"The things i do for love" Game of Thrones is here

[locustsofdeath!]

The "unfocused" start of the season probably has a bit to do with the fact that all of the characters are spread out now - in season one we had most of the main characters all in one place. They were at Winterfell and then King's Landing, and even when John went to the Wall, Tyrion was with him, same with Catlyn and Tyrion being together then Catlyn and Robb, ect, ect. Now they're separated all over the world so the show jumps around. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out on the show, but each novel from here on out could really do with two seasons each for fleshing out.

[Roger Godpleton]

I find it a bit odd to single out one member of an ensemble cast as the draw. Was there a particular lead in The Wire or Deadwood who would've been considered indispensable?

Both shows were low rated.

[mogzilla]

i have read the books with the exception of dance for dragons but cant remeber most of it so it is enjoyable seeing it all unfold ,and find out what happens to the boys? tyrions handling of slynt (?) was commendable and arrya is brilliant as always ,still dont believe it was the kid's first gig.!

[Third Estate Ned]

I've just found out Tyrion's bodyguard Bronn is actually Jerome Flynn, as in Robson & Jerome the fictional crooning squaddies and Simon Cowell protégé. I don't know how to take that. I never would have realised.

[radiator]

Yeah I only realised it was Jerome Flynn when someone told me - funny how Robson and Jerome ended up both being memorable badasses of genre TV - Robson Green was equally excellent as a grizzled Geordie werewolf in series 3 of Being Human.

In other pleasing Game of Thrones casting revelations - Jack Gleeson (Joffrey) played the innocent blond boy in Batman Begins (Batman gives him a batarang while climbing the side of an apartment building so he can prove to his mates that he saw him), and Sandor Clegane aka The Hound is played by Rory Mcann - who played Timothy Dalton's simpleton henchman in Hot Fuzz - "Yarp!".

[Third Estate Ned]

I wouldn't have thought the yarp henchman would be capable of such gravitas. By the way, if anyone's thinking of looking up GoT characters and actors on Wikipedia be warned you will be spoilered in the face from the outset. My fault, but be warned.

[radiator]

Yes, I found that out when I googled a particular character to find the name of the actor - the very first Google result was the character's Wiki entry that began "(character name) was...", basically letting me know that he's going to die at some point. Hardly a massive spoiler where Game of Thrones is concerned, but still a little annoying.

[Satanist]

The Hound will always be the Porridge Oats guy! Stood next to him in a pub years back, he's a big lad!

Starting to really enjoy this season now after feeling it was a bit disjointed at the start. Was interested to see how they would show the ***don't read if you aint seen latest ep or read books***

[spoiler]fanny shadow[/spoiler]

and was pleasantly surprised at how they handled it.

Some cracking banter in this ep, Bronn in particular.

[radiator]

Never mind that, what about the [spoiler]massive-naval-battle-freaky-magical-napalm-extravaganza[/spoiler] at the end of book two?

How on Earth are they going to even hint at the scale of that ([spoiler]knowing that they don't even have the budget to show combat any bigger than one vs one[/spoiler])? Or are they just going to completely rewrite the ending? I hope they keep it in, even if we just get to glimpse it - perhaps through the windows of the castle as characters observe it from a distance?

[locustsofdeath!]

From what I understand, the production is skimping here and there to "save up" for the [spoiler]Big Battle[/spoiler]. If you notice, even the shows' running times so far have been shorter than the episodes in season one.

[brendan1]

From what I understand, the production is skimping here and there to "save up" for the [spoiler]Big Battle[/spoiler]. If you notice, even the shows' running times so far have been shorter than the episodes in season one.

They seem to have more ad breaks than even Walking Dead on FX

[Satanist]

Im sure I read somewhere that the budget had been increased this season and that they promised MOAR WAR!

[mogzilla]

read somewhere one of the cast describes one episode as one big battle,plus they dont have to pay sean bean's wages...tyrion's deffo the glue holding this season i love his clever manipulating of all un sundry...

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

At first I was a wee bit annoyed with the overuse of Tyrion. For the first few episodes it seemed like the producer's were just cynically shoving him into as many scenes as they could.

BUT

It's starting to make sense. The first season revolved around Ned, who was the Hand of the King. Now Tyrion is the Hand of the King and now he's the centre of events. It work's.

*Stuff about the books
[spoiler]*To be fair in the books, Tyrion is a big player, but so are Danaerys and Jon Snow. And the two latter have been practically absent, Jon Snow wasn't in the latest episode at all. The producers have a difficult balancing act to perform. I think the show has benefitted from the lack of Dany, I found her early chapter's from Storm of Swords are fairly dull. I would prefer to see Jon Snow's adventures beyond the wall expanded upon though, but that's just because the Night's Watch are my favourite faction in the books.[/spoiler]

Also I learned a fantastic word which describes many of the scenes on the show: Sexposition.

[Radbacker]

jesus the end of the episode was terrifying, cant wait till next week.  [spoiler]The Boy king is an absolute evil cunt, and Harranhall scenes were suitably horrific, loved Tywins entrance and spotting Arri as a girl straight away.  Like the Robb scenes with Lord Bolton, the whole flaying references were well placed, now as it's changed a bit from the books i take it the girl on the battle field is Jayne Westerly? i missed the name if it was brought up[/spoiler]

I think Episode 8's the big one, directed by Neil Marshal (Dog Soldiers, that Mad Max rip off).  He seems to be able to work wonders with small budgets in the movies so i have faith its going to be suitably epic, hope they don't short change Tyrion like they did in season one's battle.
I tyhink the big question is can they truelly fit book 3 in a single 10 episode season, they really should split it if they dont want to extend the season there's a very natural split point in the book that would leave peopl gobsmaked if they went with it.

CU Radbacker