HBO's first season for AGOT is 10 episodes long

[dooley]

it's been pretty well covered that the first episode will go until 'the things i do for love.'

what do the other 9 episodes include?

if you ask me, it's going to be a very difficult task to condense the story into 10 episodes, but i do think a lot of the story can be maintained. how do you feel they're going to break it up, also considering they want to incorporate intriguing ends of episodes to keep viewers excited.

 

[Nexus]

I was thinking perhaps they should do one episode per character, like, one of Ned, one of Tyrion, Arya, Bran etc. Everyone would interlink, and it'd be a lot like the books.

I'm intrigued to see how they can condense it to 10 episodes, though.

 

[Werthead]

The pilot covers 1/8 of the entire book. The 'condensing' to 10 epsiodes means that instead of 4 hours of filler material they only need to invent 2. To be honest, I prefer that idea.

It also means that if the series is a hit they can expand to 11 or 12 eps for ACoK and maybe 12 or 14 for ASoS.

 

[The Imp]

PJ's LOTR trilogy (extended versions) covered MAYBE 12 hours. The only major character to be omitted was Tom Bombadil, and I think Jackson did a nice job of creating Middle Earth, hitting plt points and moving the story along so it didn't get boring or bogged down.

With AGOT, the old hprase "a picture is worth a thousand words" has particular meaning. Part of what makes GRRM a greatg writer is the fact that he paints a picture of every new scene, describing things in intricate detail. That won't be necessary or even possbile in the TV version.

I think 10 epsidoes is actually more than they might need.

 

[southron sword]

I hope they throw in little "insider" things for the more involved fans, like us. Nothing thatll confuse regular viewers, but to us be like, "oh, cool, they had that".

 

[xLORDSNOWx]

It's obvious that everything in the TV series will not be covered. It is also obvious that everyone and their mothers have a plethra of theories as to how the series will pan out, parentage, and etc.

Now to my question...

With George having a hand in the script, does anyone think with the TV series being somewhat condensed that we will have a better insight to our theories? Everyone for the last 5 years have quoted specific lines in the book to back up their theory. Basically, some theories may be quelled as the basis of most theories in the book won't be transferred to the big screen. Not so much in AGOT, but if we're lucky and the series is a big hit, further down the road with the upcoming seasons.

Also, how do you think the series will effect the remaining books if it doesnt do well. Will he speed up the process or become disgruntled with the pressing fans and failed series and not finish?

Thoughts???

 

[TK-421]

I believe you can do it well in 10 episodes.

 

[southron sword]

Im just hoping theres a FULL episode for the tourney. The rest can be reduced if needed. (especially ned and the girls travelling. just show Aria losing her wolf and Lady getting killed and move on)

 

[Eulalia]

Hmmm.

I suppose if they need to extend it...

They will include long fighting scenes. Yes a long tourney would be good.
Linger on faces expressing emotional reactions.
Pan over scenery.
Show close ups of important props.
Have long feasting scenes.
Have extended sex scenes. First her leg, then his leg, then their legs in the usual positions. (lol)
Have dialogue that describes flashbacks, since they can't really have many flashbacks (nobody is cast as Rhaegar or Lyanna, etc)
Give us the full version of the Maiden and the Bear

 

[Culhwch]

Have dialogue that describes flashbacks, since they can't really have many flashbacks (nobody is cast as Rhaegar or Lyanna, etc)

Well, they are still casting for all the roles that weren't featured in the pilot, so there's no saying they won't be cast. I'm hoping they'll do the flashbacks (and imagine there's no real getting around them) - the Tower of Joy scene is quite possibly my favourite in all the books.

 

[Eulalia]

Bring on the flashbacks! (did I really say that?)

Well that is a good point. I also hope they do the Tower of Joy, the Trident, and Mad King Aerys. Lyanna needs to be a speaking part, but not the rest.

 

[Culhwch]

And the tourney at Harrenhal, a series or two hence...

 

[southron sword]

I doubt theyll show it, but Neds dad and his brother being killed by Aerys would b a pretty dramatic (and cool) scene.

 

[dooley]

well allright, since we're all pretty sure the story of aGoT can be executed in 10 episodes, i challenge somebody to cut it up into pieces and explain where each episode would end, and start.

 

[TK-421]

The Trident would be the kind of flashback they may consider. You don't even need to show Rheagar's face in that scene since it's hidden by his helm.

"Promise me Ned" has to be another.

 

[Eulalia]

Just a helmet, purplish eyes and a few locks of silver blonde hair!

I suppose they could have a video of Lyanna mouthing "promise me Ned" in her bed, and Ned thinking the words in anguish? I wonder if that would count as a speaking part.

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

well allright, since we're all pretty sure the story of aGoT can be executed in 10 episodes, i challenge somebody to cut it up into pieces and explain where each episode would end, and start.

Isn't that the scriptwriter's job? And they get paid for it

The folks over at the "Winter is Coming" blog have already sketched an outline for the first 3 episodes (including pilot) but this is where dramatic licence comes in. There may even be new material & cliffhangers inserted to the series that isn't in the book. This is an adaptation after all.

There's already a new character (Roz) who wasn't mentioned in the books and Tyrion gets some new lines and scenes in the pilot also. Expect this to continue.

 

[southron sword]

I wonder if Roz will make an appearance in later novels?

 

[TK-421]

Doubt it highly. She would have a completely different story in the books and series. Personally, I think her involvement and the way they will introduce us to Tyrion sounds great.

 

[Lofwyr]

I was pondering the "10 moments" thing even before the question was posed

Off the top of my head, good 'episode close' scenes would be, in no particular order -

The things i do for love (obv)
Ned's death
Dragon's hatching (duh)
Viserys' crowning
Combat on the streets of King's Landing (?)
Attempt on Bran's life (?)
about all I could come up with...I need to read this series more than once Too many poker related things to read atm!