HBO - Song of Ice&Fire Series -Varsity Thread - no TV only whiners (1 Viewer)

[Harry Manback]

So how is the viewership of this series? Does it seem likely to get picked up and carried through to completion? The storyline continues to be awesome in subsequent books, but in reality it is going to be the number of viewers that dictates the series.

My biggest worry is cost. How much is it costing HBO to produce? Are they going to be able to continue it? Wasn't expense the reason Rome wasn't stretched any longer than it was?

Already picked up for the 2nd season and the numbers have been growing since the premiere. This past episode was up roughly 20% from the premiere numbers and on Sunday night alone it brings in around 3.5 million viewers between its 2 showings. When you factor in the On Demand & HBOGo viewing, I've heard some large viewing totals being tossed around for this series. Also it is supposedly performing incredibly well overseas. Add in what I presume will be fantastic DVD numbers, and I can't imagine this show is going anywhere in the near future. I don't know if it will make it the full 7 but it will get at worst 3.

Good to hear, if it doesn't I'll definitely be forced to pick up the books.

 

[Spanky267]

I think part of why I dig the show so much is that there's not a lot of gray area with the characters for me. 90% of them, I either really like or really dislike. I'm not ambivalent toward many.

That's how I am as well for the most part. I'm not quite sure what to make of Varys, Greyjoy, and Mormont still, they could go either way. After this past episode Robb jumped way up in the rankings for me.

But why let the spy go? So stupid unless its a misdirection. The Starks are a bunch of morons. They need to do more stabbing and less yapping.

i haven't read the books, but that had to be a misdirection. In that scene, they were just talking about 2 different options for how to attack. I assume they now go with the other option than they one the scout knows. either that or its yet another nail in the Stark coffin

Also, in an earlier scene someone stated they had 18k soldiers. When he asked the spy about his count the spy said he was up to 20k.

The spy was "up" to 20K. Which means he thinks there are more troops in the Stark's army. That helps Robb tremendously. So he let the spy go. This might also force Tywin to be more caustious as his numerical advantage is less than he might think it is.Really enjoying the show.

Speculating here of course, but i think Tywin sees through the misdirection. No one could be so dumb as to let a scout go AND tell him the battle plans. Tywin has to figure that out

No battleplans were revealed. Just the spy's own count of the Stark forces. Robb didnt tell him anything about force strength or composition. All that Robb told the spy was to tell his Lord that winter was coming.

 

[Socrates11]

I haven't read anyone make this point yet: the show now has freakin zombies!! That scene just made it the most awesomest show in the history of awesome!

Tyrion has to be one of the greatest characters ever. Always looking forward to his screen time.

 

[Mister Martie]

Hard to say this is anything but a masterful adaptation of the books. IMO, the thing that has really made this for me is the casting. They have done an absolutely excellent job. My only minor (very very minor) nitpicks so far are:

I think Renly is miscast. I know he is a gayboy, but in the books, he is supposed to be the spitting image of Robert when he was younger. It seems like him and Loras are both bottoms and I think the book suggests Renly is a top.

Isn't Ghost supposed to be mute? I don't remember him barking or growling in the books.

In the scene where Ned calls our Cersei, they left out one cool part from the book. Cersei slaps Ned at one point to which Ned replies that "I'll wear it like a badge of honor." Throwing that back in her face was great.

All in all, great job all around. I love the opening too.

 

[AcerFC]

Hard to say this is anything but a masterful adaptation of the books. IMO, the thing that has really made this for me is the casting. They have done an absolutely excellent job. My only minor (very very minor) nitpicks so far are:

I think Renly is miscast. I know he is a gayboy, but in the books, he is supposed to be the spitting image of Robert when he was younger. It seems like him and Loras are both bottoms and I think the book suggests Renly is a top.

Isn't Ghost supposed to be mute? I don't remember him barking or growling in the books.

In the scene where Ned calls our Cersei, they left out one cool part from the book. Cersei slaps Ned at one point to which Ned replies that "I'll wear it like a badge of honor." Throwing that back in her face was great.

All in all, great job all around. I love the opening too.

Remember the part where Jon breaks into the kids room when they want him to leave Sam alone. Ghost jumps on the bed and growls at the guy and scares him away from beating Sam ever again

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hard to say this is anything but a masterful adaptation of the books. IMO, the thing that has really made this for me is the casting. They have done an absolutely excellent job. My only minor (very very minor) nitpicks so far are:

I think Renly is miscast. I know he is a gayboy, but in the books, he is supposed to be the spitting image of Robert when he was younger. It seems like him and Loras are both bottoms and I think the book suggests Renly is a top.

Isn't Ghost supposed to be mute? I don't remember him barking or growling in the books.

In the scene where Ned calls our Cersei, they left out one cool part from the book. Cersei slaps Ned at one point to which Ned replies that "I'll wear it like a badge of honor." Throwing that back in her face was great.

All in all, great job all around. I love the opening too.

Remember the part where Jon breaks into the kids room when they want him to leave Sam alone. Ghost jumps on the bed and growls at the guy and scares him away from beating Sam ever again

Ghost is mute in the books (at least, he is so far).

 

[gump]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?

I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

 

[parrot]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Greatjon is who Robb's wolf bit the fingers off of the past episode, right?

 

[Gr00vus]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Is Ned supposed to be bad-###, or is he a fake tough guy?

 

[parrot]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Greatjon is who Robb's wolf bit the fingers off of the past episode, right?

Yeah, though he only lost one finger in the book iirc.

 

[parrot]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Is Ned supposed to be bad-###, or is he a fake tough guy?

I would say Ned is presented as plenty capable but not really among the elite. Tier 2 guy.Robert though was bad-### in his day.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Is Ned supposed to be bad-###, or is he a fake tough guy?

I would say Ned is presented as plenty capable but not really among the elite. Tier 2 guy.Robert though was bad-### in his day.

I don't know about that in the book

Spoiler

Ned is thinking back on a battle near the end of the rebellion against 3 of the remaining Kingsguard. It was like 7 on 3 and Ned was only 1 of 2 survivors of the battle. Plus Ned led the siege of Kingslanding once let in by the Lannisters, right? And was bad ### enough back then that Jamie got off the Iron Throne.

 

[Drifter]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Is Ned supposed to be bad-###, or is he a fake tough guy?

I would say Ned is presented as plenty capable but not really among the elite. Tier 2 guy.Robert though was bad-### in his day.

I don't know about that in the book

Spoiler

Ned is thinking back on a battle near the end of the rebellion against 3 of the remaining Kingsguard. It was like 7 on 3 and Ned was only 1 of 2 survivors of the battle. Plus Ned led the siege of Kingslanding once let in by the Lannisters, right? And was bad ### enough back then that Jamie got off the Iron Throne.

Ned is no slouch with a sword but his real strengths were as a military commander. I would agree that he wouldn't be put in the mano a mano elite.

 

[Socrates11]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Is Ned supposed to be bad-###, or is he a fake tough guy?

I would say Ned is presented as plenty capable but not really among the elite. Tier 2 guy.Robert though was bad-### in his day.

I don't know about that in the book

Spoiler

Ned is thinking back on a battle near the end of the rebellion against 3 of the remaining Kingsguard. It was like 7 on 3 and Ned was only 1 of 2 survivors of the battle. Plus Ned led the siege of Kingslanding once let in by the Lannisters, right? And was bad ### enough back then that Jamie got off the Iron Throne.

Ned is the reluctant warrior. Seems to hate to fight and just wants to live in peace. Probably would have been plenty bad ### were he blood-thirsty and loved to fight like Robert, but he's a good fighter all the same.

 

[parrot]

So in the books, is Drogo the Baddest Man in the World?I can't imagine any swordsman has a chance, regardless of how quick, strong, and agile (Jaime is).

Just to be clear, I don't think that duel scene with Drogo is in the book. He gets wounded in battle in the book.Drogo is pretty bad-### in the books but so are a number of other characters; Jaime, the Mountain, the Hound, Barristan Selmy, the Greatjon... and a number of others who haven't been introduced yet.

Is Ned supposed to be bad-###, or is he a fake tough guy?

I would say Ned is presented as plenty capable but not really among the elite. Tier 2 guy.Robert though was bad-### in his day.

I don't know about that in the book

Spoiler

Ned is thinking back on a battle near the end of the rebellion against 3 of the remaining Kingsguard. It was like 7 on 3 and Ned was only 1 of 2 survivors of the battle. Plus Ned led the siege of Kingslanding once let in by the Lannisters, right? And was bad ### enough back then that Jamie got off the Iron Throne.

Spoiler

I don't mean to short-change Ned because he is pretty tough, but seven on three, where only two of the seven walk away sounds pretty tier 2 to me. Ned also says at some point that Arthur Dayne would have killed him that day if it hadn't been for Howland Reed. Dayne would be a contender for top pick in the GOAT draft though, so that's not a big knock on Ned's ability. As far as Jaime giving up the throne to Ned, I never got the impression that it was because Jaime was scared of Ned.

 

[Charlie Frown]

I want to see Thoros of Myr's flaming sword after reading about it during the melee part of the tourney in the book.

 

[beaux]

Has there been an episode without a chick getting rocked from behind yet?

#1: Cersei#2: Daenerys#3: None#4: None#5: Ros#6: None#7: None, unless you count Ros and the whore practicing#8: NoneUpdated through episode 8...

 

[Chadstroma]

Speculating here of course, but i think Tywin sees through the misdirection. No one could be so dumb as to let a scout go AND tell him the battle plans. Tywin has to figure that out

Not if he expects the Stark 'kid' to be a dumb 'kid', which they already showed Tywin to look down on him expecting to run at first sign of battle in the conversation with little Lanister in the tent.

 

[Drifter]

Has there been an episode without a chick getting rocked from behind yet?

#1: Cersei#2: Daenerys

#3: None

#4: None

#5: Ros

#6: None

#7: None, unless you count Ros and the whore practicing (why in the world wouldn't you?)

#8: None

Updated through episode 8...

 

[gump]

Speculating here of course, but i think Tywin sees through the misdirection. No one could be so dumb as to let a scout go AND tell him the battle plans. Tywin has to figure that out

Not if he expects the Stark 'kid' to be a dumb 'kid', which they already showed Tywin to look down on him expecting to run at first sign of battle in the conversation with little Lanister in the tent.

Yep...I agree here. I also think since they didn't show a scene of Robb looking at someone in the room and 'winking' so to speak leads me to believe its was a subtle mis-direction they wanted some viewers to miss.

 

[Chadstroma]

Speculating here of course, but i think Tywin sees through the misdirection. No one could be so dumb as to let a scout go AND tell him the battle plans. Tywin has to figure that out

Not if he expects the Stark 'kid' to be a dumb 'kid', which they already showed Tywin to look down on him expecting to run at first sign of battle in the conversation with little Lanister in the tent.

Yep...I agree here. I also think since they didn't show a scene of Robb looking at someone in the room and 'winking' so to speak leads me to believe its was a subtle mis-direction they wanted some viewers to miss.

Well, you had them specifically state 18K before just a few scenes before. And then the spy says up to 20K and up. Then he lets him go. Couple that with how they have been building him up as a coming of age man that is a mirror of his father (a good man that is smart and capable)- there does not seem like much in as much as options to explain it. It also would be not too hard of a calculation with the reputation of the Lanisters being full of themselves. It would be a smart strategy to leverage their over confidence against them.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

next episode, "Baelor"

 

[shuke]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Should I ask what that is/means?

Stannis question:

Spoiler

so in the show Ned sends a secret letter to Stannis that is to be hand delivered. His guy leaves to do thus and then all the #### goes down the next day it seems. So I'm thinking well maybe Stannis shows up with an army and #### hits the fan. But in the book it appears that thus letter was intercepted and used as evidence of treason (note I only read up to about the previous episode). So my question is what's up with Stannis? Will we see him this season? Is he a bad ###? ( without spoiling it)

 

[Sabertooth]

Should I ask what that is/means?Stannis question:

Spoiler

so in the show Ned sends a secret letter to Stannis that is to be hand delivered. His guy leaves to do thus and then all the #### goes down the next day it seems. So I'm thinking well maybe Stannis shows up with an army and #### hits the fan. But in the book it appears that thus letter was intercepted and used as evidence of treason (note I only read up to about the previous episode). So my question is what's up with Stannis? Will we see him this season? Is he a bad ###? ( without spoiling it)

Spoiler

I doubt we see him. He's not really a badass. He's a bit like Ned Stark but with a bit different value system.

 

[Sabertooth]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

 

[parrot]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

Ned doesn't get hung.

 

[Sabertooth]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

Ned doesn't get hung.

Ok, so no then.

 

[parrot]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

Ned doesn't get hung.

Ok, so no then.

Spoiler

Right location, wrong method.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

Ned doesn't get hung.

Ok, so no then.

Spoiler

Right location, wrong method.

I wish I didn't click on those.

 

[parrot]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

Ned doesn't get hung.

Ok, so no then.

Spoiler

Right location, wrong method.

I wish I didn't click on those.Sorry. :(

 

[babydemon90]

I think part of why I dig the show so much is that there's not a lot of gray area with the characters for me. 90% of them, I either really like or really dislike. I'm not ambivalent toward many.

That's how I am as well for the most part. I'm not quite sure what to make of Varys, Greyjoy, and Mormont still, they could go either way. After this past episode Robb jumped way up in the rankings for me.

But why let the spy go? So stupid unless its a misdirection. The Starks are a bunch of morons. They need to do more stabbing and less yapping.

Spoiler

Robb is the greatest military mind in hundreds of years.

He is playing on Tywin's misconception that he is a green glory hungry boy ruled by his emotions

Spoiler

Too bad he never visited nomarriage.com

 

[Abrantes]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

Ned doesn't get hung.

Spoiler

Ok, so no then.

Spoiler

Right location, wrong method.

I wish I didn't click on those.Sorry. :(

Spoiler

Ha! From the first post, it looked like that line of discussion wouldn't lead to good things.

 

[shuke]

Yea, I would advise all non-book readers to stay far far away from those spoilers.

 

[Gr00vus]

I vow to never click on spoilers in this thread again. I'm warning everyone who doesn't know what's coming (and wishes to remain in that state) not to click on those spoilers.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I vow to never click on spoilers in this thread again. I'm warning everyone who doesn't know what's coming (and wishes to remain in that state) not to click on those spoilers.

I feel like somebody just peed in my cereal, but that somebody was me.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

No offense guys, but they're called spoilers for a reason

 

[Gr00vus]

No offense guys, but they're called spoilers for a reason

I'm not blaming the messenger. I'm publicly blaming myself for being so weak willed as to click on those things, hoping others learn from my failure. Stay strong - don't be a Gr00vus.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Why on Earth would you click on those spoiler tags? I throw the mouse down when I see them because I don't want to accidentally click on them.

 

[Redwes25]

I vow to never click on spoilers in this thread again. I'm warning everyone who doesn't know what's coming (and wishes to remain in that state) not to click on those spoilers.

Isn't that the point of the spoilers. Don't click on them unless you want to know what is going to happen.

 

[Chadstroma]

Re-watching, I missed the part where they said it was Lady Starks homeland that Jaime was attacking.

 

[Rick James]

I love this show, but it's not perfect...

Spoiler

We haven't heard one mention of Rhaegar/Lyanna since, what, episode 2? That event defined King Robert, and Ned thinks of it constantly. In the dungeons he has the Tower of Joy dream, where he and 6 friends defeated Sers Dayne, Hightower, and Whent. The "promise me, Ned" over and over and over. non-readers look at Ned and see a honorable man, but a fool. they don't understand that he didn't want Cersei's kids to be butchered like Rhaegar's were. Yeah, in the last episode he says he did it for the children, but that line has no context to people unfamiliar with the source material.

 

[TeamDingo]

next episode, "Baelor"

As in the Great Sept?OH ####.

Spoiler

This is where Ned gets hung right?

Spoiler

It is Hodor that is hung. It is the giant's blood

 

[Mister Martie]

I love this show, but it's not perfect...

Spoiler

We haven't heard one mention of Rhaegar/Lyanna since, what, episode 2? That event defined King Robert, and Ned thinks of it constantly. In the dungeons he has the Tower of Joy dream, where he and 6 friends defeated Sers Dayne, Hightower, and Whent. The "promise me, Ned" over and over and over. non-readers look at Ned and see a honorable man, but a fool. they don't understand that he didn't want Cersei's kids to be butchered like Rhaegar's were. Yeah, in the last episode he says he did it for the children, but that line has no context to people unfamiliar with the source material.

Spoiler

I think more flashback scenes would have been great. Hard to pack everything in an hour, though.

 

[Abrantes]

I love this show, but it's not perfect...

Spoiler

We haven't heard one mention of Rhaegar/Lyanna since, what, episode 2? That event defined King Robert, and Ned thinks of it constantly. In the dungeons he has the Tower of Joy dream, where he and 6 friends defeated Sers Dayne, Hightower, and Whent. The "promise me, Ned" over and over and over. non-readers look at Ned and see a honorable man, but a fool. they don't understand that he didn't want Cersei's kids to be butchered like Rhaegar's were. Yeah, in the last episode he says he did it for the children, but that line has no context to people unfamiliar with the source material.

Spoiler

I think more flashback scenes would have been great. Hard to pack everything in an hour, though.

Spoiler

I don't have a source, but apparently they did film a flashback scene of Aerys' execution of Rickard and Brandon Stark. Really wish we could've gotten the Tower of Joy dream instead, along with a hint of Ned's promise to Lyanna, but in general, the show seems willing to sacrifice Westeros history for the sake of the current story. A shame, but budget and time restrictions had to be a consideration.

 

[Christo]

How about the book readers go start another thread? This is getting ridiculous.

 

[Mister Martie]

How about the book readers go start another thread? This is getting ridiculous.

Spoiler

 

[Chadstroma]

I love this show, but it's not perfect...

Spoiler

We haven't heard one mention of Rhaegar/Lyanna since, what, episode 2? That event defined King Robert, and Ned thinks of it constantly. In the dungeons he has the Tower of Joy dream, where he and 6 friends defeated Sers Dayne, Hightower, and Whent. The "promise me, Ned" over and over and over. non-readers look at Ned and see a honorable man, but a fool. they don't understand that he didn't want Cersei's kids to be butchered like Rhaegar's were. Yeah, in the last episode he says he did it for the children, but that line has no context to people unfamiliar with the source material.

Yea we have. The King and Queen talked about her and the Queen and Ned talked about it.

 

[PIK95]

How about the book readers go start another thread? This is getting ridiculous.

Spoiler

lmao