To the great chagrin of many an acne-faced, basement-dwelling nerd, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will not be playing Jaime and Cersei Lannister.
Despite this immense setback to the wet-dreaming community of the intarwebs I must say that AGoT is a decent enough show. I've got a hundred questions (how will they keep producing episodes if Martin has yet to finish the series, for starters...) and I know for a fact that this fantasy series has been for many years one of the main inspirations for a lot of what has happened throughout EfU. Whilst the settings (FR and Westeros) are incredibly different from one another, and I truly think that in the only instances GRRM has been outright copied it was more out of a sense of respect (homages, such as character names) than a need to plagiarize his work for lack of creativity, I wouldn't disagree with naming the man the Godfather of EfU, in my own perspective at least. With that said, I would very much like to hear what other EfU players have to say on the show. Keeping spoilers to a minimum might be decent, but then again there's a warning on the thread title. And if you've not read every single one of the four books that are out, you really, really, really should do it right about now.
Here's my take on it: Whilst not as utterly unabashedly amazing as ROME (Titus Pullo screaming THIRTEEN and hurling an axe into a rival gang member's face as a reply to his offer of peace, after biting - yes, biting - off the other gang's leader tongue still ranks for me as the greatest television moment, or perhaps outright moment in the history of mankind) it has quite a few strengths. The production is obviously very well made and there seems to have been an effort to stick as close as possible to the original material (why would you change ANYTHING in what is pretty much already a story that was made for the episodic TV-show format is beyond me, really) which is really nice for a fan of the show. From the look of the first two episodes, I don't think they'll be skirting around some of the more sensitive material (sex and violence, namely) though they have toned it down somewhat by aging most of the characters (Daenerys is 16 or 17, whereas in the book she is 13). Obviously for die-hard fans (such as I) there will be some let-downs in casting choices and other issues (such as adding scenes that were not part of GRRM's books, even though other scenes that were not featured in the TV adaptation could have served just as well in their place) but so far I think it's a very watchable show that I hope will at the very least bring more people in contact with this amazing fantasy series. Thoughts?
Just started watching it today, very entertaining tbh.
Doesn't hold a candle to top tier TV shows like Deadwood or The Wire.
It's decent, but nothing more than that. Considerably worse than I had hoped for, but not a complete flop, thankfully. I'll probably watch every episode, anyway.
I never nerded out over the books as so many of you EFU people did, so I've found it cool enough. Plus some great lines.
"At sixteen all I cared for was cracking skulls and fucking girls".
Too true, king sir, too true.
While I agree that shows such as Deadwood and Rome are really what television was made for, I don't see how AGoT's television adaptation is anything but a decent attempt to bring the books to the screen. I honestly don't see how it could be better given the current state of affairs at HBO (risky, out-of-the-box shows pretty much died with Rome in that network, imo) and really, it could be much, much, much worse.
Obviously most of us (I expect) are fans of the books and will end up watching every episode one way or another.
And if you do care for witty one-liners you better watch every single one indeed. GRRM has written some of the best.
Let's not forget, anything HBO has rights to becomes instantly possible for their late night after hours soft core porn.
A schlong of ice and fire, anyone?
There's plenty they could have done better.
Namely, not made Drogo a wax-chested gym monkey with a penchant for makeup.
Also, Cersei should have a much better set of tits.
It has exceeded my expectations. "Competently done" is the phrase I'd use.
This week's episode is an improvement, at least.
It's quite decent. The shots are stunning however! I'll probably watch it all, since decent and above- fantasy/sci-fi series are rare enough these days.
It's a good series. I fanboy this shit.
I didn't enjoy Deadwood and I found season 2 of Rome to be lacklustre compared with the tour-de-force that was the first season, which was a pity. Still highly recommended. I suspect AGOT will exceed them all once the actors and actresses find their confidence, and once things are really in the swing. Bear in mind this is the first 'big' thing a lot of these guys have done.
Peter Dinklage has been a godsend though, it was utterly vital that they got someone with gravitas to play Tyrion Lannister, and I thought given Tyrion's dwarf-stature that would be impossible. He's done well so far.
As for my overall response to AGOT...
*POTENTIAL SPOILER IN THE SMALL WRITING*
It's hard to judge. I think the only opinions that matter are the ones of those who HAVEN'T read the books, as it's going to be hard to feign surprise when certain twists occur, and from what I can tell, those tend to be all of a kind - they're really enjoying it. The critics (who won't have touched this niche fantasy with a bargepole) are all gripped by what is a twisting and turning rollercoaster of a story.
I myself find it very well done from a read-the-books-standpoint. Well acted, well screenplayed, well directed.
[size="1"]And we'll get to see the Battle of the Blackwater and the ambush in the Whispering Wood. That'll be something fantastic to behold, I am mainly looking forward to the realisation of the action scenes, as that's the only thing a book cannot really do better than a movie. How good will Jaime Lannister be?[/size]
Also, Daenerys Targaryen is very, very hot.
I just wonder how the conservative media will respond when they find out she's supposed to represent a 13 year old girl who does softporn in a mainstream tv series.
That could be the most entertaining event of the series, if a pundit ever gets round to reading a book :P. Talking of which, a friend gave me his old copy of the novel, so reading through it at last. :D.
I like it.
Haters gonna hate though!!
I like it too.
Pretty solid so far. Now he needs to get off his ass (or on it) and write the rest of the series. Hate to have him to end up like Robert Jordan. The newest book in the series was just completed and it took 6 years. Still and estimated 3 more books to go. You're not that young George, you better pick up the pace!
Each episode has gotten progressively better. I have high hopes for the series, and expect it will be amazing.
Didn't like Deadwood...
wat
I'm definitely enjoying it as it goes on. I'm a little curious how easy it is for people who haven't read the books to follow along with what's going on.
The actor who played Syrio Forel was a bit of a disappointment.
I have not read the books. I have an associate who provides me custom commentary after each episode who fills me in on the characters, details, and relationships spoiler free. Without him it would be very hard to catch everything.
Syrio was a letdown but unless I am totally mistaken BARRISTAN SELMY is being played by this (//%22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Hogan_(Canadian_actor)%22) total badass. Which is excellent.
Colonel Tigh will be amazing.
Or rather, would have been. Just looked on IMDB, it's this guy: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568400/
As a long time fan of the books I have to say it's very good, so far. Minor things annoying me, but nothing important really. Most of the actors are even doing a good job of it!
Loving it so far, agree that Syrio was a strange choice. Wasn't sure about Renly either!
Big thumbs up for Littlefinger and Varys, though.
Mayor Carcetti returns.
Always pictured littlefinger as more oily. Hopefully, they'll cast Stannis properly in the second series. He isn't Stannis if he isn't a marble carved statue brought to life.
I only realised he was in The Wire the other day!
I'm already looking forward to what they'll do with Clash of Kings, too.
Jorah Mormont, Ayra, Littlefinger and the Hound are the only really 'fitting' actors.
I really would have liked to see a more fitting actor than Dinklage to cover my favorite character, but he's passable. As are the rest of the Starks and I suppose the rest of the Lannisters.
Syrio Forel, Khal Drogo, both Targaryens and a host of less important characters all seem extremely unfitting, which is a big letdown.
IMO, they should have just put David Simon and Ed Burns in charge of producing it.
Tyrion was really well done, IMO. I'd go so far as to say he was the only one who looks and acts exactly as I personally imagined.
Syrio Forel was a bit of letdown, I agree. Stupid hair.
I can't stop gushing about the Wall.
I love the visuals, the actors playing the scummy convicts, and the general feel of desperation the series captures when shots take place there. The conversation in episode three between Tyrion / The Lead Ranger / and the Recruitment Officer was spectacular.
Robert Baretheon is exactly as I'd have imagined him.
Littlefinger's actor is delivering a sterling performance so far, as is Tyrion's and Ned's.
For some reason I thought the wall to me more ''brick-like'' - but that's probably just my own interpretation. I agree it looks incredible.
Tyrion's accent bothers me a little - it's like he's trying really, really hard to do a British accent and it makes him sound a bit silly some of the time!
Can't wait to see more of THE HOUND, too.
I think Dinklage is doing very well. No complaints about his portrayal of Tyrion.
David Simon and his team wouldn't do well with this kind of project at all, and he'd have no interest. One of the biggest challenges with AGOT is the pacing - as an HBO series it feels rushed, but it's necessary if you want to cover the plot of the first book in ten episodes or whatever.
Yes, good point.
The Wall's completely made of ice according to the books.
There's one scene in the Storm of Swords (no details provided to avoid spoilers) where a small section of the wall breaks, and the characters see the entire core wall is made of nothing but ice.
If I recall, there were some stone battlements and other additions to the top of the wall, in one of the episodes, however.
I'm enjoying the show so far. I did immediately notice that Eddard's children are all aged a few years. It kind of makes sense though, I think the show would be pretty shocking if it depicted what happens to these kids. Especially with certain characters in the second book. I think Littlefinger is being played well but I pictured him shorter...
I'm just happy to have some sort of decent show depicting a fantasy medieval setting. So often then are so bad I can't bare to watch them.
Robert is being played very well I think.
No colonel Tigh for us. :(
AFAIK the Wall is made of ice. Ice bricks. There's a scene in A Storm of Swords in which this is made quite evident.
I want to see who they get to play GREGOR. Lena Headey would never have been my choice for Cersei Lannister, but I think she is doing a decent enough job. Things at the Wall seem gritty and desperate, but not nearly as much as in the books. Yoren (the recruitment officer) is a ragged, foul-smelling, haggard fellow in the book, and a gentleman in the series.
Howland, if they have someone lame playing Pyatt Pree you should have the right to chew them out.
Gregor Clegane is played by a 7 foot tall stunt man named Conan.
http://www.conanstevens.com/acting-movies-tv-film/tall-actor-blog/ser-gregor-clegane-i-am.html
You can see a shot of him as Clegane along the top bar.
Just finished watching episode 4, Gregor is in it. So far, the series, is great, of course no where as great as the books, but really well done. Friends of mine are now starting the books, just from seeing these episodes..now if old GRR can focus for a god damn minute and finish the series....!!!!!
Episode 4 = The best one so far. Samwell was unexpectedly appropriate.
Tonight's episode was crazzzzzy
books are for nerds
But I'm going to start watching this series TONIGHT!
After watching half of the first episode of Legend of the Seeker I gave up watching any movies/shows that are based off of books. Don't have HBO, but I respect the opinions of my peers here and will put some faith into this and download it!