Game of Thrones season 2 thread

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Sansa annoyed the shit out of me for the better part of most of the books, then she became a character I really liked. They've done a really great job making her a so much more likeable and interesting character in the series, imo.

I really, really liked this last episode.

[Kitsun]

Martin is working with HBO, however, at least from my perspective, it feels like something is amiss. Either:
A) I have reading comprehension issues because character X doing Y does not mean they are Q
B) Martin wrote things in a way he didn't mean, to portray his characters in certain ways
C) Martin is sick of his fans' collective shit and is just dicking with us for shits and giggles

Some of the cool/clever/awesome shit characters have done in the book have been left out and they're putting in more scenes with like Littlefinger, the Winterfell whore, random scenes with Bronn/The Hound... if this is because the series is going to make them pivotal to the plot later on and gives them a better fleshing out so people aren't blindsided, then fine. If they really aren't game changers, why the fuck are they including so many scenes with them?

[Androidpk]

For people arguing about how close or not this series is to the books... isn't the author working with the directors on this? Doesn't that give validity to the whole thing?

He doesn't have a big role but he is assisting yes and he does like what they are doing so far. What people don't realize is that they have to stray from the books and for a couple of reasons. They need to keep it fresh for everyone so that people who have read all the books don't get bored. But at the same time they can't stray too much though since those same people turn into whiny cunts (see Ryvicke.) There is also the issue of converting from one medium to another and that is always a tricky thing to do. Add in budgetary and timing constraints and you start to see why they do some of the things that they do.

[Back]

Martin is working with HBO, however, at least from my perspective, it feels like something is amiss. Either:
A) I have reading comprehension issues because character X doing Y does not mean they are Q
B) Martin wrote things in a way he didn't mean, to portray his characters in certain ways
C) Martin is sick of his fans' collective shit and is just dicking with us for shits and giggles

Some of the cool/clever/awesome shit characters have done in the book have been left out and they're putting in more scenes with like Littlefinger, the Winterfell whore, random scenes with Bronn/The Hound... if this is because the series is going to make them pivotal to the plot later on and gives them a better fleshing out so people aren't blindsided, then fine. If they really aren't game changers, why the fuck are they including so many scenes with them?

I have not read these books. I have read books, some classics, that have been adapted to movies, so I feel qualified to contribute and to justify my contribution to this thread...

My first thought is perhaps HBO in conjunction with Mr. Martin are taking this, a monumental and money-making, opportunity to explore and expand this series in a way that not only benefits HBO but Mr. Martin and his fans.

There must be a spike in his book sales right now. I'd imagine Mr. Martin is pretty happy about that along with being able to be a part of the visualization of his own work?

How many authors wish for this?

[Delias]

For people arguing about how close or not this series is to the books... isn't the author working with the directors on this? Doesn't that give validity to the whole thing?

When words are written and printed, you have declared no backsies by default. So if I write a book and say "Eddie dies at the end" and then it gets made into a movie, wherein Eddie lives, I have just changed the story in a fundamental and retarded way.

I'm not talking about little details- Robb's entire story hinges on the fact that he falls for and marries Jeyne in a certain way. It is central to what decides his fate. This is a big thing to change, just because.

[Androidpk]

When words are written and printed, you have declared no backsies by default. So if I write a book and say "Eddie dies at the end" and then it gets made into a movie, wherein Eddie lives, I have just changed the story in a fundamental and retarded way.

I'm not talking about little details- Robb's entire story hinges on the fact that he falls for and marries Jeyne in a certain way. It is central to what decides his fate. This is a big thing to change, just because.

Welcome to how shows and movies are converted from book form. Don't like it? Don't watch the fucking shows/movies.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

When words are written and printed, you have declared no backsies by default. So if I write a book and say "Eddie dies at the end" and then it gets made into a movie, wherein Eddie lives, I have just changed the story in a fundamental and retarded way.

I'm not talking about little details- Robb's entire story hinges on the fact that he falls for and marries Jeyne in a certain way. It is central to what decides his fate. This is a big thing to change, just because.

Eh.

I love the Walking Dead and they have severely and drastically diverted from how the comics have gone chronologically. Some people die who should have lived, some people live who should have died, some "key" characters are left out entirely, and so on.

The thing is, they prepared their fans for it- at the end of each issue they do a Q&A with fan letters and questions and one was about the show and how similar it would be. They used the whole Q&A to explain that they were making severe divergences for both creative purposes and so that their fans who have read the comics get to experience something that is in many ways unique from the comics.

Unfortunately, GRRM doesn't really have the same venue to speak out to his fans and even when the Walking Dead did this, people were still shit heads to the creators and super whiny about it. So I get not telling the fans and just doing it- it's easier to ask to be forgiven than permission in the first place and all that stuff.

[Delias]

Welcome to how shows and movies are converted from book form. Don't like it? Don't watch the fucking shows/movies.

Hey, I know, how about go fuck yourself?

Edit:

I feel the need to expand on that. I mean really give it to yourself hard, with the biggest dildo you can find. Something that would shame a mule. I know how scripting works. The point I am trying to make is that these changes aren't adding to the story in any meaningful way, and are actually detracting from it in some ways. They aren't done for time constraints. They are done apparently just because. Fine- if you want a story that just happens a certain way, by all means, create such a story. However, taking an existing property and altering it without any real reason is the part that irritates me.

[Androidpk]

Hey, I know, how about go fuck yourself?

Edit:

I feel the need to expand on that. I mean really give it to yourself hard, with the biggest dildo you can find. Something that would shame a mule. I know how scripting works. The point I am trying to make is that these changes aren't adding to the story in any meaningful way, and are actually detracting from it in some ways. They aren't done for time constraints. They are done apparently just because. Fine- if you want a story that just happens a certain way, by all means, create such a story. However, taking an existing property and altering it without any real reason is the part that irritates me.

No need to mad bro, that anger is clouding your reading comprehension as I already stated why the changes are made. If it was your property they were making changes to that would be one thing. It's not though. HBO acquired the rights to the show from GRRM and he has approved of their changes and that's good enough for me. You know how scripting works? How many shows, movies, or videos have you directed, shot, produced, or edited?


Also, JFC and these goddamn database errors. Seems like everytime I want to post something I have to go through this first:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNaR6FRuO0

[diethx]

Everyone needs to chill the fuck out.

I really enjoyed this episode, mostly because for the first time this season I didn't feel like falling asleep while watching.

[Delias]

No need to mad bro, that anger is clouding your reading comprehension as I already stated why the changes are made. If it was your property they were making changes to that would be one thing. It's not though. HBO acquired the rights to the show from GRRM and he has approved of their changes and that's good enough for me. You know how scripting works? How many shows, movies, or videos have you directed, shot, produced, or edited?


Also, JFC and these goddamn database errors. Seems like everytime I want to post something I have to go through this first:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNaR6FRuO0

You're right. I'm totes not famous or successful- therefore my input lacks any value. My bad, man. All of my life experience has been presented here, on these forums, for you to peruse at your leisure. I guess I just forgot that I never did anything relevant to the conversation at hand.

Anyway, this has been an interesting interlude, but I am now going back to work. At a rough estimate I have infinite paperwork to do.

[Back]

Everyone needs to chill the fuck out.

I really enjoyed this episode, mostly because for the first time this season I didn't feel like falling asleep while watching.

Agreed. And while watching this last episode I thought "they are really having fun with this".

You know? I mean they really sat down and decided that they were going to be as brutal, and gory, and gorgeous, and smart and everything as possible. This is amazing TV.

[Delias]

Agreed. And while watching this last episode I thought "they are really having fun with this".

You know? I mean they really sat down and decided that they were going to be as brutal, and gory, and gorgeous, and smart and everything as possible. This is amazing TV.

I do enjoy the show. I just have to watch it while pretending it isn't based on the same books.

[SHAFT]

The scene with tyrion chopping the guys leg off might be my favorite scene of the entire series. The fleet exploding was awesome too.

[Nilandia]

The scene with tyrion chopping the guys leg off might be my favorite scene of the entire series. The fleet exploding was awesome too.
Seconds before, a friend said Tyrion was going to come in at someone's knee. When that actually happened, the whole group of us watching burst out laughing. It was too fantastic.

Gretchen

[Androidpk]

You're right. I'm totes not famous or successful- therefore my input lacks any value. My bad, man. All of my life experience has been presented here, on these forums, for you to peruse at your leisure. I guess I just forgot that I never did anything relevant to the conversation at hand.

Anyway, this has been an interesting interlude, but I am now going back to work. At a rough estimate I have infinite paperwork to do.

I only asked because of what you said. It isn't that your input lacks value but more like you don't seem to understand the whole process, it is far from just an issue of scripting.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Seconds before, a friend said Tyrion was going to come in at someone's knee. When that actually happened, the whole group of us watching burst out laughing. It was too fantastic.

Gretchen

If that axe doesn't have a name yet, I propose "Ankle Biter".

[Androidpk]

I propose Shin Splints.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I propose Shin Splints.

Underminer.

[Kitsun]

Half-manER.

[Nilandia]

If that axe doesn't have a name yet, I propose "Ankle Biter".
I'd go with that.

When my friend said that Tyrion would come in at someone's knee, I said that he'd be in there biting ankles. I sometimes refer to him as the ankle biter. In the most complimentary manner possible, of course.

Gretchen

[Showal]

I'd go with that.

When my friend said that Tyrion would come in at someone's knee, I said that he'd be in there biting ankles. I sometimes refer to him as the ankle biter. In the most complimentary manner possible, of course.

Gretchen

I keep getting confused until I see someone sign their posts. This allows me to stay on track with what is going on.

Showal

[Androidpk]

I keep getting confused until I see someone sign their posts. This allows me to stay on track with what is going on.

Showal

I know you what you mean

Showal

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I know you what you mean

Showal
Me as well. Ron Paul 2012.




Parkbandit

[Androidpk]

Me as well. Ron Paul 2012.




Parkbandit

:lol:

Fuck

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

ps Mike plz don't kill me :(

[Back]

I have to post in every thread and I touched skanky titties. You're welcome.

Androidpk

[Androidpk]

I haven't gotten around to your mom yet, be patient son.

[Back]

I haven't gotten around to your mom yet, be patient son.

You aren't playing the game right.

Back

[Atlanteax]

They did a good job of showing that Ceresei has (already) clearly lost it.

First she (predictably) insists on Joffrey being called back from the front-lines (because paranoid that Tyrion was gonna 'arrange' for Joffrey to be killed during the battle).

Then later when she has Tommen with her in the throne room, she shows zip concern for Joffrey and is all but ready to have Tommen drink poison.

During which she goes on and on about enemies (Stags = Barathons, Wolves = Starks, etc etc).

.

So just as they succeeded in ensuring viewers will despise Joffrey and hopes he dies horribly ... they succeeded in ensuring viewers see Ceresei as a deranged raving alpha bitch (which undoubtedly some people will be saying, "oh hey, I know someone like that").

[Androidpk]

They also succeeded in ensuring viewers see Joffrey as the cowardly little shit he is. King my ass. Sandor should have cleaved him in two.

[SHAFT]

Season 3 character debut list

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/GraphicCity/news/?a=60626

Also, I enjoyed Blackwater but the lack of the chain pissed me off. Tyrion started working on that very soon after he arrived in King's Landing. It was a brilliant move and the chain is really what made the scene in the book for me. It essentially created a pool of burning wildfire that Stannis' fleet couldn't escape from. What're you gonna do though

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Shaft beat me!

[Showal]

They did a good job of showing that Ceresei has (already) clearly lost it.

First she (predictably) insists on Joffrey being called back from the front-lines (because paranoid that Tyrion was gonna 'arrange' for Joffrey to be killed during the battle).

Then later when she has Tommen with her in the throne room, she shows zip concern for Joffrey and is all but ready to have Tommen drink poison.

During which she goes on and on about enemies (Stags = Barathons, Wolves = Starks, etc etc).

.

So just as they succeeded in ensuring viewers will despise Joffrey and hopes he dies horribly ... they succeeded in ensuring viewers see Ceresei as a deranged raving alpha bitch (which undoubtedly some people will be saying, "oh hey, I know someone like that").

What the fuck are you talking about? That was just a story and the animals had nothing to do with families. That is like saying when my mom read " if you give a mouse a cookie" she was talking about my brother. Where did you get this?

Showal

[Numbers]

What the fuck are you talking about? That was just a story and the animals had nothing to do with families. That is like saying when my mom read " if you give a mouse a cookie" she was talking about my brother. Where did you get this?

Showal

She was saying something about how lions have to protect their families from evil animals like stags and wolves (to which Tommen says, "but stags only eat grass.")

The metaphor was pretty obvious, considering the Lannisters (lions) were being attacked by both Stannis Baratheon (stags) and Robb Stark (wolves.)

[Showal]

She was saying something about how lions have to protect their families from evil animals like stags and wolves (to which Tommen says, "but stags only eat grass.")

The metaphor was pretty obvious, considering the Lannisters (lions) were being attacked by both Stannis Baratheon (stags) and Robb Stark (wolves.)

Sigh. Ever get the feeling that no one "gets" you? I'm going to become goth.

[Ryvicke]

Holy fuck! I'm a little behind but just watched this tonight. GRRM writes his yearly ep and puts actual fucking character into it! Neil fucking Marshall directs!! And they get the National to somehow sing Castamere at the end.

I will watch 9 hours of shit TV a year if they make one hour as good as this every season.

douche who is a douche in this thread
Showal

ETA: oh also, pretty fucking JAZZED UP at the confirmation of the Reeds being in next season as well as that they are splitting book 3 into two full seasons instead of jackhorning everything into 10 hours. If this latest episode proved anything it's that cross-cutting seventeen stories in 55 minutes of television is fucking stupid.

Showal

[Showal]

Holy fuck! I'm a little behind but just watched this tonight. GRRM writes his yearly ep and puts actual fucking character into it! Neil fucking Marshall directs!! And they get the National to somehow sing Castamere at the end.

I will watch 9 hours of shit TV a year if they make one hour as good as this every season.

douche who is a douche in this thread
Showal

ETA: oh also, pretty fucking JAZZED UP at the confirmation of the Reeds being in next season as well as that they are splitting book 3 into two full seasons instead of jackhorning everything into 10 hours. If this latest episode proved anything it's that cross-cutting seventeen stories in 55 minutes of television is fucking stupid.

Showal

You'll still bitch about the writing. Wah wah wah.

Ryvicke

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

And they get the National to somehow sing Castamere at the end.

Tyrion actually whistles Rains of Castamere a few times in the series prior, like when he first arrived at King's Landing and walked into Cersei's council and then when he was walking to go meet with Shae (when he ended up walking in on Varys talking to her).

[Nieninque]

Season 3 character debut list

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/GraphicCity/news/?a=60626



Awesome except...


– Beric Dondarrion: A skilled knight who is the leader of the outlaw group Brotherhood Without Banners.

Sir Beric was in the first series. How can he be making his debut in the third series?

[Androidpk]

Sir Beric was in the first series. How can he be making his debut in the third series?

Learn to read, not all those people on the list are making their debut.


See which characters from George R.R. Martin’s third Song of Ice and Fire novel A Storm of Swords will make their debut in Season Three according to the executive producers.


Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss have revealed that the following characters will show up in Season Three of Game of Thrones

[Nieninque]

as well as that they are splitting book 3 into two full seasons instead of jackhorning everything into 10 hours.

As long as they put books four and five into one season. They were kinda slow

[Nieninque]

Learn to read, not all those people on the list are making their debut.

Fuck you. You cant even speak my language. Dont fucking tell me to learn to read.
Cunt

[Androidpk]

Fuck you. You cant even speak my language. Dont fucking tell me to learn to read.
Cunt

Dont ask stupid questions then.

[Showal]

Fuck you. You cant even speak my language. Dont fucking tell me to learn to read.
Cunt

Did you add your name at the end there?

[Androidpk]

Did you add your name at the end there?

Is that a rhetorical question.

[Showal]

Is that a rhetorical question.

Well everyone was doing it. I was wondering if she was following suit.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Nien has always been liberal with her use of the word cunt. It's partially why we love her :heart:

[Androidpk]

Psh, I hate that cunt.

[SHAFT]

Shaft beat me!

Oh yeah......you like it like that? You like that?

[SHAFT]

Awesome except...



Sir Beric was in the first series. How can he be making his debut in the third series?

Who cares? Relax

[Ryvicke]

Arya Stark doing the Cinnamon Challenge:

http://gawker.com/5914590/you-win-or-you-choke-game-of-thrones-maisie-williams-takes-the-cinnamon-challenge

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Oh yeah......you like it like that? You like that?

I'm..... okay with this.

[Ryvicke]

I keep coming across all this shit in Game of Thrones articles about how the kid who plays Joffrey is really the sweetest kid in the world and everyone loves him on set, etc. etc.

Then I feel kind of bad cause he's doing such a good job being so insanely smarmy and hateful that it will probably take decades to outrun this character and get cast in other stuff without GoT viewers immediately hating him. I mean but really--dude is really hitting it out of the park with that character.

[Drew]

Joffrey and Draco Malfoy should star in a buddy cop comedy on CBS.

[AnticorRifling]

Joffrey and Draco Malfoy should star in a buddy cop comedy on CBS.

In black face.

[diethx]

In black face.

I'd watch that.

[Atlanteax]

Arya Stark doing the Cinnamon Challenge:

http://gawker.com/5914590/you-win-or-you-choke-game-of-thrones-maisie-williams-takes-the-cinnamon-challenge

I think Catelyn Stark just asked her put on a formal dress as part of an arranged marriage.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

http://imgur.com/a/fAq99

Linkage to a bunch of GoT wallpapers!

[SHAFT]

Huge fan of varys

Clearly they're dipping into book 3 in this last episode.

[Kitsun]

Very cool season finale episode. I wish they'd just film this stuff all year round.

I laughed pretty hard at the end of Theon's battle speech. I'm confused about how Winterfel ended up torched though. Did the Ironborn do it while leaving? Because it seemed like they took up Robb's offer of pardon in exchange for Theon.

I thought the execution of the Warlock was a little weak but whatever. Dany didn't get her prophetic warnings of betrayal though.

[Drisco]

That ending was epic. The white walker with the Icicle Pole-arm was badass.

[Back]

That felt like an epilogue to the grand finale of the previous episode. Nice way to end the season. All the groundwork is laid out for next season. HBO is still producing quality TV.

[Bhaalizmo]

They keep taunting me with one of my favorite threads, that of Arya / Anya whatever her name is Stark becoming a great swords woman. All through season two I was hoping for her old sword instructor to show back up, and then at the end of season two they hinted at her going off to train with the faceless men, but NO. Damn you George R.R. Martin for being stingy.

[Kitsun]

Syrio Forel, the first sword of the Bravosi, died in defense of Arya during the Lannister round up at the end of S1.

[Bhaalizmo]

Syrio Forel, the first sword of the Bravosi, died in defense of Arya during the Lannister round up at the end of S1.

Yeah I didn't think they showed his death or actually made mention of it though, so I kept hoping he made it out somehow. I mean... he's a sword fighting master right. It's not implausible that he would survive, despite being a character in a George R.R. Martin novel.

[Androidpk]

Syrio Forel, the first sword of the Bravosi, died in defense of Arya during the Lannister round up at the end of S1.

It is sort of implied that he dies but you don't actually read of it or see it and GRRM refuses to say if he is alive or dead.

[Kitsun]

Valar mouglis.

[Liagala]

They keep taunting me with one of my favorite threads, that of Arya / Anya whatever her name is Stark becoming a great swords woman. All through season two I was hoping for her old sword instructor to show back up, and then at the end of season two they hinted at her going off to train with the faceless men, but NO. Damn you George R.R. Martin for being stingy.
He's slow, because he's telling 15 stories in each book. She gets better.

[Atlanteax]

It is sort of implied that he dies but you don't actually read of it or see it and GRRM refuses to say if he is alive or dead.

Fun theory = Syrio Forel later became Jaqen H'ger ... later becomes (spoiler) kindly old man when Arya is in Braavos.

Just in the theory that she was 'groomed' to be what she ultimately becomes.

[subzero]

Fun theory = Syrio Forel later became Jaqen H'ger...
Just in the theory that she was 'groomed' to be what she ultimately becomes.

That is an interesting theory. If her story goes in the direction I think it will, you'll probably be able to say she was groomed for her position regardless of either Syrio or Jaqen. Syrio being Jaqen would be an interesting way of escaping Syrio, but I think I'd like it better if they reigned it in there. He could still pop up now and again to help Arya, but I think if she meets different people later, it would add to the notion that there really is this brotherhood, society, or whatever you wanna call it that can easily be lurking anywhere and everywhere.

[RSR]

Surprised no one mentioned how kick ass looking they made the Lord of Bones.

http://i.imgur.com/jUOm6.png

-Richard.

[iJin]

I keep coming across all this shit in Game of Thrones articles about how the kid who plays Joffrey is really the sweetest kid in the world and everyone loves him on set, etc. etc.

Then I feel kind of bad cause he's doing such a good job being so insanely smarmy and hateful that it will probably take decades to outrun this character and get cast in other stuff without GoT viewers immediately hating him. I mean but really--dude is really hitting it out of the park with that character.

God, I hate him with every atom of my being--which I guess it means he's doing a damn pretty good job acting. I watched the entire season 1 and season 2 minus the last two episodes in 2 days. It was heaven. Now I just have to pick up the books and start reading before next Spring.

[Androidpk]

http://i49.tinypic.com/28i4yah.jpg

[Fallen]

Surprised no one mentioned how kick ass looking they made the Lord of Bones.

http://i.imgur.com/jUOm6.png

-Richard.

He looks pretty cool. Aint got much on the villain from Willow, though.

3387

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Saw this on the Game of Thrones subreddit and was very impressed with it:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EhFCdRcL2Y&feature=player_embedded

[Some Rogue]

Saw a good one today too...


http://youtu.be/kL7RWUva7ak

Lyrics from the youtube comment (not quite all correct)

1ST VERSE:

On the real your boy is a hip hop playa
but for this joint here i'll play the role of kingslayer
see toe to toe blow for blow we can fight g
but word to jaime there are no other men like me
this industry is in a roughed up state
cats front so tough you called the bluff they fake
and we all know it too we just love to pretend
use my tongue as a sword slice em with the pointy end
and friends can turn to enemies in a eyeblink
mine click together firm like a maester's chain link
we got skills and yes we're so ill
our brotherhood was formed underneath a hollow hill
for real shit's so sad it's almost funny
y'all niggas littlefingers steady chasin after money
dummies i do it for the love like stark
and sit alone with my honor in a dungeon in the dark

CHORUS:

in this game of thrones it's eye for eye
there is no middle ground you either win or die
you gotta watch the cats who watch your back
you can get hit quick and man that's a fact
politics and bedfellows who's real who's fake
the surprise in your eyes when your man goes snake
it can happen to your fam or you all alone
we go big we go home we play this game of thrones

2ND VERSE:

lots of fake shit now a days the realm is a snake pit
no gravity you weightless not a chance to escape it
i take shit from no man and never compromise
tread water hold my head navigate the endless lies
there is hope though sure as the dragon flies
the energy i maximize while small folk are terrorized
but never mind see here house classic
high above the game at the wall in a basket
i'm not pretending there will be no happy ending
beats and rhymes blending to produce the red wedding.
do get it how these tracks can't scar me
you may have the better claim but me i have the bigger army
and like winter were coming so lets get shit clear
i give a what if you broke or a billionaire
under ground versus us you just can't compare
we give you joints like this and the 'Reynes of Castemere'.

(CHORUS)

3RD VERSE:

it's a travesty watch 'em turn tracks in tragedies
i don't live life lavishly successfully with the savagery
and avidly punctuate the premise with lead
the A.R. house stands strong the dragon has three heads
instead of spitting lies i use my imp like mind
and never back down i am the mountain that rhymes
i see the doubt in your eyes and feel the weakness in your person
you countin' the lines until i finish it for certain
hurtin' cause you just don't know who to trust
on this changing battlefield it's not you and i it's us
discuss the fact we just taken you higher
this one here is a true song of ice and fire
on this microphone i'm just doing my thing
boiling men while alive hip hop mad king
i do it for the love i do it for the art hip hop dire wolf
peace out omega Stark

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

"Yo, I'm a nerd. It's a big secret, but I'm a nerd. And I love these books."

Haha that was awesome.

[Drew]

Awesome art from the trident:

http://i.imgur.com/kyomf.jpg

From a whole huge awesome series of GoT art: http://www.cndkc.net/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=36017

[Lady Lightning]

So I'm reading the blog of one of my favorite new authors, Patrick Rothfuss (http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/index.asp), and if you haven't read his two books thusfar you're missing out. (Even his blog is compelling.)

Anyhow, found this bit of Martin humor there.


http://youtu.be/j7lp3RhzfgI

[subzero]

I'm usually disappointed when I watch these sort of things. This was actually funny. "If you keep writing so slow, you'll hold up the HBO show!"

[SHAFT]

Just finished book 3 and wow...... Damn near every chapter had something big happening. Littlefinger is indeed clever...

[SHAFT]

this is impressive

http://www.geekologie.com/2012/07/good-lord-unbelievably-impressive-game-o.php

[Some Rogue]

New cast for season 3. Can't wait!


http://youtu.be/rpSDSgChsaI

[RSR]

Few new cast members missing from that video...
Tormund Giantsbane:
http://tv.yahoo.com/photos/game-of-thrones-meet-the-new-faces-of-season-3-slideshow/kristofer-hivju-photo-1342221460.html
Qyburn:
http://tv.yahoo.com/photos/game-of-thrones-meet-the-new-faces-of-season-3-slideshow/anton-lesser-photo-1342221457.html
Edmure Tully:
http://tv.yahoo.com/photos/game-of-thrones-meet-the-new-faces-of-season-3-slideshow/tobias-menzies-photo-1342221468.html
Selyse Baratheon:
http://tv.yahoo.com/photos/game-of-thrones-meet-the-new-faces-of-season-3-slideshow/tara-fitzgerald-photo-1342221466.html
And Anguy:
http://tv.yahoo.com/photos/game-of-thrones-meet-the-new-faces-of-season-3-slideshow/philip-mcginley-photo-1342221468.html


Looks pretty good.

[SFactor123]

This show is incredible and I love it, I love all the cast members in it because they all are doing great job.

[Drew]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEg4SEch27w


This could be the weirdest thing ever, I also watched the whole thing.

[Kastrel]

When words are written and printed, you have declared no backsies by default. So if I write a book and say "Eddie dies at the end" and then it gets made into a movie, wherein Eddie lives, I have just changed the story in a fundamental and retarded way.


Why do I suddenly have this impending feeling of doom that you just spoiled the end of The Dark Tower series for me?

Also, several months too late, but I read the whole thread during my down time today . . . I have mostly positive feelings towards the changes made in season 2. Most (and I say most) did one of three things; pared down otherwise meandering and slow content, changed certain characters/plots to increase the dramatic effect, and provided scenes and content for characters who "never had a chance" to show their personality in the books due to the perspective style of GRRM.

1. Paring down slow scenes is a debatable one, because you HAVE to for a show like this, but you risk cutting something people view as important. For instance, I think the largest casualty of a blatant "cut" was the loss of the Reed siblings. These characters ARE important, but seem to have been cut for time constraints. I do think that was a bad thing. But other changes were better, in my opinion. I LOVE Arya, but I felt like book 2&3 Arya was an exercise in getting nowhere, and honestly, I wanted her to either get home or go do something else. I thought they managed to turn her Harrenhal experience into something much more interesting.

2. Changing the plot/characters for dramatic effect is probably the most dangerous change, because it can be a case of selling out a character's design to boost ratings. In my opinion, this is most often done in that they take "subtly implied" things from the books and turn them into straight up shown content. Case in point is the homosexual relationship between Loras and Renly (oft implied, NEVER shown, ever), or the Mellisandre/Stanis sexual relationship. On the other hand, the changes to characters like Rob have clearly left something to be desired, but I think that was a hamfisted attempt at number 3. Even so, I think they need to be careful with this, as I believe the entirety of Dany's storyline was this. To those who haven't read the books, Dany was sort of "on hold" for the entirety of book 2. She made very little progress, did not strengthen her army, and pretty much sat around trying to figure out what to do, which began to progress in book 3. As one of the most popular characters, this doesn't make for good television. So they made up a bunch of stuff with debatable results. I see why they had to do it, but they need to be careful.

3. Now this is what I loved about the changes. This show gives a chance for us, as viewers/readers, to see a vaguely "Martin approved" look into characters who never get screen time. The Rob situation is this . . . perhaps Rob's romance was poorly written, but in the book it just happens. The implication in this thread of some sort of love-potion scheme went totally over my head while reading them, and I viewed Rob's romance as annoying because it came out of NO where. Whats worse writing? When an author tries but fails to give good motivation for a bad decision, or just hides it all behind the scenes and says "look, its done, so lets move on"? A lot of the opportunities to learn about characters were great, in my opinion. New Tywin Lannister scenes, scenes with Margaery Tyrel (who I honestly thought was a blissfully unaware pawn until late book 4), Renly, Stannis. Martin's writing style and habit of killing people off quickly means that there are characters we NEVER get to really meet before they die. The first time in Season 1 we saw a Cersei/Joffrey scene was big for me, because we NEVER saw their inner motivation until book 3 or later. So I usually approve of these changes.

That said, there were two major changes to character personalities, echoed in this thread, I didn't care for.

1. Jon Snow. He was always portrayed as a somewhat naive and green individual, but sort of in the sense that he was untested but could learn very fast. He didn't make mistakes so much as he either did not know the facts or his honor dictated a poor choice. He was also portrayed as competant and capable, and fairly well liked despite some teasing. The show, in season 2, turns him into some clumsy butt-monkey, constantly screwing up, putting his foot in his mouth, and doing stupid things. He makes a lot of mistakes he didn't make in the book, and a lot of them "backfire" much worse. The entire Craster's keep arc took the opportunity to "show" the child sacrifice on screen, but at the expense of Jon's competance. Basically, the respect we have for him as a character is being traded as currency to fuel his storyline. I know a few people who consider Jon's story to be the most pointless and slow, which in a few ways, is true. I've always viewed Jon's story as "the most important story", but also the one that CANNOT be resolved until the end . . . in the mean time, it has to take a back seat and simmer a while, leaving viewers to wonder why the hell he is wandering around in the wilderness acting like a moron . . .

2. Dany. I loved her in Season 1, I didn't care much for Season 2. Not because of the changes to her plot, but her character. Dany was humble, and while she aspires to and believes she deserves the Iron Throne, she was never arrogant or haughty. She had massive respect for her individual followers, and really didn't make demands of people. In Season 2, it seems like she caught a case of the Viserys, and started making demands. Both the first and second scene with the fat white merchant prince made me hate her . . . she basically said "I am entitled, give me what I want!" which she didn't really do in the books, and when they turned her down, she was just dumbfounded. I liked the change in the last episode to this perspective of "my time of being turned down has hardened me, so now I will take what I want", but the problem was that it turned her from arrogant and entitled to arrogant and ruthless, while the books always balanced a sense of "how much harm will I inflict to get what I want?" where she balanced the penalties to others, and very rarely looked anyone in the face and just said "Screw you, I'll do what I want!" When her dragons were kidnapped and several DOZEN of her, what 80 person Khalarsar, were killed, she completely ignored the dead. That was not how she would have rolled if it had been in the book.

Tl;dr: I like the changes mostly, I think they were done with good reason. Wish they hadn't made Jon a buttmonkey or Dany a spoiled brat.

[ssming]

cool.I can't wait,The SuperNauts (http://www.dotmmo.com/the-supernauts-8154.html) is a cross-platform, sandbox-style social game to be released later this year. The game is developed by the Finland-based game developer Grand Cru,

[Tenlaar]

If you read the thread then you know how I feel about the Arya changes, but I don't think we are supposed to know that Margaery is more than a pawn at this point. I think they've taken away the surprise that comes when you find out that she is anything but, which I thought was great in the books. Realizing how much she has been pulling strings the whole time and what not.

[Lizythia]

I've read only the first book, and don't plan on reading any of the others. I've seen both seasons, and eagerly await the third.

[SHAFT]

Zombie thread! Ok, I'm almost done with book 4 and I seem to have forgotten or missed what happened to varys? Did he vanish when Tyrion left? I know I could find this out easily but I'm scared ill see something I shouldn't.

I have a feeling he's pulling strings some where. He hasn't been seen or hardly mentioned throughout all of book 4 and I can't remember what happened to him.

[TheEschaton]

I'm in the middle of book 4 too. I think I read on a wiki somewhere that book 4 and 5 run in parallel and that 5 will cover characters like Bran, Tyrion, Danaerys and probably Varys.

[SHAFT]

Thank god they're covering other people. Just about every new chapter I sigh when I see who it is. I just want to hear about dragons

[subzero]

No one has stepped on The Spider just yet.

[Kastrel]

Zombie thread! Ok, I'm almost done with book 4 and I seem to have forgotten or missed what happened to varys? Did he vanish when Tyrion left? I know I could find this out easily but I'm scared ill see something I shouldn't.

I have a feeling he's pulling strings some where. He hasn't been seen or hardly mentioned throughout all of book 4 and I can't remember what happened to him.

Yeah, he is running around off in Tyrion land.

Varys is secretly one of my favorite characters . . . not just because he is so smart (so is Littlefinger, if that was what I was looking for) but because he is actually a genuinely good person in a world full of corrupt people. And he managed to be genuinely good without getting hung up on ethical stuff like Ned Stark. Only thing is, his definition of good may mean thousands die in the process, but his goal to save the kingdom is probably one of the most noble standpoints outside of the Stark family.


I'm in the middle of book 4 too. I think I read on a wiki somewhere that book 4 and 5 run in parallel and that 5 will cover characters like Bran, Tyrion, Danaerys and probably Varys.

Don't forget Jon Snow. I really don't understand what they were thinking, dividing the characters in two like that . . . especially since all the "GOOD" ones are in book 5. Did you know Arya was supposed to be only book 5 as well, but apparently Martin thought that was the last straw, so Arya had her chapters split in half between the two.


Thank god they're covering other people. Just about every new chapter I sigh when I see who it is. I just want to hear about dragons

Nothing more miserable than a book that focuses 1/4th of its chapters on Cersei Lannister, then spends the majority of Jaime's chapters focusing on Cersei as well. You end up spending close to half the book reading about Cersei being an arrogant bitch and going crazy with paranoid high school gossip drama. You know its bad when you look forward to Sansa chapters. Breanne is alright, I just don't really get into her too much.

[Delias]

Nothing more miserable than a book that focuses 1/4th of its chapters on Cersei Lannister, then spends the majority of Jaime's chapters focusing on Cersei as well. You end up spending close to half the book reading about Cersei being an arrogant bitch and going crazy with paranoid high school gossip drama. You know its bad when you look forward to Sansa chapters. Breanne is alright, I just don't really get into her too much.

This. So much this, there is no this left for me to "this" future quotes.

[SHAFT]

Yeah cersei's story in book 4 was classic. Just finished book 4 this morning and started 5. The first 2 chapters were Tyrion and dany. Praise the sun!

I am dying to see what happens with cersei and victarion though. Who knew the greyjoys would turn out to be so compelling?

[SHAFT]

I was also curious what happened to theon, but I just read reek's first chapter and now I know.

[subzero]

I've read only the first book, and don't plan on reading any of the others. I've seen both seasons, and eagerly await the third.

I'd suggest reading the books, too. You'll always get a better, more complete understanding of things with the books.

[TheEschaton]

Just finished the 4th book yesterday. I'm looking forward to the 5th, with the (imo) more interesting characters.