Game of Thrones

[Letho]

I don't know how many people (if any) here caught the yesterday's premiere of this show on HBO, but given the fact that most of us here like fantasy, this is one show you should keep your eye on. It's based on George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire which are by far the best fantasy books I read. Now, if you haven't read the books, the first episode might be a bit difficult to get into, but for those who read them this is like a wet dream come true. I feel that for some characters they could've done better casting, but for the most part they did a great job. The setting is also very well done, but you don't really see that many various settings in the first episodes, so I'm still waiting to see some others before passing a real judgment on it. But all in all, for the first time in a while my expectations were actually exceeded and I'm loving it so far.

So yeah, if you haven't read the books, go get them. And if you had, check out the show because it's awesomeness of the purest kind! Anybody else pumped up about this?

[Breaker]

I will definitely check out those books.. but I don't really watch TV. Based on what I know about the industry, the setting will get more elaborate soon or the show will get canned. the sponsors will be waiting for accurate rating assessment before they pour significant capital into locations.

[The International]

I definitely am. Correct me if I'm wrong, Letho, because it's been a while, but it's more so a drama in a fantasy setting than a fantasy. That's my kinda story. Another show I'm kind of watching is Camelot and The Borgias. Anyways back to the subject. The beginning tile sequence, if you look close, is pretty accurate to George R R Martins description of the location of the kingdoms. That impressed me.

[Breaker]

Also btw "Game of Thrones" sounds an awful lot like "Game of Houses", otherwise known as Da'es Da'emar(sp?) in The Wheel of Time series written by Robert Jordan and since his passing Brandon Sanderson mothatrucka!

Which means it's probably awesome also.

[Amen]

I will definitely check out those books.. but I don't really watch TV. Based on what I know about the industry, the setting will get more elaborate soon or the show will get canned. the sponsors will be waiting for accurate rating assessment before they pour significant capital into locations.

Actually, HBO has been pretty crazy-good about this particular show. They've dumped significant capital into making sure it's as close to the source material as they can get it, and talk started going around that they were going to renew it for a second season before the first episode aired.

Usually you'd be right, but the amount of support Game of Thrones is getting is pretty amazing. The production values rival the Lord of the Rings movies (well, except GoT's midgets are actually midgets), and that alone puts it a cut well above any other television fantasy show I've ever heard of.

I have yet to read the books (I know, shame on me, etc etc) but I subscribed to HBO just to watch Game of Thrones and I'm not disappointed so far. It looks and feels like the kind of show that would start arguments about historical accuracy, except the first fifteen minutes have a giant ice wall and blue-eyed zombies.

If you're subscribed to HBO and like fantasy (especially low fantasy and/or political intrigue), it's something you should be watching, for sure.

[Breaker]

While I am philosophically open to the idea of television networks doing "good" work my own experience has been entirely the opposite. Granted I know nothing about HBO specifically, and I'm not denying how awesome these kinds of shows can be. I'm currently in the process (have been for over a year) of watching Stargate SG-1 in its entirety with my friends who own the series dvds.

Like I said, I don't watch television. I'll probably pick up a couple of the books second hand, and maybe in the future I'll find myself watching the dvds :P

[Saxon]

Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of fantasy, so I'll take your word for it. The only thing I'm really interested in reading and watching this point is the book/documentary Restrepo. About a U.S. Infantry unit's bloody and violent deployment to Korengal valley in Afghanistan. Thanks for the heads up anyway.

[Ganlon Martel]

I was particularly excited about this show and it didn't disappoint so far. I was able to wrestle the T.V. away from my Wife and Dancing with the Idol or some such reality show to watch it.

I have read both series and I have to say that I am and will be a true blue Robert Jordan fan. That being said there is something more real about Game of Thrones, something that makes you believe that you could be there with them. Perhaps it is the fact that the Magic is in the background and not in your face. Either way I will be fighting to own that remote every week.

It will be interesting to see if they continue to put up so much money after the first book is done in 10 episodes.

[Letho]

I definitely am. Correct me if I'm wrong, Letho, because it's been a while, but it's more so a drama in a fantasy setting than a fantasy. That's my kinda story. Another show I'm kind of watching is Camelot and The Borgias. Anyways back to the subject. The beginning tile sequence, if you look close, is pretty accurate to George R R Martins description of the location of the kingdoms. That impressed me.Well, it's kind of hard to just brand it with a single genre, I guess. I just choose to call it fantasy because the term covers a lot of ground. But you could call it a drama, or even a political drama given all the intrigues, but also a medieval fantasy of sorts. Or you could just call it awesome. That works too. I think the fact that they worked with Martin while creating the show instead of just buying the rights and do what they want with it is really paying off.

I have read both series and I have to say that I am and will be a true blue Robert Jordan fan. That being said there is something more real about Game of Thrones, something that makes you believe that you could be there with them. Perhaps it is the fact that the Magic is in the background and not in your face.That's one of the main reasons I love The Song of Ice and Fire so much, because it's not really your typical fantasy setting. I can't necessarily say it's more realistic, but rather just more believable. It's not elves and goblins and shit, blasting away their spells and whatnot. It's simply people and their struggle for power and survival.


The only fear I have for this show is that, while the fans might be digging it in a big way, it won't be accepted by a wider audience. And then they pull the plug because it's not raking in as much money as they planned.

[Elrundir]

I want to watch this, but I haven't read the books yet and I think I want to do that before watching. I still have to finish the book I'm reading first (The Stand by Stephen King) before I can do that. And I'm a pretty slow reader so it may be a while before I get around to it. But I am looking forward to it, at least, and I have a shitload of gift cards to spend at Chapters so I think this is what I'll do with them. :p

[Letho]

Hah, funny thing, I'm currently reading through SK's The Stand as well. The long-winded, uncut version, so it's taking a while, because apparently King sometimes needs 200 pages to introduce the characters and get the story rolling. :P


I would recommend reading Game of Thrones before watching the show, though. The first one is really easy to read. I'm a slow reader too, and I practically swallowed it in about a week. You'd get much more from the show that way, but also that way you get to put your own faces to the characters and then see how good their casting actually was.


The second episode of the GoT was the bomb, by the way. Also, from what I read in some news, the ratings were pretty good as well so far, so they are already thinking about the second season/book. Which is also good. :D

[Elrundir]

Hah, funny thing, I'm currently reading through SK's The Stand as well. The long-winded, uncut version, so it's taking a while, because apparently King sometimes needs 200 pages to introduce the characters and get the story rolling. :P


I would recommend reading Game of Thrones before watching the show, though. The first one is really easy to read. I'm a slow reader too, and I practically swallowed it in about a week. You'd get much more from the show that way, but also that way you get to put your own faces to the characters and then see how good their casting actually was.


The second episode of the GoT was the bomb, by the way. Also, from what I read in some news, the ratings were pretty good as well so far, so they are already thinking about the second season/book. Which is also good. :D
Yeah, that's the version I'm reading too. My boss lent it to me so I feel obliged to finish as quickly as possible. :p And yes, naturally I plan to read the books before watching the show, as always.

[The International]

New development in the Game of Thrones. I don't know if this is as important to anyone else here, but they're filming the second season as we speak. They've added new cast members, one of which I'm a tiny bit excited about. Natalie Dormer. She played Anne Boleyn in The Tudors, she's particularly good with period pieces (which is what most Fantasy stories are essentially), and she's my inspiration for Ludivine Villeneuve. It'll be good to see her on the tube in the States again.

Another exciting detail is that she'll be playing Margaery Tyrell, and for those of you who read the book, that means a lot of crazy confusing fun for season two.

[Grimoire]

I actually just picked up the book series as something to read while waiting for the newest Wheel of Time book (I've also taken a liking to Brandon Sanderson too). But I'm currently deployed, so watching the tv series is out for me. I plan on giving the books a try though (I've heard good things), and I'll check out the show one way or the other once I get home

[Letho]

New development in the Game of Thrones. I don't know if this is as important to anyone else here, but they're filming the second season as we speak. They've added new cast members, one of which I'm a tiny bit excited about. Natalie Dormer. She played Anne Boleyn in The Tudors, she's particularly good with period pieces (which is what most Fantasy stories are essentially), and she's my inspiration for Ludivine Villeneuve. It'll be good to see her on the tube in the States again.

Another exciting detail is that she'll be playing Margaery Tyrell, and for those of you who read the book, that means a lot of crazy confusing fun for season two.I knew they already approved the filming of the second season, but I didn't know they had already begun. That's awesome news. The first season just flew by and I can't wait for more. Haven't watched The Tudors, though, so I don't know this actress you mention. I do wonder who are they going to pick for Davos, the Onion Knight. He's one of my favorite characters and I hope they manage to nail him. But they nailed just about anyone so far, so I have little doubt.

[Elrundir]

Chapters has a "Buy 3, get 1 free" sale going on right now. There are 4 Song of Ice and Fire books released so far. That's basically as close to destiny as you'll ever get, so I bought all four books yesterday. :P I just need to finish my current book first.

[Letho]

Keep an eye on July 12th as well, because the fifth one, A Dance with Dragons, is coming out. Fuck yea.