only to vanish for another season.

Remember, doubts have been cast**, even in the context of the books, about Dany's chapters, because they appear to be so divorced from the rest of the action. At least on the TV, her storyline provides extra spectacle. A ToJ scene in season one might have done this, but it would seemingly lead precisely nowhere.


** - I've no idea which actors got the rôles.

The problem they have now though is, how do you tell about the ToJ now with Ned dead?