Game of Thrones HBO - Disappointments, discuss.

[Mesanna]

You've summed up my post in seven words. If I send you my password, will you post for me?

And deny the forums of your famous rants? Never!

 

[hadd]

Merlin then?

My girl friend and housemate (non-readers) have given up on it. It's hard to defend the sex as nessecary, when it so clearly isn't. If I wanted to watch Porn I can, I don't need to buy HBO to do so and its a little more to the point.

Such a shame because I love everything else about the show.

Interesting because all the people I know that haven't read the books and have only seen the series are loving it so far. I also know a lot of people who also picked up the books a few episodes in to the series...

It's down to preferences then really. If a person doesn't like the books nor the show then I think they're just (medieval)fantasy-intolerant

 

[Brian G Turner]

My girl friend and housemate (non-readers) have given up on it. It's hard to defend the sex as nessecary, when it so clearly isn't. If I wanted to watch Porn I can, I don't need to buy HBO to do so and its a little more to the point.

Yeah, my gf won't watch it either. Then again, she didn't enjoy the book - complained it was too "masculine". I really thought I could get her to enjoy the TV series, though, but she doesn't like the sex being used for sensationalism.

Her older sister hasn't read the book but loves the TV series, though. She's a nurse, so isn't easily phased by anything. I'll lend her the book after the last episode has aired.

 

[TK-421]

Funny how so few complained when reading the books. But make it visual...

If only HBO could give each of us a Director's chair and a writer's contract and direct access to GRRM. But, c'est la vie.

 

[X'Nedra]

Funny how so few complained when reading the books. But make it visual.

Because in the books it made sense. I don't think anyone's complained about the pertinent sex scenes - it's the added stupid crap that has people annoyed.

It has got people talking about the show though - perhaps that was the intent? It truly makes me wonder do the writers/adapters not have enough faith in how exciting the storyline is on its own? Is it worth alienating people just for the sake of "standing out", when the story itself is great enough to stand out?

 

[The Imp]

Because in the books it made sense. I don't think anyone's complained about the pertinent sex scenes - it's the added stupid crap that has people annoyed.

It has got people talking about the show though - perhaps that was the intent? It truly makes me wonder do the writers/adapters not have enough faith in how exciting the storyline is on its own? Is it worth alienating people just for the sake of "standing out", when the story itself is great enough to stand out?

I think it helps to understand people's motivations for subscribing to a network such as HBO.

I think that people want a few things that they can't get from regular cable or "broadcast' networks. First, second and third on that list is soft core porn. People who wouldn't be caught dead watching hard core stuff feel perfecvtly Ok about watchin sex in the context of a real story. After that, the idea of no commefcial interruptions is probably important to a lot of folks, as well as graphic violence and stroy lines that aren't mainstream.

In GOT, HBO is able to provide that entire package, and do it while telling a great story. We as fans of the books are going to have to live with a few comprimises as the cost of being able to see them produce it.

 

[biodroid]

How far into the book is episode 7?

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

I believe series/season one, which is meant to cover the whole of the first book, is ten episodes long.

 

[biodroid]

Thanks crooksy, I guess I should finish the book first before I attempt the show as I might spoil the book rather than worry about the show.

 

[TK-421]

I think it helps to understand people's motivations for subscribing to a network such as HBO.

My Seven, could you imagine if a network like NBC or CBS made the series? HBO produces the highest quality shows. It is known.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

biodroid - definitely read the books first - they are amazing, and even though the show is good it will spoil your enjoyment of the books

 

[biodroid]

Thx crooksy

 

[The Imp]

My Seven, could you imagine if a network like NBC or CBS made the series? HBO produces the highest quality shows. It is known.

It is known

 

[Wiggum]

For me, the LotR film stand alongside great films of all genres. Game of Thrones does not stand up against great television of all genres. Doesn't go close.

I can't help but be subjective

Personally I don't feel that way about LotR, good films, but not great.

And I do agree about Game, if someone gave me the option of another season of Justified or Game, I would pick Justified.

But it not being my favorite series doesn't mean that it isn't good television.

It's really good television, even within the context of a cross genre evaluation.

The amount of people I know that love the series without having read the books, or having any preexisting interest in the fantasy genre, stands as testament to that.

 

[svalbard]

IMHO, The Fellowship of the Ring is up there with the greats in movies. Just as the book is in the literary world. The other two are ok, very enjoyable, but still only ok.

With AGOT the first book is brilliant, the 2nd good, the 3rd brilliant and the 4th ok. How that will translate onto the screen will be interesting. So far the TV series is very good, not anywhere near the class of The Sopranos or The Wire, but somewhere along the lines of Rome.

Similar to Wiggum most of my friends who have not read the books or are not even fantasy fans are loving the series. A number of them have gone and purchased the book on the strength of what they have seen. That must stand as a good thing if it brings more people into the world of GRRM.

 

[Boaz]

biodroid, I've seen you over in the Rowling forum. One facet of the Harry Potter series that I appreciated was how the storytelling changed to reflect Harry's aging process. It went from children's to young adult. Also, Rowling's ability to inflict casualties to her protagonists gave significance to the story.

GRRM's books have a major difference from the show. Each chapter is from one character's point of view. This allows Martin to really work on developing each character from his/her own point of view and from the points of view of his/her friends and enemies. There are points of view (POV) from five characters who are fifteen or younger. From the first book through the fifth, at least three years pass... maybe as many as five... it's difficult to tell... I cannot tell you if these five children live through the books, but I can tell you it's enjoyable to see them mature. All of them gain vast experience in a brutal world and all of them gain tremendous (and particular) insights into the societies, politics, and lives of the people around them.

If you thought some of the wounds and injustices in the wizarding world were bothersome, then you ain't seen nuttin' yet. If you've watched any of the series, then you know that calling the Seven Kingdoms brutal is polite.

Yes, read the series first. The first season is ten hours... but to me it feels like they're doing only one out of every ten scenes from the book. I'm shocked at how much is being left out... I'm also shocked at how close the show is staying to the main story when they're skipping so much. That being said, I don't know how new viewers can even begin to comprehend Eddard's motivations without reading the book.

TK, Imp, it is known.

Cul, Wiggs, svalbard, Fellowship was tremendous. It was everything I ever wanted... A+. I thought Towers was done by the Wayans brothers... Not Another Fantasy Movie... F. And Return was spotty. It had some awesome parts and some dumb, dumb, dumb bits... C.

I know the ease of use and the anonymity of the internet allow for gross overstatements... especially negative rants, so I'm trying to not give into Rh'llor... err, I mean the Dark Side, err, uh, what I meant to say was a Boaz always pays for his mistakes.

 

[woodsman]

The first LotR film was awesome - then again I have a thing for hobbits... and also - Sean Bean.

Guess I was a little grumpy when I posted before, I don't mind nudity when it adds something - The Tyrion scene in Ep 1 I thought was pretty good -gives us a good introduction to the Imp and his ways. The Petyr scene - not so much. Especially because his monologue was actually quite insightful and explains more of what happened in ep. 7 and what will happen in season 4 (maybe).

I guess I didn't realise HBO provided people with guilt free titillation. I will still enjoy the rest, shame they can't fit more Tyrion and Arya in.

 

[Koopa]

Boaz, whenever you watch LOTR,
do you, like me, skip all frodo and sam parts?

I swear to God, those two where boring, even Gollum could not save them from damnation. Btw, after watching those parts, i'm 100% sure Peter Jackson could only get away with Sam getting married and living happily ever after because it's written in the books. The way it was portrayed i'm convinced 80% of the audience (who had not read the books) thought them gay. Which is okay, if Jackson had followed through with it. Now, what we got was over the top mushy stuff so as too try and convince the audience just how incredible heavy the burden of carrying the ring is. Not that i have any idea how he could have pulled it off otherwise. In any case i literally cringed whenever they where shown again. and again. and again.... They should have edited out a great deal of them scenes. Or at least made them shorter so that the reprieve from the action scenes still remained without them parts dragging.

PS: Isn't is awesome being a couch-critic ^^

 

[Conor]

Episode #8 was great.
Seems they left out The Blackfish alltogether, very disappointing he was Robb's top war advisor if my memory serves me.
Least we saw more of Ghost, but they still look like dogs instead of Wolves. I know some are tired of hearing of the lack of Direwolves but just had to vent...

The hill tribes were done very well in my opinion.Ser Barristan Selmy has exceeded any of my expectations.

 

[Wiggum]

Don't think The Blackfish advises Robb until they hit the Riverlands.

Barristan was indeed BFS.