HBO Season 2 News, Rumors, etc.

[Needle]

Ok since I am finding nothing on the TV board and all the best opinions are on this board anyway season 2 premiered last night (in US anyway)

What did everybody think?

I will not go into details yet, will let someone else start, but I say awesome!

One word DIREWOLVES !

 

[Keebs411]

Loved it!!! I was curious on how they would show the dire wolves as they got older and larger. Well done! Craster was not how i pictured him, but hey im over it Also i was glad they didnt hold back on certain things from the book that are considered taboo for tv and movie. Ill just say surprise visit to the whore house by those who dont care what little finger thinks or feels. Dont wanna spoil for anyone else , but i was shocked and impressed they didnt cater to the general rules of tv and movies) My brother in law was in disbelief and i just told him hey it happens in the book, nothing is sugar coated there is no tip toeing around anything. So excited for next wk and the entire season

 

[firstfist]

Good episode.
Characters, new and old are reintroduced/introduced. The cast all feels right to me with only minor issues (Ie Craster doesn't "look" right, but felt like Craster). Scenes that were added in felt like they belonged, and are in cohesion with the story for the most part. Cut scenes? Way too early to tell if something I wanted to see won't just be shown soon.
My biggest problem I think is with Osha. She is a decent fit to travel with Bran I guess, but it just doesn't feel right, and I don't know if I will ever feel that it does, without the little frog eaters

 

[Pilpel]

I loved how they made everything connect. I know all the characters and what they're about to do, but it could easily get really confusing for people who haven't read the books. By relating each "POV" to the other, and adding a few scenes, they really glued all these different stories together.
I imagined Melisandre different, especially the way she says "...dark and full of terrors".
I'm really looking forward to the Arya bits, and specifically Jaqen!

 

[Rufio]

Loved it!!! I was curious on how they would show the dire wolves as they got older and larger. Well done! Craster was not how i pictured him, but hey im over it Also i was glad they didnt hold back on certain things from the book that are considered taboo for tv and movie. Ill just say surprise visit to the whore house by those who dont care what little finger thinks or feels. Dont wanna spoil for anyone else , but i was shocked and impressed they didnt cater to the general rules of tv and movies) My brother in law was in disbelief and i just told him hey it happens in the book, nothing is sugar coated there is no tip toeing around anything. So excited for next wk and the entire season

It was even more full on than it was in the book, if I remember rightly we fnd out about it, we don't actually 'see' it, that's one thing the TV show can do and in this case did to good and shocking effect!
That story was my favourite part of this episode, some of the others felt a bit like they were just saying 'hey remember these guys?' with not a huge amount of progression (though I still enjoyed them ). King's Landing had more of a narrative, and the boy who plays Joffrey just gets better and better, maybe the best piece of casting on the show and there's a lot of competition.

I'm glad the wolves are going to be more involved this series, they had problems with the dogs last series apparently, it's kinda funny that the dragon (will we ever see the other two??) looks more 'real' than the wolves, that's CGI for you I guess and they didn't look too bad.

 

[Needle]

Loved it!!! I was curious on how they would show the dire wolves as they got older and larger. Well done! Craster was not how i pictured him, but hey im over it Also i was glad they didnt hold back on certain things from the book that are considered taboo for tv and movie. Ill just say surprise visit to the whore house by those who dont care what little finger thinks or feels. Dont wanna spoil for anyone else , but i was shocked and impressed they didnt cater to the general rules of tv and movies) My brother in law was in disbelief and i just told him hey it happens in the book, nothing is sugar coated there is no tip toeing around anything. So excited for next wk and the entire season

I was impressed with the use of direwolves, think we saw more of them in one episode than the entire last season!

With you on the whore house too, it took me a second, I was like "Now what the hell is this?" And then "Oh yes! This." My son, who read the books years ago, says, was this even in the book? Yes it was but in this case the screen has the advantage, puts it right in your face. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about Cersei doesn't it?

Good episode.
Characters, new and old are reintroduced/introduced. The cast all feels right to me with only minor issues (Ie Craster doesn't "look" right, but felt like Craster). Scenes that were added in felt like they belonged, and are in cohesion with the story for the most part. Cut scenes? Way too early to tell if something I wanted to see won't just be shown soon.
My biggest problem I think is with Osha. She is a decent fit to travel with Bran I guess, but it just doesn't feel right, and I don't know if I will ever feel that it does, without the little frog eaters

Agreed, Craster doesn't look right to me but the actor has him down.

On Osha though, think your ahead of yourself firstfist, they only traveled to the Godswood, not traveling yet, that is still in the future.

 

[Needle]

I loved how they made everything connect. I know all the characters and what they're about to do, but it could easily get really confusing for people who haven't read the books. By relating each "POV" to the other, and adding a few scenes, they really glued all these different stories together.
I imagined Melisandre different, especially the way she says "...dark and full of terrors".
I'm really looking forward to the Arya bits, and specifically Jaqen!

Can't wait to see more of my girl! And yes bring on Jaqen!

Felt Mel was not quite pretty enough (seems a complaint we've heard about others, am beginning to wonder if there is such a thing outside of our heads!) but again, spot on for character!

It was even more full on than it was in the book, if I remember rightly we fnd out about it, we don't actually 'see' it, that's one thing the TV show can do and in this case did to good and shocking effect!
That story was my favourite part of this episode, some of the others felt a bit like they were just saying 'hey remember these guys?' with not a huge amount of progression (though I still enjoyed them ). King's Landing had more of a narrative, and the boy who plays Joffrey just gets better and better, maybe the best piece of casting on the show and there's a lot of competition.

I'm glad the wolves are going to be more involved this series, they had problems with the dogs last series apparently, it's kinda funny that the dragon (will we ever see the other two??) looks more 'real' than the wolves, that's CGI for you I guess and they didn't look too bad.

Yes I too think the whorehouse, along with the blacksmith scene, was the best! Very in your face! Loved it!

i read somewhere the producers said the were going to keep the cgi to a minimum, and as far as I can see, they have. Direwolves not too bad although obviously cgi, but hey since there are none to be found south of the wall, they will do!

 

[Keebs411]

Good episode.
Characters, new and old are reintroduced/introduced. The cast all feels right to me with only minor issues (Ie Craster doesn't "look" right, but felt like Craster). Scenes that were added in felt like they belonged, and are in cohesion with the story for the most part. Cut scenes? Way too early to tell if something I wanted to see won't just be shown soon.
My biggest problem I think is with Osha. She is a decent fit to travel with Bran I guess, but it just doesn't feel right, and I don't know if I will ever feel that it does, without the little frog eaters

they were only in the gods wood, not traveling yet. She would not be traveling with bran until after theon takes over winterfell, and i dont think the freys or merra and her brother have arrived yet. I hope they dont cut out meera and her brother from the shows story im eager to see that casting as well.

 

[firstfist]

Oh, for sure. I realize that about Osha and Bran so far. I just think/thought that I heard, maybe just a rumor?, that the Crannogmen children wouldn't be cast. They aren't listed here that I can see anyway. Also read a rumor? that Osha would take their place.
If the Reeds were going to be traveling with Bran, they should have been cast for this season. Don't they start their journey, and leave Winterfel in the very last chapter of Clash?

With you on the whore house too, it took me a second, I was like "Now what the hell is this?" And then "Oh yes! This."

Me also. Then I realized, oh right, this is what Cerci was ordering Slynt to do in the small council when Tyrion waltz on in. Don't think they made that very apparent, don't think anyone who didn't read it would have picked that up.

 

[Keldaris]

The scene with Robb/Jaime and Grey wind was epic!!

Cressen's death was a let down though....It didn't feel as important or memorable as it does in the book, he was just some guy who was on screen for about 3 minutes total...I don't think they even named him in the episode it seemed more an act of stupidty and vengance, not a desperate act of loyalty(and love) to protect his lord(now king) and brethren from false gods and wicked counsel...

anyone else find themselves having to explain all of the missing info to their friends who are watching the series and not reading the books? I get bombarded with questions every 5 minutes....

 

[Keebs411]

I hadnt head that rumor i sure hope they dont replace them with osha. Besides if they did who would go in the opposite direction with rickon?

 

[southron sword]

Cressen's death was a let down though....It didn't feel as important or memorable as it does in the book, he was just some guy who was on screen for about 3 minutes total...I don't think they even named him in the episode it seemed more an act of stupidty and vengance, not a desperate act of loyalty(and love) to protect his lord(now king) and brethren from false gods and wicked counsel......

Yeah. This was a dissapointing scene. If you were watching for the first time you would have no idea what was happening. Why is this old guy so crazy about this woman? Why is he poisoning her? Why did she take the poison when clearly the old man was dying? They needed to explain more about what was happening, and why Rhllor is so powerful.

Also, the scene at the start with ser Dontos. Dissapointing. Sansa didnt nearly have enough shock or desperation in her voice when saving Dontos, and Dontos just kind of passed this near death off as just another thing. Atleast Tyrion came in and revived the scene.

I agree with Joffrey, he is progressing nicely and that kid is killing it.

And Robb. He seems MORE in control than he did in the books.

 

[Keebs411]

The scene with Robb/Jaime and Grey wind was epic!!

Cressen's death was a let down though....It didn't feel as important or memorable as it does in the book, he was just some guy who was on screen for about 3 minutes total...I don't think they even named him in the episode it seemed more an act of stupidty and vengance, not a desperate act of loyalty(and love) to protect his lord(now king) and brethren from false gods and wicked counsel...

anyone else find themselves having to explain all of the missing info to their friends who are watching the series and not reading the books? I get bombarded with questions every 5 minutes....

My freinds boyfriend kept asking questions the entire time. He watched season one but he has never read the books. It was frustrating but i dont think it was due to the way the show was done or filmed. It was more a case of he knew we had read the books and he had no patience to watch and qait and see anything develope. He wanted to know every detail instantly and a semi sneak peek to the meaning and what somthing would lead towith out waiting to find out or figure out for himself. And on many occations the answer was given to many of his questions if hed just waited. He also seems to not pay close attention for example he completly missed the connection of cersi ordering the the deaths od all of roberts ******* children. Even with out reading i think that story line was well done and i would have made the connection just because of gendry and season one.
IMO I think anyone whos a fan of the show but doesnt read the serious is going to bombard anyone they know who has read the books with questions. I had it happen to me with the show true blood. My freinds qould hound me by the end of each episode. Thankfully the show slowly and progressivly detured away with many of its story lines compared to the books. So now even im in suspense each wk and every one knows i no longer know all the answers lol.
Thankfully most of my freinds who watch AGOT also read the series.

 

[The Imp]

My freinds boyfriend kept asking questions the entire time. He watched season one but he has never read the books. It was frustrating but i dont think it was due to the way the show was done or filmed. It was more a case of he knew we had read the books and he had no patience to watch and qait and see anything develope. He wanted to know every detail instantly and a semi sneak peek to the meaning and what somthing would lead towith out waiting to find out or figure out for himself. And on many occations the answer was given to many of his questions if hed just waited. He also seems to not pay close attention for example he completly missed the connection of cersi ordering the the deaths od all of roberts ******* children. Even with out reading i think that story line was well done and i would have made the connection just because of gendry and season one.
IMO I think anyone whos a fan of the show but doesnt read the serious is going to bombard anyone they know who has read the books with questions. I had it happen to me with the show true blood. My freinds qould hound me by the end of each episode. Thankfully the show slowly and progressivly detured away with many of its story lines compared to the books. So now even im in suspense each wk and every one knows i no longer know all the answers lol.
Thankfully most of my freinds who watch AGOT also read the series.

I watch the show with my wife. I sometimes pause the playback using the DVR so that I can explain something I think she might not understand. other times she asks questioon, and I'll pause the show to answer. I will NEVER give her evem the tiniest of spoilers, and she knows better than to ask

 

[firstfist]

I kind of think Cressen was done well. Sure, if you've read the books you know how important the Cressen POV is because the chance to see his thoughts has been yours. How else could they have handled it? Cressen is important enough to add as a serious foreshadow character, and that happened. Should they really have spent a few more minuets on him, or cut something else?
Ok, sure, they could have cut the prostitute being lectured about how it is done by flipin' Roz, but I liked that the rest of the scene was there. And really how long was it? Ten, maybe fifteen seconds? That wouldn't have been long enough to add any substance to the Cressen scenes.
For those who don't read the books, but continue on watching this season, they will have a treat in their next viewing. They will then know how evil Melisandre is, how corrupting she is on Stanis and others around him. They will still not know what Maester Cressen's name is, but they will be more like to see his importance from then on.

 

[Pilpel]

i read somewhere the producers said the were going to keep the cgi to a minimum, and as far as I can see, they have. Direwolves not too bad although obviously cgi, but hey since there are none to be found south of the wall, they will do!

It could be my imagination - but weren't they also using CGI for landscapes? Some are authentic and it shows (the sea at King's Landing), but some look like they're out of a computer game (Red Waste, King's Landing, north of the Wall)