Game Of Thrones Newbie

[Foxbat]

First, I have to admit to not being a great fan of fantasy lierature(high, low, whatever). My leanings are more towards Science Fiction (don't know why but there you go...there's now't as queer as folk).

Anyway, to my point: for some reason, I decided to buy the season 1 DVD set and give it a whirl. Whaddaya know? I'm thoroughly enjoying this.
So, I might never get around to reading the books but I'll certainly be expanding my DVD collection with more seasons as they are released.
They will sit proudly next my collections of Blake's 7, Star Trek, Babylon 5 etc.

Great stuff!

[thaddeus6th]

I'm a fan of fantasy but also really like history, and I think the series has a certain historical feel to it. That's probably due to the low magic and political shenanigans, which I really like reading about (whether in history or fantasy).

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

I'm a fan of fantasy but also really like history, and I think the series has a certain historical feel to it. That's probably due to the low magic and political shenanigans, which I really like reading about (whether in history or fantasy).

Like a bit of history myself so perhaps that's also the reason I like this. BTW Is it just me or is there more than a passing resemblance to the series map and the UK? The Wall looks about the point of Hadrian's Wall.

[thaddeus6th]

Can't say I ever noticed that.

Just done a quick search and I can't see it myself. It is quite cool that it's got so many British fellows in it. I suppose, like Dragon Age: Origins and Ferelden (and the recent Lord of the Rings films), English/British accents sit well with fantasy, especially those approximately medieval in setting.

[Foxbat]

I've only seen the map on the intro so I did a quick search myself. It looks like a distorted (anorexic) UK with Ireland bolted on to the bottom (at least to me).

There does seem to be a fair few Brits in this and (just watched another episode) it's official.....I'm hooked

[thaddeus6th]

I won't spoil it for you, but I thought it was bloody good.

Shame the DVD release was so delayed, and I think they're doing likewise for season 2.

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I've only seen the map on the intro so I did a quick search myself. It looks like a distorted (anorexic) UK with Ireland bolted on to the bottom (at least to me).

So just a wild(ling) guess from north of the Wall, then...?

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

So just a wild(ling) guess from north of the Wall, then...?

More or less....but to paraphrase Cersei....I will wear my wildling origins like a badge of honour (but I will do it quietly)

[Foxbat]

Just finished watching season one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the ending. Now I've just got to wait until season 2 comes out....hell, I might even make room for the books.

It's official. You can consider me a convert

[cesarica]

I'm also not an epic fantasy fan, i haven't even read any epic f books but I really like GoT, though it was hard for me to catch all the names and family histories, plots, intrigues. It's definitely more difficult to get a good grasp of the whole story if you haven't read the books.
and they're really slow with seasons, it took them almost a year to shoot another one. -_-

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Just finished watching season one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the ending. Now I've just got to wait until season 2 comes out....hell, I might even make room for the books.

It's official. You can consider me a convert

In recognition of your conversion, it falls to me to warn you: if you don't want your watching or reading spoiled, be very careful what you read in the GRRM sub-forum. While some threads there have the word, Spoiler, in their title, lack of this warning is no guarantee that the thread contents don't contain information that could ruin the various surprises in the books/on the screen.

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

In recognition of your conversion, it falls to me to warn you: if you don't want your watching or reading spoiled, be very careful what you read in the GRRM sub-forum. While some threads there have the word, Spoiler, in their title, lack of this warning is no guarantee that the thread contents don't contain information that could ruin the various surprises in the books/on the screen.

I will be more blunt. Avoid at all costs. You will be inundated with all kinds of conspiracy theories and as a result possibly miss the point of the story,(even I am tainted).

Read the books and watch the series at your leisure and then maybe enter the forums...

[Foxbat]

Thanks for the advice people. Although the sub-forum is not a place I've frequented, I can imagine that GRRM's depth in his characters will encourage a lot of debate. I will tread carefully.

[Foxbat]

One question that bothers me about the series. How are wildlings getting past the wall? It seems a bit strange that it was built to keep the White Walkers (or whatever else) out but Wildlings can get through. Doesn't this mean that the bad stuff can get through as well and that the wall is not (to use a modern phrase) fit for purpose?

[thaddeus6th]

Sometimes they try climbing over it. The Wall's very tall, obviously, but also chronically undermanned. There are loads of forts along it but only 3 or so are actually occupied.