Game of Thrones TV Thread **HBO-Purists ONLY**

[baudib]

It's kind of common to epic fantasies. I mean, half of LOTR is reciting ancient poems/songs by the fireside, running into nonconsequential characters like Tom Bombadil and talking about food or oliphants...and Tolkien doesn't even properly end the damn story.

[wufwugy]

I honestly don't really think LOTR books were that good. I read the Hobbit and the first two hundred pages of Fellowship like three times. I could not get into them like other fantasies, and I really hated his style.

I know I could get flamed for the blasphemy of not liking LOTR (especially since I never even got into them), but it only makes sense. People like things for novel reasons and skill develops over time, yet people tend to not acknowledge this. On that alone, it's very likely that LOTR is quite overrated due to being the first of its kind. Like the Beatles

Frankly, if I reread them I bet I'd find that something like Rose of the Prophet is much better than LOTR. Can't be sure though since I haven't read a fantasy in over a decade

[Hoopy]

I've been reading the first 2 books while watching the episodes. Both books were fun to read but I tend to like the genre so might be a bit biased.

If they don't mess around the characters too much and keep a similar pace to the first season then the second season should be really good.

[baudib]

What made Tolkien great was his creativity in inventing wholly alien/nonhuman cultures and sophisticated languages. The stories themselves are quite good imo but his writing style is archaic -- the movies are very good and are true to the spirit of the books although there is very little original dialogue.

That's the second Prophet of the Rose reference you made in this thread -- I read those books and liked them but only read them once. I honestly can't remember a damned thing about them, I only read them when I was young because I was a big Dragonlance fan.

Nothing in fiction/sci-fi/fantasy remotely compares to the original 6 Dune books, IMO.

[wufwugy]

I was mainly a Drizzt Do'Urden guy. Quit reading fantasy when teenage years came around though

[baudib]

I read Drizzt, too. I even corresponded with RAS. I'm probably twice your age though?

[wufwugy]

I'm twenty-eight

[baudib]

ok, i was thinking you were born in the 1990s.

[wufwugy]

ur mom was born in the 1990s

[baudib]

hahah

well i still read Drizzt, pretty lame i know. but i've invested too much time in the character as well as the FR world to give it up.

[wufwugy]

TMI: I stopped reading Drizzt because of depression. I then stopped reading fiction altogether due to even more depression, then that depression made me the cynic I am today, and now I only read factual stuff that provides my ego with the intellectual fortitude to pwn people for being wrong

[wufwugy]

Drizzt is sooooooo fucking cool though. Ultimate mysterious, majestic badass. He's the guy who rolls into some town, sits in the corner of the tavern, some asshat tries to pick a fight with him and some bitch looks at him like he's a freak, next day he leaves town, a few days later he sees a band of bad guys moving towards the town and they're planning to rape and pillage, he halts his journey and considers things but ultimately decides to turn around, stalks the band of baddies, finds them and slices them up in an epicly one-sided battle, then goes back to his merry cyptic mythical wander, and the townsfolk never knew who saved them and even that they were saved. At some point way down the road of of his journey, he finds himself back in the town banging the hottest broad it has

Oh wait that's who I wish I was, not Drizzt. The fantasy is hugely inspired by Drizzt though

[baudib]

Totally tilted me that Drizzt didn't get laid for the first 15 books or something.

[wufwugy]

I actually liked that about him, but that's my idea of the ultimate badass. Not that he doesn't get laid, but that nobody knows about it

[baudib]

ya but he totally coulda shagged Alustriel and Cattie-Brie was begging for some scimitar thrusts for years.

looking at us jacking the geek thread into an even bigger geek thread.

[wufwugy]

[mbiz]

Ugh spoilers are tempting, anyone else read the books? You can sure pick the actors that have and haven't (and that have maybe)

[wufwugy]

Flomo's got that car at a full tank ready to bring some homemade Sing Sing to any people who bring book spoilers

[BennyLaRue]

I've read all but the latest one. Since it's concurrent to the 4th book, I really can't see how he can wrap everything up with only two books left to go.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the HBO series if it lasts longer than 4-5 seasons. Will they wait for the next book to be published or then depart from the books?

STAY BACK, FLOMO. THAR BE NO SPOILERS HERE.

[boost]

HBO isn't retarded, obv they have in the contract that they get access to his notes if he were to die... I'd assume they also get access to his notes if he simply doesn't finish the final two books in the next 5 years...

[BennyLaRue]

I'd assume they also get access to his notes if he simply doesn't finish the final two books in the next 5 years...

I don't find this likely. He'd be remiss to allow the show to reveal secret secrets before the books can be published.

If anything, I think the presence of the show will put greater pressure on Martin so he publishes the next two quicker than the every-5-years he's been taking. I just hope he's able to put together a sensible story that doesn't feel rushed. That said, he really isn't making any progress. Apparently, he only has 100 pages of Book 6 written and only because it was originally supposed to be in Book 5 but was removed.

As for him dying before the end of the series, it's crossed my mind. He is pretty fat.

[wufwugy]

My guess is HBO and R.R. have a very tight relationship. HBO is leaps and bounds more savvy than any other network, so assuming they'd have things done right is a good assumption

[boost]

My guess is HBO and R.R. have a very tight relationship. HBO is leaps and bounds more savvy than any other network, so assuming they'd have things done right is a good assumption

Ya, this is how I was seeing it. It's not like HBO twisted his arm and forced him into some deal with loopholes that are terribad for him. HBO treats it's creators/writers/actors/etc like family... or at least that is the impression that I get. Obviously they want to make money, but also they genuinely seem interested in supporting and nurturing quality art. For example Treme got renewed for a third season, yet it has dismal ratings. I doubt it gets a fourth season, but HBO has given Simon a chance to wrap things up.

[philly and the phanatics]

[wufwugy]

Speaking of best quotes

In the game of thrones, you win or you die

Ain't that the motherfucking truth about everything

[Halv]

There is only one thing we say to Death: "not today".

Just finished rewatching, even better on second run.

[Jack Sawyer]

Syrio Forel is my favorite character. Too bad his role was so limited.

[wufwugy]

Some people think the hooded guy in the wagon/cage when Arya goes to the caravan bound for The Wall is Syrio in disguise. But it's not because he was clearly written to die when he did; giving Arya her final lesson just moments before the Lannister soldiers showed up and all. The most likely explanation is that the hooded dude is a key/new character who wasn't cast for season two yet.

[baudib]

I got Clash of Kings today from a friend, not sure I actually want to read it and spoil the next season, but I guess there's 0 chance I can hold off that long.

[philly and the phanatics]

i liked game of thrones better than clash of kings, still need to pick up storm of swords, heard that one is the best of the 3

[BennyLaRue]

i liked game of thrones better than clash of kings, still need to pick up storm of swords, heard that one is the best of the 3

It's the best of the 3 mentioned and the best of the 5 published, fo sho.

[baudib]

I'm only 355 pages into Clash of Kings, which is a mere 1/3 of the book ffs.

I like it.

[BennyLaRue]

I read the first 4 books in 16 days.

You're weak.

[philly and the phanatics]

i didnt dislike it, i just didnt like it as much as the first book

[jackvance]

I watched the series last week, really good. Too bad the second season won't air until last year

Only thing was that the amount of characters and who is what got sometimes confusing. Haven't read the books btw.

[baudib]

I read the first 4 books in 16 days.

You're weak.

I would have finished sooner but I was busy with your mom.

[BennyLaRue]

I would have finished sooner but I was busy with your mom.

Did she yell at you too?

[baudib]

Finished books 2/3, working on Feast of Crows now.

book 3 - wow wtf

[Roid_Rage]

lololol

A fucking +

[Roid_Rage]

I've read all the books to date. Get better as they go imo, except for Feast for Crows or w/e, that one was like 6/10, but still better than most.

Downloaded season 1 last week, marathoned that bitch in one day. Very very impressed with HBO in keeping with the books and developing characters extremely well.

[boost]

So, guys, get this...

Bbickes finally got around to watching GoT. He watched s1 in one day-- possibly one sitting, but this is not confirmed. Immediately after brutally marathoning ten episodes of awesomeness, he found and ingested the spark notes for all of the books. Since watching s1 a few weeks ago, he has watched it a total of seven (7) times. Bbickes likes to discuss the show. I live with this person.

[wufwugy]

i thought bbickes was bikes

[boost]

Yes, Bbickes is bikes.

[bikes]

I mean do you see me call you out in public for all your character flaws? I'm more than intelligent enough to know when to stfu and not spoil anything the same way anyone who's read the books did not spoil anything itt.

And back to Syrio it's been referenced several times itt what happened to him as well.

[a500lbgorilla]

I mean do you see me call you out in public for all your character flaws?

Boost basically pantsed you and spanked your ass openly. No reason not to let it flow.

Of course, a deep and reverent appreciation for the television and spark notes editions of the first in George R. R. Martin's epic A Song of Ice and Fire is not a character flaw.

[wufwugy]

I thought bikes lived in Thailand and boost in Chicago

[philly and the phanatics]

both are in thailand iirc

[bikes]

Life tips with Gregor Clegane...

Have you lost the tournament? SWORD!

Did you lose your job? SWORD!

Your wife has left you? SWORD!

Your roommate is snoring? SWORD!

SWORD!: the answer to all life problems.

Side effects may include gore in your clothes and vengefull little pricks. Apply SOAP! to the first and SWORD! to second

[bikes]

season 2 trailer. i am excite

APRIL 1ST season premier

IF YOU ARE LYING TO ME AND THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE HBO I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU IN YOUR SLEEP

[boost]

HBO staff has a collective sleep? How does that work?

[bikes]

HBO staff has a collective sleep? How does that work?

I am going to use my internet superpowers which including forcing them to breathe manually and hearing the final countdown in their head. it's been a while since you cleared your throat, realize there is not comfortable spot in your mouth for your tongue, you are producing saliva as well, your body itches in at least one place, and you now realize that you have to go to the bathroom.

with these powers i cannot fail.

[wufwugy]

Youtube search "game thrones special feature". The first video that comes up is some extra content stuff and IMO implies what the series is really about. Not really a spoiler, as it's just a guess and I have no clue, but I'm totally right, and if I'm not it'll be revealed in like six years and nobody will care

so in white the real game of thrones is the battle between the gods, enacted through the people. "The Stranger" is easily the White Walker Winter Is Coming guys, and I hope we end up seeing much more of their culture. Everybody else like Daenarys and Snow will be the sort of representatives of the other gods in coalition battling the Stranger

[boost]

wow, awesome.

A little ego boost for you wuf... after that introduction, there are very few people who I would have trusted enough to have highlighted the text and read on.

[lolzzz_321]

HVD

[Renton]

hodor is the best one

[Renton]

Also,

April 1, 2012

[dranger7070]

Yay!

Birthday present for me.

Cersei/Jaime one best, not close. Makes me wish I had a sister... *tear*

[bikes]

+1 to hodor. not close. concur

[dranger7070]

Your understanding of the phrase 'not close' is poor at best.

:3

[boost]

Tyrion is getting far too little love. Hodor one is ok, but imagine actually giving someone the Tyrion Valentine...

[wufwugy]

hodor hodor HODOR hodor hodor HODOR hodor

[wufwugy]

boost, about the dragons, ive heard a couple things about the books that make me think that the magic and stuff *could* change things

not any specific spoilers at all, just something people have said about the books, not what's in the books. i could be completely wrong since i dont know any specific spoilers

in white

i think story in the books completely changes at a later date. i dont know this, but it's possible the "game of thrones" is no longer what it's about when the story does change. this is part of why i think it eventually becomes about a struggle between the gods "avatars" or something and magic and stuff

[boost]

Ah, ok, that makes sense-- continued in white

--and actually this could be the reason behind the naming of the show, because they don't really want to go too far down that path, and they plan to deviate from the books and stick more to the political intrigue format of the first (and second?) book(s).


Anyways... what's the consensus on discussing e02, which was released to some European HBOgo subscribers, and is therefore obviously readily available if you care to look. Maybe we can mod the thread title to say something about s02e02 discussion taking place?

[wufwugy]

honestly, i think hbo is going to solve the problems of the books. i somewhat expect them to cut out a good deal of what people hate in the books, and to tell the story in a fluid way. i forget where i heard this, but i think hbo is writing the show not to be like "season 2 = book 2" but that the story of book 2 will be told in more than one season, or something to that effect

this is the way to do it imo, and part of me thinks that hbo is calling it game of thrones instead of song of ice and fire for a reason. i just cant help but complain about the use of magic in this sort of story. if you'll notice, fantasy novels virtually always revolve around their magic worlds, not around the story intricacies. so meshing the two strikes me as being reeeeally tricky

im down with talking hbogo eps, but not sure about others

i pirate this shit because piracy is really heroing since the only reason people think that filesharing hurts sales is through corporations lying. piracy soon to be known as greyjoying imo

[boost]

Yarrr..

I think that magic is really important in this story, as it helps to contrast their world with ours. It allows a certain level of suspension of belief when it comes to the more "realistic" aspects of the show. And it allows for artistic liberty with simple things like ravens instead of pigeons. Also, you cite the dragons as a point of concern a lot, yet not the dire wolves. Look how awesomely both have been treated so far. I really am just not worried about HBO dropping the ball and LOTRing it up here.

[baudib]

piracy soon to be known as greyjoying imo

This is brilliant. I've read beyond season 2. This isn't super spoilish but I'll post in white as well.

I'm not against magic in storytelling per se, but I agree it can be done poorly. I'm into sci-fi and fantasy big time, and there are some magic/technology that works well and some that doesn't. IMO these genres are unique because it allows you to deal with real-life issues in ways that other shows cannot. For example, "True Blood" offers pretty interesting commentary on race, sexual orientation, religious fanaticism, etc., in ways that would be harder to do in a straight-forward "realistic" show.

I don't think you guys will be disappointed, btw. Melisandre is very prominent, and the fact that the Targaryens are literally descendent from dragons is crucial to the storyline, as are the Others. But the books are still, first and foremost, about political intrigue, and purely human stories about betrayal, love, lust, etc.

[bikes]

spoilers in white. actual spoilers

LORD BERIC FUCKING DONDARRION

[lolzzz_321]

Spoiler: Show

we have a spoiler tag

[a500lbgorilla]

Spoiler: Show

[baudib]

Spoiler: Show

we have a spoiler tag

oh

[BennyLaRue]

Relevant but unspecific book spoilers:

Spoiler: Show

It doesn't get terribly magicky. It stays Game of Throney.

[boost]

all of a sudden this is a book thread, eh?

well I had a quick chat with renton about e02, I'll look back over it and post some bits that will hopefully spark some actual show discussion.

[BennyLaRue]

all of a sudden this is a book thread, eh.

Like I said, it was relevant to the conversation.

[wufwugy]

gendry and arya will make a baby. that baby will unite the baratheons and starks in like season five or some shit. PREDICTION

[wufwugy]

if i get book spoiled im gonna be pissed. i already know one important character who dies at some later date (thanks dumbass google)