Game of Thrones: WINTER IS COMING

So who else is as obsessed with this show and/or the Song of Ice and Fire books as I've become?

I freely admit that I got into it because of the show. I'd had the first book lying around for years and years but the prospect of getting into yet another massive fantasy book series, and one that, realistically, might never be finished at that, was daunting.

But after the show was so excellent I dived in and finished the first book in a month, mostly because I couldn't wait till the next Sunday to find out what was going to happen!

Anyhow, it's been incredible how closely the show has followed the book so far. It's one of the few adaptations I've ever seen where, so far, I've actually preferred most of the few changes the show has made to the book. For example, I liked the show's version of what happened to Ned Stark's knee in the first fight with Jaime Lannister a lot better. Although I wished they'd found an actor for Joffrey who was more handsome and less weasel-y. He's not supposed to look like an evil little shit the moment you lay eyes on him.

Favorite characters? Tyrion, Arya, and Jon, of course.

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

And Syrio.

But that's Game of Thrones. You need to watch it if you're not already, but don't get too attached to anyone.

Just watched episode 9 this morning... love this show and am waiting for this season to end before I read the first book. Been told there's a lot more to read about but don't want to spoil the anticipation that I get right after watching a new episode

I also just watched episode 9 today. ‎This episode had the first changes I didn't like.

I bet you'll want to read the books when the season ends and you have to wait a few months before season 2. The show actually has done an amazing job so far of sticking to the book. There have only been a few things I've missed, mostly lore fluff, like why exactly there are "old gods" and "new gods", etc, where The Wall came from, all that.

I'm looking forward to it reaching NetFlix.

Ahh. That makes more sense now.

I've already told Jody that I need to steal the books from her. I know she's re-reading them now.

I agree on every point from the cheap battle to the lore part (quite a bit of depth, but just enough mystery in the books to keep you interested and wondering).

For those just getting into the series, I don't recommend reading this spoiler...

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

I felt robbed with the last episode too, Tyrion proved he had some real stones in the gruesomeness of the literary battle. Same with the ambush, and capture of Jamie, they just dragged him out of the forest, not even a hint of smoke on the horizon (cheap!) At least Tyrion looked like he'd actually gotten battered up a bit and there were dead and dying bodies all around him, but him getting accidentally knocked out by his own men at the beginning of the charge just stunk.

I realize there are budgetary limits constraining the extent of what a TV series can show (without it looking too obviously cheap), but come on! Intrigue and small skirmishes are great, but these pitched battles between large army hosts are kind of pivotal and climactic moments in the story. I know I shouldn't compare apples to oranges, but just one look at King Charle's army in The Borgias, and you'll be entirely convinced that Game of Thrones could have done a better job.

Also, one other thing bothered me a bit. I know they're trying to add some complexity to his character, but making Renley (King Robert's vain, younger brother) gay was a total departure from the books. Not sure if it's really necessary, but OK, I get the intrigue part between him and the Knight of Flowers, as it's setting the stage a bit for book two. Also, I'm kind of missing some of Bran's dreams, they're pretty vivid in the book, a bit empty in TV series. Finally IMO, not enough dire wolf action either.

I hear there's buzz on the net where the TV fans felt cheated after Ned got his head lopped off. If you read the book, you knew it was coming, but there are some who think HBO misled them by headlining lead actor, Sean Bean, in all the promos. I can just imagine how they'll feel after they see what happens to Kal Drogo. I can hear their squeals now, "they're killing everyone off!" Yes, well, the lands of ice and fire are not gentle. Personally, I'd much rather suffer the "disappointment" of a beheading rather than the absence of the battles.

One thing I did find interesting from one blogger was an analysis of Ned's death being a rough analog for the martyrdom of Jesus while Drogo and Daenerys' drama mirrors that of Mohammad and his wife, where the splitting of the Kal is somewhat like the schism in Islam (between the Shea and Sunni) following Mohammad's death. It had never crossed my mind as I considered the Dothraki to be more like Mongols than any other culture, granted the Dothraki do seem to be hellbent on destroying the gods of the conquered. I'm really curious how the religious angle is going to work out in the 2nd book with the introduction of the fanatical monotheism of R'hllor and the cult surrounding Daenerys and her dragons! With so much going on, I can't wait to get back to reading, I'm eagerly anticipating a sea battle!

FellOnEarth said:

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

One thing I did find interesting from one blogger was an analysis of Ned's death being a rough analog for the martyrdom of Jesus while Drogo and Daenerys' drama mirrors that of Mohammad and his wife, where the splitting of the Kal is somewhat like the schism in Islam (between the Shea and Sunni) following Mohammad's death. It had never crossed my mind as I considered the Dothraki to be more like Mongols than any other culture, granted the Dothraki do seem to be hellbent on destroying the gods of the conquered. I'm really curious how the religious angle is going to work out in the 2nd book with the introduction of the fanatical monotheism of R'hllor and the cult surrounding Daenerys and her dragons! With so much going on, I can't wait to get back to reading, I'm eagerly anticipating a sea battle!

These are super interesting theories, and one of my friends tells me that she's read that the reason HBO cheaped out on this episode was that they blew their budget for this season on the next, final episode,

And to be honest, it's hardly fair of me to say they've cheaped out on anything in this series. The production values on this show are insane.

A hilarious reaction video to the most recent episode:

Agreed.

Love it! Been reading the books as they've come out - the next one is due either July or August. Been wondering for the last two years what the hell George R.R Martin was doing with his time. I mean, fair enough, the books are huge, and must take some time to write, but when a dead man releases his new novel before the guy who's still alive (fantasy fiction readers know what I mean), I was starting to give up hope, then I heard about the TV series. Now, despite yes some small inconsistancies and the occasional cheap outs like the battles that should have been in episode 9, I forgive him.

Heinlein's been quite prolific, postmortem.

This is certainly in the book and all but said explicitly by Stannis. It was just more subtle than Renly getting his detailing.

My friend recommended the Song of Ice and Fire to me probably about a year before the series started. I wrote it down and put it on the back burner, basically forgetting about it UNTIL i started to see the billboards for the show around town. That's when I started reading them and i basically havent been able to put them down since. I was just about finished with the first book when the series first started and now im just scratching the surface of book 3. I've got to say that im really really enjoying the hell out of these books and the show. Like some of you have said, this is one of the only series where they are really paying close attention to the source material, its pretty fantastic.
My fav characters are: Arya, Jon, Tyrion, the Old Bear, and Brienne.
Most hated: Joffrey, Sansa (in the beginning), Tywin, Cersei, and Littlefinger.

Ten minutes of Tyrion slapping Joffrey. This probably doesn't need to exist but I'm kind of glad it does.

I'm glad it exists too

Actually going for Robert Jordan....

I love this show. Never heard of the books before but will now go and read them.

I have found this website invaluable for preparing for the next book and the TV series without putting in the time of reading the first four again.

The books are amazing, one of my favorite series, and I was so looking forward to watching the show. I have leave in a few weeks, so hoping to burn the series and bring it back with me.

Correct! I just finished the season and feel so empty inside.

Since the season ended I have finished the first book and I'm almost 600 pages into the second.

I'm at about the same place in the second book. So good. I was really worried that the quality might not be as high which I've had happen a lot before when reading a sequel, but it's been really great.

I'm reading the third book again - not an especially quick reader, just can't remeber who I loaned 1 and 2 to, and can't find them in a second hand place :-(