"The things i do for love" Game of Thrones is here

[TordelBack]

Now that I'm comfortably into Clash of Kings, having really enjoyed the first book, I thought I'd give the first episode of the TV series a quick peek.

Yes, some places and people look and sound different to how they are in my mind's eye, yes there are some slightly odd changes, there aren't enough extras in the background, and all the kids are way too old (I understand why - Emilia Clarke's legal butt alone justifies it) but basically... WOW!   That's a hell of a thing to pull off in a TV series, so solid, so extensive, so convincing.  Gives me instant confidence in how certain aspects will be handled, and how great the whole thing will be as it unfolds.  I'm not a fan of adaptations in general, but on the strength of that opener this one gets a free pass.

Wifey and I will be watching this whether she likes it or not - maybe I should fast forward to shirtless Jason Momoa straight away just to make ensure compliance...

[locustsofdeath!]

Anyone else who read Game of Thrones feel the last episode had a "rushed" pace? The episode seemed like an hour long "preview" for a longer show. We went from scene to scene at a crazy pace, we were left with little time to digest what we were seeing, everything from the performances to the action was hurried. Many of the scenes in the book were slower, more deliberate, more detailed and filled with important implications. Even the atmosphere was lacking: when the Other rises at the Wall, the scene should have been much longer - or rather the moments leading up to the reveal of the Other should have been drawn out for suspense; and after the other has been burned, we should have gotten a great sense of dread. Jon's hand being burned, which becomes a big part of the character later on, barely even registers. I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining though; this is the best show I've watched in ages. I suppose the books have me spoiled!

[mygrimmbrother]

Although I haven't read the books Locust, I know what you mean. That really was breakneck pacing last week wasn't it? I have to say though, this just meant I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through, with barely time to take a breath (even more so than usual). In dramatic terms, I thought it worked. Of course, if I'd read the books and had a different experience, I'm sure I'd feel differently.

[mogzilla]

Favourite bits this week - seeing Robb Stark rise to the occasion, Syrio's last stand (or was it?), Ser Barristan's hissy fit, Khal Drogo's utter annihialtion of his enemy. Actually, I'm gonna spoiler all of those just in case.

What a show! And now we have Charles Dance lording it over everyone in full on smarm mode - superb!

dont believe syrio copped it as we didnt actually see him die and he kicked ass with a wooden sword he's westeros' miyamato musashi...

got a nasty feeling neds not gonna have a happy ending as soon as its finished gonna track down all the books how many are there?

[The Cosh]

Anyone else who read Game of Thrones feel the last episode had a "rushed" pace? The episode seemed like an hour long "preview" for a longer show. We went from scene to scene at a crazy pace

Although I've enjoyed it, I've felt this way about most of the series. The first four episodes seemed to be trying to cram in as many scenes from the book as possible without any room to breathe or let them sink in. From the fifth there seemed to be a bit more of an attempt to flesh out some of the characters and there were a few scenes I didn't recognise which appeared to be doing just that. I'm quite surprised it's been so popular with people who haven't read the books as I assumed they'd all be quite lost.

got a nasty feeling neds not gonna have a happy ending as soon as its finished gonna track down all the books how many are there?

Five so far, with a sixth out next month and I'd reckon at least another couple to come. Don't hold your breath waiting for those though.

dont believe syrio copped it as we didnt actually see him die and he kicked ass with a wooden sword he's westeros' miyamato musashi...

This seems to be a recurring topic amongst fans of the books.

[MIKE COLLINS]

Just watched the penultimate episode and...... bugger!

So, so good. Best 'historical' romp for ages.

And don't forget the 2000AD connection- some costume and set design and the storyboards are by Will Simpson!

[mygrimmbrother]

Really? How cool is that? I had no idea.

Last night's episode was epic and mental. Unbelievably good!

[mogzilla]

last one next week hope "the borgias" is good

[MIKE COLLINS]

hope "the borgias" is good

Umm... no, no it's not.

Glacially paced without any tension, and even the sight of her off of Ashes to Ashes (Shaz)  in flagrante is handled clumsily. It's not as creaky as Camelot but is too worthy to be part of the whole new sub genre of 'Sopranos in ......'

Jeremy Irons, who has evolved into a less friendly version of Boris Karloff, looks utterly bored.

Dunno what Neil Jordan was going for here but by the look of the pilot (only thing I've seen so far) it's not very engaging.

[Radbacker]

That was so fricken cool but damn it why is there only one episode left. 
Next seasons going to be bloody epic, hope we see a bit more of the battles though (be a shame for all that brilliant armour design not to be used) even if its only small parts rather than whole armies going at it (thats for season 3 Clash of Kings).
From the last episode so many brilliant moments, Tyrions Tysha speech was arsom, Joffrey really is an absolute shit, mad arse shit going on in Kal Drogo's tent, Maester Aemon's (sorry Aemon Taygerian) speech to Jon about duty to the wall and what it means to be a Brother of the watch even when your family's getting murdered
I dont think the series has put a foot wrong and we can live in hope that it will keep running and running.

CU Radbacker

[locustsofdeath!]

I dont think the series has put a foot wrong and we can live in hope that it will keep running and running.

Let's also live in hope that A Dance With Dragons is chock full of the arsomness that could have made A Feast for Crows a bit less tedious, so that if the show gets that far (and I think it will) it isn't subtitled A Medieval Vagina Monologue: Cersei Freaks Out About Everything and Nothing.

[soggy]

Most of the battles in the books happen off camera, with the exception of the Blackwater in book 2 and the wall in book 3 part 2, and possibly the Fist of the first Men but that happens at night.

Also I see that they did not show MAJOR SPOILER or a red herring only time will tellNeds memories of his sister while he was in the cells

[The Cosh]

I was mildly concerned about how they'd handle the climax of the first book and was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked. That whole episode was basically just one big setup for the next series though.

[MIKE COLLINS]

I was mildly concerned about how they'd handle the climax of the first book and was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked. That whole episode was basically just one big setup for the next series though.

Well, yes, but that last scene was the real Moffat style 'game changer' wasn't it? Now I have to go read the books...!

[Radbacker]

more, more, I want more now!!!!!!!!!!
absolutly note perfect all the way through and that end, what a scene, i knew it was comnig but my housemate didn't and boy did he have kittens.  Played perfectly.
There's got to be some Emmy nominations in this thing it is by far the best show on TV at the moment.

CU Radbacker