HBO - Song of Ice&Fire Series -Varsity Thread - no TV only whiners (6 Viewers)

[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.

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.

OK, that's what I thought. What was accomplished for the audience by changing the scene to last night's?

 

[Bigboy10182000]

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 )

I agree that it's good for both...I just wasn't sure if maybe I missed something or not. After thousand of pages some details get left out lolI did edit my original post though since I didnt want it to come off as complaining.

 

[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.

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

Magic affects the story - but isn't the focus of the story.

Spoiler

We have Wargs, Children of the Forest, Dragons, Rhllor and the kiss of life, the Others, wights, Melisandre, Bloodraven, Faceless men etc. etc. there are plenty of fantastical/magical elements to the story - but they aren't the focus of the story as of the last book. This isn't Vader v. Luke, Gandalf v. Sarumen, al'Thor v. Forsaken, Potter v. Voldemort etc. etc. This is more like the Green Mile. It is a story about people not epic battles with magic.

 

[Major]

I wonder how they plan to handle the Unicorn Jousting scene.oh, I've said to much.

apologies for calling you out for the tunnel spoiler. I forgot about Arya's hunt for #####.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

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

oh, I've said to much.

apologies for calling you out for the tunnel spoiler. I forgot about Arya's hunt for #####.

/wetdream

 

[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.

OK, that's what I thought. What was accomplished for the audience by changing the scene to last night's?They basically didn't want to waste time with Cressen's backstory/thought process. They have to streamline things to fit the important stuff in. They just cut to the chase (don't #### with Mellisandre) which is really the only purpose he served in the books as well.

 

[Major]

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

patience darling, patience. After watching Season 1 twice, I'm finally starting to get a handle on who is who...the internet is your friend for character references

 

[jamny]

What was the website that always did a good writeup after each episode. It was an entertainment magazine's site.

Entertainment Weekly?

I remember them being short, concise and with some humor thrown in.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

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

patience darling, patience. After watching Season 1 twice, I'm finally starting to get a handle on who is who...the internet is your friend for character references

watching it on HBOgo is the best way IMO. usually my 2nd viewing is online with the enchancements.

 

[kneeshooter]

What was the website that always did a good writeup after each episode. It was an entertainment magazine's site.

Entertainment Weekly?

I remember them being short, concise and with some humor thrown in.

Yup - EW

 

[jamny]

What was the website that always did a good writeup after each episode. It was an entertainment magazine's site.

Entertainment Weekly?

I remember them being short, concise and with some humor thrown in.

Yup - EW

Ah...thanks!It helped me out last season figuring out some situations.

 

[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

patience darling, patience. After watching Season 1 twice, I'm finally starting to get a handle on who is who...the internet is your friend for character references

watching it on HBOgo is the best way IMO. usually my 2nd viewing is online with the enchancements.

That's how I'm watching it? What enhancements?

 

[Sabertooth]

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

patience darling, patience. After watching Season 1 twice, I'm finally starting to get a handle on who is who...the internet is your friend for character references

watching it on HBOgo is the best way IMO. usually my 2nd viewing is online with the enchancements.

That's how I'm watching it? What enhancements?

this. Apparently I can get HBO2Go through my xbox.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

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

patience darling, patience. After watching Season 1 twice, I'm finally starting to get a handle on who is who...the internet is your friend for character references

watching it on HBOgo is the best way IMO. usually my 2nd viewing is online with the enchancements.

That's how I'm watching it? What enhancements?

havent watched season2 yet, but season1 had enhanced viewing with family charts and maps and did a great job of tell you who was who, you can watch it with enhanced viewing on or off

 

[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

patience darling, patience. After watching Season 1 twice, I'm finally starting to get a handle on who is who...the internet is your friend for character references

watching it on HBOgo is the best way IMO. usually my 2nd viewing is online with the enchancements.

That's how I'm watching it? What enhancements?

havent watched season2 yet, but season1 had enhanced viewing with family charts and maps and did a great job of tell you who was who, you can watch it with enhanced viewing on or off

Thatmust not be available via phone app then

 

[Dexter Manley]

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

 

[Ilov80s]

[QUOTE='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.

Spoiler

[/QUOTE]

OK, that's what I thought. What was accomplished for the audience by changing the scene to last night's?As someone that hasn't read the book, I thought he drank first to make her believe it wasn't poison.

 

[EYLive]

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Correct. Primarily to conceal evidence of incestuous Lannister offspring.

 

[sn0mm1s]

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

 

[Major]

What was the website that always did a good writeup after each episode. It was an entertainment magazine's site.

Entertainment Weekly?

I remember them being short, concise and with some humor thrown in.

definitely not Sepinwall

 

[EYLive]

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Correct. Primarily to conceal evidence of incestuous Lannister offspring.

And just psychologically, Cersei is obsessed with protecting Joffrey's claim to the throne. Joffrey never has that thought process. It is his throne. Anyone who says otherwise is a tratior.

This is also true, Joffrey has no doubt that he is the rightful heir. Besides, bastards have no claim to titles and lands. Stannis and Renley are the only real threats.

 

[Maelstrom]

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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

(in the last 2 spoilers)

Spoiler

It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

 

[sn0mm1s]

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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

(in the last 2 spoilers)

Spoiler

It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

Spoiler

No, in a conversation with Tyrion, Varys says that he only knew of two bastards. The infant and Gendry. We later learn that Robert likely fathered 16 bastards. Varys didn't remove the infant from the city because he thought she wouldn't be targeted - being a baseborn infant. He arranged for Gendry to join the Night's watch because he did think he would be targeted.Off the top of my head here are the bastards we know of:Gendry - aliveBarra - killed by the Gold Cloaks - the infant killed in the show.Mya Stone - alive in the ValeEdric Storm - alive but location unknownunnamed child at Casterly Rock - killed years ago, presumably under the orders of Cersei or TywinBella (I think that is her name) - whore at The Peach IIRC.

 

[shuke]

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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

(in the last 2 spoilers)

Spoiler

It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

Spoiler

No, in a conversation with Tyrion, Varys says that he only knew of two bastards. The infant and Gendry. We later learn that Robert likely fathered 16 bastards. Varys didn't remove the infant from the city because he thought she wouldn't be targeted - being a baseborn infant. He arranged for Gendry to join the Night's watch because he did think he would be targeted.Off the top of my head here are the bastards we know of:Gendry - aliveBarra - killed by the Gold Cloaks - the infant killed in the show.Mya Stone - alive in the ValeEdric Storm - alive but location unknownunnamed child at Casterly Rock - killed years ago, presumably under the orders of Cersei or TywinBella (I think that is her name) - whore at The Peach IIRC.

Man, how do you remember this stuff?

 

[Maelstrom]

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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

(in the last 2 spoilers)

Spoiler

It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

Spoiler

No, in a conversation with Tyrion, Varys says that he only knew of two bastards. The infant and Gendry. We later learn that Robert likely fathered 16 bastards. Varys didn't remove the infant from the city because he thought she wouldn't be targeted - being a baseborn infant. He arranged for Gendry to join the Night's watch because he did think he would be targeted.

Off the top of my head here are the bastards we know of:

Gendry - alive

Barra - killed by the Gold Cloaks - the infant killed in the show.

Mya Stone - alive in the Vale

Edric Storm - alive but location unknown

unnamed child at Casterly Rock - killed years ago, presumably under the orders of Cersei or Tywin

Bella (I think that is her name) - whore at The Peach IIRC.

Man, how do you remember this stuff?Don't know about sn0mm1, but for me having the books on Kindle makes it a bit easier to search.

Spoiler

Vary's specifically mentioned that there were 8 (I didn't remember than until I looked it up)

"Besides, the bastards were there for all to see." "Robert's bastards? What of them?" "He fathered eight, to the best of my knowing," Varys said as he wrestled with the saddle. "Their mothers were copper and honey, chestnut and butter, yet the babes were all black as ravens . . ." - George R.R. Martin. A Clash of Kings (Kindle Locations ~3764).

And I probably took this line to mean there were a fair number of them in King's Landing:

"A half smile flickered across the queen's face. "Robert's trueborn son and heir. Though Joff would cry whenever Robert picked him up. His Grace did not like that. His bastards had always gurgled at him happily, and sucked his finger when he put it in their little baseborn mouths. Robert wanted smiles and cheers, always, so he went where he found them, to his friends and his whores." - George R.R. Martin. A Clash of Kings (Kindle Locations ~11560).

Here's a good link (spoiler's abound) - Known Bastards

 

[TeamDingo]

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.

 

[Mjolnirs]

I don't remember seeing this posted in the previous 48 pages.

Two songs from The Sword's 2008 album "Gods of the Earth"

mentions 3 of the 7.

 

[Socrates11]

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 right. Littlefinger is the most cunning human in the universe, no way he arrogantly boasts to Cercei that he knows everything.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I don't remember seeing this posted in the previous 48 pages.

Two songs from The Sword's 2008 album "Gods of the Earth"

I always thought that winter wolves off of the age of winters album was an homage to the Starks as well.

 

[sn0mm1s]

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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

Spoiler

(in the last 2 spoilers) It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

Spoiler

No, in a conversation with Tyrion, Varys says that he only knew of two bastards. The infant and Gendry. We later learn that Robert likely fathered 16 bastards. Varys didn't remove the infant from the city because he thought she wouldn't be targeted - being a baseborn infant. He arranged for Gendry to join the Night's watch because he did think he would be targeted.

Off the top of my head here are the bastards we know of:

Gendry - alive

Barra - killed by the Gold Cloaks - the infant killed in the show.

Mya Stone - alive in the Vale

Edric Storm - alive but location unknown

unnamed child at Casterly Rock - killed years ago, presumably under the orders of Cersei or Tywin

Bella (I think that is her name) - whore at The Peach IIRC.

Man, how do you remember this stuff?Don't know about sn0mm1, but for me having the books on Kindle makes it a bit easier to search.

Spoiler

Vary's specifically mentioned that there were 8 (I didn't remember than until I looked it up)

"Besides, the bastards were there for all to see." "Robert's bastards? What of them?" "He fathered eight, to the best of my knowing," Varys said as he wrestled with the saddle. "Their mothers were copper and honey, chestnut and butter, yet the babes were all black as ravens . . ." - George R.R. Martin. A Clash of Kings (Kindle Locations ~3764).

And I probably took this line to mean there were a fair number of them in King's Landing:

"A half smile flickered across the queen's face. "Robert's trueborn son and heir. Though Joff would cry whenever Robert picked him up. His Grace did not like that. His bastards had always gurgled at him happily, and sucked his finger when he put it in their little baseborn mouths. Robert wanted smiles and cheers, always, so he went where he found them, to his friends and his whores." - George R.R. Martin. A Clash of Kings (Kindle Locations ~11560).

Here's a good link (spoiler's abound) - Known Bastards

Spoiler

All from memory - I don't have the books stored electronically. Varys thinks there are 8 - but we learn in AFFC when Cersei visits the witch (Maggie the Frog) that she will have 3 children but that her husband will have six and ten.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

Spoiler

there were allegedly 16 total per the "Maggy the Frog" prophesy. Varys says he knows of 8 at some point. I would imagine more than just 2 of those 16 were in Kings Landing. Gives some room for flexibility, as far as ******* murdering scenes go.

 

[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.

Spoiler

I might have understated a bit because I was only thinking of Melisandre and Thoros. Mel kills 2 people with shadows. Thoros brings Lord Beric back to life (and Beric dies to bring Cat to life). Other than that I can't think of any spells or rituals that one person does that directly affects another. Perhaps Bran warging into Hodor and Varamyr trying to do the same thing to the wildling.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

(in the last 2 spoilers)

Spoiler

It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

Spoiler

No, in a conversation with Tyrion, Varys says that he only knew of two bastards. The infant and Gendry. We later learn that Robert likely fathered 16 bastards. Varys didn't remove the infant from the city because he thought she wouldn't be targeted - being a baseborn infant. He arranged for Gendry to join the Night's watch because he did think he would be targeted.Off the top of my head here are the bastards we know of:Gendry - aliveBarra - killed by the Gold Cloaks - the infant killed in the show.Mya Stone - alive in the ValeEdric Storm - alive but location unknownunnamed child at Casterly Rock - killed years ago, presumably under the orders of Cersei or TywinBella (I think that is her name) - whore at The Peach IIRC.

http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Robert_Baratheon#Known_bastards

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

oops, sorry for the Hipple. mah bad

 

[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?"

See below conversation, it wasn't Joff.

So was it Joffrey or his mom who ordered all of Robert's bastards to be killed? There's some disagreement on this.

I'd say Cersei

Spoiler

In the books it is Cersei. However, in the books only the baby in the brothel is killed. The only other known ******* in King's Landing is Gendry and he is sent to the Night's Watch because Varys assumed Cersei would kill the bastards she could reach.

Spoiler

I thought it was implied that other bastards were killed as well. Not all of them of course. Plus the gold cloaks go after gendry on the kings road as well.

(in the last 2 spoilers)

Spoiler

It was at the least implied, if not outright written. I thought it was pretty clear she was having all of Robert's bastards killed to make sure Joff's claim on the throne was "safe".

Spoiler

No, in a conversation with Tyrion, Varys says that he only knew of two bastards. The infant and Gendry. We later learn that Robert likely fathered 16 bastards. Varys didn't remove the infant from the city because he thought she wouldn't be targeted - being a baseborn infant. He arranged for Gendry to join the Night's watch because he did think he would be targeted.

Off the top of my head here are the bastards we know of:

Gendry - alive

Barra - killed by the Gold Cloaks - the infant killed in the show.

Mya Stone - alive in the Vale

Edric Storm - alive but location unknown

unnamed child at Casterly Rock - killed years ago, presumably under the orders of Cersei or Tywin

Bella (I think that is her name) - whore at The Peach IIRC.

Man, how do you remember this stuff?Dude, there are huge websites out there that track all of this stuff. Like this one. Link

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

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.

Spoiler

I might have understated a bit because I was only thinking of Melisandre and Thoros. Mel kills 2 people with shadows. Thoros brings Lord Beric back to life (and Beric dies to bring Cat to life). Other than that I can't think of any spells or rituals that one person does that directly affects another. Perhaps Bran warging into Hodor and Varamyr trying to do the same thing to the wildling.

multi-book spoiler

Spoiler

There's more: Melisandre turns Rattleshirt into Mance for a bit. Arya is turned blind via a "potion". The Mountain is turned into a brainless zombie. All via magic or hocus pocus potions. I am sure there are others too. But, I agree. It is downplayed.

 

[Gr00vus]

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.

Spoiler

I might have understated a bit because I was only thinking of Melisandre and Thoros. Mel kills 2 people with shadows. Thoros brings Lord Beric back to life (and Beric dies to bring Cat to life). Other than that I can't think of any spells or rituals that one person does that directly affects another. Perhaps Bran warging into Hodor and Varamyr trying to do the same thing to the wildling.

multi-book spoiler

Spoiler

There's more: Melisandre turns Rattleshirt into Mance for a bit. Arya is turned blind via a "potion". The Mountain is turned into a brainless zombie. All via magic or hocus pocus potions. I am sure there are others too. But, I agree. It is downplayed.

Also multi book spoiler.

Spoiler

There's even more than that. I mean start with the whole normal human/animal to white walker conversion thing that's going on continuously. The spells Miri Mazz Dur worked on Drogo & Rhaego, basically killing them both and possibly making Daenerys barren. Whatever was going on in the Temple Of The Undying. Various witches and others being able to see the future and freaking people out with the info. The horn of Joramun (though it hasn't actually been used recently and may or may not have been destroyed). That horn Euron's mate blew (that basically killed him). Whatever's going on with Bran - there's a ton of stuff there, visions sent from the greenseer to Bran telepathically, Coldhands saying he's being animated for Bran, Bran probably binding with the wierwoods (along with all the other folks down there who already did), talking to people via the wierwoods at various places and times. Threre's magic all over the place, but Martin has done a good job of keeping it from being the end all/be all as the prime force behind all events. I think so far he's gotten the mix just right, but I'm apprehensive about where things are going with Bran and Mellisandre - I can see things getting difficult to believe.

 

[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.

Spoiler

I might have understated a bit because I was only thinking of Melisandre and Thoros. Mel kills 2 people with shadows. Thoros brings Lord Beric back to life (and Beric dies to bring Cat to life). Other than that I can't think of any spells or rituals that one person does that directly affects another. Perhaps Bran warging into Hodor and Varamyr trying to do the same thing to the wildling.

Spoiler

multi-book spoilerThere's more: Melisandre turns Rattleshirt into Mance for a bit. Arya is turned blind via a "potion". The Mountain is turned into a brainless zombie. All via magic or hocus pocus potions. I am sure there are others too. But, I agree. It is downplayed.

Also multi book spoiler.

Spoiler

There's even more than that. I mean start with the whole normal human/animal to white walker conversion thing that's going on continuously. The spells Miri Mazz Dur worked on Drogo & Rhaego, basically killing them both and possibly making Daenerys barren. Whatever was going on in the Temple Of The Undying. Various witches and others being able to see the future and freaking people out with the info. The horn of Joramun (though it hasn't actually been used recently and may or may not have been destroyed). That horn Euron's mate blew (that basically killed him). Whatever's going on with Bran - there's a ton of stuff there, visions sent from the greenseer to Bran telepathically, Coldhands saying he's being animated for Bran, Bran probably binding with the wierwoods (along with all the other folks down there who already did), talking to people via the wierwoods at various places and times. Threre's magic all over the place, but Martin has done a good job of keeping it from being the end all/be all as the prime force behind all events. I think so far he's gotten the mix just right, but I'm apprehensive about where things are going with Bran and Mellisandre - I can see things getting difficult to believe.

Spoiler

There is magic - but most of that isn't directed from someone to someone else. That is what most people get annoyed with when discussing magic. For example, "if he could call down a lightning bolt 5 minutes ago why can't he do it now" sort of thing.

 

[EYLive]

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.

Spoiler

I might have understated a bit because I was only thinking of Melisandre and Thoros. Mel kills 2 people with shadows. Thoros brings Lord Beric back to life (and Beric dies to bring Cat to life). Other than that I can't think of any spells or rituals that one person does that directly affects another. Perhaps Bran warging into Hodor and Varamyr trying to do the same thing to the wildling.

The witch/healer that "saved" Drogo. Although, I suppose that's more potions than magic.

 

[CBusAlex]

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.

Spoiler

No excuse for that scene to be anything less than awesome. It doesn't even need CGI, just some clever lighting.

 

[CBusAlex]

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.

I didn't pick up on it from the books either. Then I watched the series and was like, "how did I not pick up on that from the books?"

 

[Marvin]

I don't remember seeing this posted in the previous 48 pages.

Two songs from The Sword's 2008 album "Gods of the Earth"

 

[Drifter]

OK I'm new to the books (about 3/4 of the way through AGoT) and decided to jump onto HBO's website to see how the actors in the series matched up with how I envisioned them. Overall they look close to how I saw them but was very surprised to see that Sean Bean is playing Eddard Stark. With him having recently played Boromir in LOTR, did anyone find it hard to accept him as Ned? Is his performance here strong enough to distinguish from Boromir? I mean, LOTR is the quintessential modern day fantasy epic. Hard to believe HBO used one of the LOTR actors for such an important role.

Lord of the Rings is minor league compared to A Song of Ice and Fire.

come on. Tolkein is like Elvis and GRRM is the beatles. Cant have one without the other and both are great.Sure GRRM is more adult, but LOTR is the genre setter.

This. I loved LOTR when I first read it, and re-read it a few times. But I went back to re-read it a year or two back after reading ASOFAI and WOT and realized it wasn't at the top of my fantasy list anymore. Don't get me wrong, it's still in my top 5 fantasy series, but it isn't the one I compare new series against anymore either.FWIW for those looking for other series, I really like WOT (I agree with others that it isn't quite as adult, and there are some tough stretches in the middle of the series to get through) and overall, it is probably my favorite series. ASOFAI is right behind it for me, but I would never fault someone for putting it ahead of WOT either.

I also like the Sword of Truth series, by Terry Goodkind. Little bit different, and those books are a little more standalone despite being a long series. To the point where they start to feel formulaic, despite the different storylines.

Also second the recommendation of Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn is a pretty decent trilogy.

Sorry for the hippling now that the show has started, but I was catching up on the thread and saw this. Start to feel formulaic? Seriously? Every one of those books is like a mini LOTR over and over again.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Is it controversial to say that this series is better than the Lord of the Rings films? A lot better.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Is it controversial to say that this series is better than the Lord of the Rings films? A lot better.

Not to me. And the tone and adult themes are what the Star Wars prequels should have been.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Is it controversial to say that this series is better than the Lord of the Rings films? A lot better.

Not to me. And the tone and adult themes are what the Star Wars prequels should have been.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

I don't remember seeing this posted in the previous 48 pages.

Two songs from The Sword's 2008 album "Gods of the Earth"

not sure

 

[sn0mm1s]

Is it controversial to say that this series is better than the Lord of the Rings films? A lot better.

Nothing wrong with speaking the truth.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Is it controversial to say that this series is better than the Lord of the Rings films? A lot better.

I think both are awesome. The character development is better in GOT, but the battle scenes in LOTR will be tough to top.