HBO's Game of Thrones pt 2

[Oerwinde]

 

 

It helps that Martin is not only heavily involved in the show, meaning he can actively fix things after a decade of hindsight, but he's also an experience television writer.

As I understand he isn't heavily involved in the show. He interviewed the people who asked him if they could do the show, decided that he felt they'd do a good job and has been letting them do their show, while contributing one episode per season.

He's involved enough that he made them change Robb's wife's name because he didn't like the changes they made to her character. Though not involved enough that he could make them change her character back.

[Blarghagh]

[Serrano]

[Rosbjerg]

After watching him in Misfits as a shy and aloof kid, it's kinda fun the see him as a sadist psychopat.

[Gorgon]

 

 

 

I agree actually. Most of the failings of the tv show (the pornographic display of violence and well, regular softcore pornography) are Martin's failings.

 

That has been thrown around so often that people actually believe it.

the scenes are in the book. But they are part of thousand pags long books. In that they carry far less weight than they do when they are put in tv episodes and suddenly have a far greater relative length to the rest content. The failing here is that of the HBO audience who thinks that to prove how progressive they are, they need porn in their normal tv shows.

 

 

Well that's what I said - they are in the books, but sure they're disproportional compared to the rest of the content in the tv show. That's typical HBO **** and gibs policy.

 

A bit of realism served the Wire well. I think it was well integrated in the theme.

 

But from that point on, (or even before, I don't know) its become a feature of all HBO shows. Its the same drop in standards that happened when reality shows came about, a new low to titillate the crowds. 

 

The irony is that they're calling it progressive. From a western where a man keels over when shot to zoomed in stabbings of pregnant women in less than 50 years - yay for progress.

 

One might argue that orientalism and outrageous sexuality is one of the defining factors of the genre. It's certainly common. It's a bit like blaming a dog for barking.

[Walsingham]

Oh come off it. Are you too young to remember Oz? Wasn't that HBO?

[Gorgon]

The genre being fantasy, not HBO shows.

[Hurlshort]

I'd watch this version as well.

 

http://youtu.be/2fPgIIB67bw

[NOK222]

They cast a new guy as the mountain. 

 

 

6'9 

Iceland's strongest man. 

[HoonDing]

Meh.

[Woldan]

They cast a new guy as the mountain. 

 

 

6'9 

Iceland's strongest man. 

 

He looks like a constipated ogre. 

 

Just look at him. 

 

ME NO..HHHNNNGH...POOP..!  RAARARGH ME CRUSH LITTLE PEOPLE! 

Edited September 5, 2013 by Woldan

[HoonDing]

The guy from Season 1 was spot on as the Mountain.

Not that really it matters since he speaks only two lines anyway.

[Hurlshort]

Isn't he just going to be in a full suit of armor with a helm at this point in the story?  We won't even see his face if I am remembering his story arc correctly.

[NOK222]

Isn't he just going to be in a full suit of armor with a helm at this point in the story?  We won't even see his face if I am remembering his story arc correctly.

 

Yeah, plus this guy's wider than the second guy they cast. 

[Zoraptor]

Isn't he just going to be in a full suit of armor with a helm at this point in the story?  We won't even see his face if I am remembering his story arc correctly.

He should presumably have a couple of lines to say as well, during a... certain fight, unless they're really going to retcon stuff.

 

Though clearly he's miscast, the strongest man in Iceland should surely be either one of Mance's henchmen or a Black Brother, not some capitalist Lannister running dog.

[Volourn]

So, never read the books and didn't bother with the tv version either but still got spammed with all the stupid hype all over the netz and some people (yeah I know some people) talkin' about how awesome with it (with the usual negative ninnies poo pooing it) but I didn't care. I basically let it pass me by. However, I started watching the series just before Christmas and now about a month later - after watching all 4 seasons TWICE and on my 3rd time through - I have lots to say. All of it boring ****. L0L

Before, I start, I don't care about the books yet. I don't care if they are better, worse, different, never coming out, or what the ****. This thread is about the series. I've been spoikled about the books and I still don't care if it's deeper, shallower, characters are whitewashed, made darker (lol razism), etc. THIS IS ABOUT THE TV SERIES! (actually post you want but I'll just laugh ).

My overall thoughts are it's a damn good series but not without flaws. Lots of time it seems more interested in the 'shocking kill scene' than anything else. Too bad too because as great as the action scenes are the character drama is what it does best and that's largely because of the acting (and writing of Martin). The twists didn't effect me as much others I suppose largely because I was spoiled of many of the big ala Ned's death, the RW, the PW, the GW, the OW, etc. They were still entertaining though.

Characters are the strength of the show and with so many ity's both a strength and a weakness. Strength because almost every viewer probably has their faves to draw them in. Weakness since your favorite character isn't on as much as you'd want (most of the characters have been on screen for less than 100 minutes - noteable exception is Tyrion) and of course there's always a chance your favorite will be killed so you will cry and 'quit'. L0L

My top 10 characters - this is based on 'likeability', acting, story, and anything else:

1. Tyrion - Kind of easy. He seems to be defacto favorite. Not surprising since he often hogs the screen - he more than doubles screen time of everyone else. Also, I know he's been whitewashed from the books. Still, great character and fantastic acting.

2. Sansa - Yeah, her. Probably the main character who gets a lot of flack for not being a killer. The actress is fantastic in a role that isn't super pro active. I love the character, though, because she is the most 'normal' of them all (for now). That's impressive considering how over the top the show is.

3. The Hound - What can you say. A bad ass pervert. Only negative for me is the murder of the 'butcher boy'. Too about his potential 'death'... (book spoilers aside)

4. The Spider - How come nobody just kills him, lol? Very smart and sneaky. Who knows what his agenda is in show (books are spoiled).

5. Tywin - Epic uber evil guy hunger for power and family prestige. I laugh at those who try to paint him as a 'good guy' though. Great actor.

6. Brienne - Kick ass warrior. I know people hate the 'female fighter kicks all the boys' trope but it works here for me since the character isn't going on about 'beating all the bioys' but just being the warrior she is.

7. Peter Baleish the Littlefinger - Creepy old man is creepy. Evil and smart.

8. Jon Snow - Yeah, yeah. Typical heroic role but is the main connection to the Wall. Plus, obvious he ain't dying any time soon (fake out death book spoiler notwithstanding ).

9. Arya - Overrated. No hero. She was a hateful little monster from episode 1. Her morals are not all that removed from guys like the Mountain . It just takes time to emerge. Had one 'cute child' scene.. Still, her journey (plus a nice connection to Mr. Hound) made the character worthwhile.

10. Ygritte/ Sir Jorrah / Bronn / Davros - Neato secondary characters.


Favorite episodes include Mockingbird, The Viper & The Hound & The Watchers on the Wall (S4), The Rains of Castmere & Second Sons (S3), Blackwater (S2), and The Kingsroad & Fire & Blood S1).


Can't wait until Season 5. Just have to hope my favorite characters don't bite it.

I have ordered the books as they should be arriving next week so I'll see in what ways they are better and what ways they are worse than the series.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Volourn

[Leferd]

That's actually a pretty fair assessment Volo. Not my favorite HBO series (Rome and Deadwood run higher) but it's currently number 3 on my current tv listing - behind Survivor and Constantine.

 

The book series itself ranks behind The Foundation Trilogy and just ahead of LOTR as my favorite in the fantasy/science fiction genre. (The books are much, much better)

 

Oh and Brienne sucks.

[Guard Dog]

Actually I like the TV Varys better than the book Varys. He plays a comparatively smaller role in the books (although he is intricate in a plotline that has been simmering in the background since book1) but the TV Varys is a more "fleshed out" and interesting character.

[Guard Dog]

I find the TV Jon Snow to be very irritating. I don't know if it's because I don't like Kit Harrington but the TV version seems to whine too much and is too, indecisive I guess. The book Jon Snow is much more his own man.

 

As for Tyrion, Danereys,and Cersei, those actors OWN those parts. Particularly Peter Dinkledge.  

Edited January 17, 2015 by Guard Dog

[Valsuelm]

Actually I like the TV Varys better than the book Varys. He plays a comparatively smaller role in the books....

 

Oo

 

Did you read all the books? A smaller role he did not play. Like most of the other characters, he's in almost every scene the show has him in and then some in the books.

[Valsuelm]

I have ordered the books as they should be arriving next week so I'll see in what ways they are better and what ways they are worse than the series.

 

The only ways I'd say they are worse than the series is that you don't actually get to see Emilia Clarke in the nude when reading the books, the awesome show opener isn't in the books, and Djawadi's music isn't in the books. In pretty much every way other than that they are better, even as well done as the show is. So strap yourself in for some good reading.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Valsuelm

[Volourn]

"Oh and Brienne sucks."

 

 

 

"I find the TV Jon Snow to be very irritating."

 

You probably find him annoying largely because he's one of two (or should I say four) who definitely fit the mold of 'THIS IS MAIN CHARACTER AND WILL NOT DIE UNTIL *MAYBE* VERY END'.  To me, he's the typical 'hero' of a story.  Jon is one of the few main character 'good guys' who can fight who has never killed 'wrongly' - the cloest was when he killed that one ranger.. but that was a) in self defense and b) the guy asked him too lol. The actor isn't the greatest. Plus, he's the reason we get the H0TTIE that is Ygritte (even if she is a cold blooded murderer).

 

 

"As for Tyrion, Danereys,and Cersei, those actors OWN those parts. Particularly Peter Dinkledge. "

 

Agree with Tyrion and Cersei. Danereys' main problem for me is she shunted off to the side. So there is no 'fear' of the character dying as it would be just a waste of a death if she dies out in the boonies.  I'd Sophie Turner (Sansa), Tywin, and the actor who plays the Hound also 'own' their roles.

 

 

"The only ways I'd say they are worse than the series is that you don't actually get to see Emilia Clarke in the nude when reading the books, the awesome show opener isn't in the books, and Djawadi's music isn't in the books. In pretty much every way other than that they are better, even as well done as the show is. So strap yourself in for some good reading."
 

Well.. I've heard that the book version of Tyrion is much more 'darker' as he does some rather awful stuff (he's no angel in tv show but he definitely comes across as 'good').

[Guard Dog]

 

Actually I like the TV Varys better than the book Varys. He plays a comparatively smaller role in the books....

 

Oo

 

Did you read all the books? A smaller role he did not play. Like most of the other characters, he's in almost every scene the show has him in and then some in the books.

 

I have, all of them several times. I said comparatively. They are getting more mileage from him on the show than in the books.

[ManifestedISO]

Haha, should never challenge GD whether he's read something or not. 

[Valsuelm]

Well.. I've heard that the book version of Tyrion is much more 'darker' as he does some rather awful stuff (he's no angel in tv show but he definitely comes across as 'good').

 

Perhaps. The characters in the books in general are a little more dynamic and fleshed out than they are in the TV show (as is usually the case with a book vs. movie/TV). So some characters like Tyrion might seem darker, while others who seem more 'bad' in the show, might seem a little lighter in the book. As I'm sure you figured out in the show, Tyrion is a very pragmatic and intelligent character that does what he has to do to survive.

 

Slight possible spoiler below for anyone who hasn't read the books and has only seen the show:

 

 

For what it's worth, I generally don't have the 'bad guys' as my favorite characters from any book (or at least not as the characters I root for), and my favorite two characters from A Song of Ice and Fire are Tyrion and Arya (and I'm rooting for the both), with some others, like The Hound, not far behind. I would say that all of them have dark elements to their characters but that overall they're on the 'good guys' team. If A Song of Ice and Fire could be said to have 'good guys' and 'bad guys'.

 

There are a lot of great characters in the series. One of the primary reasons I'd say GRRM is a great author is he really understands something that seems to escape so many others in this world, and that's that people are all sorts of shades grey and everyone is capable of just about anything given the right circumstances. GRRM really captures that in many of his characters.

 

 

Edited January 18, 2015 by Valsuelm