HBO - Song of Ice&Fire Series -Varsity Thread - no TV only whiners (4 Viewers)

[TLEF316]

Dontos and Craster are nothing like I'd pictured them.

I pictured Dontos to be really skinny. Craster should have been played like that guy in Lord of the Rings that is ruling in place of the King.

But dont they kinda already have a character just like that on the show? (Lord Frey)

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

pretty graphic ending to episode 1 there. yikes

 

[Sabertooth]

pretty graphic ending to episode 1 there. yikes

Yeah...Joff just might be the most evil thing south of the wall. You could see his mother thinking "what have I created?"

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

the ******* roundup was implied in the books. There was no character POV in the book to provide the blow by blow gory details.I continue to enjoy their interpretation of the source material. Good editing/combining ect.Liked the Stannis intro round the table.

Agreed. My only slight complaint is, in my mind, Craster looked more like how they are portraying Balon Greyjoy and vice versa.

Did not like Craster at all. Way too clean cut and sane. And I'm underwhelmed by Melisandre's portrail as well. Stanis and Davos are right on the money though.

Good PostMelisandre seemed cheesy. Didn't think the actress was too convincing.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Trying not to watch these until after the final book and the entire series is complete, so didn't see this episode.

But if Melisandre doesn't look more or less like Grace Jones with red eyes wearing a big red robe she's all wrong IMO.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I liked the red priestess.

 

[gump]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

 

[Kraft...]

I read the books after season one so it's a totally different perspective for me this season. I find myself being more critical of some of the choices they made be it casting(Some mentioned above)or story related(see below). Also in some instances it seemed less "real" and more like people reading lines to me(Sansa especially).

The story for example, I though Maester Cressen should have had a little more back story. They didn't get across how important he was to Stanis, it would have given more weight to his sacrifice. Also thought the Roz part came off as very cheesy. Osha's constant head tilting when she talks is making her character a bit grading to watch.

Mostly just nit picky stuff, it was still very good, just interesting how the perspective totally changed.

 

[Kraft...]

Craster should have been the size of Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.... a huge giant of a man with unruly hair and a short temper. Any man who could carve a life for himself, by himself, on the other side of the wall should be physically imposing.Balon Greyjoy should have been less decrepit. I pictured him and as a well-preserved man in his late 50s. He looks more run down than he should have.

Agree on both counts, especially Craster

 

[SeveredHorseHeads]

Loved the scene with Robb in Jamie's cell. They did a great job with the wolf - finally looks the size they were in the books.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Craster should have been the size of Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.... a huge giant of a man with unruly hair and a short temper. Any man who could carve a life for himself, by himself, on the other side of the wall should be physically imposing.Balon Greyjoy should have been less decrepit. I pictured him and as a well-preserved man in his late 50s. He looks more run down than he should have.

Agree on both counts, especially Craster

yeah that dude talked the talk but I wouldnt be afraid of how they portrayed him in the series

 

[pantherclub]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

I didnt notice.I dont remember her group being in such dire straits as in the books.

 

[Sabertooth]

pretty graphic ending to episode 1 there. yikes

Yeah...Joff just might be the most evil thing south of the wall. You could see his mother thinking "what have I created?"

The threat of matricide is taking it even farther than Martin did.

Sort of, GRRM is one of the executive producers so he must have signed off on that.

 

[shadyridr]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

very much so

 

[Major]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

My only issues really were:

I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet).

Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.

Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

 

[shadyridr]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

I dont even know who half these people they are talking about even are. I had to read the wikipedia cuz its hard enough to understand the accents and get all the names

 

[The Gator]

Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place.

In season one they had Ned writing/sending word to Stanis about it, right? So I'm sure they're trying to hold true to that, too.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

My only issues really were:I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet). Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

agree re: Shae in the Tower. A cool/interesting part of the story is how Varys came to gain some leverage on the Imp via Shae and all the sneaking around. And the tunnels. The tunnels in the Red Keep come into play in a big way later on. Maybe they will rewrite that scene too... :(

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place.

In season one they had Ned writing/sending word to Stanis about it, right? So I'm sure they're trying to hold true to that, too.

He did that in the book as well, but it was intercepted because Sansa went to Cersei whining about leaving Kings Landing. That is what set off the whole taking out all the Starks etc. I guess it isnt a big deal and allows Ned to stay in the storyline.

 

[Apple Juice]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

Even if I read the books I doubt I'd remember any of these details being picked at. Include me in the camp that thought Robb's enormous dire wolf was badass. But, speaking of book nerds, can anyone elaborate on the relationship the wolves have with the Starks and Snow? Robb's wolf snapped at Jamie and then vanished like he knew Robb only wanted him to scare him. Do they have a mental-connection where they sort of communicate? Or is it sort of standard, like well-trained dogs who are loyal and obey commands. I guess I'm curious if there's anything supernatural about them.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

Even if I read the books I doubt I'd remember any of these details being picked at. Include me in the camp that thought Robb's enormous dire wolf was badass. But, speaking of book nerds, can anyone elaborate on the relationship the wolves have with the Starks and Snow? Robb's wolf snapped at Jamie and then vanished like he knew Robb only wanted him to scare him. Do they have a mental-connection where they sort of communicate? Or is it sort of standard, like well-trained dogs who are loyal and obey commands. I guess I'm curious if there's anything supernatural about them.

Without spoiling things . .. yes they have a special connection with their wolves.

 

[Major]

My only issues really were:I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet). Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

agree re: Shae in the Tower. A cool/interesting part of the story is how Varys came to gain some leverage on the Imp via Shae and all the sneaking around. And the tunnels. The tunnels in the Red Keep come into play in a big way later on. Maybe they will rewrite that scene too... :(

Where in the show do they mention tunnels? I think I need to stay away from this thread if you book continue to mention future subplots or I'll just get Sepinwall in here to regulate.

 

[Rick James]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

Even if I read the books I doubt I'd remember any of these details being picked at. Include me in the camp that thought Robb's enormous dire wolf was badass. But, speaking of book nerds, can anyone elaborate on the relationship the wolves have with the Starks and Snow? Robb's wolf snapped at Jamie and then vanished like he knew Robb only wanted him to scare him. Do they have a mental-connection where they sort of communicate? Or is it sort of standard, like well-trained dogs who are loyal and obey commands. I guess I'm curious if there's anything supernatural about them.

There are some hints of the supernatural, yes. Bran has his "wolf dreams" for instance.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

My only issues really were:I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet). Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

agree re: Shae in the Tower. A cool/interesting part of the story is how Varys came to gain some leverage on the Imp via Shae and all the sneaking around. And the tunnels. The tunnels in the Red Keep come into play in a big way later on. Maybe they will rewrite that scene too... :(

Where in the show do they mention tunnels? I think I need to stay away from this thread if you book continue to mention future subplots or I'll just get Sepinwall in here to regulate.

Not really a future subplot. You got to see one of the "tunnels" or passages or whatever during the first season. Arya seen where she overhears Varys plotting.

 

[EYLive]

the ******* roundup was implied in the books. There was no character POV in the book to provide the blow by blow gory details.I continue to enjoy their interpretation of the source material. Good editing/combining ect.Liked the Stannis intro round the table.

Agreed. My only slight complaint is, in my mind, Craster looked more like how they are portraying Balon Greyjoy and vice versa.

Did not like Craster at all. Way too clean cut and sane. And I'm underwhelmed by Melisandre's portrail as well. Stanis and Davos are right on the money though.

Good PostMelisandre seemed cheesy. Didn't think the actress was too convincing.

I agree. Something was off in her delivery.Davos is looking good so far.Joffery's actor is perfect.

 

[jdoggydogg]

pretty graphic ending to episode 1 there. yikes

Yeah...Joff just might be the most evil thing south of the wall. You could see his mother thinking "what have I created?"

Can't remember the last time I ever looked so forward to someone getting their head chopped off.

 

[EYLive]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

I didnt notice.I dont remember her group being in such dire straits as in the books.

I think they skipped ahead a bit. She started with about 100 weak followers, and the numbers slowly dwindled. In the show, it looked like they were down to about 30 already. And I also don't remember her silver dying, but I could be wrong.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Not really a future subplot. You got to see one of the "tunnels" or passages or whatever during the first season. Arya seen where she overhears Varys plotting.

That made me do a double-take last night when they showed it during the season one recap. I didn't originally catch it during season one, and from the book I didn't get the impression that it was Varys. (It was Aria's POV, and I guess she didn't know who Varys was — or maybe I just missed it.)So is that a case where the TV show is actually a spoiler for the books? (I'm toward the end of A Clash of Kings.) Or was it supposed to be discernible in the first book and I wasn't paying close enough attention?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Not really a future subplot. You got to see one of the "tunnels" or passages or whatever during the first season. Arya seen where she overhears Varys plotting.

That made me do a double-take last night when they showed it during the season one recap. I didn't originally catch it during season one, and from the book I didn't get the impression that it was Varys. (It was Aria's POV, and I guess she didn't know who Varys was — or maybe I just missed it.)So is that a case where the TV show is actually a spoiler for the books? (I'm toward the end of A Clash of Kings.) Or was it supposed to be discernible in the first book and I wasn't paying close enough attention?

From the description I think you were supposed to assume it was Varys and Illrio.

 

[shuke]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

I didnt notice.I dont remember her group being in such dire straits as in the books.

After Drogo died, she barely had anyone left.

 

[shuke]

And I also don't remember her silver dying, but I could be wrong.

You're not.

 

[Gr00vus]

Loved the scene with Robb in Jamie's cell. They did a great job with the wolf - finally looks the size they were in the books.

That scene was . A well employed deviation from the books there, I think it was my favorite part of the episode.Re casting: Craster isn't big or wild enough, Mellisandre isn't hot enough, Stannis isn't big (at least to start) or bald enough. Then again they cast all the Baratheons much smaller than I envision them from the books - except Gendry. Dontos was a bit younger than I'd imagined, but I think this guy will work in the role.I think the episode was mixed overall. Some good scenes with Tyrion, Danearys, Robb, Jon, Joffrey. Some clunkers with Stannis/Mellisandre & Bran. Not sure how I feel about the ending. The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly. The hound is bad ###, big fan of that character. If you're rewatching, pay attention to Varys's expression when Cersei dismisses the council after Tyrion shows up - pretty funny.Still the best show on t.v. right now.

 

[pantherclub]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

I didnt notice.I dont remember her group being in such dire straits as in the books.

After Drogo died, she barely had anyone left.

I guess I need to go back and read that part of the story. I totally forgot how she lost and then gained it all back. I just assumed that when the people saw the dragons that they stayed with her on general principle.

 

[EYLive]

The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly.

Was that in the book? I was kind of at the whole exchange.

 

[Gr00vus]

Was it just me, or was Daenerys having a hard time making eye contact with the CGI dragon?

I didnt notice.I dont remember her group being in such dire straits as in the books.

After Drogo died, she barely had anyone left.

I guess I need to go back and read that part of the story. I totally forgot how she lost and then gained it all back. I just assumed that when the people saw the dragons that they stayed with her on general principle.

She was already down to the dregs before the dragons hatched. The majority of Drogo's people took off when they realized he was done. Going through the red waste made things worse.

 

[Kraft...]

The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly.

Was that in the book? I was kind of at the whole exchange.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly.

Was that in the book? I was kind of at the whole exchange.

If it were in the book I think I may have missed it. I was cofused as well.

 

[Sabertooth]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

Even if I read the books I doubt I'd remember any of these details being picked at. Include me in the camp that thought Robb's enormous dire wolf was badass. But, speaking of book nerds, can anyone elaborate on the relationship the wolves have with the Starks and Snow? Robb's wolf snapped at Jamie and then vanished like he knew Robb only wanted him to scare him. Do they have a mental-connection where they sort of communicate? Or is it sort of standard, like well-trained dogs who are loyal and obey commands. I guess I'm curious if there's anything supernatural about them.

No, no connection at all. WTF show are you watching?

 

[Gr00vus]

The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly.

Was that in the book? I was kind of at the whole exchange.

That was an not so great deviation from the book.

Spoiler

I think they're accelerating the pace at which Cersei/Joffrey prove that they're bad at running things.

I think my problem with the scene is that Littlefinger is more subtle than making an open threat like that. He wouldn't let someone know he has the goods on them until after he struck.

 

[Sabertooth]

My only issues really were:I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet). Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

agree re: Shae in the Tower. A cool/interesting part of the story is how Varys came to gain some leverage on the Imp via Shae and all the sneaking around. And the tunnels. The tunnels in the Red Keep come into play in a big way later on. Maybe they will rewrite that scene too... :(

Where in the show do they mention tunnels? I think I need to stay away from this thread if you book continue to mention future subplots or I'll just get Sepinwall in here to regulate.

They already showed the tunnels last season. Arya saw the dragon skull in them and heard the two fat guys plotting.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

My only issues really were:I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet). Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

agree re: Shae in the Tower. A cool/interesting part of the story is how Varys came to gain some leverage on the Imp via Shae and all the sneaking around. And the tunnels. The tunnels in the Red Keep come into play in a big way later on. Maybe they will rewrite that scene too... :(

Where in the show do they mention tunnels? I think I need to stay away from this thread if you book continue to mention future subplots or I'll just get Sepinwall in here to regulate.

They already showed the tunnels last season. Arya saw the dragon skull in them and heard the two fat guys plotting.

While chasing her cats...she later told what she heard to her dad. Hope that helps!

 

[Apple Juice]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

Even if I read the books I doubt I'd remember any of these details being picked at. Include me in the camp that thought Robb's enormous dire wolf was badass. But, speaking of book nerds, can anyone elaborate on the relationship the wolves have with the Starks and Snow? Robb's wolf snapped at Jamie and then vanished like he knew Robb only wanted him to scare him. Do they have a mental-connection where they sort of communicate? Or is it sort of standard, like well-trained dogs who are loyal and obey commands. I guess I'm curious if there's anything supernatural about them.

No, no connection at all. WTF show are you watching?

I wasn't asking if there is a connection, I was asking what the extent of the connection is and how thoughts/commands are communicated. Does that upset you?

 

[EYLive]

The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly.

Was that in the book? I was kind of at the whole exchange.

That was an not so great deviation from the book.

Spoiler

I think they're accelerating the pace at which Cersei/Joffrey prove that they're bad at running things.

I think my problem with the scene is that Littlefinger is more subtle than making an open threat like that. He wouldn't let someone know he has the goods on them until after he struck.

Exactly. It seemed out of character for him.

 

[shuke]

Does that upset you?

 

[Sabertooth]

You book are driving me nuts critiquing all these minor discrepancies. Enjoy the show. It's fine programming.

Even if I read the books I doubt I'd remember any of these details being picked at. Include me in the camp that thought Robb's enormous dire wolf was badass. But, speaking of book nerds, can anyone elaborate on the relationship the wolves have with the Starks and Snow? Robb's wolf snapped at Jamie and then vanished like he knew Robb only wanted him to scare him. Do they have a mental-connection where they sort of communicate? Or is it sort of standard, like well-trained dogs who are loyal and obey commands. I guess I'm curious if there's anything supernatural about them.

No, no connection at all. WTF show are you watching?

I wasn't asking if there is a connection, I was asking what the extent of the connection is and how thoughts/commands are communicated. Does that upset you?

Thoughts and commands are communicating by math.

 

[Marvin]

I think we need a new "book-free" GOT thread.

 

[sn0mm1s]

The scene with Littlefinger and Cersei was a bit silly.

Was that in the book? I was kind of at the whole exchange.

If it were in the book I think I may have missed it. I was cofused as well.

No, the scene was not in any of the books. In fact, I don't think a single scene was entirely true to the books. That said, the show is still great. Some of the changes I think are due to budget constraints but most appear to be because the books are more subtle and that subtlety doesn't translate as well to TV. There is a lot more direct conflict and antagonism in the show.

 

[EYLive]

My only issues really were:I thought it was weird that Shae was in the tower of the hand with Tyrion, instead of being hidden (did you know the actress was in porn? Dilara . . . I haven't seen any vids yet). Stannis said he received word from Ned Stark about Cersei/Jaime, but in the books he and Jon Aryn had discovered that themselves, and that was why Stannis had left kings landing in the first place. Sansa had screwed things up and the letter Ned wrote was intercepted.Other than those things, I don't mind the other changes. It's TV, and the books were POV characters, so things need to be different.

agree re: Shae in the Tower. A cool/interesting part of the story is how Varys came to gain some leverage on the Imp via Shae and all the sneaking around. And the tunnels. The tunnels in the Red Keep come into play in a big way later on. Maybe they will rewrite that scene too... :(

Where in the show do they mention tunnels? I think I need to stay away from this thread if you book continue to mention future subplots or I'll just get Sepinwall in here to regulate.

They already showed the tunnels last season. Arya saw the dragon skull in them and heard the two fat guys plotting.

While chasing her cats...she later told what she heard to her dad. Hope that helps!

I believe JerseyToughGuys is referring to super secret tunnels. The dark halls Arya was running through (and overhearing plots) were just old walkways where they put the dragon skulls.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Not really a future subplot. You got to see one of the "tunnels" or passages or whatever during the first season. Arya seen where she overhears Varys plotting.

That made me do a double-take last night when they showed it during the season one recap. I didn't originally catch it during season one, and from the book I didn't get the impression that it was Varys. (It was Aria's POV, and I guess she didn't know who Varys was — or maybe I just missed it.)So is that a case where the TV show is actually a spoiler for the books? (I'm toward the end of A Clash of Kings.) Or was it supposed to be discernible in the first book and I wasn't paying close enough attention?

From the description I think you were supposed to assume it was Varys and Illrio.

I guess I should pay more attention.The other thing from season one that I didn't get from the first book was the relationship between Renly and the Knight of Flowers. Did I miss that in the book, or is that something the TV show is letting us in on before the books did?