Game of Thrones TV [spoilers]

Walter

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Scorpio said:
I guess it's hard for me to say, considering I haven't read the books, but from how you described it from your original post I see nothing wrong with how they handled it. She wasn't thrilled with the arrangement to start with but she decided to make the most of it and quickly adopted her position and now finds it to her liking. I don't see any contradiction.
You know the ending of the first episode, when Daenerys and Drogo first have sex? It's basically portrayed as rape, with her grunting, and looking like she's in pain, facing the camera as he gropes her.

Well, here's the book's version:

“You speak the Common Tongue,” Dany said in wonder.

“No,” he said again.

Perhaps he had only that word, she thought, but it was one word more than she had known he had, and somehow it made her feel a little better. Drogo touched her hair lightly, sliding the silver-blond strands between his fingers and murmuring softly in Dothraki. Dany did not understand the words, yet there was warmth in the tone, a tenderness she had never expected from this man.

He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head, so she was looking up into his eyes. Drogo towered over her as he towered over everyone. Taking her lightly under the arms, he lifted her and seated her on a rounded rock beside the stream. Then he sat on the ground facing her, legs crossed beneath him, their faces finally at a height. “No,” he said.

“Is that the only word you know?” she asked him.

Drogo did not reply. His long heavy braid was coiled in the dirt beside him. He pulled it over his right shoulder and began to remove the bells from his hair, one by one. After a moment Dany leaned forward to help. When they were done, Drogo gestured. She understood. Slowly, carefully, she began to undo his braid.

It took a long time. All the while he sat there silently, watching her. When she was done, he shook his head, and his hair spread out behind him like a river of darkness, oiled and gleaming. She had never seen hair so long, so black, so thick.

Then it was his turn. He began to undress her.

His fingers were deft and strangely tender. He removed her silks one by one, carefully, while Dany sat unmoving, silent, looking at his eyes. When he bared her small breasts, she could not help herself. She averted her eyes and covered herself with her hands. “No,” Drogo said. He pulled her hands away from her breasts, gently but firmly, then lifted her face again to make her look at him. “No,” he repeated.

“No,” she echoed back at him.

He stood her up then and pulled her close to remove the last of her silks. The night air was chilly on her bare skin. She shivered, and gooseflesh covered her arms and legs. She was afraid of what would come next, but for a while nothing happened. Khal Drogo sat with his legs crossed, looking at her, drinking in her body with his eyes.

After a while he began to touch her. Lightly at first, then harder. She could sense the fierce strength in his hands, but he never hurt her. He held her hand in his own and brushed her fingers, one by one. He ran a hand gently down her leg. He stroked her face, tracing the curve of her ears, running a finger gently around her mouth. He put both hands in her hair and combed it with his fingers. He turned her around, massaged her shoulders, slid a knuckle down the path of her spine.

It seemed as if hours passed before his hands finally went to her breasts. He stroked the soft skin underneath until it tingled. He circled her nipples with his thumbs, pinched them between thumb and forefinger, then began to pull at her, very lightly at first, then more insistently, until her nipples stiffened and began to ache.

He stopped then, and drew her down onto his lap. Dany was flushed and breathless, her heart fluttering in her chest. He cupped her face in his huge hands and looked into his eyes. “No?” he said, and she knew it was a question.

She took his hand and moved it down to the wetness between her thighs. “Yes,” she whispered as she put his finger inside her.
Not really the same scene anymore, is it? It's actually a pretty tender moment, all things considered. But in the series, it's not until the second or third episode that she starts to assert herself in the relationship, at which point the show finally meets up with where the book started with these two.

And again, my objection to this particular change is that it seems salacious to me. They took a more scandalous route, making her a victim here instead of the original scene, in which she ultimately is empowered. That feels like a betrayal, because that's kind of what Dany's character is all about -- finding her way through desperate circumstances, and ending up on top.
 

Scorpio

Courtesy of Grail's doodling.
Ah. That is completely different. I can sympathize and understand your gripe now. If I had read the book first I would probably feel more strongly about it as well. Still, from my perspective how it's handled in the show seems to work but I won't question your disagreement about it now. It's definitely a major change.
 

Dar_Klink

Last Guardian when? - CyberKlink 20XX before dying
I'm pretty scared myself of who they're going to be killing off in the tv series this season. Maybe
The Hound? They have been taking away a lot of his character already and gave his backstory to Littlefinger to tell instead. This would piss me off a lot though, since he was one of my favorite characters in the books. Although his death isn't confirmed yet, so maybe not him... I have a horrible memory, so I can't remember for sure who dies in book 3 actually, outside of the major major ones that would ruin the story completely if they died in season 1. :sad:
 

Walter

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Dar Klink said:
I'm pretty scared myself of who they're going to be killing off in the tv series this season.
It won't be who you suggested because he's not dead. I'd rather not discuss such big spoilers in a thread about the TV show though, but I'll PM you my two horses in this race.
 

Walter

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JudeauChop said:
Overall I was very satisfied with Season 1... now I just need to finish book 1 so I can read ahead!
From what I've seen, Season 1 was pretty faithful in covering the major plot points in Book 1. You could probably safely jump to Book 2, if you were impatient. I'm still 2 episodes behind, so I'll catch up sometime this week. I like who they cast for Tywin Lannister, one of my favorite characters :void:
 

Oburi

All praise Grail
I like who they cast for Tywin Lannister, one of my favorite characters

Yea he's great.

The final episode was killer. Especially the last 20 minutes or so. It feels like the biggest cliffhanger for a season final without that really annoying feeling like they did it purposely just to piss you off. It feels like season two is going to have some really great things coming.

Btw, the baby dragons at the end were superb. I was so skeptical about any special effects they would use on the show but this was high budget movie quality type stuff. In fact it's even better than some movies depictions of dragons both in design and actual computer effects.

Also is it safe for someone to say what characters death came early? I'm guessing it was Ned?
 

Walter

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Oburi said:
Also is it safe for someone to say what characters death came early? I'm guessing it was Ned?
Haha, no definitely not him. That's the key death in Book 1. I'll post it here when I finish watching the last 2 eps.
 

Saephon

Die young and save yourself
For anyone who liked the show and is wondering if you should read the first book at all, I pondered the same thing and ultimately decided to start from the beginning; I highly recommend it. The show was indeed pretty faithful with the main plot, but there are so many details and nuances to be gained by reading the book. Plus you get to be inside the characters' heads. Don't skip to book 2!
 

Walter

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Saephon said:
The show was indeed pretty faithful with the main plot, but there are so many details and nuances to be gained by reading the book. Plus you get to be inside the characters' heads. Don't skip to book 2!
*Shrug* I guess. Book 1 is the least consequential in terms of the overall story arc. That's why I'd suggest people who have been introduced to the series through the TV show pick up from Book 2 -- particularly if you're craving what happens next. What you miss in Book 1 won't ruin your experience.
 
Well its been a while since I posted here about anything but I've enjoyed the book series, and have also enjoyed the TV show. Though I must say that the Song of Ice and Fire series does suffer from some of the same problems as a fellow epic fantasy writer, the late Robert Jordan. However Game of Thrones isnt nearly as bad as the Wheel of Time series which... well was like a run away train that took forever to run away and then didnt ever really slam into anything or derail.

The series was pretty good overall, though I felt it was a bit trashy at times. I get that there was sex in the series but often it was with important characters and usually to help build on their relationships, story, etc. I mean some of the scenes just seemed gratuitous and I'm no prude haha. You know which ones I'm talking about, several of the added scenes.

I'm just glad that genre series are getting their due on TV, this and The Walking Dead doing well is only a good sign of things to come.

I do wish HBO went through with their adaptation of Preacher. I heard they turned it down because it was too controversial... really? Not that it wasnt a controversial comic that would have been even more controversial as a TV show but its not like they havent covered some pretty risque material before.

On a side note, one of my friends is a major force in the TV show and I talk to him a lot about the series. I actually believe he's a vice pres. at HBO. So I'm doubly glad the show is doing well.
 

Walter

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HawaiianStallion said:
I'm just glad that genre series are getting their due on TV, this and The Walking Dead doing well is only a good sign of things to come.
Walking Dead was well received initially, but I wouldn't say that in particular was a "a good sign" of things to come. It's hardly comparable to the comic. I actually don't know a single person that follows the comic who likes the show. So they've sort of ruined their welcome with their most dedicated fan base. What they have going into season 2 are the casual viewers who think it's neat to see zombies on TV. Let's see how long that lasts.

I do wish HBO went through with their adaptation of Preacher. I heard they turned it down because it was too controversial... really? Not that it wasnt a controversial comic that would have been even more controversial as a TV show but its not like they havent covered some pretty risque material before.
Please god, no. Let's leave Jesse alone. As with any adaptation, I ask what is the point? What would TV possibly add to the experience of that series?
 
Well I enjoyed the TV series and the comic, the Walking Dead that is. I noted the differences like many others but overall I enjoyed the series tone, though I hated the red neck brothers and I like both the actors, but they were an addition that really didn't seem all that needed. Not to mention they dont really go anywhere as far these storylines and character arcs are concerned. Overall though I thought it was a good show, and from all I've read the ratings were pretty strong for its entire first season, short as it was.

I mean if we're being honest, no show has come close to beating the Wire but the wire was lightning in a bottle. Still nice to see Idris Elba (stringer Bell) getting some recognition.

As to Preacher? I say give it a shot, apparently the script for the pilot episode was pretty damn good and HBO loved it but again, for some reason it was too controversial even for a channel with what amounts to gay vampire porn.
 

Walter

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The long-awaited, much-delayed Book 5, A Dance With Dragons, is out next week: http://amzn.com/0553801473

I really don't want a hardcover sitting next to my softcover books though... I suppose that makes me a pretty vain guy :void:
 

Rhombaad

Video Game Time Traveler
Walter said:
I really don't want a hardcover sitting next to my softcover books though... I suppose that makes me a pretty vain guy :void:

Nah, I'm the same way. Then again, I have obsessive compulsive disorder. :void:
 
After lunch yesterday I went on a GOT marathon and finished the series around 3 am. The production looked amazing and I liked the overall flow of the story. I haven't read the books and I can't wait for season 2. Some characters were sorta stiff in the first 2 episodes except Tyrion, who was awesome.

EDIT: few questions here and there - Daenerys' character know she's immune to heat (we see that when she enters a hot bath and doesn't react or holds the hot egg and doesn't get burnt or when she confidently asserts that a dragon's blood cannot burn right before/ after her brother was killed), so did she get into the fire at the end well knowing she couldn't be harmed + how'd she know about the dragon's eggs (during the sex scene with Drogo perhaps when she feels it hissing/ talking to her perhaps)?

Who consented the child being used as a sacrifice for Drogo's revival ... I thought the witch wanted just the horse?

It'll be interesting to learn more about the lady with Tyrion at the end, who he asks to accompany him.
 
IncantatioN said:
After lunch yesterday I went on a GOT marathon and finished the series around 3 am. The production looked amazing and I liked the overall flow of the story. I haven't read the books and I can't wait for season 2. Some characters were sorta stiff in the first 2 episodes except Tyrion, who was awesome.

Yeah the production level was pretty crazy even for HBO. Following some stuff on season 2 it looks like its shaping up nicely. I hope they dumb down the Renly queerness for the second installment.
 

Oburi

All praise Grail
I've been following the season 2 production like a hawk. The first season is suppose to come out on dvd and bluray just before the new season starts (and from the pictures it looks like an amazing set). I may be able to answer some of your questions incantation when I get home from work later, if nobody else does.
 

Walter

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IncantatioN said:
EDIT: few questions here and there - Daenerys' character know she's immune to heat (we see that when she enters a hot bath and doesn't react or holds the hot egg and doesn't get burnt or when she confidently asserts that a dragon's blood cannot burn right before/ after her brother was killed), so did she get into the fire at the end well knowing she couldn't be harmed + how'd she know about the dragon's eggs (during the sex scene with Drogo perhaps when she feels it hissing/ talking to her perhaps)?
It's not so much that she's immune to fire. It's more like she has an affinity for it. Her family has "dragon's blood." Anyway, she wasn't exactly thinking logically at that time, nor was she counting on her blood to protect her. She was compelled to do all that stuff out of grief for the loss of Drogo and her child. But it all worked out in the end =).

Who consented the child being used as a sacrifice for Drogo's revival ... I thought the witch wanted just the horse?
No one consented. It was revenge from the witch. Remember her monologue about how she was raped even before Daenerys saved her? Some people are just assholes.
 
Thanks for the answers, Walter. That witch was ... real ... dirty with her o_0. Damn, I didn't expect that/ see it coming, I thought she had a miscarriage.

Come to think of it there wasn't anything cheesy on the show, none of the deaths even. I look forward to re-watching the series before the 2nd season comes out. This's fun (you know, being able to talk about it with everyone here while it's ongoing). I wonder what Jaime's fate will be, a part of me was thinking "hurt the guy, cut his arms off or something".

EDIT: (added a bit to the post)
 

Walter

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IncantatioN said:
Come to think of it there wasn't anything cheesy about this show, none of the deaths even. I look forward to re-watching the series before the 2nd season comes out. This's fun.
You should probably just read the books in the interim. Fair warning though, it doesn't necessarily get better. I'm not even sure I'm going to bother when/if Book 6-7 come out.
 
Walter said:
You should probably just read the books in the interim. Fair warning though, it doesn't necessarily get better. I'm not even sure I'm going to bother when/if Book 6-7 come out.

I was unhappy with a lot of the events in book 2, so I stopped reading after that one. Does Bronn ever get his own chapter??
 

Walter

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frankencowx said:
I was unhappy with a lot of the events in book 2, so I stopped reading after that one. Does Bronn ever get his own chapter??
I like Bronn a lot. (Minor spoilers for Books 3-4):
But his role in the overall series shifts and he begins being phased out after book 3, to the point where by book 4 he's just mentioned by other characters. Long story short, he ends up landing on his feet despite everything. But I don't recall if he ever got a perspective chapter, but even if he did, it's not very memorable.
 
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