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

[mygrimmbrother]

I've been wondering if the success of GoT and Walking Dead would mean more genre shows from the classy US networks. I'd like to see Preacher and Anno Dracula personally, think both would make for fascinating, character driven pulpy thrills. With 2 solid hits in the bank, now's the time to look at adapting more methinks.

[brendan1]

I've been wondering if the success of GoT and Walking Dead would mean more genre shows from the classy US networks. I'd like to see Preacher and Anno Dracula personally, think both would make for fascinating, character driven pulpy thrills. With 2 solid hits in the bank, now's the time to look at adapting more methinks.

Hmmm. I think GOT was an obvious sell, due to the success of LOTR in the cinema, and also the millions of people reading the books. Walking Dead had an obviously smaller installed base, but then zombies are _ or were - really popular, and then there's Darabont's involvement.

I reckon they're the only two obvious "models" for future TV adaptations, but I supsect that if we do get a slew of "me-too"s it won't be pretty at all.

[mygrimmbrother]

I've reminded myself of Mr Partridge:

"Spender, Bergerac, Taggart, Morse - what does that tell you about regional detective shows?"

"There's too many of them?"

"That's one way of looking at it, another way would be 'people like them, lets' make some more of them'."

[Emperor]

An interview with the droid known as Will Simpson on his work drawing storyboard for GoT:

www.derryjournal.com/lifestyle/entertainment/derry-s-game-of-thrones-1-3894497

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

That was indeed a tremendous episode (and an incredible achievement on a TV budget), but overall this series has been somewhat of a mixed bag compared to series one. I hate to be one of those 'I've read the books' moaners; I understand - even prefer - the majority of the unavoidable changes made during adaptation, I just simply can't understand a few of the decisions the producers made - things that really undermined the drama of certain key moments. Most obviously changing the story so that [spoiler]Catelyn frees Jaime before she finds out about Bran and Rickon[/spoiler], which was baffling and only served to severely weaken her character.

Good point. I thought that was an odd decision too.

Arya's [spoiler]escape from Harrenhal was also completely fudged -[/spoiler] it's a thrilling chapter in the book and I couldn't wait to see it unfold on screen - was completely gutted that they didn't even try to even suggest the 'weasel soup' incident.

Well they changed an awful lot about Arya's arc. [spoiler]She slowly crawled her way through the ranks of serfdom before becoming a cup bearer to the lord of Harrenhal. Maybe I'm misremembering, but it pretty sure she wasn't Lord tywin's personal cup bearer in the books. Overall I think the decision to change things up was made so Arya's story tied into the larger narrative more. I've always found Arya's story to be largely isolated from the major events from book 2 onwards.[/spoiler]

I also found Jon Snow a little short-changed. I really liked him in series one, but this time he came across as a whiney, bumbling idiot and an irresponsible liability. His actions were much more deliberate and sympathetic as portrayed in the novel.

My take on Book John Snow Vs. TV John Snow:[spoiler]In the books I gained more sympathy with The Bastard because the narrative better explains what's going on in his head. It would have been difficult to portray his thoughts on screen without a clumsy internal monologue device, or maybe a sillly conversation with his wolf. Although one thing I did pick up on in his onscreen battle with the halfhand; just before he runs the halfhand through, John seems to share a wee look with the halfhand. I thought that one wee look was very effective[/spoiler]

I'm nearing the end of part one of A Storm of Swords now, and much as I'm desperate to read on I'm going to try and stop now, because it's kind of spoiled series 2 for me to be honest. It's way more satisfying to do it the other way round - TV show first, then book.

Well you can hardly claim it's more satisfying if you haven't done it in the reverse order. Having read the books first has made it much easier for me to follow. But then again, I can't possibly know how hard it is to follow the TV show without having read the books.

Overall I've found the adaptation has paid great tribute to the text. I have thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of supporting character's like Bronn, the Hound, Varys, Dolourous Ed, Sam, Littlefinger and Maester Luwin. The highlight of the cast though, is that young fella that plays Joffrey. He really is a little shit.

[TordelBack]

Hard to follow, you say?  Here's a handy guide:

http://www.collegehumor.com/article/6778815/name-of-thrones-who-every-game-of-thrones-character-is

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

Hard to follow, you say?  Here's a handy guide:

http://www.collegehumor.com/article/6778815/name-of-thrones-who-every-game-of-thrones-character-is

Pfft, they left out BALDY NO BALLS and THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE

[radiator]

That was indeed a tremendous episode (and an incredible achievement on a TV budget), but overall this series has been somewhat of a mixed bag compared to series one. I hate to be one of those 'I've read the books' moaners; I understand - even prefer - the majority of the unavoidable changes made during adaptation, I just simply can't understand a few of the decisions the producers made - things that really undermined the drama of certain key moments. Most obviously changing the story so that [spoiler]Catelyn frees Jaime before she finds out about Bran and Rickon[/spoiler], which was baffling and only served to severely weaken her character.

Good point. I thought that was an odd decision too.

Arya's [spoiler]escape from Harrenhal was also completely fudged -[/spoiler] it's a thrilling chapter in the book and I couldn't wait to see it unfold on screen - was completely gutted that they didn't even try to even suggest the 'weasel soup' incident.

Well they changed an awful lot about Arya's arc. [spoiler]She slowly crawled her way through the ranks of serfdom before becoming a cup bearer to the lord of Harrenhal. Maybe I'm misremembering, but it pretty sure she wasn't Lord tywin's personal cup bearer in the books. Overall I think the decision to change things up was made so Arya's story tied into the larger narrative more. I've always found Arya's story to be largely isolated from the major events from book 2 onwards.[/spoiler]

I also found Jon Snow a little short-changed. I really liked him in series one, but this time he came across as a whiney, bumbling idiot and an irresponsible liability. His actions were much more deliberate and sympathetic as portrayed in the novel.

My take on Book John Snow Vs. TV John Snow:[spoiler]In the books I gained more sympathy with The Bastard because the narrative better explains what's going on in his head. It would have been difficult to portray his thoughts on screen without a clumsy internal monologue device, or maybe a sillly conversation with his wolf. Although one thing I did pick up on in his onscreen battle with the halfhand; just before he runs the halfhand through, John seems to share a wee look with the halfhand. I thought that one wee look was very effective[/spoiler]

I'm nearing the end of part one of A Storm of Swords now, and much as I'm desperate to read on I'm going to try and stop now, because it's kind of spoiled series 2 for me to be honest. It's way more satisfying to do it the other way round - TV show first, then book.

Well you can hardly claim it's more satisfying if you haven't done it in the reverse order.

I have - with series one.

[radiator]

Re: Jon snow - its completely different in book vs tv show - in the book he makes a conscious decision to let Ygritte go - something that Quorin anticipated and doesn't condemn.

What becomes of Jon (and I haven't seen episode 10 yet so I can't directly compare) seemed a lot more planned, or more like the rangers had no choice and were making the best of a bad situation. It certainly wasnt because of Jon's ineptitude that the others died, it's just how it went down.

Overall, In the tv show Jon comes across like a bumbling fucking idiot, whereas in the book he seems brave, pragmatic and honourable.

[radiator]

I've had my doubts about series 2 of GoT, but I've just watched episode 10 and bloody hell, that scene at the end - my jaw literally dropped. I've actually got goosebumps.

That. was. incredible.

There's been a lot of controversy regarding Dany's storyline deviating so wildly from the book, but in the end, I thought it worked out really well and actually made a lot of sense as a narrative.

Amazed they wrapped things up so well, just a shame that they didn't explain the situation at Winterfell better. I actually got a bit choked up at a certain character's farewell, though.

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

Pub banter: For all the various permutatations, one on one, who would win in a fight?
The Hound (Little King Shithead's bodyguard)
Bronn (The Imp's Bodyguard)
Brienne (The ma-hassive female knight)

[radiator]

Here's an audio interview with Neil Marshall about his experiences directing Blackwater - well worth a listen:

http://soundcloud.com/empiremagazine/empire-podcast-neil-marshall

[brendan1]

Pub banter: For all the various permutatations, one on one, who would win in a fight?
The Hound (Little King Shithead's bodyguard)
Bronn (The Imp's Bodyguard)
Brienne (The ma-hassive female knight)

The Hound.

But Gregor would fuck 'em all up, good style.

[Emp]

Have to go with the Hound

[radiator]

A ton of new castings have been announced for season 3, and some of them are freakin' awesome!

[spoiler]Paul Kaye[/spoiler] as [spoiler]Thoros of Myr[/spoiler]!!!

[spoiler]Diana Rigg[/spoiler] as [spoiler]The Queen of Thorns[/spoiler]!!!

And [spoiler]Thomas Sangster[/spoiler] is a great choice for [spoiler]Jojen Reed[/spoiler], so glad those characters are appearing - I presumed they'd been cut entirely when they didn't appear in season 2...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rpSDSgChsaI#!