Game of Thrones

Sort of shocked that there are not any threads about this yet. Well at least no threads that the search tool could find.

Anyways, I thought I'd start a discussion about both Game of Thrones the TV series and the larger Song of Fire and Ice novels. *****SPOILER ALERT****** Keep in mind if you have only watched the show, or if you have not read all the books some things may get spoiled for you.

A brief history for some of you who have no idea what I am talking about. A Song of Fire and Ice is a massive multi-book series from author George R. R. Martin that was recently turned into a very successful TV series by HBO called Game of Thrones (it also happens to be the title of the first book in the series and the general theme of the entire series).

The best way I could describe it to someone who is not familiar with it is it is a very adult Lord of the Rings. It's just as complex, with out being overly boring in the details, with more adult themes. You have Kings and Knights, Dragons and Warlocks, Barbarians and Giants, but with that much it's more graphic/violent along with sex and cussing. Obviously for the rules of the forums I won't describe those bits here.

One funny bit about the book series is the author actually made it so complex because he did not want to see someone attempt to make a movie or TV show about it and ruin it in the process. HBO has done a good job of it so far, 1 successful season ran early this year with season 2 filming almost done for a early 2012 showing, and the keep the original author involved to make sure it is done correctly.

It would take me for ever to even begin to get in to the details of the show and the book but a simple Google search will bring you a ton of results. There is a very good fan blog I suggest you check out called Winter-Is-Coming.net. It is mainly focused on following the season 2 filming so I'd read up on other things first. The blog is more useful to people who are familiar with the series.

Edit:
Series Wiki


Edited by jmaster299 - 23 Nov 2011 at 11:04pm

Ill check out the series and post my favorite.

I'm about half way through Game of Thrones (the book) and LOVING it! its been ages since I've enjoyed a book this much. I've actually been trying to read it slowly so it lasts longer. I dont have HBO, but have been considering purchasing the first season once i finish the book, in your opinion would it be worth it? so far (as im only half way through the first book, actually around Arya's training with Syro...) i think my favorite characters are Tyrion and Jon Snow.

Sneaky george (and anyone else), be really careful on what you read/watch until you have finished all 5 of the current books. I believe there are supposed to be two more books that will complete the series. Yep sticking to that magic # of seven that is so prominent throughout the storytelling.

There are a ton of surprises along the way and I think it would be really disappointing to know about them in advance.

I've read all 5 and I'm pretty mad at myself for starting this series before it was completed. It is going to be agonizing to wait for the final two books, besides I'm sure I'll forget half of what has happened in the meantime. I haven't watched the HBO series, but I'm sure I will once it is completed.

As far as favorite characters go, that is too tough a question. Here are the ones that I find extremely compelling since they are not an "open book" by any stretch and are consistently surprising you by their actions/thoughts.

Tyrion Lannister
Jamie Lannister
Jon Snow
Arya Stark
Bran Stark
Daenyrus Targyuen (sp?)

Edited by sdwas - 05 Dec 2011 at 3:25pm

Season 2 trailer is finally out, it's epic just as it should be.

Video

One of the fan sites has put together a lengthy screen cap review of the trailer to help identify key characters and scenes from the book. (Season 2 will be from A Clash of Kings) They also point out some scenes that are added or different.

Screen cap review here just scroll down past the SAG awards photos. About 3 pages of screen cap review.

You'll also see an article in that link that GoT has become the 2 most current watched show on HBO and 3rd most watched in network's history. It trails only True Blood as the networks current #1 show and The Sopranos as the networks #1 all time show. GoT has almost 1 million more average viewers per episode then even Boardwalk Empire. Very good numbers for a freshman show.

GoT got a serious budget boost after being able to prove it's self in it's first season and all indications are that season 2 should be as good or better. From a story stand point there is a lot more going on which should help it's numbers even more.

*********-----------Spoiler Alert-------------***********

Peter Dinklage won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for good reason and he has a much more active role this time around. We will get to watch him as Tyrion battling with his sister for control over King's Landing and the crown.

There will be tons of blood as there will actually be over a half dozen people fighting for the claim to be King or Queen. Poor Sansa will continued to be held hostage and abused by Joffery and manipulated by Cersei. Daenereys finds her courage and her purpose in her quest to rid the world of slavery and fights to keep her people alive.

There's simply too much to go on about in a forum post but things are looking up for the series. Watch Season 1 and read the series if you have not already done so. It appeals to so many different types of genres (action, fantasy, drama, etc) that it has a very wide appeal, the fact that it's full of so much violence and sex is pretty helpful.

I've used this comparison before but for the people who may see this and only read the last post, just imagine if Lord of the Rings was rated R (i.e. all the sex and blood) and didn't have any of the boring stuff. (Like spending 47 hours of film walking to a volcano)


Edited by jmaster299 - 30 Jan 2012 at 2:39pm

I've read the five current books so far and am dieing for the 6th book to be released. I am hoping that the success of the show will motivate Martin to get it done and not wait years and years like he did for book 5.

I don't have a link but there is a vid of Martin at one of the awards shows saying how Tyrion is his personal favorite character and that definitely shows in the books. I can't say for certain but I think Tyrion has more time in all the books then any other character, possibly more then any other two combined.

Peter Dinklage deserves every award he has won for the role so far and he was robbed at the SAG awards imo. Season/Book 2 shows how Tyrion is really the only honest person looking out for the best interests of the realm. Of all the other people fighting for control of the Throne he is the only one that wants to do something to make the kingdom better as a whole.

Before any potential King of the North fans start hating on me, Rob does not care about the Kingdom as a whole and only cares about the North. It's not a bad goal or an evil goal, it's just a selfish goal and limited goal. He further reinforces his selfish attitude when he betrays his promise Walder Frey and does not marry his daughter.

Tyrion is the only person who will stand up to his down right evil family. Each time he bitch slaps Joffrey is always cause for celebration. Even later when he is forced to marry Sansa Stark he refuses to bed her against her wishes despite the threats from his father.

I am going through withdrawals waiting for Season 2.
The teaser and trailer were awesome!

Favorite Character (Currently): Jon Snow (one tough bastard)

"Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come."
- Night's Watch Oath

I have seen the first season and am currently reading through the first book (not very far due to lots of other mandatory reading I have to finish).

jmaster299 - that is probably the beauty of the Jon Snow character, there are different ways of looking at him and his thoughts/actions/reactions. I definitely have a different (complete opposite) outlook on his character :).

Yep, read all the books so far (have not watched the series yet). Like I said, you can probably talk to a hundred people and it will be a close 50/50 split on whether he is liked or not. That is part of the beauty of the characters in this series, there really isn't a single character that is definitively good or bad.

Game of Thrones pick up lines

Also, the fan site WiC added another one of their own with Littlefinger that's even better.