Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: HBO - Game of Thrones  (Read 9882 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Hoopz

  • Don't brand me a troublemaker!
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5285
  • Last login:June 13, 2025, 09:18:32 pm
  • Intellivision Rocks!
HBO - Game of Thrones
« on: April 19, 2011, 06:48:06 pm »
Free preview this last weekend to promote the show.  I watched it and DVRd it.  I'm going to go back and watch it again to make sure I understand all the character names, pick up on plot lines, etc.

I hadn't heard of the series before so I ended up buying the first four books off of Amazon today.  Anyone else see it? I'm curious how it compares to the books. 

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2011, 08:09:18 pm »
I DVR'd it during the free preview as well but have not had a chance to see it yet.  People I've talked to say the books are awesome.  American Tolkien. 

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2011, 06:46:38 pm »
American, R-rated Tolkien. 
^^fixed.

I've read all the available books (the fifth comes out this summer btw) and the show is spot on IMHO. Yes, some conversations have been moved into a scene that originally has very little dialoge to make sure they get as much stuff in as possible, but it's all so well done, so unless you're some crazed fan who has to have everything as in the books, you'll love it. The casting feels terrific, sceneries are even better than expected (just check out THE WALL in the first scene, it's amazing). And while it might be many characters etc, I have not doubt that the important ones get all the needed screen time. In the books, each chapter is told from the perspective of just one character at a time and everyone else just passes through their experiences. As these characters' roles get more important, these get to tell their side of the story in the next book. The books are very cool, and the show is just as cool.

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2011, 01:48:27 am »
I read the first three books and a lot of the fourth (I jumped around the fourth because it was mostly garbage).

I thought the show was not very good, but I haven't written it off entirely because there were so many characters to introduce.  I'm not very hopeful, though.  The first episode felt very disjointed, and this series has so many plotlines that I suspect it will remain so.  They seem intent on capturing everything from the novels, which is a mistake.

Strangely, I've never found myself so intently comparing something onscreen to the source material before.  My wife (who read all the books) said the same.  Casting seems mostly good, but they tried to cram WAY too much into the first episode.  I'm really interested to hear from people who watched it without having first read the novels.  My guess is that most won't like it much.

By the way, for something similar, but excellent, check out the Pillars of the Earth miniseries.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

Hoopz

  • Don't brand me a troublemaker!
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5285
  • Last login:June 13, 2025, 09:18:32 pm
  • Intellivision Rocks!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2011, 09:41:49 am »
Casting seems mostly good, but they tried to cram WAY too much into the first episode.  I'm really interested to hear from people who watched it without having first read the novels.  My guess is that most won't like it much.

I emailed a buddy and told him that they intro'd a lot of characters and that it was a little confusing trying to pick up all the stuff going on but that it seemed pretty good.  I'll grab the next few episodes and see where it goes.  Amazon took  a few days to ship the books so I won't get them until Monday.  I may hold off reading the first one until I see where the show goes. 

I had read a review that said it's a cross between Sopranos and an adult Lord of the Rings.  We'll see if that pans out.  Any show with Sean Bean, Lena Headey, and a midget has to be good though.

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2011, 06:19:41 pm »
By the way, for something similar, but excellent, check out the Pillars of the Earth miniseries.

I really wanted to like that one but have had a really hard time getting through it.  We purchased Starz just to see it as Pillars is one of my wife's favorite books.  I have friends that loved the mini-series but for some reason it felt very flat to me.

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2011, 06:24:10 pm »

I had read a review that said it's a cross between Sopranos and an adult Lord of the Rings.  We'll see if that pans out.  Any show with Sean Bean, Lena Headey, and a midget has to be good though.

I noticed the first episode of Thrones was directed by Timothy Van Patten who directed a lot of the Soprano's episodes.

I liked the first episode.  Will definitely be reading the books now.

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2011, 11:04:03 pm »
By the way, for something similar, but excellent, check out the Pillars of the Earth miniseries.

I really wanted to like that one but have had a really hard time getting through it.  We purchased Starz just to see it as Pillars is one of my wife's favorite books.  I have friends that loved the mini-series but for some reason it felt very flat to me.

I actually should admit that I haven't really seen Pillars.  My wife watched it and loved it and I saw large chunks here and there.  Everything I saw was really well done and interesting, though.  That, combined with my wife's endorsement, is all I have to go on.  From what I've seen, though, I expect I'll like it.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

Mikezilla

  • I have a hairy back and everything!
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1676
  • Last login:July 18, 2017, 07:06:56 pm
  • I can't see the picture darn it!!!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2011, 12:46:46 pm »
Damn it. I had no clue there was a free preview of HBO on to promote the show. A co-worker of mine mentioned it and said it was really awesome. I got rid of HBO after True Blood and Entourage ended last season. There was no reason to keep the channel, so I thought I would ax it, and now, of course, there is a new show to watch.

I do want to see it though, Ill probably have to wait til Netflix. Been reading stuff about it online. Everyone seems to be abuzz about it.
Pictures are overrated anyway.

CCM

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1274
  • Last login:August 08, 2020, 10:08:27 am
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2011, 03:12:07 pm »
Renew HBO for a few months.   New seasons of True Blood and Entourage are on the way!

Mikezilla

  • I have a hairy back and everything!
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1676
  • Last login:July 18, 2017, 07:06:56 pm
  • I can't see the picture darn it!!!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2011, 05:43:20 pm »
Renew HBO for a few months.   New seasons of True Blood and Entourage are on the way!

In June right?!?!  :o
Pictures are overrated anyway.

lcddream

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 498
  • Last login:December 04, 2024, 03:59:31 pm
  • Say goodbye to gravity...
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2011, 01:12:52 pm »
Read the books - they are so good, that I don't want the show to ruin it for me. Already had that happen with lord of the rings.

Great story! Highly recommended.

Hoopz

  • Don't brand me a troublemaker!
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5285
  • Last login:June 13, 2025, 09:18:32 pm
  • Intellivision Rocks!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2011, 01:24:01 pm »
The books came yesterday so I knocked a few chapters out last night.  Good so far and I'm looking forward to getting more into it.

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2011, 01:57:36 pm »
The books are just okay.  They're page turners, but have major problems.  For one thing, the author feels the need to explain everything in its entirety every single solitary time the subject comes up.  I'm talking to the point that it starts to feel like a deliberate hoax.  Just one of about a billion examples (no significant spoiler here):  There's this pirate/smuggler-turned-straight guy who was knighted by a lord because he used his criminal skills to smuggle food into a besieged castle, the inhabitants of which (including the lord in question) were about to starve.  This saved the day, but the highly principled lord could not allow the smuggler's previous crimes to go unpunished.  So he cut off the ends of the guy's fingers on one hand, and also knighted him.  From then on, the guy wears the bones from his fingers in a pouch around his neck for luck, and to remind him of how far he's come in life and so on.

So anyway, this guy habitually and unthinkingly reaches up and fondles the pouch around his neck whenever he is faced with an unpleasant situation or decision (which is pretty much always).  And EVERY, SINGLE, TIME it goes like this:

Davos reached up and fondled for luck the bag of bones hanging from his neck.  His fingers had been cut off to the first knuckle as punishment for his previous crimes when Lord Stannis knighted him for saving his castle from starvation when it was besieged by so-and-so.

Like seriously one page later it will say something like:

Davos still carried the bones of his amputated fingers in a pouch around his neck.  When the pirate smuggled food into the castle in the dead of night, Lord Stannis paid for the former acts of piracy by cutting off the tips of the fingers on one hand, and for the latter act of salvation he granted him knighthood and Davos became a trusted friend and advisor.  Davos always wore the bag for luck.

And then over and over and over, throughout the book, literally every time Davos is spoken of, the author explains that Davos carries his finger bones around his neck, as well as how and why he came to carry them around his neck.  Every time.  I'm totally not kidding.  I'm talking at least twenty, but probably more like fifty or a hundred times this is explained.  And the author does it with everything.  I wonder if it's because he used to write for television and he got so used to always having to write, "Previously, on ________ . . . ."  So now he can't help but incorporate that concept into all of his books, as though people might just randomly pick up his book for the first time and just start reading at a random location.  It's super weird and annoying.

Oh yeah, similarly, he needlessly explains everything.  He coddles readers (read: insults their intelligence) by explaining utterly obvious things, like why a grossly obvious ironic situation that he just described is ironic, or why a character seems pleased by the ruin of his arch-enemy and constant tormentor, and so on.  It's like he thinks of himself as extraordinarily clever and he's always following everything he says with, "Did you see what I did there?"  Unsurprisingly, the books are extremely (and needlessly) long.  But they're still sort of fun reads if you ignore the annoying stuff.

Also, the last (so far) book is awful.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2011, 02:06:52 pm by shmokes »
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #14 on: April 26, 2011, 02:39:40 pm »
Oh yeah, similarly, he needlessly explains everything.  He coddles readers (read: insults their intelligence) by explaining utterly obvious things, like why a grossly obvious ironic situation that he just described is ironic, or why a character seems pleased by the ruin of his arch-enemy and constant tormentor, and so on.  It's like he thinks of himself as extraordinarily clever and he's always following everything he says with, "Did you see what I did there?"  Unsurprisingly, the books are extremely (and needlessly) long.  But they're still sort of fun reads if you ignore the annoying stuff.

Also, the last (so far) book is awful.

Yeah, some very short guy in the book can't stop thinking about how ugly he is all the time, especially when he thinks about his love interest and all the obstacles he's had to suffer because of love. It's complicated.  :laugh2:

I don't think the last book was that bad. Just some things are a bit too obvious to be called clever if you've read ANY book before. But like you say, they're fun pageturners. I still prefer them to Stephen King (with the exception of The Eyes Of The Dragon).

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #15 on: April 26, 2011, 02:53:56 pm »
Well . . . the main problem with the last book is that he inexplicably abandoned all the story lines and characters that he had been cultivating in the previous three books (all of which ended in TV-style, end-of-season cliffhangers) to introduce all-new, non-compelling characters and plot lines.  For example the "very short guy" (lol) you spoke of, who is probably considered by the bulk of his fans as his most compelling character, is 100% utterly absent from the fourth book, despite being the focus of the third-books main/most climactic cliffhanger.

So basically instead of resolving any of the cliffhangers he set up, he just decided to write a brand new novel that happens to be set in the same universe, and totally break the implied promise he made by leaving the previous novel totally incomplete.  And all the new characters and stories in the new novel aren't nearly as interesting as the ones he had already set up.  And also an enormous portion of the novel is devoted to chapter after chapter after unnecessary chapter with the seeming only purpose to convince the reader that one character (the queen) has gone clinically insane and paranoid (a fact that is firmly established by the first of said chapters).

Shrug.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2011, 03:03:31 pm by shmokes »
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #16 on: April 26, 2011, 03:50:31 pm »
Now that you mention it, I did feel very irritated at the end of that last book, especially when reading on the authors site that he decided to "flesh out" the missing characters journey in the next book that was supposed to come out a year after this book, or it would have been too long. Problem 1 is that if he'd skipped on all the repetition he could have fit at least the short guy in. Problem 2 is it's been a couple of years now and this new book's only just been given a release date. Don't get me wrong, I'm probably gonna preorder it, but it's not very good fan service.  :soapbox:

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #17 on: April 26, 2011, 03:59:30 pm »

Problem 2 is it's been a couple of years now and this new book's only just been given a release date.


A couple of years = more than 5.  Book 4 was published in 2005.  And this isn't the first release date Book 5's been given.  He has apparently promised the book repeatedly, suggesting that it was almost complete, only to then go silent again for years, lol.  Hilarious.  I was only introduced to the series last fall, though, so I was unaffected.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #18 on: April 26, 2011, 06:33:06 pm »
I was only introduced to the series last fall, though, so I was unaffected.

Me too.  :cheers: I'm sure there are some folks out there who's really angry about this though.  :afro:

SNAAKE

  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3564
  • Last login:Yesterday at 02:07:33 pm
  • my joystick is bigger than your joystick !
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #19 on: April 26, 2011, 10:39:19 pm »
off topic but is true blood any good? does it go anywhere or runs in circle like say..heroes??

Bootay

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 480
  • Last login:January 10, 2021, 04:29:01 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #20 on: April 27, 2011, 10:48:22 am »
I just watched Episodes 1 & 2 of Game of Thrones last night. I liked it. It was better than I thought it was going to be.

SNAAKE: True Blood is alright. I am kind of burned out on the vampire ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- thanks to the Twilight epidemic, but compared to Twilight and Vampire Diaries it is good. It doesn't have the high school hopeless romantic edge like the rest do. It does have it's ups and downs but it doesn't run in circles like Heroes. This is my opinion..I am sure others will disagree.  :)

Hoopz

  • Don't brand me a troublemaker!
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5285
  • Last login:June 13, 2025, 09:18:32 pm
  • Intellivision Rocks!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #21 on: April 27, 2011, 11:02:09 am »
Blade was the best vampire tv show and it got cancelled.  That says enough about the quality of vampire shows.   :laugh2:

Mikezilla

  • I have a hairy back and everything!
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1676
  • Last login:July 18, 2017, 07:06:56 pm
  • I can't see the picture darn it!!!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #22 on: April 27, 2011, 11:30:18 am »
I just watched Episodes 1 & 2 of Game of Thrones last night. I liked it. It was better than I thought it was going to be.

SNAAKE: True Blood is alright. I am kind of burned out on the vampire ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- thanks to the Twilight epidemic, but compared to Twilight and Vampire Diaries it is good. It doesn't have the high school hopeless romantic edge like the rest do. It does have it's ups and downs but it doesn't run in circles like Heroes. This is my opinion..I am sure others will disagree.  :)

Snaaake: Im with Bootay on this, but he forgot to leave some stuff out. Sookie(Anna Paquin) has an amazing body, and there are quite a few sex scenes with her, and some other good lookin girls. Its an adult vampire show, with all kinds of gore and good stuff. The writing/acting is terrible on the first season, second season is great, then it starts to get a little convoluted and adds elements that are a little hokey in the third season. Still entertaining.
Pictures are overrated anyway.

Bootay

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 480
  • Last login:January 10, 2021, 04:29:01 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #23 on: April 27, 2011, 11:52:49 am »
Mikezilla: Yes I forgot to mention it is an adult vampire show, with a bunch of sex. LOL Compared to all other vampire shows currently on the air it is a masterpiece. That's not saying much though. But I do find the show entertaining.

Mikezilla

  • I have a hairy back and everything!
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1676
  • Last login:July 18, 2017, 07:06:56 pm
  • I can't see the picture darn it!!!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #24 on: April 27, 2011, 12:04:26 pm »
Mikezilla: Yes I forgot to mention it is an adult vampire show, with a bunch of sex. LOL Compared to all other vampire shows currently on the air it is a masterpiece. That's not saying much though. But I do find the show entertaining.

Tell you the truth, the sex is one of the reasons why I watch the damn show!  :lol Im with you on that, its the best of the worst. Its fun to watch.
Pictures are overrated anyway.

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7014
  • Last login:Today at 01:59:43 pm
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #25 on: April 28, 2011, 12:52:18 pm »
We watched it, seemed like a soap opera for men.

So, more realistic than the other kind? :)  I like it so far.  Still need to catch the second installment.

True Blood:  The first season was well done.  The second season wasn't bad.  But now I think they are off the rails.  I'll probably watch it, but what started out as an interesting "what if vampires really existed and attempted to co-exist with humans in the open" experiment, has turned into "we ran out of ideas so let's pretend that there are no limitations to what exists and make a soap opera (the female kind) out of it".  If this next season doesn't have more than the usual 2 decent episodes, and continues to grind the same tired interactions in-between, I don't think it will go much longer.

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #26 on: April 28, 2011, 03:01:46 pm »
If this next season doesn't have more than the usual 2 decent episodes, and continues to grind the same tired interactions in-between, I don't think it will go much longer.

Problem is that the viewership keeps climbing as the show gets worse.  Kinda like X-Files did.

It kinda feels like that show is taking itself too serious right now. I had a riot with the first season, loved the Church Of The Sun folks ( - "I hate your hair!" ) but the orgy, pagan witch stuff was very disappointing.

Hoopz

  • Don't brand me a troublemaker!
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5285
  • Last login:June 13, 2025, 09:18:32 pm
  • Intellivision Rocks!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #27 on: April 28, 2011, 06:17:21 pm »
I finally saw the second episode of Game of Thrones.  I enjoy it so far.

TOK

  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3604
  • Last login:January 24, 2024, 05:14:24 pm
  • The Game Always Wins
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #28 on: April 29, 2011, 03:15:18 pm »
We watched it, seemed like a soap opera for men.

So, more realistic than the other kind? :)  I like it so far.  Still need to catch the second installment.

True Blood:  The first season was well done.  The second season wasn't bad.  But now I think they are off the rails.  I'll probably watch it, but what started out as an interesting "what if vampires really existed and attempted to co-exist with humans in the open" experiment, has turned into "we ran out of ideas so let's pretend that there are no limitations to what exists and make a soap opera (the female kind) out of it".  If this next season doesn't have more than the usual 2 decent episodes, and continues to grind the same tired interactions in-between, I don't think it will go much longer.

I liked Game Of Thrones... I also really liked Tru Blood for a while. The problem with it now is that every new character that comes on is some kind of mystical being. Earth Goddess, Shapeshifter, Werewolf.

By the end of the last season, I was just trying to guess what magical power each new character had. It removes the impact of how cool and different the vampires are from the humans.

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7014
  • Last login:Today at 01:59:43 pm
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #29 on: April 29, 2011, 04:44:18 pm »
By the end of the last season, I was just trying to guess what magical power each new character had. It removes the impact of how cool and different the vampires are from the humans.

Bingo.

Bootay

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 480
  • Last login:January 10, 2021, 04:29:01 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #30 on: April 29, 2011, 05:00:09 pm »
By the end of the last season, I was just trying to guess what magical power each new character had. It removes the impact of how cool and different the vampires are from the humans.

Bingo.

Yep. I also agree with that. I could see adding werewolves just because they are natural enemies of the vampires in most lore, but then they started adding all kinds of other bs and it just started wearing a little thin....
SOMEWHAT OF A SPOILER WARNING BELOW:

FAIRIES?! LOL WEAK....

Anyhow....I think we derailed this thread enough.  :)

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #31 on: April 29, 2011, 06:18:06 pm »
Saw the second episode and thought it was quite a bit better than the first, thanks to a little more narrative and a little less character introduction.  I'm still not hooked, though.  It could go either way for me at this point.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

SNAAKE

  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3564
  • Last login:Yesterday at 02:07:33 pm
  • my joystick is bigger than your joystick !
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #32 on: April 30, 2011, 04:36:35 pm »
Sookie(Anna Paquin) has an amazing body,

cute boobies :cheers:

first few episodes were good. think I will give it a go. with psn down I have some time to kill.
(sorry OT)

gonna check out game of thrones too.

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7014
  • Last login:Today at 01:59:43 pm
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #33 on: May 01, 2011, 02:33:05 pm »
Saw the second episode and thought it was quite a bit better than the first, thanks to a little more narrative and a little less character introduction.  I'm still not hooked, though.  It could go either way for me at this point.

Same here.  I think I'm hooked, but I see your point.  The characters seem to be developing well, as their actions start to define who they are, but there was still a little of that "this is who I am" going on.  E.g. I'm a dwarf who can get away with the things I do because of who my parents are and because I am the "smart one".  But it was done fairly innocuously, so still entertaining.

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #34 on: May 01, 2011, 04:15:22 pm »
And a side effect of it was that it made what narrative there was rushed and disjointed.  Like, Bran was introduced, they showed how he was super good at climbing, then fell pretty much all at once.  We didn't even care about him as a character.  In the book he was shown climbing all over the place.  It was his favorite thing to do and he did it all the time.  And he was a really fun and sweet kid.  You knew him.  So when he fell you cared.  In the first episode it all just happened and it was like, "Hmm . . . that was a messed up thing to do."  

But still, though it could have been done better, it's not horrible and it still has potential.  By the way, though, the Danny (the white-haired girl) parts in the book are as obnoxious and melodramatic in the books as they are in the TV show.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

Hoopz

  • Don't brand me a troublemaker!
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5285
  • Last login:June 13, 2025, 09:18:32 pm
  • Intellivision Rocks!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #35 on: May 01, 2011, 04:25:02 pm »
I think it's difficult when you have a wide range of characters in a book, to try and get everything into the show (or movie).  Most movies never carry the depth of characters that a book has.  At least this show, so far, hasn't felt the need to create new scenes that aren't in the book while leaving out items that were in the book.

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #36 on: May 01, 2011, 05:10:16 pm »
I think it's difficult when you have a wide range of characters in a book, to try and get everything into the show (or movie).  Most movies never carry the depth of characters that a book has.  At least this show, so far, hasn't felt the need to create new scenes that aren't in the book while leaving out items that were in the book.

Yeah, they've merged some scenes (moving dialogue from one scene where the setting isn't important into another where showing stuff is important but little dialogue is going on) in a very effective and clever way. Added scenes aren't always bad though, the Dexter show is way better than the books for this reason.

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #37 on: May 01, 2011, 11:33:26 pm »
I think it's difficult when you have a wide range of characters in a book, to try and get everything into the show (or movie).  Most movies never carry the depth of characters that a book has.  At least this show, so far, hasn't felt the need to create new scenes that aren't in the book while leaving out items that were in the book.

Well, they've done a bit.  E.g., they inexplicably turned the scene where Danny consumates her marriage into a rape.  The whole point of the scene in the book was to show that Drogo wasn't totally a monster and the whole point of the same scene in the show was to do exactly the opposite.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #38 on: May 02, 2011, 04:24:31 pm »
Wow, the "dance lession" was handled superbly.  :applaud: I loved the near-instant chemistry between teacher and pupil.

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7014
  • Last login:Today at 01:59:43 pm
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #39 on: May 02, 2011, 11:43:37 pm »
There was a lot to like about the third installment.  The change in personality of the little blonde seemed a bit abrupt, and there was some minor "stage setting", but the rest was hard to find fault with.  Here's to hoping they can keep it going.

shmokes

  • Just think of all the suffering in this world that could have been avoided had I just been a little better informed. :)
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10397
  • Last login:September 24, 2016, 06:50:42 pm
  • Don't tread on me.
    • Jake Moses
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #40 on: May 03, 2011, 12:21:44 pm »
Yeah, watched the 3rd episode last night.  It was by far better than either of the first two.
Check out my website for in-depth reviews of children's books, games, and educational apps for the iPad:

Best Kid iPad Apps

menace

  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2565
  • Last login:November 08, 2024, 01:49:35 pm
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #41 on: March 24, 2014, 10:57:15 am »
NECRO-THREAD REVIVAL WARNING!!!

Anyone looking forward to the next season?  It actually looks more exciting than the book was. 

It was funny to re-read this thread and see how people were so mad that the books just stopped.  Fast forward to today where boxed sets went out a christmas--has anyone continued to read? I personally am ok with the "half the characters, 100% of the time" versus "all the characters, 50% of the time" tact.  I can seeing being pissed though to wait several years for that other book to come...
its better to not post and be thought a fool, then to whip out your keyboard and remove all doubt...

Cakemeister

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1002
  • Last login:May 31, 2024, 06:23:16 pm
  • I'm a llama!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #42 on: March 24, 2014, 11:58:01 am »
I'm looking forward to pirating watching GoT season 4, starting in early April.

Fortunately I didn't start reading the books until six months before book 5 came out.

I think the producers of the show will take stuff from both books 4 and 5 to create season 5. I think they have greenlighted two more seasons.
Old, but not obsolete.

Samstag

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1378
  • Last login:December 16, 2016, 01:41:19 am
  • That's not a llama!
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #43 on: March 24, 2014, 03:52:08 pm »
I just started reading the books (about halfway through the first one) and I'm actually kind of disappointed so far.  They did such a great job of cramming detail into the show that what I've read almost feels like a screenplay.  I was hoping to get a lot more detail and background.  There's some in there, but a lot less than I expected and for the most part inconsequential.

The screen adaptation isn't supposed to ruin the reading experience but this is one of those rare* cases where you might as well watch the story rather than read it.

* The only other I can think of is Catch Me If You Can, where they left out a lot of the best parts from the true story possibly because they were too "unbelievable" to put in a movie.

ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #44 on: April 14, 2014, 02:26:48 am »
Ding dong the brat is dead!  :woot
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

kahlid74

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1366
  • Last login:January 01, 2021, 12:42:56 pm
  • Gaming for a better future!
    • GamersAnon
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #45 on: April 14, 2014, 02:43:39 am »
George RR Martin has stated many times he loathes actually writing.  So yeah, that's why it takes forever for books to come out.

Howard_Casto

  • Idiot Police
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19427
  • Last login:July 13, 2025, 11:38:27 am
  • Your Post's Soul is MINE!!! .......Again??
    • The Dragon King
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #46 on: April 14, 2014, 02:55:10 am »
Way to respond to a month old post kahlid74.  ;)

ark.  I know man, it was the first thing worth mentioning since the show began a few years ago.  This and those slaps a few seasons back.  I guess the question is who's going to be the villain now?  I mean there are some asses on the show, but he was clearly king ass. 

emphatic

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2017
  • Last login:Today at 09:30:53 am
  • -"Suck it, Donny!" -"No, YOU suck it.... more".
    • Emphatic's Video Game Collection
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #47 on: April 15, 2014, 04:24:59 pm »
I guess the question is who's going to be the villain now?  I mean there are some asses on the show, but he was clearly king ass.

This show is called Game Of Thrones, not King Ass.

Howard_Casto

  • Idiot Police
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19427
  • Last login:July 13, 2025, 11:38:27 am
  • Your Post's Soul is MINE!!! .......Again??
    • The Dragon King
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #48 on: April 15, 2014, 04:42:00 pm »
I guess the question is who's going to be the villain now?  I mean there are some asses on the show, but he was clearly king ass.

This show is called Game Of Thrones, not King Ass.

Umm yes.  Maybe you don't have a mastery of the English language or something,  but an "ass" is a term used for a horrible person.  My question was how are they going to find a better villain than Joffrey.  Sorry I'll speak slower and use smaller words next time.  ;)

BAMBOO

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 290
  • Last login:June 30, 2016, 06:51:20 am
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #49 on: April 16, 2014, 04:51:57 am »
I guess the question is who's going to be the villain now?  I mean there are some asses on the show, but he was clearly king ass.

This show is called Game Of Thrones, not King Ass.

 :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
"Every arcade we restore preserves history that we will never experience again..."

rpgposer

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 161
  • Last login:August 31, 2018, 11:46:12 am
  • PSO lover.
Re: HBO - Game of Thrones
« Reply #50 on: April 16, 2014, 08:22:39 am »
I thought it's name was "Splurt of Blood"?  Every time I catch a glimpse of the show, someone gets hurt, badly.  Last week, during a road trip, I saw a new episode? where some dude got stabbed in the wrist... SPLURT!
Never met a game I won't keep.