'Game of Thrones' on HBO HD *** WARNING - Spoilers allowed *** - Page 23

Camcel

They are certainly in what we would call the dark ages. Valarya is analagous to Rome. Both fell and with them knowledge was lost. Thats why Valaryian steel is rare and prized. Only the lords actually have swords made of it.

They are such babies in the non-spoiler thread...I mentioned the names of the dragons in it and it seems like someone already got upset saying that the dragon names and how they got them were never mentioned. Who cares that isn't spoiling anything and anyways the names were mentioned two episodes ago.

Great observations and basically pretty much my feelings on it.

I've read the books but have no problem participating in the other thread. That's why there are two threads. If you want to discuss what is up ahead, just post here. Also the series differs from the books and I find it fun (sorta) to discuss the series trying to ignore what I know about the books and strictly stick to what has been in the program. I will agree that a thing as simple as the dragons' names is something that shouldn't be argued over.

What I was getting at is that the dragon names were mentioned in the series but it seemed to me that this guy just wanted to be confrontational just to be confrontational.

I dont' recall the dragon names being mentioned in the series. They appeared in the last season's finale and that was it. There's only been 1 dragon at a time on screen in S2. No names have been mentioned. I suggest you stay out of the no spoiler thread because you're a bit too enthusiastic and did reveal a few bits or what's not been shown. I'm no spoiler phobe, but your posts range from in depth what's happening now to discussing what avser's thoughts are regarding events 1000 pages further in. I post over there and am careful. Let that thread develop as the series progresses...no matter how wrong their conclusions may be.

Yeah, but he was just trying to help, at least thats how I read it.

That's the problem with spoilers. Everybody has a different tolerance threshold. Most people who give spoilers don't even realize what they have done and are just trying to help, but most people in a no spoilers thread don't want help from somebody who has knowledge of the material outside of the show. I know I wouldn't. That's what this thread is for.

I have given all the participants in the non-spoiler/tv show thread my word and have promised to behave myself in the other thread. I just want to be part of as many things as possible pertaining to the series in general because I enjoy it that much. Honestly my statement about the dragon names was not meant to be malicious and was just trying to be helpful and informative. By making that statement I was actually able to gauge what will and will not be tolerated in that thread so if anything it was a learning experience.

I just realized that we have not touched upon Bronn being made Lord Commandsr of the City Watch or commonly referred to as Goldcloaks. To tell ya the truth I prefer this to what actually happens in the books with Jocelyn Bywater who replaced Janos Slynt under Tyrion's orders. This change does not alter the story at all in my opinion. Some might have issue with Bronn not having a title or any holdings. Janos Slynt was nothing more than a butchers son but at least he was a knight and carried the title of Ser. Joffrey took away the importance of titles and the idea of only knights being in these key positions when he gave the Hound a white cloak of the Kingsguard.

I'd have to say I've been pleased so far by how carefully they've edited the story. There hasn't been a blatant misstep yet for me. A couple of changes have made me wonder a little, but if I was forced to choose I'd have to admit the series has overall improved the storyline.

HBO is changing GOT's script to enable each book to be covered in a single season.

So far, the changes have little effect... but... time will tell how far HBO deviates from the books story line.

In order to flesh out GOT's characters and get the complete story...

I really think it's necessary to read the books.

I agree with everything you just said but I think the Reeds or the lack of Reeds is going to be the first big deviation for the story. HBO has done such a good job so far and many critics and fans have praised them for keeping so close to the original material but I think this change might be the end of that.

If someone chooses not to read the books then "a wiki of ice and fire" is very informative and will explain the story and characters enough to get the full experience of the books.

I have to admit after finishing the 2nd book I wondered how they could cover it all in one season...The fight at Kings Landing has to be at least one episode, maybe two with the aftermath...at least I'm hoping it is.

I think I read somewhere that they will be showing around 15 minutes of actual battle scenes. Supposedly the 15% increase in budget from last year is just for this episode. We also have the pleasure of GRRM writing this particular episode.

That doesn't seem long enough but maybe they will surprise me... the fact Martin will be writing it gives me hope

15 minutes of tv time is a while and will seem much longer. I feel like they are going to focus on the tyrell and lannister reinforcements too much rather than Tyrion. If this doesn't get screwed up I will have much more faith on the wilding vs. nights watch battle next season which I'm much more excited for.

Aw, c'mon, the river on fire? It could be a spectacular shot. But if you're talking the battle at the Wall, that could be worth waiting for also.

Battle scenes are cool but they do become repetitive after a bit. Just so many swinging the swords and shooting the bow one can see.
I do like what they are doing with the story on the TV show. I like the books but the books do suffer from character bloat IMO. Reading Dragons I kept saying to myself "enough George, give the story a kick in the ass and lets get going!".

It took you until Dragons???

I feel compelled to comment on The "Dances with Dragons" book.
I had never heard of the book series until last year when HBO aired
GoT. I enjoyed the HBO show so much that I purchased the
first 4 books and read them. I agree that with the "Feast of Crows" the
storyline started to...drag a bit. However,as soon "Dances" was released
I snagged it up the first day of release.

I honestly feel that "Dances" was simply the worst
book I have ever read. (There I said It). I read an funny comment
on Amazon where a reader said that he thought Martin was being
paid by the word. At this point I am not sure if Martin knows where
he is going with this story and quite frankly I dont think I care.
He will not be receiving anymore of my hard earned money. IF
I feel compelled to read any further books of the series they will
be purchased at a second hand bookstore only if they receive
positive reviews.

Rant over...sorry.
That being said... I love the HBO show and Sunday night is most eagerly
awaited. I will continue to watch this season and as many more as they
see fit to produce. I am hoping that with the HBO committment to his book series
that Martin will "get his act together".

A similar feeling happened to me during my read of a Storm of Swords. It had been a few years since I'd read Clash. I found there were just a few POV characters that I cared about. I couldn't remember where they were in there arcs...and he kept adding more secondary characters and arcs, rarely getting back to the ones I preferred. I started skimming. Once you start skimming, the magic is gone. I found out what happened generally in the story and specifically for my favorites, but decided I wouldn't read further. GRRM can write some great dialog, create compelling archetypical characters and terribly bent ones, write a great scene, but his choices and world building need to be tightened considerably. I'm also not a fan of stories without balance. If you're going to write sympathetic and despicable, I find no enjoyment in seeing despicable continually, if not triumph, at least maintain constant advantage through overwhelming numbers and catastrophic happenstance over sympathetic.

The series hasn't scratched the surface of how dark this story gets. I see expectation of payoffs in the posts in the other thread. I'm wondering if that audience will lose enthusiasm during S3 or 4 when they realize that any true payoff is a long, long time coming and might be with a wholly different roster of characters or sole survivors.

That's my rant...I'm enjoying the series and find the contraction of the story beneficial. Will the editing be enough to not have the story bog down? We'll see.

Hmm, I thought Dances had a much better pace than A Feast for Crows. I certainly skimmed through some of the Ironborn chapters. If you thought the pacing was slow, don't ever try and read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, past the first book anyways.

I had thought AFFC was slow, but on my reread it was really good. ADWD was just an awful mess and definitely dropped into a level with Jordan.

In my case it is entirely possible that it was the cummaltive effect of
both books. I didnt expect every book to be outstanding, but the
story?/pacing of the last 2 really soured me.

It is not my wish to derail this thread any further with
criticism of the book series...sorry. However I am definately
curious as to how these books will be adapted by HBO.

I am most definately a fan.
.

I think they are planning on combining books 4+5 into one season for the show. I think this will actually be easy to do considering all the parts in both books that did nothing to move the story forward, especially those horribly boring Brienne stories. Since the storylines In both books take place almost concurrently I see this as a good thing.

Who do you guys think should be cast as the new characters for season 3. I have only thought up 1 character that I think would be great and that is Ray Park for Oberyn Martell. The reason I thought of this is because his skills with a staff as we all saw when he played Darth Maul was fantastic. I would love to see him throw down against Gregor in their duel. Other actors that need to be cast are hopefully and some probably won't even make it to the tv show but it's still fun to speculate. What do you guys think?

Jojen Reed -
Meera Reed - Saorsie Ronan
Mance Rayder - Liam Neeson
Tormund Giantsbane - Ron Perlman
Val - Keira Knightly
Dalla
Varamyr Sixskins - Mads Mikkelson
Edinmure Tully - Ewen Mcgregor
Hoster Tully - Peter O'Toole
Brynden "Blackfish" Tully -
Bowen Marsh - Pete Postlethwaithe
Cotter Pyke -
Mace Tyrell - Tom Berenger
Garlan "The Galliant" Tyrell -
Doran Martell - Steve Buscemi
Arianne Martell
Oberyn "Red Viper" Martell - Ray Park
Ser Gerold "Darkstar" Dayne -
Ser Lyn Corbray - Til Sweiger
Victarian Greyjoy - Ray Stevenson
Euron "Crow's Eye" Greyjoy - Ray Winstone
Ramsey "Reek" Snow-Bolton - Cillian Murphy
Jeyne Pool
Frey's??
Vargo Hoat
Qyburn
Olenna "Queen of Thorns" Redwyne

I just realized 3 of the first people I suggested were all In the Phantom Menace and I didn't even do this on purpose. Obviously these actors would never do this show because they would never pay them enough and their schedules would never allow it but it's still fun. I only had about 4 names but then I just kept adding more. Some obviously could have better choices so please change it around.

That would be quite the get.

... as he is not with us anymore. :-(