Game of Thrones?

[dr.strangelove]

I watched the first episode and it was interesting. I understand that eventually, the female characters become the true heroes and villains of the story, but I was disappointed that they seemed to just be eye candy for the first episode. I hope that changes soon. It seemed like a lot of nudity just for nudity's sake.
Otherwise, its a tough story to follow. But I gather that will come with watching.

[AtomicKitten]

1. It seems like an interesting story from an epic fantasy novel series.

I watched the first episode again yesterday in preparation for part #2 today to refresh my memory. I'm beginning to think it might be easier to watch it On Demand as I'm also watching The Borgias with the magnificent Jeremy Irons.

[Duer 157099]

2. I'm also watching both, and there are so many parallels

I'm wondering if they are coincident.

[Duer 157099]

3. It took 5 episodes to captivate me, but now I'm hooked

and I see the exquisite beauty in this story, the writing, and the production of the series. It is well worth sticking with, even if it requires a few viewings (and, as I'm doing, reading the book too) to fully understand it all.

edit: and I thank my lucky stars that HBO optioned this before anybody got ahold of film rights! I can't imagine condensing this into a 2 or 3 hour film, even if there were multiple parts. It belongs in the long format of a series.

[Qanisqineq]

4. I've seen 2 episodes and so agree with you

I felt like the nudity was there "just for nudity's sake." And I hate that the women are all treated so poorly! I wanted at least a few of the women to be strong, or maybe not all the men act like cavemen. (for lack of a better way to put it LOL)

Plus, so many of the characters are so vile! The one woman (the queen -- I don't remember any names) that isn't a doormat or treated like shit is evil, evil, evil.

I was getting ready to call it quits on the show until I read this thread. Thanks!

[dr.strangelove]

5. Its getting good

I think its clear that the women will rule in this world. I have enjoyed it so far.

[The empressof all]

6. I watched the first five episodes yesterday....Stick with it

I'm hooked...I haven't read the books and I'm not sure I totally understand how all the characters are inter related. But I'm in for the long haul now.

[Duer 157099]

7. How long was Bran in a coma?

I was just wondering how, in those days, they kept someone alive that was in a coma. Without IV fluids, how do they feed and hydrate them? :shrug:

[lazarus]

8. So, we finally watched this

it started slow, but got very good.

I called Viserys's death three episodes ago. No way that guy was surviving in that world. Love the way his sister has done what she had to do to take control of her life.

From what I understand, everyone turns out to be just varying and changing shades of gray, no real evil or good, which suits me.

The opening credits are gorgeous.

And Viserys reminded me of Kent from The Amazing Race.

[dr.strangelove]

9. The opening credits are AMAZING

They change each week a little bit. Angus Wall of Elastic did them. He also did Rome's and Carnivale's. The man is gifted in this strange and unusual art form.

[lazarus]

10. well, that turned extra dark fairly quickly

Yikes! Does Eddard survive this, and how?

Oh, and DS, I found out that apparently the series develops to being all about the women, so they're not just eye candy.

[dr.strangelove]

11. Its all about the women

Its clearly going that way. I doubt Stark survives. I think it sets up a war between Lanisters on one side and the Starks, Tully's and Arryns (Stark's wife's and her sister's families) on the other. With the horsemen coming at the worst possible time, with the kingdom in a total mess.

[lazarus]

12. Khal Drogo

the actor who plays Drogo is the next Conan the Barbarian. I think he's going to be fantastic in that role, as he is on GoT.

[Duer 157099]

13. I've just finished reading the first book

Um, wow, the next few episodes are going to be epic. Next week should begin the trip down the rabbit hole.

The worst part is going to be waiting for next season. I've started the 2nd book and it picks up right where #1 ends, so at least I can find out where this is going.

Just wow.

[lazarus]

14. bit of a transitional episode

just shifting the plot forward, no major things happening.

I think Robb has seriously spooked the Lannisters. Why else are they so concerned with getting Eddard to swear fealty to Joffrey? Since they've convinced a big chunk of the populace that he's a traitor, they could just do away with him and be done with it.

If they get some of the other kingdoms on their side, the Lannisters could be in big trouble.

Tyrion's subplot is interesting. He's a fascinating character, and Dinklage should be considered for an Emmy (does this series qualify for this year's Emmies?).

Finally, so that's what it looks like when you tear someone's throat out. So now I know.

And knowing is half the battle.

[dr.strangelove]

15. They can not afford a war

I agree on the plot driven episode. It had to move some of the stories.

The mad king lost his grip on power fighting internal civil wars. They need unity with the north. They would rather get House Tully, Stark and Anon to silently go home instead of fighting. Killing Stark (which I suspect will happen no matter what) will set off a war that will only weaken the throne. I suspect that while the starks and tulleys are fighting the lanisters, 30,000 horsemen come in and cause a world of issues. They need to win a battle first, then others will come to their side. The Lanisters need to kill them quickly to show why no one should challenge them.

As for the throat, did you not ever watch the classic film, Road House, starring the one and only Patrick Swayze. He tore out a guy's throat too. LOL!

[lazarus]

16. I had wiped that from the memory banks

I don't know that I ever saw the unedited version of Road House, which would explain it.

I don't think the horsemen come in this season. There are only two episodes left, I believe. Not nearly enough time for that.

I could see the season ending with the horses being loaded on ships. Hell of a cliffhanger.

I'm trying to decide if I want to read the books. The series is being done so well, I almost don't want to spoil it by reading the original, which is the reverse of how I normally approach this sort of thing.

[Duer 157099]

17. I can almost guarantee that when this season ends,

you will rush out to buy the books, because you won't be able to stand the suspense waiting for next season.

And it won't be a bad decision, the books really help to understand more of what is going on. You'll especially appreciate how well the HBO crew is doing to get the story told in the limited time they have for each episode.

[lazarus]

18. Yeah, I can feel it coming on

:D

[Duer 157099]

19. I think one of the things I like best is that nothing is predictable

When I see people who are watching the show but not reading the books, ponder on what they think may be coming, they are invariably wrong. This author does not take the easy road.

And I agree about Dinklage. He is doing a supreme masterful job with Tyrion. So far Tyrion is far and away my favorite character.

[dr.strangelove]

20. Tell me about it

I don;t think I have been right yet on this show. I really want to read book 1, but I am gonna wait for the future season. I want to see it unspoiled.

[lazarus]

21. two things I got completely wrong this episode

I didn't think Eddard Stark would confess at take his freedom. And I didn't think they'd kill the main star of the series before the season even ended.

I wonder how, if he comes back to life, Khal Drogo will feel about the Khaleesi's killing his horse to save his life. And we finally saw (sort of) some magic in this world. I was curious about how magical this world is.

I don't think Joffrey is going to last very long after that stunt. He'll probably survive the season, but he just pissed off EVERYBODY, his own people included.

[lazarus]

22. I suspected there would be dragons eventually

those eggs were like Chekhov's gun.

Things don't look so good for the Lannisters. I don't think Tyrion will be able to stop Joffrey's insanity. It'll be fun to watch him try, though.

I can definitely see Danaerys pulling together an army on the strength of possessing real dragons, and then making a play for Westros.

I wonder if Robb will retreat to Winterfell and be happy as King of the North, or if he'll pursue revenge for his father's murder.

I just started reading the books. The series did an amazing job of carrying the main plot points, but the books are fuller and richer. Highly recommended.