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 Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:33 pm
Due to the fact that we seem to have quite a few people showing interest in this series, (as well as the novels they are adapted from) it has been posited that a new thread be started.
A new thread? I KNOW!  Being that I don't recall having ever started a thread here, I took it upon myself to do so.
So... here are my thoughts:
Open discussion on the series as it comes, as well as opinions regarding things to ahead.
If you're going to cite something from beyond the first book, try to give a spoiler heads-up. Gaia doesn't really have a spoiler tag, but if you need to, just change the text to white. I think a "spoiler warning ahead" should suffice, though.
I'll probably be changing the title quote from time to time, based on lines from the show.
------
Now, as to outside references, I myself tend to frequent the following sites:
-Winter Is Coming - They've been covering the production of the show since it was first rumored a few years back. Great episode wrap-ups for both longtime fans and new fans alike, as well as casting speculations and general information.
-Game of Thrones - A wiki specifically designed to compliment the show. If you're looking to delve a little deeper...
-Wiki of Ice and Fire - A wiki of the entire book series. A few notes here and there regarding the show, but mostly it's all about the books. Taking it a step further...
-Tower of the Hand - Anything and everything you will want to know about A Song of Ice and Fire can be found here. Wiki's are nice, but this has been in existence for a long time with a bit more of a 'lived in' feel, IMO.
-Otaku ASSEMBLE - Okay, bear with me here... He has a lot of different reviews, from Naruto to Smallville and such, but I'm mostly concerned with his GoT reviews. He's entirely new to the series and often gets a few facts mixed up, but seeing his fresh and enthusiastic view on things is really enjoyable. Having read the books I already know what's going to happen, so seeing someone's reaction from a 'new fan' point of view makes it all the better.
-Not A Blog - This is the... not a blog... of the man himself, George R. R. Martin. He doesn't always talk about the books, but I still check in from time to time for no good reason. (It's how I first found out that the 5th book, A Dance With Dragons was complete.)
...and speaking of the 5th book:
-Is A Dance With Dragons out, yet?
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So, there you have it. If there's anything else I should have mentioned, just say so.  Look at me, I'm being productive! ^^
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:23 pm
Holy crap! A new thread! We should have, like, a ceremony or something. smile I'm glad you decided to make it, because you've added a ton more useful things than I would have had.
I laughed so hard at that last link that I probably woke my mom up. If I had money to blow on a domain name, I would totally do that for Strange Fate. xd I wonder if any of the older, even snarkier members of the LJS fandom would do it. It would so make my day.
But back on topic and as promised: things Pyre actually likes.
*Tyrion - He was definitely one of my favorite characters while reading the book, and Peter Dinklage brings the perfect amount of flippant mockery to the role. Oh, and he totally pissed off the side of the Wall.
*Sean Bean - I laughed nervously when I found out he was playing Eddard Stark. Talk about your typecasting. And I was mildly afraid that, since he looks pretty much exactly like he did in LotR, I'd be seeing Boromir every time he made an appearance. I don't at all, so kudos to his acting.
*King Robert - This is exactly how I imagined him. Exactly. (Well, okay. Maybe he was a tad fatter in my head, but that's nothing.)
*Syrio - I admit to squealing a little when he showed up last episode. I'm not sure how believable a swordsman I find him, but that accent is dead on. "One hand is all that is needing."
*Bran and Arya - Those kids are just too adorable for words.
*The Sets - They've been really breath-taking so far. The Wall is massive. The godswood is gorgeous. And that throne is hella intimidating. I can't wait to see the Eyrie, Riverrun, and the Twins.
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 7:04 am
We've been enjoying it, although I must admit I'm so bad at remembering all the ******** names involved.
Kind of crushing on Drogo and Daenerys because I'm lame like that.
It's great to see Sean Bean as Boromir Stark. Haha.
The production is really impressive in scale and whatnot... But HBO usually does s**t right. I'm looking forward to seeing those dragons...
I really should read the series too. XD
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 4:19 pm
I only found the link about Dance a week or so ago, but it's apparently been up for quite some time. I just can't wait to see if they'll switch it in July when it actually comes out, and if they'll start one up for Winds of Winter.  (EDIT: Well well well... )
Anywho...
Peter Dinklage is definitely the best choice for Tyrion. When they were first speculating at casting, he seemed to be the frontrunner for most fans. It's been really great to see the producers actually listening to the fans. Same goes for Bean and Addy. There was a bit of murmur on whether Addy, a comic actor, would be up to the challenge of Robert Baratheon. Once the preview scenes started rolling out, though, that was quickly silenced.
The only thing that threw me at first about Syrio was his hair. In my mind it's a bit thinner and straighter... but his performance won me over. Even if he does look like he's going to start painting 'happy little trees' any second...
Arya is amazing. Maisie Williams is awesome. She specifically performs Arya's scenes left handed, like the character, even though she herself is right handed. This kid's got dedication. 
I've already stated my opinion on their handling of the direwolves, though I will say that the packing scene with Nymeria was well done. Would have been better had she looked like an actual wolf and not a dog... but it was still nice.
There are a few dream sequences that I'd imagine could be cut, or at the very least reduced to discussions lacking visuals... but if they don't include Ned's then I'll flip a table. His are important. (Not that Bran's aren't, but still...)
As far as I see it, their John is great. Not perfect, but not terrible. John's always been a bit emo to me. It's the interactions he's supposed tp have with Ghost that really flesh him out in the beginning.
I should also mention that I'm only recently starting to like Catelyn. In the beginning she just felt too old to me. I suppose that's partially due to their having ramped up the ages of the children a bit, but the Catelyn in my mind was never that old. She's getting better, though... now that she's being more proactive.
All that aside, I'm totally digging it. 
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 10:20 am
Xanilus
As far as I see it, their John is great. Not perfect, but not terrible. John's always been a bit emo to me. It's the interactions he's supposed tp have with Ghost that really flesh him out in the beginning. Yeah, but there's a difference between "a bit emo" and his constant dourness. I mean, I always imagined him sort of ribbing Arya when he tells her to "stick 'em with the pointy end," but TV Jon was so damned earnest when he said it. And he gets into some smart-assery with Tyrion, and even a bit with Alliser, but he says it all with a straight face? I dunno... That said I ABOUT PISSED MY PANTS when he finally smiled last night. And Jeebus, I can smell the Jon/Sam slash, now. I know how their minds work, yes I do. They really shouldn't have thrown in that bit about why Jon's a virgin, because you can't get a dude pregnant. <.< Eh, well. I'm sure there's already plenty out there. Rule 34 and all. I think the fourth episode would have been nearly perfect if they hadn't ******** up the telling of the Hound's backstory by having Littlefinger relate it. I found the relationship between Sansa and Sandor fascinating in the book - I couldn't quite put my finger on what was going on. One second he's mocking her, then he's confiding in her, then he's threatening her. Later on, he even seems to be somewhat gentle with her, at least moreso than the "knights," so... Stupid Littlefinger and his mockingbirds! You ruined my PotO vibe! You know what is really bugging me, though? How EVERYTHING with Danyaerys is out of order. There is a REASON for the sequence of events, and you cannot just mix and match as you please! It is when she sees one of the riders take Viserys down with the whip and he grovels and sobs like a little b***h that she realizes just how pathetic this frightening figure from her childhood really is. That leads her to having the conversation with Jorah where he confirms her brother doesn't have the balls (or brains) to take back the Seven Kingdoms. This causes Dany to come to the conclusion it is up to her to reclaim the throne, so she enlists Doreah's help in seducing Drogo so she can enjoy the process of making an heir a bit more. Once she knows she is with child, all of her hopes are pinned on the unborn baby and she is free to physically lash out at her brother on the excuse that she is protecting it. (And she is, but come on... she wanted to hit that b*****d, anyways!) I don't quite remember what order they've put those things in for the show, but I do remember it was all backasswards. Who is their continuity person?
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 10:25 pm
Crow dream! Ghost! Arya Arya Arya! (So she only had brief scenes. SO WHAT! Development win!)
Alright, let's see. The crow dream had me cheering. Now we know we'll get Ned's dream, or at least a representation of it. It opens up key scenes and characters from the later novels which would make little sense otherwise. It means... SO MUCH! From such a simple small scene. Thank you, HBO!
And now... Damn you, HBO!  Ghost does not snarl! Would it really have been hard to edit out the audio of Ghost snarling? Really? I was so excited (and still am) to finally see Ghost, and then they make me hear him, too? Bad HBO. Boo.
Bran looking forward to riding, Tyrion taunting Theon, three great Ned scenes with Littlefinger/Cersei/Gendry... all well played. Their Littlefinger cast is spot on, while Gendry wasn't like I expected. A bit older than my mental image, and... unpolished? Not that he's meant to look noble, but he's kind of dull IMO. Appearance-wise. Something just felt odd. Still a great scene, and I'd imagine he'll grow on me.
Speaking of casting choices I've been starting to enjoy: way to go Catelyn. Definitely feeling it, now.
Dany's continuity is a bit misaligned, of course, but I'm finding it a bit necessary. Similar to how they changed Catelyn's reactions in the first few episodes, it's apparently done to keep her from seeming wishy-washy. (In Catelyn's case, "No, don't go!" defines her more than "Don't go, wait, maybe you should, no MUST... but you CAN'T! How could you?!") For Dany, her transition has been smoother, while Viserys's descent has been a steady stream of jerkass.
Arya's scene with Ned was pure gold, IMO. She's always been my favorite character, so knowing that they have a great cast choice keeping her strong, and are taking care to build her up correctly... I love it. Pure gold.
Two links of note:
OtakuASSEMBLE review of episode four. (Still bringing the goods.)
My Mom Watches Game of Thrones: A blog I recently found. The blogger's mother makes comments on various aspects of the show. Her thoughts are so fresh, sweet, and downright hilarious.
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 5:01 pm
Xanilus
Dany's continuity is a bit misaligned, of course, but I'm finding it a bit necessary. Similar to how they changed Catelyn's reactions in the first few episodes, it's apparently done to keep her from seeming wishy-washy. (In Catelyn's case, "No, don't go!" defines her more than "Don't go, wait, maybe you should, no MUST... but you CAN'T! How could you?!") For Dany, her transition has been smoother, while Viserys's descent has been a steady stream of jerkass.Ahaha! Where do you find these things? I didn't see Dany as being wishy-washy in the books. I saw her as slowly and steadily coming to the realization that, not only is her brother a d**k, but a worthless d**k at that. I think the shuffling of scenes kinda messes that up. This week's episode had some really great original material. I loved the scene where Robert and Cersei so casually discuss the wreck that is their marriage. When Robert says they never had a chance and asks if that makes her feel better or worse? "It doesn't make me feel anything," is just SO damned Cersei. Although... do we find out that Loras and Renly are together later on in the books? Because that kinda had me scratching my head. I'm only a few pages into A Clash of Kings, so I haven't had any scenes from Renly's camp yet. If it's canon, then yay. If not, then why? GoT has enough going on that they don't need to throw in a gay romance to add "edge." Not that it's even all that edgy anymore. And as sexy as it was when Loras cut him, I was kinda annoyed by the implication that Renly is a little p***y. He's certainly inexperienced at war, but I rather doubt he squirms at the sight of blood. Also, the Eyrie! More great sets! And Lysa was certainly batshit, wasn't she? I feel sorry for the kid playing her son, though. He's gonna love that his big acting debut was playing an unweaned... how old is he? Everybody else gained three years, so that would just make it even more horrifying. I'm sure he'll try to act like he was so pimp feeling up boobies before he hit puberty, but can you really even appreciate sexuality at that age? And I vote for "Bow, you shits!" to be the new heading. xd
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 10:20 pm
Lady Pyre Ahaha! Where do you find these things? Lady Pyre I didn't see Dany as being wishy-washy in the books. I saw her as slowly and steadily coming to the realization that, not only is her brother a d**k, but a worthless d**k at that. I think the shuffling of scenes kinda messes that up.
Anyway, this week's episode. ******** loved it. I loved it because the only thing I felt iffy on was such a trivial miniscule matter. (Arya shouldn't have made that much noise coming down those stairs after the cat. But again, it's such a small issue that I can easily get over it.)
The 'breastplate stretcher' line is classic. And Loras versus the Mountain was well played. I'm digging how accurately vapid Sansa is being played, too.
Robert and Cersei, amazing. I was afraid there would be a loss of characterization for Robert with the lack of inner monologue that the books provide, but damn, they proved me wrong big time. Yes, he's an a**, but he's a broken man. Such bare emotion in that scene, I had to watch it again.
Ok, Loras and Renly... I'm not entirely sure how to deal with this without being slight spoilery, so I'm going to white text it. (It's nothing major.) || There aren't any overt 'scenes' between them in the books. It's mostly innuendo and speculation, which the fans picked up on. Certain looks and glances made in the first book, a few lines here and there about the way they swing or who shows more interest in who... Things that Martin later confirmed. This scene was mostly put in for character development and potential setup. || (Potentially spoiler bit over.) Simply put, it is canon.
As for the cutting him bit, I think it's less about being a p***y and squirming at blood and more about being cut. The blood was nothing. The blade to his flesh, the sting, the prior question of pain... He asked if it would hurt, Loras said only if he slipped, and then straight up cut him.
The Eyrie is beautiful. I wouldn't be too keen on living there, but to see it was epic. And that view from the sky cell? ******** yeah.
Lysa is nuts, Tyrion is awesome, and Bronn is going to deliver the goods, I can already tell.
All in all, epic episode.
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 6:43 am
Xanilus
Ok, Loras and Renly... I'm not entirely sure how to deal with this without being slight spoilery, so I'm going to white text it. (It's nothing major.) || There aren't any overt 'scenes' between them in the books. It's mostly innuendo and speculation, which the fans picked up on. Certain looks and glances made in the first book, a few lines here and there about the way they swing or who shows more interest in who... Things that Martin later confirmed. This scene was mostly put in for character development and potential setup. || (Potentially spoiler bit over.) Simply put, it is canon.
As for the cutting him bit, I think it's less about being a p***y and squirming at blood and more about being cut. The blood was nothing. The blade to his flesh, the sting, the prior question of pain... He asked if it would hurt, Loras said only if he slipped, and then straight up cut him. Wait... there's innuendo in the first book? How the hell did I miss that? I'm usually the one reading subtext between characters that everyone else misses. So are you saying Renly was upset about the pain or the trust issue there? I really can't see him being afraid of a little cut - maybe pissed off at the pointlessness of it - but afraid? He may not have seen an actual war yet, but he's trained at arms. He's sure to have had all sorts of cuts and bruises, maybe even some broken bones. The way he fell of his horse in the tourney and broke his magnificent helm had to hurt more than a little shaving nick. And the whole setup for Loras cutting him seemed to be that Renly is too squeamish.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:08 pm
Lady Pyre Wait... there's innuendo in the first book? How the hell did I miss that? I'm usually the one reading subtext between characters that everyone else misses.
I should also note: "The Tower of the Hand", the site I listed in the first post, is probably the best source for things, not simply because of its large community, but because you can set your "readership scope". If you've only read the first book, you can set it to "Game of Thrones" and anything that happens in later books is hidden. Once you finish 'A Clash of Kings' you can set it to that books and it will only update the info for that book. I liked it a lot while I was going through the series. I could check facts without worrying about spoilers or digging through chapters.
I'd say it's a combination of both, but not to the degree of being a pansy about it. As far as the falling versus the shaving, in the context of the show, the fall never happened. It did in the book, but in the book the cut never happened. It's a catch-22 of sorts. (Or it could just be me reading into it more based on further information.)
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 4:05 pm
Xanilus Lady Pyre Wait... there's innuendo in the first book? How the hell did I miss that? I'm usually the one reading subtext between characters that everyone else misses. Oh, that. I don't tend to take speculation from outside characters based on gay stereotypes too seriously, so if that was all the hints in GoT amounted to, no wonder I "missed" it. And, if I remember, most of that came from Littlefinger, who is obviously trying to cover up his own flaming homosexuality with all of that brothel business. talk2hand (That was a joke, btw. Damn tone not coming across on the internets.) I guess I'm just not a big fan of TV!Renly. The complete change in his appearance is throwing me off, even in instances where the dialogue is the same. It's kinda funny, since I'm usually the one yelling at people who complain "But he doesn't look right!" when there is an otherwise great actor playing the part. But, in this case, it's really not a matter of the best man for the role being not-so-dead-on genetically. They could have given him a shave and a godamned wig and he would have looked the part fine.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 5:50 pm
Oh, the scene at the end of this episode was so satisfying. A crown that will inspire fear, indeed! *cackle*
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Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 9:39 am
Ah, Viserys's crowning. One of the top 5 things from the first book that I'd been waiting for. Excellent.
I had the fortune of seeing the 7th episode as well, thanks to HBO-Go... even though it took forever to get it to play. I'll keep my thoughts on it until later, however.
Overall, episode 6 was great. The aforementioned crowning, Ned's realization of the truth Jon Arryn died for, Ned stepping to the plate and calling out GREGOR and Tywin Lannister, perpetually vapid Sansa... I'd place this episode in my top 2 thus far.
However. Didn't the Starks used to have direwolves? Obviously we won't be seeing Nymeria or Lady, but what the hell, HBO? The handling of the direwolves is the one thing that pisses me off the most about the show.
It also pisses me off that "fans" say things like "Well, I can understand why they haven't included them..." ******** you! There's no reason to exclude them in this way. Lower their screentime, maybe, but cut them entirely from KEY SCENES?!? GAH!
Stupid fricken lack of direwolves.
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Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 4:06 pm
Xanilus
I had the fortune of seeing the 7th episode as well, thanks to HBO-Go... even though it took forever to get it to play. I'll keep my thoughts on it until later, however.I'm jealous. Time Warner doesn't include HBO-Go in its package, so I have to wait another week. sad And I knew you'd be pissed about the scene with Bran and the wildlings! As soon as Bran disappeared, I realized that the wolves weren't going to make an appearance, and my first thought was, "Xan is making rage face right now." xd It was pretty lame without them, though. And... weren't there supposed to be more wildlings? I also thought it was weird that Theon shot the guy through the back. From that angle, could he have even seen where Bran was? I guess that gives Rob even more reason to be pissed at him. We got another great Arya and Syrio scene, too. I'm sad to see Viserys go. Horrible wig aside, Harry Lloyd did a great job with the character. He actually made me feel sorry for the jackass just before his "crowning."
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:21 am
You're going to make me double post, hmm? Ironic that the "episode everyone will be talking about" seems to have killed this thread.
I was seriously annoyed with the treatment they gave Tyrion at the Battle of the Green Fork. Yes, I know he's not a warrior. That makes the fact that he managed to kill a few people before being unhorsed even more badass. And he must have been a damned good commander to, I dunno, hold the left when Tywin had intended for it to break? Instead of this, they saw fit to have him get knocked out by his own man before battle was even joined and make him look like a complete jackanapes. -_-
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