A Game of Thrones (HBO)

[Armando]

I started the first book when I started watching the show, and finished it before the second episode, and I can tell you, I really didn’t feel spoiled. The books and show are both so wonderfully done that they seem to complement each other. Yeah, I knew what was coming, but I still felt the shock and horror. And I HATE spoilers.

I have to say, I’m really impressed with the writers of Game of Thrones and how they managed to adapt the book so faithfully while keeping their own vision of the show. I never miss characters like Ross the prostitute (I cannot use the “W” word, sorry) in the book but she plays an important role in the series that makes up for the loss of a third person narrator (and gives Theon Greyjoy, Littlefinger and Grand Master Pycelle a little more to do in the show than they do in the first book). Even the big difference with Tyrion Lannister and his [SPOILER]getting injured BEFORE the big battle of the Fork vs. being a badass tactician in the book[/SPOILER] didn’t bother me (although I thought the show’s solution was truer to the character, they both shed light into my favorite character [yeah, I’m real original there]).

Once you start, there’s no going back. And I’ll advise ya this: When you get close to the end of book 2, have book 3 close at hand.

Seriously, take a minute [hour], go back, and rewatch the first episode. See if it’s not a substantially different experience now that you know who’s who and what’s what.

Oh, I plan to rewatch the entire first season now that I’m done with the first book. And I will certainly have the next book ready for when I finish Clash of Kings. I had Clash of Kings ready to go a couple of days before I finished A Game of Thrones.

[DawnAZ]

I couldn’t agree more Armando. The writing on the show was so good, I wanted to read the book. When I started reading the book, I was just amazed at how well they did things. The show will have to move at a faster pace given the scope of the books, but I feel like the writers must be fans, because they know how to shape and foreshadow so well that it’s almost seemless.

Tyrion is my favorite too, from the first moment I heard him speak.

[dxf]

I couldn’t agree more Armando. The writing on the show was so good, I wanted to read the book. When I started reading the book, I was just amazed at how well they did things. The show will have to move at a faster pace given the scope of the books, but I feel like the writers must be fans, because they know how to shape and foreshadow so well that it’s almost seemless.

Tyrion is my favorite too, from the first moment I heard him speak.

Plus: Tyrion slaps Joffrey.

[Armando]

Plus: Tyrion slaps Joffrey.

Yes, more Joffrey slapping would make this show even better. Preferrably if Tyrion starts using studded gauntlets wrapped in barbed wire.

[andiminga]

Yes, more Joffrey slapping would make this show even better. Preferrably if Tyrion starts using studded gauntlets wrapped in barbed wire.

I approve of this suggestion! And maybe Tywin might use Joffrey as well in some cruel fashion.

[DawnAZ]

Oh I like the Joffery slapping! Bring it on!

[dxf]

//youtu.be/qYNeT2nzEgA

[Armando]

//youtu.be/qYNeT2nzEgA

I couldn’t make it past the 1:10 mark. I just about lost it.

[frakkintalos]

//youtu.be/qYNeT2nzEgA

I’m so happy now every time I hear that song I’ll think of that little shit getting slapped by Tyrion.

[andiminga]

“The Cold Winds are Rising” :eek:

[video=youtube_share;sBrsM_WlfV8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBrsM_WlfV8&hd=1[/video]

And did I hear three horn blows at the end? This can only mean one thing…INVASION!!

[Armando]

“The Cold Winds are Rising” :eek:

[video=youtube_share;sBrsM_WlfV8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBrsM_WlfV8&hd=1[/video]

And did I hear three horn blows at the end? This can only mean one thing…INVASION!!

I’m looking forward to the season in a way that is inversely proportional to how “A Clash of Kings” is making me feel right now at page 668 or so. (George R.R. Martin can spin a good yarn, but man are his descriptions tedious and awkward and does his once clever device of making each chapter dependent on a specific POV character get him into narrative trouble!)

Sorry, had to rant there for a minute.

[dxf]

I’m looking forward to the season in a way that is inversely proportional to how “A Clash of Kings” is making me feel right now at page 668 or so. (George R.R. Martin can spin a good yarn, but man are his descriptions tedious and awkward and does his once clever device of making each chapter dependent on a specific POV character get him into narrative trouble!)

Sorry, had to rant there for a minute.

The books all have doldrums… And though, as a stylist, he’s nowhere close to Tolkein, but as a storyteller, he does keep it moving more briskly that Tolkein does.

Usually.

The narrative trouble really compounds exponentially by book four, which he had to split into books 4/5, if I understand correctly. (I’m curious about the books and Martin, but I avoid reading about them, lest something be spoiled for me.)

[Armando]

The books all have doldrums… And though, as a stylist, he’s nowhere close to Tolkein, but as a storyteller, he does keep it moving more briskly that Tolkein does.

Usually.

The narrative trouble really compounds exponentially by book four, which he had to split into books 4/5, if I understand correctly. (I’m curious about the books and Martin, but I avoid reading about them, lest something be spoiled for me.)

Whatever you do, don’t go over to the Song of Ice and Fire forum over at the books section. Holy crap I got spoiled big time the other day by doing that!

I have to say, I prefer these to Tolkien. Tolkien did have a great grasp of style, though (they read like old epic poems or biblical stories). I thought the narrative device of having each chapter be told from one character’s POV was great in A Game of Thrones (and very high-falutin’ via Faulkner; speaking of high falutin’, am I the only one that thinks that the juxtaposition of Sansa Stark and Gregor “The Hound” Clegane is a Kafka reference? GREGOR Clegane. SANSA Stark. GREGOR SA_M_SA? No? Damn!) but there are a couple of battes, especially, in Clash of Kings which would’ve been nice to be shown, rather than told about, but which have to be told rather than shown because of the narrative conceit. Sigh!

Also, his descriptions can be TEDIOUS!

But man, if the story isn’t good! Just after I posted the above I got to a REALLY good chapter that made me forget all about those complaints. So, what’re you gonna do?

[dxf]

Whatever you do, don’t go over to the Song of Ice and Fire forum over at the books section. Holy crap I got spoiled big time the other day by doing that!

I have to say, I prefer these to Tolkien. Tolkien did have a great grasp of style, though (they read like old epic poems or biblical stories). I thought the narrative device of having each chapter be told from one character’s POV was great in A Game of Thrones (and very high-falutin’ via Faulkner; speaking of high falutin’, am I the only one that thinks that the juxtaposition of Sansa Stark and Gregor “The Hound” Clegane is a Kafka reference? GREGOR Clegane. SANSA Stark. GREGOR SA_M_SA? No? Damn!) but there are a couple of battes, especially, in Clash of Kings which would’ve been nice to be shown, rather than told about, but which have to be told rather than shown because of the narrative conceit. Sigh!

Also, his descriptions can be TEDIOUS!

But man, if the story isn’t good! Just after I posted the above I got to a REALLY good chapter that made me forget all about those complaints. So, what’re you gonna do?

“Gregor Sansa.” That’s why I’m here. You’re good company, sir. Cheers.

[coco]

Ooooooh. When’s S2 starting? It’s been too long already. I WANT IT NOW. (Ironically, I’ve been reading book 5 as slow as humanly possible because I’m dreading that day when I run out of it).

I have to say, I prefer these to Tolkien. Tolkien did have a great grasp of style, though (they read like old epic poems or biblical stories). I thought the narrative device of having each chapter be told from one character’s POV was great in A Game of Thrones (and very high-falutin’ via Faulkner; speaking of high falutin’, am I the only one that thinks that the juxtaposition of Sansa Stark and Gregor “The Hound” Clegane is a Kafka reference? GREGOR Clegane. SANSA Stark. GREGOR SA_M_SA? No? Damn!) but there are a couple of battes, especially, in Clash of Kings which would’ve been nice to be shown, rather than told about, but which have to be told rather than shown because of the narrative conceit. Sigh!

Also, his descriptions can be TEDIOUS!

But man, if the story isn’t good! Just after I posted the above I got to a REALLY good chapter that made me forget all about those complaints. So, what’re you gonna do?

Yeah. The narrative structure is both a pro and a con, but for the most part Martin manages to keep track of all the ongoing stories and arcs and has a good knack for introducing new characters and making you care about them (and thus their respective chapters) even if initially you’re like “who the heck is this again, and how do they relate to so and so?” (which happened to me quite a bit in book 4), and partially I think it is because we do get their POV because of the narrative structure.

Which would be interesting to see how the show will adapt the later books, because it will only become harder with each one. But after reading book 1 and watching the show again, it makes me admire the show even more because it really was quite the impossible feat, and yet the show did, with very few flaws.

[Armando]

Ooooooh. When’s S2 starting? It’s been too long already. I WANT IT NOW. (Ironically, I’ve been reading book 5 as slow as humanly possible because I’m dreading that day when I run out of it).

Yeah. The narrative structure is both a pro and a con, but for the most part Martin manages to keep track of all the ongoing stories and arcs and has a good knack for introducing new characters and making you care about them (and thus their respective chapters) even if initially you’re like “who the heck is this again, and how do they relate to so and so?” (which happened to me quite a bit in book 4), and partially I think it is because we do get their POV because of the narrative structure.

Which would be interesting to see how the show will adapt the later books, because it will only become harder with each one. But after reading book 1 and watching the show again, it makes me admire the show even more because it really was quite the impossible feat, and yet the show did, with very few flaws.

Revisiting the show recently after reading the first (and second) book(s) I kind of feel like the show is stronger, writing-wise. The way Tyrion’s experience in combat is handled on the show strikes me as truer to his character than the books (although I hope they save their money for the end of season 2, cause I want to SEE that battle!).

[coco]

Revisiting the show recently after reading the first (and second) book(s) I kind of feel like the show is stronger, writing-wise. The way Tyrion’s experience in combat is handled on the show strikes me as truer to his character than the books (although I hope they save their money for the end of season 2, cause I want to SEE that battle!).

I loved the book AND the show, regarding S1/book 1 anyway. There were certain things I preferred in the book, and there were certain things I preferred in the show, but it’s all minor quibbles here for either. I love them both. I am perhaps more impressed by the show because well, I saw it first, and it’s the thing that hooked me in. And the book is a great source material for the series, no doubt, given Martin’s fabulous at weaving this ginormous web of characters and narratives and wonderful storytelling, but it’s also the same reason why it’s exceedingly difficult to adapt. And the show manages to edit down the material to fit into a 10 hr long season without sacrificing the ‘wrong’ narratives, so to speak, while using the visuals to the fullest to overcome chunkier chapters and longwinded dialogues, so it’s not just a straight mindless translation. And from online reactions, it’s one of the few series that was welcoming to newcomers but also satisfied long time fans of the books. That is quite the feat. It is so easy to get it wrong, but they didn’t.

But yeah, I thought the Tyrion scene was pretty ingenius - like you said, it actually felt right, in addition to being a time and money saving device - but regarding S2, I have no doubt we’d see something. It’s a big narrative piece the story builds to in book 2, and one could argue that for book 1, the battle stuff was important, but not one of those big turning point moments for S1’s narrative. I think they chose to drop the monies on the right scenes. So I’m curious and excited to see how they’ll pull it off and not completely blow their budget/time for that s2 event.

[DawnAZ]

Best thing about ASOFAI in comparison to LOTR- no frakkin Elvish songs!!!

[NothingButheRain]

Can’t wait for the new season. Damn good story.

[Armando]

I loved the book AND the show, regarding S1/book 1 anyway. There were certain things I preferred in the book, and there were certain things I preferred in the show, but it’s all minor quibbles here for either. I love them both. I am perhaps more impressed by the show because well, I saw it first, and it’s the thing that hooked me in. And the book is a great source material for the series, no doubt, given Martin’s fabulous at weaving this ginormous web of characters and narratives and wonderful storytelling, but it’s also the same reason why it’s exceedingly difficult to adapt. And the show manages to edit down the material to fit into a 10 hr long season without sacrificing the ‘wrong’ narratives, so to speak, while using the visuals to the fullest to overcome chunkier chapters and longwinded dialogues, so it’s not just a straight mindless translation. And from online reactions, it’s one of the few series that was welcoming to newcomers but also satisfied long time fans of the books. That is quite the feat. It is so easy to get it wrong, but they didn’t.

But yeah, I thought the Tyrion scene was pretty ingenius - like you said, it actually felt right, in addition to being a time and money saving device - but regarding S2, I have no doubt we’d see something. It’s a big narrative piece the story builds to in book 2, and one could argue that for book 1, the battle stuff was important, but not one of those big turning point moments for S1’s narrative. I think they chose to drop the monies on the right scenes. So I’m curious and excited to see how they’ll pull it off and not completely blow their budget/time for that s2 event.

Right on! I couldn’t agree more.

Best thing about ASOFAI in comparison to LOTR- no frakkin Elvish songs!!!

Just wait till book three/season 3. There are more songs in that book than in ALL of LOTR, it seems (although, to be fair, they actually weave into the narrative).