HBO - Song of Ice&Fire Series -Varsity Thread - no TV only whiners (2 Viewers)

[sn0mm1s]

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?

The show is letting you know earlier than the books. It is never explicitly stated in the books but there are a lot of hints.

 

[EYLive]

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

Yes.But I think book references are inevitable.There's already a DWD thread, so I suppose this is the default TV show thread.

 

[jdoggydogg]

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.

I thought the exact same thing. He always seems to say things that are self-serving. So that seemed out of character.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

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?

it is there, but again, very subtle. Since you don't get a Renly or Loras POV in the books, you aren't going to see them frotting.This quote from Storm of Swords cracks me up, and pretty much hits it on the head:

Spoiler

Jaime becomes angry at Loras when returning to King’s Landing, and adds to the rumors we know about Loras and Renly.“Now sheathe your bloody sword, or I’ll take it from you and shove it up some place even Renly never found.”--SoS, pg. 698

 

[Rick James]

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?

It's strongly implied in the later books, but not an outright fact.

 

[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.

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?

It is kind of alluded to and it seems most people know renly likes guys through several off-hand comments. As for the tunnels, Arya is in the old dungeon/bellows of the red keep with the dragob skulls, but then is locked down there. She finds a tunnel or something that gets her outside the city walls. Remember the scene where the guards say she is a boy as she tries to regain entrance to the city?

 

[Marvin]

I want to see more stuff about the hill people. I'm just saying.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

I want to see more stuff about the hill people. I'm just saying.

There is some hot Shagga son of Dolf on Timett son of Timett action to come. Puts that Renly/Loras suckoff scene from season 1 to shame. much more raw.

 

[Marvin]

I want to see more stuff about the hill people. I'm just saying.

There is some hot Shagga son of Dolf on Timett son of Timett action to come. Puts that Renly/Loras suckoff scene from season 1 to shame. much more raw.

Pass.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

someone posted this last week

The slap from last night should be added. He made the same exact whimper noise. Actor has that down cold. It's awesome.

 

[Marvin]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

 

[SmoovySmoov]

someone posted this last week

He's a great actor. To make you want to hate him sooooooooo much, is a job well done.

 

[Gr00vus]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

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?

Not sure when it starts, but that relationship is hinted at about 100 times in the books. Once you notice it you realize characters are dropping references all the time.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

He tried to pull a Dread Pirate Roberts, but somehow she made it backfire iirc.

 

[Marvin]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

 

[Marvin]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

He tried to pull a Dread Pirate Roberts, but somehow she made it backfire iirc.

You lost me there. I hate that movie. I watched it once many years ago and don't recall that scene.

 

[Gr00vus]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

 

[shuke]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

Can you recap because I forget? I don't remember him willingly drink what he thought was poisoned.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

He tried to pull a Dread Pirate Roberts, but somehow she made it backfire iirc.

You lost me there. I hate that movie. I watched it once many years ago and don't recall that scene.

I thought you would have been a fan. Dread Pirate poisoned two cups. He abd his adversary drank from them. Roberts lived because he had built up an immunity.

Here i cannot recall whether Cressen thought he was immune or not, but Mellidandre either is immune or magical.

 

[Kraft...]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Yeah it was. I thought they should have given this a little more context in the show last night.

 

[Marvin]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

 

[sn0mm1s]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

He tried to pull a Dread Pirate Roberts, but somehow she made it backfire iirc.

You lost me there. I hate that movie. I watched it once many years ago and don't recall that scene.

I thought you would have been a fan. Dread Pirate poisoned two cups. He abd his adversary drank from them. Roberts lived because he had built up an immunity.

Here i cannot recall whether Cressen thought he was immune or not, but Mellidandre either is immune or magical.

In the books the maester poisons the drink, drinks *after* the priestess knowing that it will kill him, prior to the toast/apology she gives him an out saying he doesn't have to go through with it. In the show it wasn't very clear - but her ruby in her necklace starts glowing.

 

[Rick James]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

It's not prevalent, relax man.

 

[belljr]

Not going to read much... Finally decided to watch season 1, 3 episodes in, pretty good thus far, however I'm confused with who is who

 

[shuke]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

You have to remember this is a fantasy series. I think political and war storylines are so damn good that people forget that. But the dragons, white walkers, wolf dreams, etc. are a big part of the story.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

Lots of folks in your camp on this. It will be interesting to see how (if) they try to downplay/soften some of it.

 

[sn0mm1s]

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

The hocus-pocus stuff is kept to a minimum. Supposedly, it is to ramp up a bit as the series ends but as of the last book I would still say that there is very little magic in the series. Like most things in the series magic is subtle and doesn't come to dominate the story. It isn't like Star Wars where there are Jedi and then a bunch of scrubs or like Lord of the Rings with wizards and immortal elves leading the fighting. Off the top of my head, there are only 3-4 more scenes in the 2nd book where magic plays any sort of significant role.

 

[EYLive]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

I kinda agree. But the good thing is, when sorcery is used, it's usually a trump card. It's not like everyone has access to magic and dragons. It's a very costly resource.

 

[Marvin]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

It's not prevalent, relax man.

Good. The one problem I have with fantasy stuff, and I'm even including Star Wars in this *gasp*, is that too many writers/filmmakers pull the same stupid stunts over and over. The magic or whatever works or doesn't work whenever it serves the plot. A lot of times it's a cop-out to me. I can suspend my disbelief when it comes to things like the ravens or the symbiotic relationship between the wolves and the Starks or even the dragons for that matter. It just bugs the piss out of me when stories come down to which wizard or jedi or hobbit or Hogwarts undergrad has the best skills.

 

[Gr00vus]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

Can you recap because I forget? I don't remember him willingly drink what he thought was poisoned.

Spoiler

He got her to drink first, thinking that'd be the end of her. She did, and nothing happened to her, she offered him a drink from the same cup and he took it as there was no way for him to save face at that point - he was dead whether he drank then or played out the string. I think the implication was she saw this event ahead of time in her fires and took appropriate precautions, or perhaps she's been working on building up immunities throughout her life.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Spoiler

He got her to drink first, thinking that'd be the end of her. She did, and nothing happened to her, she offered him a drink from the same cup and he took it as there was no way for him to save face at that point - he was dead whether he drank then or played out the string. I think the implication was she saw this event ahead of time in her fires and took appropriate precautions.

Spoiler

IIRC he may also have viewed her as a rival for the Maester's position (more or less) and if he showed weakness by not drinking after Melisandre he'd be helping her cement her grip on his role in Stannis's court. Or something like that?

 

[Marvin]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

So the poison didn't work on her because of her raver glo-in-the-dark necklace?

Let's just say she's got mad skills that far outmatch what the old maester could handle. That's really what that scene was all about (in the show and the book).

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

You have to remember this is a fantasy series. I think political and war storylines are so damn good that people forget that. But the dragons, white walkers, wolf dreams, etc. are a big part of the story.

Oh I totally agree. You're not going to find me posting "Oh come on! There's not such thing as White Walkers!" I know that this is fantasy. That's why I didn't watch the show until later on. I have nothing against the genre as a whole. I just don't like when it's done sloppily. A lot of times it's a crutch that shoddy writers use when they can't get what they want out of their own writing.This is good stuff so far. Glad to hear it doesn't devolve into some 7th grade Dungeon Master's epic tale.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show. I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well. In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

The hocus-pocus stuff is kept to a minimum. Supposedly, it is to ramp up a bit as the series ends but as of the last book I would still say that there is very little magic in the series. Like most things in the series magic is subtle and doesn't come to dominate the story. It isn't like Star Wars where there are Jedi and then a bunch of scrubs or like Lord of the Rings with wizards and immortal elves leading the fighting. Off the top of my head, there are only 3-4 more scenes in the 2nd book where magic plays any sort of significant role.

Yep and I can't wait to see

Spoiler

How they make when Melisandre kills Renly. Also what was the name of the other she killed when her and Davos were beneath the city?

 

[sn0mm1s]

The magic or whatever works or doesn't work whenever it serves the plot.

Definitely not the case in this story. In fact, I can only think of two instances in the entire series after this point in the show where one person directly affects another person with magic.

A lot of times it's a cop-out to me. I can suspend my disbelief when it comes to things like the ravens or the symbiotic relationship between the wolves and the Starks or even the dragons for that matter. It just bugs the piss out of me when stories come down to which wizard or jedi or hobbit or Hogwarts undergrad has the best skills.

Duels are fought with swords - not magic in this series.

 

[Gr00vus]

Spoiler

He got her to drink first, thinking that'd be the end of her. She did, and nothing happened to her, she offered him a drink from the same cup and he took it as there was no way for him to save face at that point - he was dead whether he drank then or played out the string. I think the implication was she saw this event ahead of time in her fires and took appropriate precautions.

Spoiler

IIRC he may also have viewed her as a rival for the Maester's position (more or less) and if he showed weakness by not drinking after Melisandre he'd be helping her cement her grip on his role in Stannis's court. Or something like that?

Spoiler

While I think he was aware he was pretty much going to be put out to pasture in the very near future, his main goal was to kill her before she could totally corrupt/destroy Stannis. He viewed her as evil and leading Stannis to ruin, which he wanted to prevent at all costs. Stannis wasn't listening to him anymore so he resorted to this extreme measure - which totally backfired. Rather than getting her out of Stannis's life, he just served as a demonstration of how powerful she/her god was.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

Can you recap because I forget? I don't remember him willingly drink what he thought was poisoned.

Spoiler

He got her to drink first, thinking that'd be the end of her. She did, and nothing happened to her, she offered him a drink from the same cup and he took it as there was no way for him to save face at that point - he was dead whether he drank then or played out the string. I think the implication was she saw this event ahead of time in her fires and took appropriate precautions, or perhaps she's been working on building up immunities throughout her life.

Spoiler

major spoiler through Book 3:

maybe I have it wrong, but didn't Cressen use "the strangler"? the same stuff ultimately used on Joffrey? The whole blood oozing out of the dude was different

 

[Marvin]

The magic or whatever works or doesn't work whenever it serves the plot.

Definitely not the case in this story. In fact, I can only think of two instances in the entire series after this point in the show where one person directly affects another person with magic.

A lot of times it's a cop-out to me. I can suspend my disbelief when it comes to things like the ravens or the symbiotic relationship between the wolves and the Starks or even the dragons for that matter. It just bugs the piss out of me when stories come down to which wizard or jedi or hobbit or Hogwarts undergrad has the best skills.

Duels are fought with swords - not magic in this series.

Sweet. Glad to know it's not like some Magic the Gathering battle royal at Fort Cook.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Not going to read much... Finally decided to watch season 1, 3 episodes in, pretty good thus far, however I'm confused with who is who

This will help.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

I wonder how they plan to handle the Unicorn Jousting scene.

oh, I've said to much.

 

[The Gator]

Oh yeah somebody with book knowledge explain what happened with the old maester (sp) guy and the red priestess chick and the poison. Was it supposed to be some murder suicide?

Although it went down slightly differently in the books.

Can you recap because I forget? I don't remember him willingly drink what he thought was poisoned.

He did, but not until after she had taken a big swig. Not sure why they showed him drinking first in the show.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

The magic or whatever works or doesn't work whenever it serves the plot.

Definitely not the case in this story. In fact, I can only think of two instances in the entire series after this point in the show where one person directly affects another person with magic.

A lot of times it's a cop-out to me. I can suspend my disbelief when it comes to things like the ravens or the symbiotic relationship between the wolves and the Starks or even the dragons for that matter. It just bugs the piss out of me when stories come down to which wizard or jedi or hobbit or Hogwarts undergrad has the best skills.

Duels are fought with swords - not magic in this series.

Sweet. Glad to know it's not like some Magic the Gathering battle royal at Fort Cook.

dont be dissing magic the gathering in here, guy

 

[pantherclub]

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show.

I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.

I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well.

In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

The hocus-pocus stuff is kept to a minimum. Supposedly, it is to ramp up a bit as the series ends but as of the last book I would still say that there is very little magic in the series. Like most things in the series magic is subtle and doesn't come to dominate the story. It isn't like Star Wars where there are Jedi and then a bunch of scrubs or like Lord of the Rings with wizards and immortal elves leading the fighting. Off the top of my head, there are only 3-4 more scenes in the 2nd book where magic plays any sort of significant role.

Not really at all. A huge sub plot is built around "hocus pocus"

Spoiler

The whole Breinne/Renly angle where people think she killed him etc, also when Davos takes Melendra to the castle to kill

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show.

I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.

I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well.

In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

The hocus-pocus stuff is kept to a minimum. Supposedly, it is to ramp up a bit as the series ends but as of the last book I would still say that there is very little magic in the series. Like most things in the series magic is subtle and doesn't come to dominate the story. It isn't like Star Wars where there are Jedi and then a bunch of scrubs or like Lord of the Rings with wizards and immortal elves leading the fighting. Off the top of my head, there are only 3-4 more scenes in the 2nd book where magic plays any sort of significant role.

Not really at all. A huge sub plot is built around "hocus pocus"

Spoiler

The whole Breinne/Renly angle where people think she killed him etc, also when Davos takes Melendra to the castle to kill

Well, not this season but (through Dance with Dragons):

Spoiler

The whole Lightning Lord dying several times and coming back to life and Catlyn Stark coming back both really started to bother me as well. Dead should be dead (except for Jon Snow)

 

[Bigboy10182000]

And the scene with Cersai slapping Jof...I dont recall that being in the book...

ETA** Make no mistake I am not complainig. I love the show and I'm half way through Storm of Swords and its amazing!

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

was hoping to see more of Dragonstone

 

[Marvin]

The magic or whatever works or doesn't work whenever it serves the plot.

Definitely not the case in this story. In fact, I can only think of two instances in the entire series after this point in the show where one person directly affects another person with magic.

A lot of times it's a cop-out to me. I can suspend my disbelief when it comes to things like the ravens or the symbiotic relationship between the wolves and the Starks or even the dragons for that matter. It just bugs the piss out of me when stories come down to which wizard or jedi or hobbit or Hogwarts undergrad has the best skills.

Duels are fought with swords - not magic in this series.

Sweet. Glad to know it's not like some Magic the Gathering battle royal at Fort Cook.

dont be dissing magic the gathering in here, guy

Oh, sorry.

 

[EYLive]

And this is where I think I might start to lose interest in the show.

I am not a fan of fantasy stuff. That is why I didn't start watching this until after Season 1 was over. Somebody told me that the hocus-pocus was kept to a minimum during the first season and they were right.

I really like this show. The writing, directing, acting, visuals etc are all top notch. The political storyline(s) and intrigue are great as well.

In all honesty, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't really get why there has to be any fantasy elements at all. The show/story is solid enough without mumbo-jumbo magic and crap.

The hocus-pocus stuff is kept to a minimum. Supposedly, it is to ramp up a bit as the series ends but as of the last book I would still say that there is very little magic in the series. Like most things in the series magic is subtle and doesn't come to dominate the story. It isn't like Star Wars where there are Jedi and then a bunch of scrubs or like Lord of the Rings with wizards and immortal elves leading the fighting. Off the top of my head, there are only 3-4 more scenes in the 2nd book where magic plays any sort of significant role.

Not really at all. A huge sub plot is built around "hocus pocus"

Spoiler

The whole Breinne/Renly angle where people think she killed him etc, also when Davos takes Melendra to the castle to kill

Well, not this season but (through Dance with Dragons):

Spoiler

The whole Lightning Lord dying several times and coming back to life and Catlyn Stark coming back both really started to bother me as well. Dead should be dead (except for Jon Snow)

Good point.

Spoiler

I'm only 3/4 done with Crows, but it seems to me that R'hllor is kicking the crap out of the other gods.

 

[The Gator]

was hoping to see more of Dragonstone

I got pretty excited when they showed it in the opening title credits

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

And the scene with Cersai slapping Jof...I dont recall that being in the book...

I think this is something we are going to have to get used to. In rewatching some of the Season 1 episodes, there were quite a few added scenes. More than I had remembered.Anytime a scene is going to involve a discussions exclusively between characters without a POV chapter from the book, they have to take liberties. It is inevitable (and good, imo). For example, there's a good Joffrey Cersei scene in Season one where she says something along the lines "anyone who isn't us is our enemy". There is another one between varys and littlefinger where they are jabbing each other back and forth re: varys missing dong. both )