Game of Thrones - You Win or You Die - 5/22 on HBOGO or 5/29 on HBO

[Ereth]

Originally Posted by SurvivorFan

I'm on the last half of the 4th book now and I'll admit there have been times when it felt like a bit of a slog. Not complaining, they're well worth the time and effort overall, but they are BIG books and sometimes it seems like a long while goes by where not a lot happens.

Whatever you do, do not read "The Wheel of Time". Book 6 is 900 pages of nothing happens.

After "The Wheel of Time", "Song of Ice and Fire" simply screams by!

[pjenkins]

Originally Posted by Ereth

Ah, but while the destination may be known, the route and the scenery is not.

well said! I'm loving the show, even after reading the book so recently, they are doing a fabulous job with it, and I'm very intersted to see how they are choosing what to show, and the minor nuances they are changing/adding/highlighting are interesting for sure... I'm very interested in how they are going to show the final scene in the book in the show. No spoilers obviously, but lets just say I think it's going to be difficult to pull off and I'm interested to see how they do it and whether they keep that part true to the book...

[Rob Helmerichs]

Originally Posted by Peter000

You should try something NEW instead of wasting time on something you've read.

But you see, I ENJOY it. That's why I'm re-reading it. Because it's FUN.

My point is simply that you should read it if you're enjoying it, and you should stop if you're not. Sorry if that bothers you somehow...

[allan]

I'm watching & reading, and I enjoy both. I started watching first, so I didn't get any surprises from the book, but I liked the extra detail. I've roughly caught up to the show, so I'll soon find out if I continue to enjoy watching stuff I've already read, but I suspect I will.

[Tracy]

I bought the first book and read the first chapter several weeks ago just to see the style. I'll start it over again in a couple of weeks when we start our 3-week vacation on the lake. Perfect time for a good read. If I love it, I will probably continue on and read the next couple of books as well. We are also doing a long train vacation with a ton of reading time. Maybe I'll get the whole series done.

[robojerk]

TV.com has this article, Game of Thrones: How Much is the Show Departing From the Book?

[BK89]

I don't understand how Ned all of the sudden knows for a fact that Bran was pushed and that Jamie and Cersei are insestuous? This is all because of Sansa's comment about wanting to make babies with blond hair? It seems like it went from it being just a hunch last week (or a strong suspicion) to a fact this week, all of the sudden with no explaination?

[robojerk]

Originally Posted by BK89

I don't understand how Ned all of the sudden knows for a fact that Bran was pushed and that Jamie and Cersei are insestuous? This is all because of Sansa's comment about wanting to make babies with blond hair? It seems like it went from it being just a hunch last week (or a strong suspicion) to a fact this week, all of the sudden with no explaination?

I'm just chalking it up to the fact they had to condense such a long book into 10 episodic parts.

[pjenkins]

i don't really think it was all of a sudden, he had the book/history, he met the bastard/real son who had the resemblence/hair, and distrusted Cersei and the Lannisters from the start.

[Johnny Dancing]

I didn't want to start a new thread for my question so I thought I would ask in a current active Game of Thrones thread.

I am not a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter fan. I love SF but don't like pure fantasy with magic spells, elves, dwarfs, witches, crystal balls etc...

Given the above, would Game of Thrones be something I might enjoy?

[Tracy]

I'm not a Lord of the Rings fan or Harry Potter fan and I like Game of Thrones. So far there hasn't been much in the way of supernatural/magic type stuff, although I fully expect to see a dragon at some point. Also, there seem to be some sort of supernatural zombie types in the woods. It is more fantasy.....a made-up world with different rules where unusual things--like a winter that lasts for years....can happen.

[allan]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dancing

I didn't want to start a new thread for my question so I thought I would ask in a current active Game of Thrones thread.

I am not a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter fan. I love SF but don't like pure fantasy with magic spells, elves, dwarfs, witches, crystal balls etc...

Given the above, would Game of Thrones be something I might enjoy?

I'd say so. So far, there hasn't been any "magic". It feels more like a medeval world with military & political intrigue than any traditional "magic" realm, though there are rumblings about magic, like the dragons Tracy mentioned.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Originally Posted by allan

I'd say so. So far, there hasn't been any "magic". It feels more like a medieval world with military & political intrigue than any traditional "magic" realm, though there are rumblings about magic, like the dragons Tracy mentioned.

I've always thought of Song of Fire and Ice as being what high fantasy would be if written by a science fiction writer.

Which, of course, is exactly what it is. I like sci fi, I'm not a big fantasy fan, but I love these books.

[stellie93]

Before they figured out the blonde thing, they knew the knife pointed to the Lannisters trying to kill Bran, but they had no idea why. They're evil, but they don't go around killing kids for no reason. Then it all made sense.

Who got the pardon for Mormont? Was that his payment for telling them about Dany's pregnancy? He didn't seem to be very excited about it. Or about his big reward for saving Dany's life. Woohoo, a horse. I guess that's a big prize to a Dothkari. I love this character--he has a cool accent or way of talking.

[Fleegle]

Originally Posted by stellie93

Before they figured out the blonde thing, they knew the knife pointed to the Lannisters trying to kill Bran, but they had no idea why. They're evil, but they don't go around killing kids for no reason. Then it all made sense.

Who got the pardon for Mormont? Was that his payment for telling them about Dany's pregnancy? He didn't seem to be very excited about it. Or about his big reward for saving Dany's life. Woohoo, a horse. I guess that's a big prize to a Dothkari. I love this character--he has a cool accent or way of talking.

The boy who brought the pardon referreed to The Spider. I believe that is the eunich Varrys.

And yes, the Donraki are horse people. Horses are sacred to them. Khal Drogo telling Mormont that he can have his choice of ANY of his horses is an enormous honor. (In the book, Khal Drogo said Mormont could have any of his horses except his red stallion and Dany's silver mare. Not a big detail, but one glossed over in the show)

[Peter000]

Originally Posted by Rob Helmerichs

But you see, I ENJOY it. That's why I'm re-reading it. Because it's FUN.

My point is simply that you should read it if you're enjoying it, and you should stop if you're not. Sorry if that bothers you somehow...

I was being sarcastic. Making the point that it's just as ludicrous for me to tell you to stop wasting time re-reading as it is for you to tell me that I won't enjoy the books.

Just stop giving advice already.

[pjenkins]

Originally Posted by Peter000

I was being sarcastic. Making the point that it's just as ludicrous for me to tell you to stop wasting time re-reading as it is for you to tell me that I won't enjoy the books.

Just stop giving advice already.

your post didn't come across as sacastic at all, at least to me. try smilies or something like </sarcasm> - of course this is advice which you appear to not be interested in either, so... hmmm.. this is probably best suited for that "aborted replies" thread but i'll hit post anyway here

[Rob Helmerichs]

Originally Posted by Peter000

I was being sarcastic. Making the point that it's just as ludicrous for me to tell you to stop wasting time re-reading as it is for you to tell me that I won't enjoy the books.

Just stop giving advice already.

???

I guess that's good advice. Because I never told you you wouldn't enjoy the books. I only advised that if you enjoy them, read them; if not, don't.

I'm sorry I pissed you off. I wish I had a clue as to why.

[BK89]

Originally Posted by stellie93

Before they figured out the blonde thing, they knew the knife pointed to the Lannisters trying to kill Bran, but they had no idea why. They're evil, but they don't go around killing kids for no reason. Then it all made sense.

Well, we as the viewer know but Ned doesn't know for a fact. That is a pretty big leap to make if he is wrong. I would have thought he would need some actual proof before calling out the queen, not just a book listing hair colors.

[Peter000]

Originally Posted by Rob Helmerichs

???

I guess that's good advice. Because I never told you you wouldn't enjoy the books. I only advised that if you enjoy them, read them; if not, don't.

I'm sorry I pissed you off. I wish I had a clue as to why.

What you seem to be saying is that if I don't enjoy every moment of reading the books, I shouldn't read them, or I wouldn't like them as a whole. Which is a concept I wholly reject.

And what pisses me off is you are treating me like I don't DESERVE to read the books because of my question, or my attitude or something.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Originally Posted by Peter000

What you seem to be saying is that if I don't enjoy every moment of reading the books, I shouldn't read them, or I wouldn't like them as a whole. Which is a concept I wholly reject.

And what pisses me off is you are treating me like I don't DESERVE to read the books because of my question, or my attitude or something.

I'm sorry you got that; it certainly wasn't my intent.

I was just going by your use of words like "slog" and "chore," and suggesting that if that's your reaction, why read it?

[stellie93]

Originally Posted by robojerk

TV.com has this article, Game of Thrones: How Much is the Show Departing From the Book?

This article is pretty good and very light on the spoilers. I would advise that you stop reading when you get to White Walkers, which is close to the end.

The author said that he wrote the books because he was tired of always being limited in budget and time by writing for tv, so he went crazy with characters, and locations and wrote something that would never be possible to put on tv.

[bobino]

Originally Posted by BK89

Well, we as the viewer know but Ned doesn't know for a fact. That is a pretty big leap to make if he is wrong. I would have thought he would need some actual proof before calling out the queen, not just a book listing hair colors.

Well, there are two other clues. Not "beyond a shadow of doubt" clues, but they are additional evidence.

1. Long blonde hair in the room with the window from which Bran fell/was thrown.
2. The dagger used in he attempt on Bran's life was won a bet by Tyrion Lannister.

I think Ned would know these clues from when he talked with Catelyn in King's Landing. None of these are sufficient to accuse Cercei, and Ned isn't prone to knee-jerk reactions until he gets to King's Landing. Summoning Tywin Lannister was pretty outrageous in my opinion.

-Bob

[Peter000]

Originally Posted by Rob Helmerichs

I'm sorry you got that; it certainly wasn't my intent.

I was just going by your use of words like "slog" and "chore," and suggesting that if that's your reaction, why read it?

And I explained why, and you didn't accept that explanation.

But I over-reacted, and I apologize for that. I don't hate you or anything.

[tiassa]

OK maybe I missed this one, but when Littlefinger was talking to the two whores about the "love of his life" who is he talking about? Ned's wife? The Queen? Someone we haven't seen yet? When watching it I thought it was supposed to be obvious to the viewer, but I could be wrong.

If this is some as yet unrevealed plot twist then just say as much, and I'll be OK, but I was left wondering about that one after I watched it.

[robojerk]

Originally Posted by tiassa

OK maybe I missed this one, but when Littlefinger was talking to the two whores about the "love of his life" who is he talking about? Ned's wife? The Queen? Someone we haven't seen yet? When watching it I thought it was supposed to be obvious to the viewer, but I could be wrong.

If this is some as yet unrevealed plot twist then just say as much, and I'll be OK, but I was left wondering about that one after I watched it.

I am kind of wondering the same myself, but all the recaps and other people say he's talking about Ned's wife. I just made a mental note to myself so if we get any new info about the "love of his life" that contradicts what people are saying then it might shed new light on whats going on. However I'm pretty sure the people that have read the books inadvertently confirmed that it was Ned's life.

[madscientist]

Originally Posted by bobino

None of these are sufficient to accuse Cercei, and Ned isn't prone to knee-jerk reactions until he gets to King's Landing. Summoning Tywin Lannister was pretty outrageous in my opinion.

He didn't summon Tywin Lannister to accuse him or his family in the attempted murder of Bran, or even to discuss whether or not Joffrey is Robert's son. He summoned Tywin because Tywin is the liege lord of Gregor Clegane (the Mountain--the Hound's older brother) and Gregor was accused (and, apparently, judged guilty by Ned) of the pillaging of villages, rape and murder. Remember the scene in the throne room with the villagers. Ned summoned Tywin to court to answer for his retainer. I agree it was bold but I don't know if I'd say it was outrageous. Lords are responsible for their retainers, after all.

Originally Posted by robojerk

I am kind of wondering the same myself, but all the recaps and other people say he's talking about Ned's wife. I just made a mental note to myself so if we get any new info about the "love of his life" that contradicts what people are saying then it might shed new light on whats going on. However I'm pretty sure the people that have read the books inadvertently confirmed that it was Ned's wife.

I thought it was pretty clear: I haven't read the books but in the earlier episode where Cat comes to King's Landing and meets Littlefinger, they have a conversation about their shared past and it's clear Littlefinger had a thing for Cat and they both knew it. After the story he tells Ros and the other prostitute I thought it was even more clear that it was Cat.

[cheesesteak]

I wish the EW recapper of the Vampire Diaries recapped this show on the EW site.

[Ereth]

When both Cat and Ned are in Kings Landing they have a brief conversation about Littlefinger and Ned says "He still loves you" to which Cat replies, with a look on her face that says she thought that was obvious, something to the effect of "You think?".

Yes, I've read the book, but that scene was on the screen so it's not a spoiler.

[Steveknj]

Boy am I glad I didn't quit this show when I was confused at the beginning. These last two episodes rank up there with some of the most interesting TV I've ever seen. I've gone from it being a chore to want to watch the next episode to it being must see. I still don't get all the characters, but I'm "reading" the book (actually listening to the mp3s in my car) and I'm still at the first episode, but, I'm guessing a lot of the back story will be explained.

I did not see Littlefinger's double cross of Ned coming.