TV: Game of Thrones

[RedRock]

Game of Thrones--book 1 in a terrific multibook series (SciFi, Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Political Intrigue). Now on HBO, about to start, with my fav actor Sean Bean playing one of the roles--Ned Stark. I sure wish I could get HBO without paying, so I guess I'll have to wait for the DVD's to hit the library system next year or so. But I recommend the books big time, so the tv series might be pretty good. At least the tv promos look great. Scroll waaaaay down on the page to find the video. Looks like the lady from Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles and ? The 300 is also in it.

blastr.com/2011/04/tv-this-week-game-of-thro.php



Game of Thrones (HBO) 9 p.m. - "Winter Is Coming"

Series premiere! Based on George R.R. Martin's medieval fantasy books, the series begins as King Robert Baratheon travels to offer Lord Ned Stark a position in his court. Elsewhere, Prince Viserys Targaryen uses his sister, Daenerys, in an effort to return to power from his exile. After all the hype, what do you think? Are you ready to sign up for HBO to watch this series?

[Lamron]

Anything worth watching on HBO (or any other channel) can be bittorrented a few hours after being aired.

[RedRock]

Second season is already in the works, and episode 1 of the first season hasn't even shown yet!
[snippet]

Game of Thrones doesn't debut until Sunday night, but HBO is so confident about the series' success that the network has already told showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss to put on those thinking caps and start coming up with storylines for a possible second season.

With no ratings yet in for the first 10-episode season that's reportedly cost at least $50 million, is that chutzpah? Not according to HBO series chief Sue Naegle, who told Entertainment Weekly that the network is optimistic.

blastr.com/2011/04/hbo-is-already-at-work-on.php

[Lamron]

I just watched this preview:

www.hbo.com/#/game-of-thrones/about/video/exclusive-preview.html/eNrjcmbO0CzLTEnNd8xLzKksyUx2zs8rSa0oUc-PSYEJBSSmp-ol5qYy5zMXsjGyMXIyMrJJJ5aW5BfkJFbalhSVpgIAXbkXOA==

It looks pretty interesting. I'll have to check it out.

[RedRock]

Yeah, nice preview. The books take a while getting around to explaining and dealing with the White Walkers. Most of it is about political intrigue--bloody, violent, personal--between the North and South. There are a ton of surprises in the books--the author is not afraid of truly hurting (permanently) or killing main characters, even those you like or want to see go on. It comes across as a very realistic story, not the usual light and airy, alls well that ends well, swords and sorcery kind of story.

I'm not really keen on the bittorents--illegal, right, at least in theory, or in a civil law way? So I look forward eventually to the DVD's on this one.

[Lamron]

I just watched it tonight, and its not quite what I expected. Very NC-17, not a family show! Interesting though. Didn't take long to introduce a likable character and then kill them. I'll probably keep watching it.

Since it was broadcast, is downloading it and watching it that much different than having a friend record it and loaning you the tape? You're going to get it free from the library eventually anyway. Might as well watch it now, and not risk reading accidental spoiliers.

[RedRock]

Turns out that I have HBO on my internet services after all.
When I added a digital converter for my non-digital tv, it went away, but if I disconnect the converter and route the signal directly through my cable box instead (how I get on-demand shows, using the cable company's cable box, for which i pay monthly rent), then HBO is still live, so I got to watch a rebroadcast of the series opener.

As for spoilers, I already read the first 4 books of the series (eagerly awaiting books 5 and 6 and ??), although, of course, the TV series could change things and keep certain people alive.

When I read the first book, I truly loved the little Bran character--he was fleshed out much more in the book--and was totally mortified when he was pitched from the window!!!!

[Lamron]

What he saw through the window wasn't suprising to me. The very first second the twins were on screen together, I knew he was lubricating her chassis.

[Lamron]

Just watched the next episode. A little less jumbled than the first one. Looks like we're slowing down and getting to know the characters better. The list of people I want to see dead keeps growing.

[Lamron]

So, is the bratty Prince Jeoffery the son of the queen and king, or the son of the queen and her brother? He's awfuly blond and cowardly.

[RedRock]

LOL, Lamron, that's exactly how it went with the book, too.

RE: Joffrey, yep, that is a wonder, isn't it? He sure seems a Lannister!

Are you surpised that Bran lives? I warned you that the author kills or permanently injuries main characters! So be careful which character you start liking! Of course, TV can change things, but just be warned.

And Jon Snow, the bastard son of Ned, isn't coming across very warmly--yet--he's really a cool character, and eventually will be important. The book explains how important Bastards take the name of the area (North people are Snow, South people are Meadow, Coastal people are Sea, etc.). We'll be seeing Lord Starke's wife's people, too (her sister is the wife of the murdered King's Hand, Jon Arryn (sp?)), in their high mountain-top fortress, the Aerie.

I like the dire-wolves, too. Too bad about Lady, the older Starke girl's animal, but then, she's pretty worthless herself. And we'll see more of Needle, the short sword that the young Starke girl was given by her bastard half-brother, Jon Snow. And more of those "who take the black" and guard the wall and how they fit into the entire Kingdom.

The coastal people become pretty important too. And here's a hint about those royalty: In the book one of the young, overbearing, arrogant coastal rulers takes a trip by ship, and takes a liking to the Captain's 16 y.o. virginal daughter, who thinks she will be his wife: "I love you, I'll do anything for you," she says. And he says, ok, here, take this...and she says, afterward, "Tastes rather....salty, my lord" (she was inexperienced in such matters, you understand), to which he says "That's because you're my fishwife!" Meaning that's she's just another wench to bed for his convenience, and she'll never be a true wife, but she might be the source of a few Sea bastards. (all paraphrased, to the best I can recall)

And have you started seeing the empty-head Kahlessa (blonde female Targaryen (sp?), wed and ridden by Kahl Drogo) start to come alive, start to scheming/planning? Could it be that she might be a sort of Zena character? Hmmmmm? And those "dragon eggs," they couldn't really be........nah, surely not.......right?

Great Book! Great series (so far)!

[Lamron]

I enjoyed seeing Viserys Targaryen get his MUCH deserved "crown of gold" in this last episode. As soon as he crashed their party and started waving his sword around and threatening chief's wife and unborn son, I knew Drogo was going to put the smack down on him.

[AIGAD]

This is my favorite show right now, it keeps getting better and better . And I agree, it was satisfying watching Targaryen die. I think he was #1 on my list. I'm waiting to see what the whole dragon theme turns into.

[RedRock]

Yep, I agree re: Targaryen, but I wanted the sister to whack him.

[RedRock]

So, one more episode to finish season 1 (book 1).

Anyone surprised at tonight's events?